Liberal Studies Department Launches the PCA/Terra Undergraduate Research Program

Starting in spring 2016, the Liberal Studies department will collaborate with the Terra Foundation for American Art on a new research program devoted to undergraduate students.

Once per term (Fall and Spring) the Liberal Studies Department Head, Barbara Montefalcone, in collaboration with PCA faculty and staff, will select a group of three outstanding PCA students from all departments and will offer them the opportunity to take part in a unique research program based on the collection of the Terra Foundation for American Art library. The program will culminate in a public presentation at the Terra Foundation Center in Paris.

The group of selected students will have the opportunity to work as a team and conduct high-level research on a specific topic related to American Art. They will have free access to the Terra Library Collection and will follow a one session training with a librarian who will introduce the collection and the research facilities available at the Terra Foundation. They will then conduct their research independently and under the supervision of the Liberal Studies Chair, and finally present their findings in English to an audience of art history students coming from several French universities. (The partner university for the spring session 2016 is Université Paris Ouest Nanterre-La Defense).

The PCA/Terra Undergraduate Research Program is suited to all the students interested in the history of art and, particularly to those interested in American art. It is an opportunity to work closely with the Terra Library’s wonderful collection of books, to have a first major experience within the academic research world, and to improve one’s research, writing and presentation skills. The final workshop and presentation will also be an occasion to meet peers from French universities and to compare study and research methodologies in an international and interdisciplinary context.

The research theme selected for the Spring 2016 session is: The Portrait in American Art

If you are interested in participating send:
-a short cover letter explaining the reasons why you wish to take part in the project;
-a short CV.
Send all material to [email protected]
Deadline: February 28, 2016