The VLST Program Director, Professor Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw, is the primary advisor for all Visual Studies majors. Applicants to the major must see her to complete the declaration process. She is also responsible for certifying the completion of major requirements for graduation, arranging for the senior seminar and approving faculty advisors for the senior project. The Program Director answers all questions concerning which courses can be counted toward the major. Prospective and current majors may also contact the VLST Program Assistant, Brooke Sietinsons, with any questions they have about the program.

Prof. Shaw's office hours in fall semester of 2009 are Thursdays 10am-12pm, and by appointment. For an appointment outside of office hours, you may also email Prof. Shaw directly.

Both prospective and declared majors may seek advice on course selection from the Program Director and the various sector advisors: Gary Hatfield in Sector A (Logan Hall 425), Prof. Shaw in Sector B (304 Jaffe Building), and Julie Schneider in Sector C (114 Addams Hall).

Graduate and Professional School

Penn Visual Studies does not offer a MA or PhD, only an undergraduate major as part of the BA program in Penn's College of Arts and Sciences. The major serves as a liberal arts preparation that develops visual literacy, studio skills, and knowledge of visual science and visual theory. The major provides strong and distinctive preparation for continuing on to graduate or professional training in several fields, including philosophy, perceptual psychology, history of art, fine arts, and architecture. Usually, students interested in gaining admittance to graduate programs in these fields will need to supplement their Visual Studies major with a few other courses that are especially relevant for graduate admission. Interested majors should seek advice about needed courses from faculty in the intended area of graduate work, as well as from the Program Director.

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