BA in Art History

Silas Fransen, 2026

Are you minoring or double majoring in anything else? If so, how do the two work together – or separately?

I am minoring in medieval studies and am not only interested in the time period but how the themes in art and literature overlap. I am also excited for the opportunity to explore classes outside of my major. 

What have you learned in an art history class that really surprised you/changed your perspective?

One of the most powerful things one can learn is how to critically engage with the media. All art is delivering a message and discerning what you are being told and why that is important is a crucial skill to have. My studies in art history have also taught me to search for who is not being represented. And realizing what is not being said is just as important as what is.

Have you had any interesting internships, jobs, or study abroad experiences? Tell us about them.

I currently work as a research assistant on campus with the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media. The mission of the center is to use digital media to make history more accessible. This is done by creating archives, podcasts and various educational materials. I feel very lucky to work there and to learn about the process of digitizing history.