Art and Art History

Associate Professor Mark Hall, Chair, Division of Fine Arts

The Major in Art consists of at least 46 credit hours in studio art and art history. Required courses are 102, 111, 121, 123, 212, 311, 351-352, 399 and seven additional three-credit-hour courses in studio art or art history. A minimum of 12 credit hours must be taken in a single area of concentration selected from visual communication, photography, painting, or drawing; neither ART 102, nor Senior Project 351-352, nor more than three hours of practicum credit may count toward this concentration requirement. Each student is required to prepare and present to the public a portfolio of his or her work.

The Major in Art History consists of at least 48 credit hours in art history, studio art and related courses. Required courses in Art are studio courses 102 and 121; Art 204 (3 credit hours); art history courses Art 111, 212, 311, 312, 313, 314 and 315; and Art 351-352. Related requirements are Humanities 201, History 242 or 243, and two semesters of a foreign language beyond the 100-level. A semester of study abroad is strongly encouraged.

The Minor in Art consists of 15 credit hours including one course chosen from 102, 103, 121 or 122, either 111 or 212, and three additional 3-credit courses in studio art. Concentration in a single studio discipline is usually advised. The Minor in Art is not open to students majoring in Art History.

The Minor in Art History consists of 15 credit hours in art history including Art 111, 212, and nine additional credit hours selected from Art 204, 311, 312, 313, 314, and 315. No more than three hours of Art 204 may be counted toward the minor. The Minor in Art History is not open to students majoring in art.

