Thoughts on the MIT History, Theory, and Criticism of Art and Architecture PhD?

[cybrid]

I was wondering if anyone here happened to be enrolled in/know something about MIT's History, Theory and Criticism of Art and Architecture program. I'm interested in doing theoretical research in Visual Studies programs, or history of art programs which are more permissive when it comes to delving into visual realms outside of capital-A "Art." 

 

Because of my specific interests in technologies, MIT seems like a potentially incredible place to apply. However, I'm not totally clear on their HTCA PhD program. When I read the information on their site, it seems like art takes a pretty big backseat to architecture. I emailed the program asking to clarify this point, but got nothing. After corresponding briefly with a faculty member they suggested that I could apply for the Masters program, but the program awards an SMArchS, not an MA. While architecture would also interest me, it is by no means my primary source of study, and I am not really in for an architecture degree.

 

Is there anyone currently in the HTCA program who might be able to tell me a little more about it? Is it primarily architecture, or does it allow for broader research? 

 

[poliscar]

You'd be better off posting this in the Art History forum; it's likely that it will be ignored here. 
 

In terms of MIT—the program is fairly small, so it's very much dependant on your research interests. The website makes it sound like the program is very centred around Architecture, but quite a few very interesting scholars in Art History and Visual Studies have come out of the program recently. Most, if not all of these scholars have worked with Caroline Jones, but she would be a good match for you probably since she has published quite a lot on art and science. 

If you're interested, the following scholars have completed PhDs at MIT: 

http://rhetoric.berkeley.edu/people.php?page_id=1056&p=180
http://arthistory.berkeley.edu/person/1799032-lauren-kroiz
http://art-history.concordia.ca/people/faculty/pezolet_nicola.php