Art & Visual Culture (ART)
see Art & Visual Culture Department and Museum Management Program
B.A. in Art: Studio Arts
Students specializing in Studio Arts will enhance their creative skills by learning new techniques, working with various arts media, and gaining critical perspectives to contextualize and analyze their work. This track is focused upon the production of art, rather than its socio-historical context.
Major Requirements:
- 6 hours from the following:
- Art 101: Ancient through Medieval Art
- Art 102: Renaissance through Contemporary Art
- Art 172: Introduction to Visual Culture* Art 103: Beginning Drawing and Design
- Art 203: Life Drawing and Advanced Composition
- 3 hours from the following:
- Art 211: Hand Built Pottery
- Art 212: Beginning Sculpture
- Art 251: Design Communication
- 6 hours from the following:
- Art 330: Printmaking and Art 331: Materials and Techniques of Painting
- Art 218 & 318: Photography
- Art 221 & 321: Film & Video Production
- 6 hours from the following:
- Art 332, and 431 : Advanced Studio I, II
- Art 351: Web Design and 451: Topics in Multimedia Design
- Art 472: Sr. Seminar
Total: 11 courses - 32 hours minimum
Minor Requirements:
- Art 103: Beginning Drawing and Design
- Art 203: Life Drawing and Advanced Composition
- Art 211: Hand Built Pottery or Art 212: Beginning Sculpture
- Art 101: Ancient through Medieval Art or Art 102: Renaissance through Contemporary Art
- plus at least 6 hours of studio arts courses at the 300- or 400-level.
B.A. in Art: Visual Culture
Students specializing in Visual Culture will organize their visual experiences within critical, social, scientific, and historical contexts. This track is focused upon the aesthetic and cultural analyses of images, rather than their production. The courses within this track ask some fundamental questions:
- What kind of images does a culture produce and why?
- How do images and ways of seeing effect meaning?
- How does culture transform our visual input?
- What is the function of certain visual spaces?
Major Requirements:
- Art 101: Ancient through Medieval Art
- Art 102: Renaissance through Contemporary Art
- Art 172: Introduction to Visual Culture
- Art 251: Design Communication
- At least 9 additional hours to be selected from:
- Art 201, 202: Public Art
- Art 290: Interdisciplinary Studies
- Art 295: Special Topics
- Art 305W: History of American Art
- Art 306S: Foundations of Modern Art
- Art 309: French Painting Since 1789
- Art 310: History of Photography
- Art 395/396: Selected topics
- Art 491-496: Independent Study in Art (1-6)
- Engl 361: Arts of Representation
- Phil 205: Philosophy of Art
- At least 3 hours in designing visual space to be selected from:
- Any course in studio arts
- Art 351: Web Design
- At least 3 hours in Film Studies (Engl 262, 368, 369, 373S; Span 309)
Total: 9 courses - 27 hours minimum
Supportive Requirements:
- One foreign language (ancient or modern) through the intermediate level
Minor Requirements:
- Art 101: Ancient through Medieval Art
- Art 102: Renaissance through Contemporary Art
- Art 172: Introduction to Visual Culture
- Art 251: Design Communication
- plus at least 6 hours of the following:
- Art 305W: History of American Art
- Art 306S: Foundations of Modern Art
- Art 309: French Painting Since 1789
- Art 310: History of Photography
- Art 351: Web Design
- Art 395/396: Selected topics
- Art 491-496: Independent Study in Art (1-6)
Museum Management Program
Associate Professor Nicoletti, Advisor
Our Museum Management Program prepares students for graduate programs in arts administration, careers at private galleries or auction houses, and museum work ranging from exhibition design to education. Students enrolled in the program forge connections through hands-on internships at local museums, including the nationally accredited Meadows Museum of Art on our campus.
A student may major in any area and take the following courses:
- Art 201 or 202: Issues in Public Art
- Art 306S: Foundations of Modern Art (NB.: includes exhibition design)
- Comm 217: Communication for Business and the Professions
- Comm 251: Design Communication
- Comm 314W: Advertising and Public Relations
- Flng 201, 202: Intermediate Foreign Language
- Busn 321W: Principles of Management
- 3 hours of relevant coursework outside the Art Department (e.g. History)
- Art 400: Art Internship (an internship with the Meadows Museum or relevant collection)
Total: 10 courses – 28 hours minimum
Courses
101. Ancient Through Medieval Art (3)
A historical survey of painting, architecture, and sculpture from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages. Fall.
