Art History

Professor Stephanie Langin-Hooper and visiting scholar Mutsumi Okabe work together on research.

The Department of Art History trains our students to think critically and engage aesthetically with a world saturated by images. They are prepared for a future in the arts through an expansive range of courses taught by tenure-track research faculty, spanning from Ancient Mesopotamia and Medieval Maps to Impressionist Painting and Afro-Futurism. Two tracks in the undergraduate major, Museum Studies and History of Architecture, provide specialized pre-career training and exclusive internship opportunities. Our graduate students, both M.A. and Ph.D., receive personalized mentorship, rigorous training in cutting-edge theory and substantial financial support from SMU. Our students and alumni have been widely successful in securing prestigious fellowships, teaching awards, internships, as well as job placements in museums, galleries, commercial art ventures and more after graduation.

Meet Our Faculty

Adam Herring

Department Chair
The Emily Rich Summers Endowed Professor in Art History

Adam Jasienski

Director of Graduate Studies
Associate Professor of Art History

Elizabeth Bacon Eager

Director of Undergraduate Studies
Assistant Professor

Bailey Benson

Visiting Assistant Professor of Roman Art

Anna Lovatt

Associate Professor

Stephanie Langin-Hooper

Associate Professor
Karl Kilinski II Endowed Chair of Hellenic Visual Culture

Roberto Conduru

Endowed Distinguished Professor of Art History

Amy Freund

Associate Professor and The Kleinheinz Family Endowment for the Arts and Education Endowed Chair in Art History

Randall Griffin

University Distinguished Professor

Rebecca Hewitt

Coordinator

Elyan Hill

Assistant Professor

Tashima Thomas

Assistant Professor

Ashley Whitt

Director of Visual Resources

Museum Teaching Practicum Prepares Art History Students for Museum Work

The new course collaboration between the Division of Art History and the Meadows Museum provides real-world work experience and career-building opportunities for students interested in becoming museum educators.

Featured Courses

ASAG 1306

Introduction to Architecture

A global survey of buildings, monuments and environments from prehistory to the present. Students will gain familiarity with techniques and vocabulary of architectural analysis and gain sensitivity to their own built environment. This class forms part of the History of Architecture specialization within the Art History major.

ASAG 1308

Epic of Latin
America

This class examines art, society, and culture in Latin America, 1450–1950, considering the enduring legacies and the dynamic processes of change that have shaped the region and its art. Topics include Indigenous American empires; Spanish colonialism; the era of revolutions and reforms; Latin American modernism; and Indigenous and Afro-Indigenous religious traditions.

ASAG 3398

Introduction to
Museum Studies

This course introduces key concepts and debates in contemporary museum practice, which is paired with visits to a wide range of art, history, and culture museums in the DFW metroplex. It emphasizes the interpretative, cultural, and social roles of museums over time, while considering the efficacy and ethics of museum management. This class forms part of the Museum Studies specialization within the Art History major.

ASAG 3345

Animals in Art

This course considers the representation of animals in Europe and the Americas. It explores the impulse to picture animals in these cultures; and the analogies between human and animal bodies and minds; as well with as the historical, social, economic, political, and religious contexts for the visual representation of animals.

Figure 1: These nine leading Dallas arts and media organizations will offer 11 paid internships in summer 2026.

SMU Meadows Intern Fellowship Program Expands, Doubling Paid Internships in Year Two

Students will gain paid, hands-on experience, industry mentorship, and professional connections with nine leading Dallas arts and media organizations during the program’s second run.

January 28, 2026
Figure 2: Art history and voice performance alum Michael Kirk Allen blends his two degrees as Vice President of Marketing Strategy at Republic Records.

Alumni Spotlight: Michael Kirk Allen

Alumni
Art history and music alum Michael Kirk Allen (B.A. '03) draws on his dual-degree background to help today’s top artists share their stories at Republic Records.

November 17, 2025
Figure 3: Art History alum Claudia Zapata highlights Latino art through innovative exhibitions and community-centered curation at the Blanton Museum of Art.

Alumni Spotlight: Claudia Zapata

Alumni
Art history alum Claudia Zapata, (Ph.D. ’22) draws on the mentorship and research foundation they built at Meadows to bring new depth to the national conversation on Latino art.

October 20, 2025
Meadows Welcomes Nine New Faculty Members for the 2025-26 Academic Year

Faculty
Join us in welcoming nine new faculty members to Meadows, in divisions ranging from music and art to theatre and journalism, and learn more about these new members of our community.

August 26, 2025

Undergraduate Majors/Minors	B.A. in Art History B.A. in Art History, Museum Studies Specialization B.A. in Art History, History of Architecture Specialization Minor in Art History
Graduate Majors/Minors	M.A. in Art History Ph.D. in Art History

Art History

Art History

Meet Our Faculty

Adam Herring

Adam Jasienski

Elizabeth Bacon Eager

Bailey Benson

Anna Lovatt

Stephanie Langin-Hooper

Roberto Conduru

Amy Freund

Randall Griffin

Rebecca Hewitt

Elyan Hill

Tashima Thomas

Ashley Whitt

Museum Teaching Practicum Prepares Art History Students for Museum Work

Featured Courses

Student & Faculty Work

Student Work

Faculty Work

Art History News

SMU Meadows Intern Fellowship Program Expands, Doubling Paid Internships in Year Two

Alumni Spotlight: Michael Kirk Allen

Alumni Spotlight: Claudia Zapata

Meadows Welcomes Nine New Faculty Members for the 2025-26 Academic Year

Upcoming Art History Events

Follow Meadows Art History on Social Media!

Search

ASAG 1306 Introduction to Architecture	A global survey of buildings, monuments and environments from prehistory to the present. Students will gain familiarity with techniques and vocabulary of architectural analysis and gain sensitivity to their own built environment. This class forms part of the History of Architecture specialization within the Art History major.
ASAG 1308 Epic of Latin America	This class examines art, society, and culture in Latin America, 1450–1950, considering the enduring legacies and the dynamic processes of change that have shaped the region and its art. Topics include Indigenous American empires; Spanish colonialism; the era of revolutions and reforms; Latin American modernism; and Indigenous and Afro-Indigenous religious traditions.
ASAG 3398 Introduction to Museum Studies	This course introduces key concepts and debates in contemporary museum practice, which is paired with visits to a wide range of art, history, and culture museums in the DFW metroplex. It emphasizes the interpretative, cultural, and social roles of museums over time, while considering the efficacy and ethics of museum management. This class forms part of the Museum Studies specialization within the Art History major.
ASAG 3345 Animals in Art	This course considers the representation of animals in Europe and the Americas. It explores the impulse to picture animals in these cultures; and the analogies between human and animal bodies and minds; as well with as the historical, social, economic, political, and religious contexts for the visual representation of animals.