The Department of Art offers a major with an emphasis in either studio art or art history. Courses and programs are designed to meet the needs of:

Courses without prerequisites in painting, ceramics, crafts, printmaking and sculpture as well as art history are available for students not majoring in art.

 

Art Major, Studio Art Emphasis

The minimum requirements for an Art major, studio Art emphasis, are ART 106, 107, 115, 116, 350, 367, 475, two courses from ART 203, 223, 224, 225, 226, 254, and one course from ART 351, 352, 353, 354, or 355. Fifteen hours must come from courses numbered 300 or above.

 

Art Major, Art History Emphasis

The minimum requirements for an Art major, art history emphasis, are ART 106, 107, 116, 367, 475; three courses from ART 362, 363, 365, 366, 368, 370; and two courses from ART 114, 115, 203, 223, 224, 225, 226, 254, 350. Fifteen hours must come from courses numbered 300 or above.

 

Major Project

A major project, consisting of a graduation exhibition for the studio emphasis or a research paper for the art history  emphasis, is required of each major in art and will be undertaken during the senior year in addition to regular class work. The major project must be of sufficient quality to merit the approval of the Art faculty.

 

With the consent of the student, the Art faculty may make a selection of outstanding work from the graduation exhibition to be retained as a part of the permanent collection of the University without compensation to the student. Any art work may be retained for exhibition over a period not to exceed two years.

 

Art Minor

A minor in Art consists of 15 hours, to include one course from ART 106, 107; one course from ART 115, 116; and three art electives, two of which must come from courses numbered 300 or above.

 

Photography Minor

A minor in Photography consists of five courses: PHO 221, 323, 424, and two courses from ART 116, 367, or CTA 165. Photography courses do not count toward a major in art.

 

Departmental Honors

Majors may attain Departmental Honors by fulfilling the following requirements: (1) earn an overall grade point average of 3.50; (2) earn a 3.50 grade point average in all art courses; (3) complete with distinction a major project consisting of a graduation exhibition or a research paper during the senior year.

 

Courses

ART 106. History of Art I (3 hours)
A survey of the major works of visual art and architecture from prehistoric times to the late Middle Ages in Europe. An investigation of how changes in subject matter and style reflect the power structures, ideals, philosophy, religion, scientific ideas, and literature of cultures that have contributed to the Western tradition. This course can be part of the Classical Studies Concentration.

 

ART 107. History of Art II (3 hours)
A survey of the major works of painting, sculpture, and architecture from the beginning of the Renaissance to the end of the nineteenth century. Attention is given to the changing role of the artist in the Western tradition and how styles in art relate to social, political, philosophical, religious, and scientific ideas.

 

ART 114. Art Methods and Materials (3 hours)
A practical course that explores the tools, materials, and processes used in sculpture, painting, ceramics, printmaking, and photography; their use and historical development will be stressed over the making of finished art work.

 

ART 115. Drawing Fundamentals (3 hours)
An introductory course with emphasis on basic drawing skills and idea development. Composition, perspective, line, value, and drawing technique will be explored through the use of a variety of drawing media.

 

ART 116. Fundamentals of Design and Color (3 hours)
An introductory course in two dimensional design concepts and color theory. Projects in a variety of media are used to investigate the properties and uses of color and to solve problems in two dimensional design.

 

ART 116C. Fundamentals of Design and Color (3 hours)
This course is identical to ART 116, with the exception that it is taught using computer- based media.

 

ART 202. Intermediate Drawing (3 hours)
Prerequisite: ART 115 or consent of the instructor.
An advanced course in drawing, stressing an individual approach to specific problems. Attention will be given to style development and presentation of finished work.

 

ART 203. Introduction to Crafts (3 hours)
Development of a philosophy of craft experience, using production as the basis of a materials sense. Honest workmanship, sincere utilization of substances, original design, and technical competence are stressed.

 

ART 223. Ceramics (3 hours)
Construction and decoration of stoneware pottery and small sculptures with an introduction to three dimensional design. Coil, slab, and wheel methods; firing and glazing.

 

ART 224. Sculpture (3 hours)
Basic three-dimensional design, modeling in clay, and carving in wood or stone. Preliminary models are developed into final sculptures.

 

ART 225. Painting (3 hours)
An introductory course in painting that explores pictorial composition through a variety of media. Completion of ART 115 and 116 prior to enrollment is recommended.

 

ART 226. Printmaking (3 hours)
Instruction in the creation of relief and intaglio prints (wood + linocuts, etching & aquatint, monotypes, collagraphs). It is highly recommended that students complete ART 115 or have some drawing skills before taking printmaking.

 

ART 254. Beginning Digital Imaging (3 hours)
An introductory-level course focusing on the use of computers as aids in designing artwork and as mediums for creative work. This course includes an introduction to the concepts of using new media and how it relates to contemporary art theory and practice. Work created will be produced for print media, interactivity, and motion. This will culminate in the creation of a digital portfolio.

 

ART 350. Life Drawing (3 hours)
Prerequisite: ART 115 or consent of instructor.
A study of the human figure from life and anatomical models in charcoal, pen and ink, and other graphic media.

 

ART 351. Advanced Sculpture (3 hours)
Prerequisite: ART 224 or consent of instructor.
Instruction in figure modeling, carving and casting, as well as the use of new materials. Pneumatic equipment for stone and wood carving are utilized.

 

ART 352. Advanced Painting (3 hours)
Prerequisite: ART 225 or consent of instructor.
Wide latitude is given in the choice of painting media, problems, and techniques, encouraging individual creative expression.

