Emphasizing history and theory as tools for critical thinking and critical making, the concentration in Theory and History of Art and Design (THAD) offers individual courses and customizable tracks that enrich and challenge students' understanding of global practices in art and design practices. Concentrators also have the opportunity to engage in collaborative learning experiences through semester-long fellowships at the RISD Museum. Whether in classrooms, studios or at the museum, the THAD concentration prepares students to bridge practice, history and theory. knowledge of the world visual traditions from prehistory, classical, modern and contemporary eras, nderstanding of influences in global art history, such as religion, landscape, environment, interiors, body, ornament, technology and identity, the ability to identify and use art historians' methodologies for interpreting works of art from various times and places, the use of analytical tools needed for interpreting and navigating the complexities of our world, as engaged through images and visual literacy, the capability to generate written art/design criticism and history at a level sufficiently high to engage the interest of an accomplished art historian.