MA program suggestions in fields related to art of the Middle East?

[alir201]

Hello! I am in my final year of undergrad and am applying to grad schools. Of course, it's a tough process, but the hardest part seems to be finalizing my list of schools, especially because it is so difficult to find information on the areas I am interested in. I am looking for MA programs only for several reasons, but am very comfortable in my decision to get a terminal MA first, even if that is a less common track or program at many schools.

I have a pretty broad range of interests that I would like to pursue, though my thoughts go straight to the art of the Lands of Islam when I think about my future. I have a huge interest in the arts of Asia but have not had the chance to study it closely at all, though I am quite intrigued by the artistic influences from East Asia in the Middle and Near East. Generally, I want to study these areas from the ancient to medieval periods, but I do not really know what the most important thing is when looking for programs. I am excited by the chance to enter a program with a strong global focus and have the ability to keep a broad range of foci as I go along, with strong faculty and a really great program community. 

I go to school in Florida and for a few reasons am only applying to programs out of state, at the state level (I am not interested in the Ivies for my MA). So far on my list are the University of Iowa, Wisconsin-Madison, and Indiana Bloomington. I have looked into all of the major state schools with Art History MA programs but these are the schools that have struck me strongly. I have been constantly researching but feel like I am missing something in my searching! I would love to ask if anyone can share their experience at any of these schools. I would also love to hear what programs you might be able to recommend based on my interests?  Any recommendations, I will definitely look much further into. Thank you all!

[staxdo_21]

Hello!

I can't speak extensively on this topic since my focus is in Contemporary Latin American art, but I have noted places that seem to offer a lot of course work on the subject. I hope to take a couple of classes in Islamic art in grad school if I can fit it in. I've observed strong offerings at Hunter and Berkeley. Also, any program with a strong South Asian and Southeast Asian and/or African art curricula will most likely offer a few classes on the subject. You should also look at programs overseas.

[aik257]

Hi! I worked with a great professor at George Washington University who is a pioneer in the field https://corcoran.gwu.edu/mika-natif she is not only an amazing scholar but a super nice person too. 

[Rekhmire]

On 9/21/2022 at 8:58 PM, alir201 said:

Hello! I am in my final year of undergrad and am applying to grad schools. Of course, it's a tough process, but the hardest part seems to be finalizing my list of schools, especially because it is so difficult to find information on the areas I am interested in. I am looking for MA programs only for several reasons, but am very comfortable in my decision to get a terminal MA first, even if that is a less common track or program at many schools.

I have a pretty broad range of interests that I would like to pursue, though my thoughts go straight to the art of the Lands of Islam when I think about my future. I have a huge interest in the arts of Asia but have not had the chance to study it closely at all, though I am quite intrigued by the artistic influences from East Asia in the Middle and Near East. Generally, I want to study these areas from the ancient to medieval periods, but I do not really know what the most important thing is when looking for programs. I am excited by the chance to enter a program with a strong global focus and have the ability to keep a broad range of foci as I go along, with strong faculty and a really great program community. 

I go to school in Florida and for a few reasons am only applying to programs out of state, at the state level (I am not interested in the Ivies for my MA). So far on my list are the University of Iowa, Wisconsin-Madison, and Indiana Bloomington. I have looked into all of the major state schools with Art History MA programs but these are the schools that have struck me strongly. I have been constantly researching but feel like I am missing something in my searching! I would love to ask if anyone can share their experience at any of these schools. I would also love to hear what programs you might be able to recommend based on my interests?  Any recommendations, I will definitely look much further into. Thank you all!

 

If you have any questions about IU, let me know. I've taken ancient history classes in Chinese and Egyptian there

[staxdo_21]

I wish to add that RISD's Global Arts MA program has two faculty members that specialize in Islamic art. Perhaps that program might interest you?