Art Department Courses


ART 111 R – Two-Dimensional Foundations, 4 credits. E. Using a variety of materials and processes, students carry out studies in line, shape and form, value, texture and color; and explore methods of implying depth, mass and volume on a flat surface. These exercises in two-dimensional image making are correlated with lectures, critiques, written presentations and field trips.
ART 112 R – Three-Dimensional Foundations, 4 credits. E. An introductory course offering experience in making three-dimensional images with concentration on design elements and principles. A wide range of materials, tools and techniques will be explored. Lectures, critiques, written and oral presentations, and field trips are also included.
ART 130 R – Beginning Drawing, 4 credits. E. A studio introduction to basic drawing skills, methods and terminology. Through the use of a variety of drawing materials, students will translate thought and observation into image. Includes discussion, critiques and field trips.
ART 155 R, G – History in Art I: Origins to the Early Renaissance, 4 credits. E1. ART 155 is a historical exploration of global visual culture – including Near Eastern and African traditions – from the origins of human civilization to ca. 1400 CE with particular emphasis given to the religious, political and social contexts of the world's greatest art.
ART 156 R, G – History in Art II: The Renaissance to Impressionism, 4 credits. E2. ART 156 is a historical exploration of global visual culture – including East Asian and Native American traditions – from the Renaissance to Impressionism with particular emphasis given to the religious, political and social contexts of the world's greatest art. (ART 155 is not a prerequisite for ART 156.)
ART 158 R, G – History in Art III: Post-Impressionism to the Digital Age, 4 credits. E2. ART 158 is a historical exploration of global visual culture – including Oceanic and Central Asian traditions – from Impressionism to the present day with particular emphasis given to the religious, political and social contexts of the world's greatest art. (ART 155 and/or 156 are not prerequisites for ART 158.)
ART 236, COM 236 – Introduction to the Photographic Process, 4 credits. A1. The study of basic photographic procedures, including camera and darkroom techniques. Approaching photography as both an art form and a communication medium, the course will introduce students to a variety of techniques and applications of photography.
ART 250 – Pre-May Seminar, 2 to 4 credits. D. An intense introduction to the peoples and places to be experienced during the May Seminar in Art History with particular focus on student preparatory research and on-site reports. Prerequisite: ART 155 or ART 156 or permission of instructor
ART 300 – May Seminar, 4 credits. MS.
ART 320 – Painting, 4 credits. E. An introduction to painting through the development of a sequence of paintings that progress from representation of assigned subject matter to complete abstraction and freedom of expression. Studio focus is on oil painting but includes methods and techniques of oil, acrylic, and mixed media painting.
ART 330 – Ceramics, 4 credits. E1 or E2. Introduction to basic hand building, wheel throwing, glazing and firing techniques. Class critiquing and student-teacher dialogue are integrated into all phases of the creative process.
ART 340 – Sculpture, 4 credits. E1 or E2. Introduction to the design and execution of three-dimensional objects in such materials as wood, clay, plaster, cast and constructed metal, stone, plastics, fibers, and mixed media. Installations and video/performance are also encouraged.
ART 350 – Printmaking, 4 credits. E1 or E2. An exploration of the aesthetic and technical possibilities of monotype, intaglio, relief and lithography. Prerequisite: ART 111 – Two-Dimensional Foundations or ART 130 – Beginning Drawing or permission of instructor
ART 356 – Museum Studies I, 4 credits. E1. Museum Studies I is designed as a comprehensive introduction to the museum as a cultural phenomenon. Working through a variety of texts, students will explore the histories, workings and ideas of "the museum" from the beginning of formalized art exhibitions in ancient Egypt to the Postmodern age. In addition to rigorous training in museum history, students will also engage and discuss the numerous controversies that have occupied museum professionals from the end of the 19th century to the present day. Basic practica (including basic hanging, lighting and show design) will be conducted using the Cyrus M. Running Gallery and the Rourke Art Museum as a laboratory. Prerequisite: ART 155 or ART 156 or ART 158
ART 357 – Museum Studies II, 4 credits. E2. Museum Studies II is designed as a basic practicum and introduction to the operation, management and design of a contemporary museum and gallery. Using the Cyrus M. Running Gallery, the Rourke Art Museum and the Rourke Art Gallery as laboratories, students will each engage and take ownership of 1-3 projects integral to the function of these preeminent art spaces. These will include: basic show design, basic lighting design, museum governance, registration and collection management, collections research and care, museum education programming, arts funding, and basic museum marketing strategies. Prerequisite: ART 155 or ART 156 or ART 158 (ART 356 is not a prerequisite for ART 357.)
ART 360 – Figure Drawing, 4 credits. E2. Introduction to the structural aspects as well as the expressive potential of the human figure. Students work directly from the skeleton and the model in exercises ranging from study drawings of bone and muscle structure to resolved compositions. Prerequisite: ART 130 – Beginning Drawing
ART 364 – Greek and Roman Art, 4 credits. E4. A historical survey of Greek and Roman art and culture with particular emphasis given to the connections that exist between early literature, religion, politics and visual culture. Coursework covers ancient Greek and Italian archaeology from the Bronze Age to the Late Empire. Like all 300-level art history courses, this course is conducted as an advanced seminar with emphasis placed on individual research and advanced presentations.
