Art Requirements
Communicating Plus: Art. Students completing a major in Art develop skills in the four Communicating Plus areas — written communication, oral communication, critical thinking and problem-solving — in required and elective course work in the discipline. Most of the Communicating Plus student-learning goals are addressed in the required art history courses (all art courses with “7” in their number). The 270 art history course may place more emphasis on written communication; the 370 course more on oral communication. All courses above 170 use student-centered and active learning pedagogies. Studio courses (all courses without a “7” in their number) foreground problem-solving and emphasize student-centered and active learning pedagogies. The major assessment occurs in Art 500: Senior Studio Project for studio majors, and in Art 570: Senior Seminar for all three art majors (studio majors are required to take both). The formal, oral presentations of the three types of art major are evaluated by the department as a whole and by invited evaluators from across the disciplines.
Requirements for a major in Studio Art: Thirty-eight credits.
Art 120 Drawing I (Basic Drawing) and Art 122 Drawing II (Figure Drawing).
Students are encouraged to take these courses early in their career.
- At least two, up to four credits of the one-credit course Art 250 (Figure Drawing Independent Study) which can be taken any time after Art 120.
- Either the sequence Art 230 and Art 340 (Painting I & II), or Art 253 and Art 354 (Computer Assisted Art I & II).
- Either Art 180 (Ceramics) or Art 190 (Sculpture).
- Art 171 and Art 172 (Survey of Western Art I & II), plus one 270- or 370-level art history course (containing the number “7”) of varying topics for three or four credits.
- Art 400, which can be repeated for credit, for advanced work especially fall semester
of the senior year in preparation for the Senior Project.
Senior Capstone: Usually taken in the spring semester of the senior year:
- Art 500 (Senior Studio Project) for three credits, where senior studio majors are required to produce and exhibit a body of high quality work which, in the opinion
of the art faculty, is both significant and substantial; and
- Art 570 (Senior Seminar) for two credits, where seniors present a thesis paper based on research related to the student’s art production.
It is the policy of the College and the department to select a representative sample of each student’s work for the permanent collection to be used for documentation and resource purposes. The student will be compensated for the costs of the materials
of the selected sample.
Students are encouraged to participate in off-campus programs, but preferably in the junior year.
Requirements for an Art History Major: Thirty-eight credits. Art 171, 172 (Surveys of Western
Art). Two courses from Art 273, 274, 275,History 214, or Classical Studies 120/320. Two courses
from Art 372, 374, 375, 377, History 335, or Classical Studies 250/450. A minimum of three credits in studio courses to a maximum of six. One internship for two to four credits. Art 570: a 4-credit capstone experience which involves theses paper and oral presentation for four credits. Remaining credits from courses listed above and off-campus programs (with approval of the chair). Art History majors will be strongly advised, though not required, to study a language to the 211-level and participate in an off-campus program.
Requirements for an Art Major: Thirty-eight credits. Art 171, 172 (Surveys of Western Art). Art 120 (Drawing I) and one session of Art 250 (Independent Figure-drawing). Art 230 (Painting I) or Art 253 (Computer-Assisted Art I). Art 180 (Ceramics I) or Art 190 (Sculpture I). Choice of one course from Art 273, 274, 275, History 214 or Classical Studies 120/320. Choice of one course from Art 372, 373, 374, 375, 377, History 335, or Classical Studies 250/450. Remaining credits from courses listed above and off-campus programs (with approval of the chair). Art 570: 4-credit capstone experience.
Requirements for a minor in Studio Art: Twenty credits, including Art 171 and 172, the rest a majority of studio courses.
Requirements for a minor in Art History: Twenty credits, including Art 171 and 172, plus four credits from a 370-level course, the rest a majority of art history courses.
The majors consist of these requirements plus electives for a total of 38 credits. FYS 175, when offered by the art department, counts toward the major.
Students who opt to major in art history and minor in studio art, or vice versa, must accumulate fifty-eight credits in art courses. Students who elect the art major may not elect to double-major or minor in either studio art or art history. Students who intend to double major in studio art and art history must have their program approved by the chair of the department.
All majors are encouraged to participate in off-campus programs. Art history majors and minors are strongly encouraged to study a language to the 211-level and beyond.
Courses
120. Drawing I (Salas)
Three credits. Basic drawing is an introduction to line, tone and composition. This course is intended to strengthen drawing from observation, as well as foster a deeper understanding of form and visual organization. Students are given traditional methods and materials that will be used in building formal skills, which they then will use to create artworks of their own conception. Beyond copying appearances, students also are asked to consider the way things fit together, the way parts relate. They will be asked to enter into drawing situations that require not only close observation,
but increasing selectivity, invention, and personal interpretation. In the process, they will acquire a basic understanding of some of the terms and issues unique to visual study.
171. Survey of Western Art I (Evelyn Kain)
Four credits. The fundamental concepts involved in seeing, understanding, analyzing, and discussing Western art are presented in conjunction with a review of major Western monuments in painting, sculpture, and architecture including Stonehenge and prehistoric cave painting, Mesopotamian
palace reliefs, Egyptian tombs, Classical Greek statues and temples, the grandeur that was Rome, and concluding with the emergence and development of Christian art up to the Gothic cathedrals.
