Prospective Students

What are Art History and Historic Preservation?
Art history is the study of the world’s visual heritage in the context of social, cultural, and intellectual history. The interdisciplinary nature of art history touches on all aspects of human culture, and provides a window into diverse visual phenomena, from prehistoric cave painting to contemporary cyber environments. Historic Preservation sets as its goal the physical and intellectual preservation of this heritage; it strives not only to preserve the physical remains of the past but to meaningfully integrate them into the present and future experience of a city, region or country.

Why the College of Charleston?

National Prominence
The College of Charleston's Department of Art History is one of the largest independent art history departments in the region and offers nationally recognized and leading programs in art history and historic preservation. A faculty of both experienced teachers and published scholars whose expertise ranges from the Ancient Near East to the contemporary world, provides students with a rigorous course of study in preparation for a rich variety of careers. Professors work personally with students to craft a program of study designed to enrich and develop their personal goals and interests, and to emphasize a global perspective in the study of the visual arts. Consistent with the College's mission since its founding in 1770, we encourage development of the critical analytical and writing skills that form the cornerstone of a strong liberal arts undergraduate education.

A Unique Experience in a Unique City
The Historic Preservation and Community Planning program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum to train students in preservation techniques, architectural and urban design, planning, and history. Charleston's renowned architectural heritage creates a unique and leading-edge opportunity for students to learn from the beautiful and historic city in which they study.

Both the Art History and Historic Preservation programs at the College of Charleston are strengthened by supporting fields of study in Arts Management, Archaeology, Religious Studies, Classics, Business, and Asian and Latin American Studies, as well as by the many programs for study abroad. Together with the city's active arts scene and preservation community, students have both the resources and opportunities of a large university and the individual attention of an elite liberal arts college.

Opportunities and Careers in Art History and Historic Preservation

In order to provide our students with a hands-on learning experience, the Department offers a wide variety of internship positions at Charleston's many museums, historical societies, preservation projects, government agencies and community arts and preservation organizations. In addition, numerous independent research and study-abroad scholarships are available.

Many of our students have found the program's emphasis on critical thinking and visual analysis to be excellent preparation for the future. They have gone on to PhD and MA graduate studies in art history and historic preservation, and specific careers in preservation, urban planning, architecture, education, art conservation, gallery and museum work, to name a few. Moreover, the interdisciplinary education we provide in Art History has led to successful careers in law, business, medicine and other fields.

Preservation-related Organizations

City of Charleston Department of Design, Development, and Preservation
http://www.ci.charleston.sc.us/dept/?nid=8

City of Charleston Department of Planning and Neighborhoods
http://www.ci.charleston.sc.us/dept/?nid=18

City of Charleston Civic Design Center
http://www.ci.charleston.sc.us/dept/?nid=336

Berkley Charleston Dorchestor (BCD) Council of Governments
http://www.bcdcog.com/

Historic Charleston Foundation
http://www.historiccharleston.org/about/contact.html

Preservation Society of Charleston
http://www.preservationsociety.org/

National Trust for Historic Preservation
http://www.nationaltrust.org/

South Carolina Dept of Archives and History
http://www.state.sc.us/scdah/

The Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation
http://palmettotrust.org/index.php

National Park Service
http://www.nps.gov/

Charles Towne Landing
http://www.charlestowne.org/visitus.shtml

Drayton Hall
http://www.draytonhall.org/

Middleton Place
http://www.middletonplace.org/default.asp

South Carolina Historical Society
http://www.southcarolinahistoricalsociety.org/