At its simplest, fine arts research is the observation of visual arts. Visual arts can be anything from painting to filmmaking to architecture. You could analyzes and compare two pieces, or possibly the same piece from different artists. What did they put more focus into? How did they build the colors that make up the piece? These types of questions can be answered through research in the fine arts.
Research in art history just focuses on how time and various events have influenced art. For example, one could look into how different regimes in one country supported art. Did the state finance any artists? Or was the state completely hands-off with the arts? Were there any pieces influenced directly by a specific event? These questions and more can be answered through research in art history.
Research in English can take the form of a few things. It can relate to grammar, like the evolution of the English language. Here's an interesting topic. One could focus on regional dialects of English. The other side of English focuses on literature.
Foreign languages research is essentially English research for the various foreign languages of our globe. Add onto that, foreign languages research relates everything back to the regional culture where the language is.
Research is at the core of our undergraduate teaching mission; we believe students best learn history by doing history. All majors complete research projects and motivated students are invited to complete internships or work closely with faculty members. Dig into archives at the national treasure at the Mercantile Library or connect to collections all over Missouri in State Historical Society of Missouri, both housed on our own campus. The broader St. Louis community offers outstanding resources for research, whether the extensive collections of the Missouri Historical Society and the local branch of the National Archives and Records Administration or the focused collections of museums like the Campbell House. If you’d like to learn more or be connected to a research class or project, please contact the undergraduate advisor, Dr. Priscilla Dowden-White or department chair, Dr. Laura Westhoff.
Each year the department hosts an Undergraduate Research Symposium Breakfast, and encourages students to participate in the Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS) and present their research at conferences such as the Missouri Conference on History and the Biennial Convention for Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society.
All History faculty are willing to work with motivated students through Independent Study (HIST 4001), Internships (HIST 3999), or Collaborative research (HIST 4002). We recently had three students present at the Missouri Conference on History. Here is an example of one of our awesome undergraduates!
UMSL history major looks to continue research into late antiquity in grad school - UMSL Daily | UMSL Daily blogs.umsl.edu Audri Adams earned her BA in history last month – plus honors college and writing certificates. She's long been interested in the study of past civilizations.
An example of a student's history research project
Research in philosophy typically observes and analyzes opinions from classic philosophers. How do their philosophies stack up to today? Otherwise, you will see an overall development of philosophical thought. Basically stating observations, or maybe guidelines, about and for life.