172. Survey of Western Art II (Evelyn Kain)
Four credits. Painting, sculpture, architecture and mixed-media from 1400 up to the 21st century, from the Renaissance to postmodern art in the West including major traditional artists such as Michelangelo
and Rembrandt, modern masters such as Monet and Picasso, and contemporary artists such as Maya Lin and Wenda Gu. This course can be taken before or after Art 171.
180. Ceramics I (Eugene Kain)
Three credits. Offered in 2008-09 and alternate years. An introductory studio course dealing with the design, methods, and aesthetics of making functional and nonfunctional objects in clay. Various processes will be covered such as: hand-building techniques, the use of the potter’s wheel, decorating and glazing methods, and a variety of firing means. Stress is placed on originality of concept and the development of excellence in craftsmanship.
190. Sculpture I (Eugene Kain)
Three credits. Offered in 2007-08 and alternate years. An introduction to the methods and materials of making sculpture. Topics for study will include a selection from the following: sketching and modeling the figure, the portrait head, studies of animal and plant forms, developing three-dimensional abstract compositions. Visual presentations, demonstrations and readings.
202. Fundamentals of Art for Elementary Teachers (Staff)
Two credits. An introduction to the content and methods of art instruction at the elementary level. Studies will include philosophies and trends in art education, developmental stages of visual expression, studio experiences in both two- and three-dimensional disciplines to include various
art media, and classroom observations in art (grades K-6). Students will prepare a personal art curriculum, lesson plan file and portfolio. Does not count toward completion of the fine arts explorations requirement.
222. Drawing II (Salas)
Three credits. This course is a further investigation into the techniques and possibilities of drawing. A primary focus will be the integration of conceptual concerns with technical skills. The possibili47
ties of drawing will be explored through a variety of approaches: approximately half the class time will be spent working from the figure and the rest on other assignments. Prerequisite: Art 120 or consent of the instructor.
230. Painting I (Salas)
Three credits. The purpose of this course is the investigation of the nature of paint and color, a variety of painting materials, formal problems and the creative process in regard to ideas and content. Students will paint from observation as well as develop methods for making work from research
(both external and internal). Color will be examined in the light of science as well as cultural and psychological sources.
250. Figure-Drawing Independent Study (Shippey)
One credit. Independent figure-drawing session for motivated students who seek additional drawing practice. Majors and minors as well as prospective majors and minors are encouraged to take and repeat this course for up to four credits. Students will work independently. Their drawing will be reviewed and evaluated periodically in the course of the semester by art department faculty. This course does not count toward the Fine Arts graduation requirement. Prerequisite: Art 120 or consent of the instructor. Grading is Pass/Fail.
253. Computer-Assisted Art I (Staff)
Three credits. This course is an investigation into the possibilities presented by computer-generated images. Illustrator and Photoshop will be used to create original artworks, though these programs may be augmented with other software as availability allows. Students will gain facility with the technical aspects of computer imaging, but assignments will emphasize conceptual creativity as well as portfolio development, and will leave latitude for personal investigation. Prerequisite:
Art 120 or Art 230 and/or consent of the instructor.
273. Who was Vincent Van Gogh? (Evelyn Kain)
Three to four credits. This course investigates the art historical and historical background of one of the most well-known artists of the 19th century. The major art movements (Romanticism, Neoclassicism, Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism) and artists (David, Goya, Delacroix, Courbet, Manet, Cezanne, Monet, Renoir, etc.) of the traditional canon of styles which framed Van Gogh’s short career will be covered as well as the major factors contributing to this period of rapid social and technological change. Both formalist and contextualist approaches to interpretation are addressed. The questions — Why has Van Gogh become so famous in our times? What does that say about him? What does that say about us? — will be answered from multiple levels and perspectives. Format involves lecture, plus projects, papers and presentations.
274. Early Modern Art (Evelyn Kain)
Four credits. What led to modern abstraction? Can Cubism be explained by Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity or the women’s movement? This course investigates the standard “isms” and household names of modern painting and sculpture: Fauvism, Expressionism, Dada, Surrealism as well as Matisse, Picasso, Kandinski, Duchamp and Dali, and the context in which they formed. Categories of 20th century creativity not in the modernist mainstream also will be investigated such as art of the insane (Adolf Wölffli), folk art (Dickeyville Grotto), and fascist art. Format involves some lecture, plus projects, papers and presentations.
275. The Art and Culture of Turn-of-the-Century Vienna (Evelyn Kain)
Four credits. An interdisciplinary investigation of the changes in world-view that characterize the modern era in the West around 1900. Using Viennese art, architecture, and design as a basis, this course explores interconnections between music, literature, psychology, physics, philosophy, politics, and religion. Major artists such as Klimt, Kokoschka, Schiele, Otto Wagner Schnitzler,
and Schönberg as well as world-figures in non-art fields such as Wittgenstein, Freud and Hitler are discussed. Same as Interdisciplinary Studies 275. Format involves some lecture, plus projects, papers and presentations.