Course Descriptions

102. Introduction to Two-Dimensional Design
3 credit hours
An introduction to the principles of art structure in two dimensions taught through experimental exercises and applied problems in the visual organization of line, volume, mass, texture, movement, and color. Workshops, lectures, demonstrations, and individual and group critiques are used.
103. Introduction to Sculpture and Three-Dimensional Design
3 credit hours
An examination of basic problems involving form, light, color, and volume. Materials considered include clay, metal, wire, wood, paper, plaster, and various new media. The possibilities and limitations of tools, equipment, techniques, and materials are explored. Acquisition and development of skills are stressed through workshops, demonstrations, lectures, and critiques.
111. Survey of Ancient Through Medieval Art
3 credit hours
An introduction to Art History including the concepts of visual analysis, historical and stylistic periods, and content analysis. Students study the painting, sculpture, and architecture of the Western world from Paleolithic through medieval periods. Taught through illustrated lecture and discussion, the course examines the canon of Western art, its function and relation to its overall culture.
121. Introduction to Drawing
3 credit hours
An introduction to fundamental aspects of drawing including line, value, form, space, and composition. Emphasis is placed on increasing visual awareness, developing proficiency in various media, and improving drawing skills.
122. Introduction to Painting
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 121 or permission of the instructor
An introduction to the materials and techniques of painting. Emphasis is placed on refining powers of observation (including work from live models), composition, and color theory.
123. Visual Communication 1
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 102
A problem-based, thematic introduction to Visual Communication. Introduction to the design process, basic tools and techniques, and the various design professions.
124. Introduction to Photography
3 credit hours
Photography considered as an art form, with attention to basic concepts, techniques, and processes. The adjustable camera, lighting, exposure, film and darkroom procedures are studied. Other electronic imaging considered as time permits. 35mm SLR camera required.
125. Introduction to Pottery
3 credit hours
An introductory course in the basic techniques for clay preparation and handbuilding. Wheel throwing, glaze and slip application, decorating and firing techniques are included. The applications of clay and other media in relief and three-dimensional works are considered; traditional and contemporary uses are encouraged.
126. Introduction to Printmaking
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 121 or permission of the instructor
An introduction to the materials and techniques of one of traditional printmaking media: relief, intaglio, lithography or serigraphy. Topics covered include use of inks, printing processes, papers, image making techniques and history. Workshops, lectures, demonstrations and critiques are used. May be taken for credit in more than one medium.
204. Applied Art History
1 credit hour
Prerequisites: At least sophomore standing; and Art 111 or 212
Students learn to shoot, mask, label and catalog slides and the basics of curation and gallery management. Class meets weekly for one hour; up to three additional hours per week during the semester are spent in the slide library and/or gallery. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
212. Renaissance, Baroque and Modern Art
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
A survey of Western art from the 14th through the 20th centuries. Taught through illustrated lecture and discussion, the course examines changes of style, iconography and function, changing conceptions of art and artists, and various methods of the art historian.
221. Drawing 2
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 121
A problem-based, thematic continuation of Drawing 1 focused on life drawing. Emphasis is placed on refining observation skills, exploring new and mixed media and techniques, and developing meaningful content. Students participate in a public end-of-term critique.
222. Painting 2
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 122
A problem-based, thematic continuation of Painting 1. Emphasis is placed on refining observation skills, exploring new and mixed media and techniques, and developing meaningful content. Students participate in a public end-of-term critique.
223. Visual Communication 2
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 123
A problem-based, thematic continuation of Visual Communication 1. Students become more proficient with basic design software, and solve specific design problems working with real and hypothetical clients. Other topics may include typography, presentation graphics, and production processes. Students participate in a public end-of-term critique.
224. Photography 2
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 124
A problem-based, thematic continuation of Photography 1. Further study of darkroom techniques, alternative printing processes, lighting. Emphasis is placed on developing meaningful content. Students participate in a public end-of-term critique.
311. 20th Century Art
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
A survey of the visual arts of the twentieth century. Instruction balanced lecture, discussion, and independent research. The course examines various styles, movements, and technological developments in relation to historical, social and political contexts. Theory and criticism are considered as well.
312. Studies in Ancient Art
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 111 or permission of instructor
An in-depth study in art history from the ancient world. The course examines history, styles, cultural ideas, technology, religion, and politics and how art reflects and influences these human endeavors.
313. Studies in Medieval Art
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 111 or permission of instructor
An in-depth study in art history from a period beginning with the Early Christian and extending through the late Gothic. The course examines history, styles, cultural ideas, technology, religion, and politics and how art reflects and influences these human endeavors.
314. Studies in Renaissance Art
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 212 or permission of instructor
An in-depth study in art history from the 15th through the 17th centuries. The course examines history, styles, cultural ideas, technology, religion, and politics and how art reflects and influences these human endeavors.
315. Studies in Art Since 1750
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 212 or permission of instructor
An in-depth study in art history from the 18th and 19th centuries. The course examines history, styles, cultural ideas, technology, religion, and politics and how art reflects and influences these human endeavors.
321. Drawing 3
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 221
A problem-based, thematic continuation of Drawing 2. Using the human figure as a focus, students concentrate on one medium or genre. Emphasis is placed on refining and expanding meaningful content. Students participate in a public end-of-term critique.
322. Painting 3
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 222
A problem-based, thematic continuation of Painting 2. Students concentrate on one medium or genre. Emphasis is placed on refining and expanding meaningful content. Students participate in a public end-of-term critique.
323. Visual Communication 3
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 223
A problem-based, thematic continuation of Visual Communication 2. Students solve advanced design problems in electronic and print formats. Topics may include advanced typography, color, multimedia, and advanced production problems. Students participate in a public end-of-term critique.
324. Photography 3
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Art 224
A problem-based, thematic continuation of Photography 2. Advanced study of darkroom techniques, alternative printing processes, and lighting. Students concentrate on one medium or genre. Emphasis is placed on refining and expanding meaningful content. Students participate in a public end-of-term critique.
337. Internship
7 to 15 credit hours
Prerequisites: 3 credit hours of Art 221, 222, 223 or 224 and permission of the instructor
Opportunities are available in a variety of settings: commercial firms, advertising agencies, studios of professional artists.
343. Practicum
2 to 6 credit hours
Prerequisites: 3 credit hours of Art 221, 222, 223 or 224 and permission of the instructor
Opportunities are available in a variety of settings: commercial firms, advertising agencies, studios of professional artists.
349. Topics in Art
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
Topics, selected in accordance with student interest, may include studio areas not usually offered, art philosophy and criticism, museology and conservation, and interdisciplinary offerings.
351-352. Senior Project
6 credit hours
Prerequisites: FRS 140, English Proficiency Exam, junior standing, and 9 credit hours in a single studio area selected from visual communication, photography, painting, and drawing | Pre- or Co-requisite: an additional 3 credit hours from the same studio area
The Senior Study requirement is fulfilled with this two-course sequence. The Senior Project involves individual research and production with the guidance of a faculty supervisor.
399. Research Seminar in Art
1 credit hour
Prerequisites: Junior standing and at least 18 hours in Art courses
Professional activities and topics in the field of art that prepare the student for issues related to free-lance employment, copyrights, legal & ethical issues, presentation and display techniques, promotion, galleries and museums, professional presentations, and potential Senior Project topics. Class formats include guest speakers, field trips, readings and discussion.
401. Advanced Studio
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
Individual, advanced study in one of the following areas: drawing, painting, visual communication or photography. Taken after three semesters study in a particular area.