ART 365 – Renaissance and Baroque Art, 4 credits. T. A historical survey of Western European art and culture with particular emphasis given to the connections that exist between Renaissance literature, religion, philosophy, politics and visual culture during the dawn of the modern world. Coursework covers English, French, German and Italian art from the 14th to 17th centuries. Like all 300-level art history courses, this course is conducted as an advanced seminar with emphasis placed on individual research and advanced presentations.
ART 367 – 20th Century Art, 4 credits. E1. A historical survey of Western European art and culture with particular emphasis given to the connections that exist between 20th century politics and visual culture of the modern, post-modern and hyper-modern ages. Coursework covers European and American art from the end of the 19th century to the present moment. Like all 300-level art history courses, this course is conducted as an advanced seminar with emphasis placed on individual research and advanced presentations.
ART 368, COM 368 – Digital Photography, 4 credits. E. Digital Photography is the study of basic digital photographic procedures, including digital camera and processing techniques. Approaching digital photography as an art form and as a communicative medium, the course will introduce students to the specific techniques used in such fields as fine art photography, photojournalism and photography for advertising. By permission of instructor.
ART 369 R, G – 18th and 19th Century Art in the East and West, 4 credits. T. A historical survey of art and culture at the dawn of the Modern Age with particular emphasis is given to the global exchange between Western Europe and East Asia. From Rococo to the French Revolution, to Impressionism and beyond this course tracks developments in the visual art during one of the most dynamic and innovative periods of human history. Special attention is given to the connections that exist between early Modern literature, politics and visual culture. Coursework covers the Rococo, Neo-Classicism, Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, as well as the connections that exist between these movements and the art of Asia. Like all 300-level art history courses, this course is conducted as an advanced seminar with emphasis placed on individual research and advanced presentations.
ART 370 – Graphic Design, 4 credits. E. A studio course for students who wish to improve their graphic communication skills. Students will learn general graphic design procedures and problem-solving techniques through lectures, discussion and design exercises. Includes introduction to (Macintosh) design software – primarily Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator, with some Adobe Photoshop and QuarkXPress. Prerequisite: ART 111 – Two-Dimensional Foundations or permission of instructor
ART 372 – Islamic Art, 2 credits. D. A study of the art and architecture that developed in concert with the rise of Islamic religion and Muslim culture in the Near East, North Africa and Western Europe.
ART 373 – Pre-Columbian Art, 2 credits. D. The art of the native cultures of ancient Mexico, Central and South America, including those of the Maya and Inca, from prehistoric periods to the Spanish conquest.
ART 374 – Art and Religion, 4 credits. A1. A comparative exploration of the connections between artistic and religious concepts and practices. Students will learn about various artistic traditions tied to the Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu and Daoist religions. In addition, we will look beyond religious institutions and contemplate the pursuit of spiritual expression in modern and postmodern artistic practices. Like all 300-level art history courses, this course is conducted as an advanced seminar with emphasis placed on individual research and advanced presentations.
ART 375 – Women and Art, 4 credits. A1. An exploration of the role of women as creators and the subjects of art in various traditions of Euro-America, East Asia and South/Southeast Asia. This course examines several dominant discourses of aesthetics and traditions of art-making and questions how gender ideologies operate to assign value and meaning to artists, artworks, genres, media and styles. Like all 300-level art history courses, this course is conducted as an advanced seminar with emphasis placed on individual research and advanced presentations.
ART 380 – Special Topics, 2 to 4 credits. D. Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information.
ART 390 – Cooperative Education, 1 to 8 credits. D.
ART 401 – Intermediate Drawing, 2 to 4 credits. E. Continuing studies and practice relating to this studio area
ART 402 – Intermediate Painting, 2 to 4 credits. E. Continuing studies and practice relating to this studio area
ART 403 – Intermediate Ceramics, 2 to 4 credits. E. Continuing studies and practice relating to this studio area
ART 404 – Intermediate Sculpture, 2 to 4 credits. E. Continuing studies and practice relating to this studio area
ART 405 – Intermediate Printmaking, 2 to 4 credits. E. Continuing studies and practice relating to this studio area
ART 406 – Intermediate Figure Drawing, 2 to 4 credits. E. Continuing studies and practice relating to this studio area
ART 407 – Intermediate Graphic Design, 4 credits. E. Continuing studies and practice relating to this studio area
ART 409 – Intermediate Photography, 2 to 4 credits. E. Continuing studies and practice relating to this studio area
ART 420 – Senior Project or Senior Thesis, 4 credits. E. A special project in any studio area or in the history of art. Studio projects will result in work prepared for the Senior Art Exhibition. Theses in the history of art will result in an extended research paper. Prerequisites: senior standing and permission of instructor before registration
ART 440 Z – Portfolio Preparation, 4 credits. E1 or E2. Designed to function as a capstone experience in which art majors develop portfolios of images and written work appropriate for postcollegiate applications. Coursework includes preparation of both traditional and digital image portfolios, artist's résumé, artist's statement or design briefs, artist's marketing folio materials, and written critiques. Prerequisite: senior standing in art or permission of instructor
ART 480 – Independent Study, 2 to 4 credits. D. Special projects in studio art or in art history. Prerequisite: Prearrangement with the instructor. Contact the department or program chair for more information.
ART 490 – Cooperative Education, 1 to 8 credits. D.