102. Renaissance Through Contemporary Art (3)
A historical survey of painting, architecture, and sculpture from Renaissance times to contemporary times. Fall.
103. Beginning Drawing and Design (3)
Basic training stressing draftsmanship and the elements of two-dimensional design. Drawing done in black and white and in color. Compositions are brought in for a weekly criticism class. This course, or its equivalent, is prerequisite to all advanced studio courses. Six studio hours a week. With weekly critique sessions. Fall.
172. Introduction to Visual Culture (3)
This course introduces issues and debates about how we shape, and are shaped by, different forms of visual culture such as film and video, television, painting, photography, performance art, the built environment, and information technology. Issues such as the role of visual cultures in (re)producing ideas about race, identity, sexuality and gender will also be explored. Spring. (Same as Engl 172 and Comm 172)
201, 202. Issues in Public Art (3)
Explores the aesthetic, cultural, historical, and political issues involved in the production public art. Examines how public art can be used to enhance quality of life, build community, and foster social change. Students in the course will collaborate with the Meadows Museum of Art to design and implement a community-based arts project and/or exhibition. Yearly.
178. Introduction to Film Art (3)
This course provides an introduction to the study and analysis of film. Students will learn the fundamentals of film form, style, and history. Topics include narrative structure, cinematography, editing, sound, and genre. This course also prepares students for more advanced study in film seminars as well as film and video production. This course meets six hours per week, three of which are devoted to screenings. Every Fall. (Same as ENGL 178 & COMM 178).
203. Life Drawing and Advanced Composition (3)
Prerequisite Art 103 or permission of Dept. Chair. The essentials are still stressed with more experiments with different media and methods of expression using the figure as a model. Outside compositions done for a weekly criticism class. Six studio hours a week. Spring.
208. Drafting for the Theatre (3)
Basic training emphasizing draftsmanship and rendering of 3-dimensional space and objects using traditional drafting techniques. Spring. (Same as THEA 208)
211. Hand-built Pottery (3)
Basic clay techniques including the design and creation of a variety of pottery forms by hand built and molded methods, along with practice in kiln loading and firing. Four hours of lecture and studio per week with outside work. Spring.
212. Beginning Sculpture (3)
The basic aspects of sculpture are explored by working with clay, plaster, wire, string, wood, cardboard and other simple materials. Four hours of lecture and studio per week with outside work. Fall.
218. Introduction to Photography (3)
This course introduces students to the basic principles of photography including a brief examination of the history of photography from a technical viewpoint and training in the functions and controls of a professional digital SLR camera. Students learn the effects of aperture and shutter speed on depth of field and motion, as well as proper light metering techniques. Composition basics, lighting, and digital darkroom techniques will also be explored. Every semester except those when ART/COMM 318 is offered. (Same as COMM 218)
221. Introduction to Film and Video Production (3)
Students will learn the basic terminology, methods, and principles of film and video production through classroom lecture and laboratory production work. Every Fall and Spring, alternate years. (Same as COMM 221.)
251. Design Communication (3)
This course investigates the role design plays in human communication. Students will gain familiarity with the basic concepts and assumptions underlying design practice and learn to see applied arts such as graphic design, industrial design, architecture, and multimedia design function as communicative activities. Special attention will be given to the rhetorical methods associated with identifying design problems and implementing design solutions. Fall. (Same as COMM 251.)
290. Interdisciplinary Studies (1-3)
Prerequisite: ENGL 101. This course is designed to facilitate the treatment of topics across disciplinary boundaries. Topics will vary from year to year. Course, but not individual topics, may be repeated for credit.
295. Special Topics (3)
A detailed study of an area of art not normally covered in regular art courses. On demand.
305W. History of American Art (3)
The cultural and artistic development of our nation over the last 400 years as expressed in painting, sculpture, architecture, graphic arts, the decorative arts, and city planning. Fall, alternate years.
306S. Foundations of Modern Art (3)
This course examines 19th- to 21st- century art to explore modern versus post-modern aesthetics and the role of social, political, and economic fources in defining art. Alternate years.