 

ART 353. Advanced Ceramics (3 hours)
Prerequisite: ART 223 or consent of instructor.
Instruction in wheel-thrown and slab-built pottery and sculpture. Glaze theory and formulation, historical topics, and alternative methods for firing, glazing, and surface treatment of ceramics are investigated.

 

ART 354. Digital Imaging (3 hours)
Prerequisite: ART 254.
An advanced level course teaching the use of the computer as an aid in designing art work and as a medium for creative work.

 

ART 355.Watercolor (3 hours)
Prerequisite: ART 115 or consent of the instructor.
A painting course in which the medium of transparent watercolor is used to explore a wide range of subjects. Much of the work for the class will be done on location.

 

ART 362. Ancient Art (3 hours)
A study of selected themes from the arts of Greece and Rome, and archeological and art historical techniques for dating, attributing, and interpreting works of art.

 

ART 363. Art of the Middle Ages (3 hours)
A survey of the major works of art and architecture from the end of the Roman Empire to the late Gothic period. Early Christian, Byzantine, Northern early medieval styles, and the Romanesque and Gothic art of the High Middle Ages (and some of the music) are related to the life and beliefs of the times. This course can be part of the Classical Studies Concentration.

 

ART 365. The Italian Renaissance (3 hours)
An in-depth look at the art, artists, and patrons who created the perspectival figurative tradition that still shapes our visual world. Information is given about the impact of new materials and techniques, training, patronage, as well as theoretical ideas about art and artists.

 

ART 366. Baroque Age (3 hours)
A survey of the change and variety in Baroque art from England, Holland, Italy, Spain, and other European countries. Students will learn to analyze structures and styles to see how they related to the changing scientific and religious beliefs at the beginning of the modern age.

 

ART 367. Modern Art History (3 hours)
A survey of the Neo-classic, Romantic, and Realist Revolutions that started the age of “isms” from Impressionism and Expressionism to Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism, and many others up to the “post-modern” age.

 

ART 368. Far Eastern Art (3 hours)
The arts of the Far East, primarily those of India, China, and Japan are studied in relation to their religious and political history.

 

ART 370.Women in Art (3 hours)
A consideration of the contributions of women in the field of art and the social context in which they have worked, as well as the depiction of women in works of art to discover the criteria by which we judge works of art (and artists) and how visual images can reinforce or change our sense of reality, such as assumptions about gender roles.

 

ART 380. Special Arts Subjects (Subtitle) (3 hours)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
A study of some significant area not otherwise covered in credit offerings. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours credit.

 

ART 411. Art Education: The Early Years and Middle Grades (3 hours)
A study of the methods, materials, and curriculum appropriate for guiding art activities in kindergarten through grade eight.

 

ART 413. Art Methods and Media (3 hours)
Prerequisites: ART 411 and admission to the teacher education program.
A study of the methods, media, and materials for teaching art at the secondary level in the public schools. Field experience required. (Does not count toward the art major).

 

ART 470. Gallery Internship (1 hour)
Prerequisite: a declared art major or permission of the instructor.
Students learn the general operation and management of a gallery and exhibition planning and presentation. Students propose, design, hang exhibitions; write and publish catalogs and publicity; read and discuss articles on theory of exhibitions; act as docents for student groups as well as possibly doing volunteer work for local museums. Graded S/U May be repeated for a maximum of 2 hours credit.

 

ART 475. Problems in Art Criticism (3 hours)
Prerequisites: ART 367 and senior status, or consent of the instructor.
An investigation of the origins, nature, and functions of the visual arts to develop criteria of aesthetic judgment.

 

ART 490. Directed Independent Study (1-3 hours)
Prerequisites: consent of instructor and chair.
An advanced course in art theory, practice, or research may be designed for a student who evidences clarity of purpose and unusual ability in art. (This course may complement but not replace or duplicate the major project.) May be taken for variable credit of 1-3 hours, one hour of credit for each three hours of studio work per week. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours credit.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY (PHO)
A minor in photography consists of five courses: PHO 221, 323, 424, and two courses from ART 116, 367, or CTA 165. Photography courses will not count toward a major in art.

 

PHO 221. The Art of Photography (3 hours)
An introduction to the history, theory, and practice of photography. The special qualities of photography as an art and an expressive tool are illustrated through exercises in pictorial composition and lectures on basic design. The visual world is seen in terms of the viewfinder with prints or slides recording the student’s vision. Critiques are supplemented by student analyses of creative work. (Students must supply their own manual exposure camera.)

 

PHO 323. The Practice of Photography (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PHO 221.
This course involves the melding of the art and science of photography in picturemaking, developing, and enlarging. Darkroom techniques are emphasized, including creative approaches to printing and manipulation of the image. Special assignments are centered on subject matter and techniques, field trips and class projects in portraiture and still life, lighting, and color. (Students must supply their own manual exposure camera.)

 

PHO 424. Advanced Photography (3 hours)
Prerequisite: PHO 323.
Students will be expected to participate in photo-journalism projects, contests, or exhibitions. Special displays of work will be mounted and shown locally or in traveling shows. Publication and the development of a personal style will be encouraged as intensive picture-making continues and critiques are regularly held. Visiting professionals will participate in photo-seminars. (Students must supply their own manual exposure camera.)

 

PHO 498. Directed Independent Study (1-3 hours)
Prerequisite: consent of the instructor and chair.
An advanced course in the theory or practice of photography, designed by the student. The course can be repeated for a total of six hours credit.