Faculty and students in the Department of History of Art seek to contribute to the ongoing intellectual work within the discipline of art history, not only by developing expertise in particular subfields but also by engaging productively in the broad and ever-shifting philosophical, scholarly, and institutional debates that determine the content and structure of the discipline. Our faculty is diverse in terms of geographic and temporal coverage, yet we share certain interests: in questions of historiography and critical theory; in cross-cultural exchange and the negotiation of artistic, cultural, and political boundaries; in art’s role in mediating social action; and in issues of representation and the affective engagement of the image.

Although the Department of History of Art offers both the Master of Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees, the MA is awarded in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PhD. The department does not admit students who wish to work solely toward the master's degree.

In addition to the areas of specialization offered within the History of Art Department, students may also take advantage of interdisciplinary programs offered at the University, including those through the Center for the Study of Religion, the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and Film Studies, as well as programs in East Asian Studies, Women's Studies, and the Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity. The Department also maintains close ties to the Wexner Center for the Arts and the Columbus Museum of Art, and students are encouraged to become actively involved with both institutions.