309. French Painting (3)
The development of artistic independence in France (from Neo-Classicism to Cubism) is studied in its social, political and economic context. (Same as FREN 309)
310. History of Photography (3)
This course will introduce and examine photography from 1826 to the present, from its invention to recent controversies over the NEA funding of photographers such as Robert Mapplethorpe, Andres Serrano, and Joel-Peter Witkin. While we investigate popular applications of photography (including photojournalism and colonial, scientific, digital, and art photography), you will learn about related technological changes and historical events that perceptibly altered the medium. Spring, alternate years.
318. Advanced Photography (3)
Prerequisite: COMM/ART 218 or permission of the instructor. This course explores, through lectures and shooting assignments, the major movements and directions in photography and their impact on the world around us. These include photojournalism and commercial, documentary, and fine art photography. Advanced digital darkroom and camera techniques, creative conceptualization, and problem solving will also be covered. Spring of alternate years. (Same as COMM 318)
321. Advanced Film and Video Production (3)
Prerequisite: Art 218 and Art 221 or instructor's approval. Students will enhance their understanding of film and video through advanced lectures and laboratory production work. With weekly critique sessions. Spring, alternate years. (Same as COMM 321.)
330. Printmaking (3)
A study of the processes involved in the making and printing of etchings, woodcuts, linoleum block prints, and lithographs, with lecture and studio practice. Four hours a week with outside work and weekly critique sessions. Fall.
331. Materials and Techniques of Painting (3)
A systematic study of several methods of paintings, including oil, encaustic, polymer, egg tempera, acrylic and an examination of the techniques of some of the old masters. Four hours a week with outside work and weekly critique sessions. Spring.
332. Advanced Studio I (3)
Prerequisite: Permission of Dept Chair. The materials and techniques of drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, multimedia, film, video or photography are explored through classroom projects and assignments in the areas of the students' interests. Six hours studio per week plus outside work and weekly critique sessions.
351. Web Design (3)
Prerequisite: COMM/ART 251. This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts, issues, and concerns associated with web site design. Course readings and exercises encourage students to explore the aesthetic and historical/cultural dimensions of design and then use this knowledge as they plan, propose, implement, and rationalize their own web site designs. Every spring.(Same as COMM 351.)
354. Scene Painting and Rendering Techniques (3)
Prerequisite: Art 103, 203 or 208. A practical study of large scale painting and rendering. Spring. (Same as THEA 354)
395-396. Selected Topics (1-3)
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Courses that deal with different topics or problems each semester (e.g. artists, styles, historical periods, studio problems, etc.).
399. Seminar in Film and Television (3)
Prerequisite: ENGL 101. An analysis of cinema or television as an aesthetic form and a social document, usually with an emphasis on American and European film or television. Recent topics have included: "Masculinity and Femininity in Film," "Film and Literature" and "Television Studies." May be elected for up to six hours credit as topic changes. Spring of alternate years. This course meets six hours per week, three of which are devoted to screenings. (Same as ENGL 399 and COMM 399)
400. Art Internship (1-3)
Supervised internship with an approved employer in an appropriate professional area such as museum work, commercial art and arts administration. Students are required to submit a term paper or project of equivalent value to the program director at the end of the internship. May be repeated for credit in another area. Offered on demand.
421, 422. Tutorial in Studio, Visual Culture, or Communication (1-2)
Directed reading on a subject to be agreed upon by the student and faculty-tutor. May require presentation of pertinent materials in undergraduate courses under the direct supervision of an Art or Communication department faculty member.
431, 432. Advanced Studio II , III (3, 3)
Prerequisite: Art 332. During the final year the student is encouraged to develop a personal philosophy of art. Instruction will depend largely upon the needs and natural
Inclinations of the individual student. Each student will have a senior exhibit of his/her best work. Six hours studio per week plus outside work and weekly critique sessions.
451. Topics in Multimedia Design (3)
Prerequisite: COMM/ART 251 This course will address a particular multimedia design issue or problem, guiding students in the planning and implementation of appropriate design solutions; topics will vary. May be elected for up to six hours credit as topic changes. Spring of alternate years. (Same as COMM 451.)
472. Senior Seminar (2)
Prerequisite: Instructor's approval. Advanced studio work, culminating in a senior art exhibition. Fall.
491-496. Independent Study in Art (1-6)
Open to qualified students by permission of department chairperson. Work may be done in research and reading or studio related areas. The student will follow a work plan arrived at in cooperation with the instructor and must consistently furnish evidence of seriousness of purpose.
199. Module Studies (3)
Special topics offered during the Module.
Last updated April 29, 2008.