Oct 11, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

School of Art, Design and Art History


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For more information about degree offerings by the faculty of the School of Art, visit the School of Art, Design and Art History webpage.

The curriculum for all degrees allows students to develop critical thinking skills and technical expertise in an interdisciplinary environment.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)  in art degree enables students to enter professional careers in art and to find their place in contemporary artistic practice, and allows students to have intensive study in a media area of their choice (graphic design, painting/drawing, photography, ceramics, printmaking, and digital media/motion graphics). It is the degree most often required for admission to graduate programs offering the Master of Fine Arts degree, which is the most accepted terminal degree in art and the degree required for college-level teaching. All B.F.A. students are required to minor in art history.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in art degree ensures that the student has completed a major study in the visual arts and its histories as an integral part of a general liberal arts degree program. Students choose an area of specialization: art history  or art . A double specialization in both art history and art is also possible; students should talk to their faculty advisor for more information. Students complete a minor of their choice with the B.A. degree.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in art complete the four core course requirements before taking intermediary and upper division courses. In the core courses, students learn basic skills about art-making and develop sound studio practices. The courses form the foundation that will support students as they work towards designing a curriculum in their areas of emphasis. Students in the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program will take introductory courses as dictated by their choice of specialization (art or art history). Internships for both B.F.A. and B.A. students are strongly encouraged, but are not required.

Most studio classes require lab fees to cover the cost of most supplies used in class. See the Tuition and Fees  section of this Bulletin for more information.

Mission

The mission of the School of Art, Design and Art History is to create a stimulating environment for the practice, understanding and advancement of the visual arts.

The mission is carried out by:

  • Providing students with a thorough understanding of artistic traditions past and present to help them find their place in contemporary artistic practices;
  • Encouraging the exploration of innovative artistic techniques and practices in an interdisciplinary environment; and
  • Helping students develop sound studio practices by encouraging active involvement in the community.

The strategic priorities of the School of Art are:

  • Cultivating students, faculty, staff and administrators who promote the visual arts as central to culture;
  • Maintaining a rigorous yet flexible curriculum that stimulates critical thinking and promotes technical expertise; and
  • Investing in facilities and technology that support our mission.

Undergraduate Academic Programs

The faculty of art offer courses leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)  and the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)  degrees in art with specializations in studio art and art history. The curriculum for both degrees allows students to develop critical thinking skills and technical expertise in an interdisciplinary environment.

Admission

There is no portfolio admission requirement for students who enter the University at the freshman level and wish to pursue the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) and Bachelor of Art (B.A.) in art degrees. All transfer students to the studio art program must submit a portfolio of work for review by the faculty member in the area of emphasis, and acceptance is based on that portfolio review.

Program Learning Outcomes

Art, B.A., Art History Specialization. Students who complete the undergraduate program in art history will:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of major monuments and artists in their specific cultural-historical context and apply that knowledge to specific art historical problems (e.g., what makes a work of art meaningful or worthy of study).
  2. Demonstrate sound research, intellectual analysis of source material, critical thinking, and effective writing and speaking skills.

Art, B.A., Studio Art Specialization. Students who complete the undergraduate program in studio art will:

  1. Demonstrate conceptual and technical proficiency within one or more aspect of the visual arts.
  2. Exhibit evidence of professionalism by developing a portfolio, resume and artist statement, locating their own work within historical and contemporary contexts.

Art, B.F.A. Students who complete the undergraduate program in fine arts will:

  1. Demonstrate high level of conceptual and technical competency within at least one area of emphasis.
  2. Exhibit evidence of professionalism by developing a cohesive body of work, resume and artist statement, demonstrating the ability to apply historical and contemporary contexts to their own practice.
  3. Successful execution of final project or exhibition, including written artist statement, which illustrates stylistic and conceptual competency of chosen art form.

Faculty

Director
Michelle Martin

Professor
Michelle Martin

Associate Professors
Daniel Farnum
Maria Maurer
Kirsten Olds

Applied Assistant Professor
Samuel Krall

 

Programs

    MajorMinor

    Courses

      ArtArt History

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