282. Ceramics II (Eugene Kain)
Three credits. Further development of the skills and methods of Ceramics I. Introduction to ceramic sculpture, advanced lessons on the potter’s wheel, introduction to clay and glaze chemistry. Emphasis is placed on the greater role of experimentation with form and surface treatment. A greater freedom of creative expression as well as continued excellence of craftsmanship will be encouraged. Prerequisite: Art 180 or consent of the instructor.
292. Sculpture II (Eugene Kain)
Three credits. Offered in 2007-08 and alternate years. Continuation of concepts and methods of Art 190 which may include welding sculpture, bronze-casting, or wood construction. A wider range of personal experimentation with form and content will be encouraged. An exposure to the pluralistic views of modern and contemporary sculpture. Visual presentations, demonstrations and readings. Prerequisite: Art 190 or consent of the instructor.
332. Glass Working (Katahira)
Two credits. Instruction and practice in the elementary operations of glass blowing. An introduction to glass-working techniques for the construction of art objects. Studio emphasis on the expressive
use of glass. Lectures, demonstrations, field trips and studio. See Chemistry 332. Prerequisite:
Consent of the instructor.
340. Painting II (Salas)
Three credits. Painting II is a continuation of basic painting, with an emphasis on the fine points of pictorial structure and color design. Prerequisite: Art 230 or consent of the instructor.
354. Computer-Assisted Art II (Staff)
Three credits. A continuation of Computer-Assisted Art I, with continuing emphasis on design and composition, and a further investigation of the conceptual possibilities inherent in the medium. Course combines Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and other software. Prerequisite: Art 253.
370. Departmental Studies - Art History (Evelyn Kain)
Three to four credits. This course can be repeated for credit as topics change. It addresses topics not covered in other courses.
372. Art and Nature (Evelyn Kain)
Three or four credits. What is the relationship of art to nature? From cave paintings to scientific illustration, and from luminous American landscape painting of the 19th century to the ecological art of the last decades, this course investigates the many ways that humans have interpreted the natural world. Format involves student-centered discussions, papers, and oral presentations. No prerequisites. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to take this course. They may earn a fourth credit by designing a final paper or project.
374. Art NOW (Evelyn Kain)
Three or four credits. What does contemporary art look like? What issues does it address? What media does it use? This course focuses on the remarkable renaissance of the art of our times — from Acconci to Zittel — including the latest works of living artists in all of their variety and perplexity. Format involves student-centered discussions, papers and oral presentations. No prerequisites. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to take this course. They may earn a fourth credit by designing a final paper or project.
375. Art and Gender (Evelyn Kain)
Three or four credits. Why have there been no great women artists? Or, have there been, and we just need to learn about them? If so, why were they left out? Does art encode gender? Is there a difference between the way men and women see? Between the way they are represented in images? Why doesn’t “old mistresses” have the same ring as “old masters?” This course attempts to address these questions by investigating the history of art and image-production through the lens of gender. Format involves student centered discussions, papers and oral presentations. No prerequisites. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to take this course. They may earn a fourth credit by designing a final paper or project. This course counts as an advanced topic for women’s and gender studies minor.
377. Arts Management (Evelyn Kain/Staff)
One to four credits. This course is designed for students considering a career in arts management. Students have hands-on experience preparing art department exhibitions from “conception to reception.” Assignments vary according to the schedule of shows. Prerequisite: Consent of the chair.
400. Departmental Studies - Studio Art (Staff)
Three credits. This course can be repeated for credit as topics change. This course is designed to explore aspects of art not covered in other courses. It also is an opportunity for advanced students to participate in special projects and workshops with faculty and guest artists. Seniors are strongly urged to use this course as a means of concentrated preparation for Art 500. Recent topics have been: art and science, print-making and public art for campus (murals and sculptures). Prerequisite: Major or minor status and consent of the instructor.
500. Senior Studio Project (Salas)
Three credits. This course is taken the semester before the student plans to graduate. Students work in the area and medium of their expertise and pursue a concentrated, narrow studio research activity which is meaningfully related to their major area of interest in art. Students meet on a regular basis, receive critiques from the staff and are expected to produce a significant body of work for the senior show.
551, 552. Internship (Staff)
Two to four credits. A supervised internship in an arts-related institution, office, studio or agency. Students write a paper describing and critically analyzing their experience and make a public presentation. The internship must be arranged by the student and approved by the chair of the department in advance. It may be repeated for up to eight credits, although no more than four can be counted toward completion of the major and two toward the minor. Prerequisites: Major or minor standing and consent of the chair.
570. Senior Seminar in Art (Evelyn Kain)
Two to four credits. In the semester before graduation, studio majors write a research paper for two credits related to their studio project of Art 500. Students with a concentration in art history write an extensive research paper in the area of their interest for four credits. All students present their papers publicly at the end of the semester.
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