Faculty Profiles: Deborah Caplow

Deborah Caplow

But it quickly became an energizing -- and enduring -- labor of love. She's been teaching art history with the program for over a decade, splitting her time between evening classes in Seattle and day classes at UW-Bothell.

"I really like the Evening Degree program," Caplow said. "Whenever possible, I let people know about the great courses offered through the evening program."

Caplow actually began her career as a librarian - she has a master's degree in library science - and was the director of library services at Bastyr University for 20 years. She earned her Ph.D. in Art History from the UW in 1999.

Her dissertation, a study of the work of Mexican artist Leopoldo Mendez, is about to be published as a book.

Caplow said she likes teaching in the evening because she can involve students more closely with the material. Part of it is the fact that evening classes are smaller (25 to 40 students), allowing more time to discuss subjects rather than lecture. But more significant is the make-up of the classes.

"I really love the Evening Degree students. What I like is that many of them are older and more motivated," Caplow said. "I admire the fact that so many of them work full time."

She admits that evening students often have less energy than those in the daytime, but they also bring their own experiences to class, and are more interested in the material. That's one reason why she makes sure to have geographical and ethnic diversity in her artist choices, and to teach about lesser-known artists.

"I think it's important for students to learn the larger historical, political and cultural contexts of art history," she said.

The evening program also gives her the freedom to try different things. She encourages students to visit local museums. Sometimes she gives students the option to do an art project instead of a final paper, turning the final class into an exposition of student works.

"I always have students go to museums and do writing assignments based on their visits, so the material varies from Mexican art to Baroque, art by women artists, art from the Renaissance to the present, American art, or whatever the course is," Caplow said.

Ultimately, teaching is about opening new doors for students, Caplow said. Much of her teaching material deals with inquiry and the questioning of assumptions.

"I try to teach a lot of analysis and critical thinking in my classes," Caplow said. "That's something I really like about teaching - opening their minds and helping them look analytically at the world around them."

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