Program Requirements: Studio Art

Requirements
The major normally consists of 14 courses: 11 studio courses and three art history courses. The western survey art history course (ARTH010) must be one of the three art history courses. ARTS100 and 102 are studio foundations designed to introduce students to the nature of visual language and the creative process while encouraging the development of visual expression. At least one of these courses is required of majors and is strongly recommended for nonmajors as preparation for additional work in studio art. In addition to these foundation courses, a number of other introductory level courses in various media (painting, sculpture, printmaking and graphic design) satisfy the aesthetic perspective requirement. As the aesthetic perspective outlines, “artistic expression and the perception, analysis and evaluation of aesthetic form” in fundamental terms will be the focus of these classes. After exploring various media, students may choose to concentrate in one area and often seek out particular faculty members for personal mentoring. With the approval of the faculty adviser, credits towards the major may include courses in music, theater arts and screen studies, as well as student initiated nontraditional experiences. If a student chooses to double major, eight studio art courses and two art history courses are required, one of which must be ARTH010.

Capstone for Majors
All studio art majors will participate in a senior year capstone course offered in the fall semester, 234 Studio Topics, which will require work on an independent project. This course is interdisciplinary (students work in a variety of media) and provides a thematic context for the making of art. The class examines current topics occupying the national imagination as well as timeless themes that artists continue to address. Studio art majors should also undertake work at an advanced level in at least one medium. Courses that satisfy this level of work are: ARTS 254 Graphic Design Studio, ARTS 258 Printmaking Workshop, ARTS 266 Sculpture Studio, ARTS 250 Photography Studio (also offered through COPACE), ARTS 214 Social and Cultural Issue Documentary (Screen Studies), ARTS 280 Senior Studio in Painting/Drawing or TA 226 Advanced Production Projects (Theater). Some individual studio space will be available to senior art majors while enrolled in ARTS 234 and 289.