Curriculum Overview
Art and Art History
The Department of Art and Art History educates students in the practice and processes of making art and in the historical analysis of art. We see this endeavor as an essential visual complement to the training in verbal and numerical analysis and production offered in other areas of the College curriculum.
The Department's program in studio art concentrates on the planning and production of visual works that use formal and expressive elements such as composition, shape, form, line, tone, texture and color. Beyond the design and execution of these works, we guide students through the processes of applying critical analysis and anticipating the works' ultimate intellectual and emotional communication.
Our art history program examines aesthetically considered objects with the goal of comprehending both the objects them—selves and the social concerns that they embody. We strive to develop students' ability to appreciate the technical accomplishment, artistic decision—making and expressive effect of works of art. Yet art is not created only for aesthetic purposes; it is a compelling visualization of values and priorities important in a particular time and place. We therefore also teach students to understand the ways that art encapsulates and promotes shared beliefs.
Students who major or minor in art elect either an art history or a studio concentration. The major consists of 10 courses in either of two possible combinations, as follows:
Studio Art
Ten courses are required for the studio art major:
Eight core courses are required:
- ART 114;
- One introductory course in sculpture (ART 116 or ART 126);
- One course in photography (digital or chemical) or computer art;
- One course in Asian art, either ART 105 or ART 200;
- ART 222;
- One course in modern art history (ART 241, 243 or 251);
- One course in advanced drawing, figure drawing or multiples;
- ART 462, the advanced seminar in studio art practices.
In addition, students will choose two electives with which they can deepen their study in art history, create an area of special focus within studio art, or investigate courses of interest. Faculty advisers will help students construct a coherent cluster of courses for the area of special focus; courses in other departments may also be appropriate as part of this cluster. Some possible areas of focus include: advanced painting; advanced sculpture; design and the environment; architecture/urbanism; and technology and image—making.
All studio art majors are required to present their work in the Senior Exhibition at the Phillips Museum. Preparation for the exhibition, guided and evaluated by Art major advisers and the professor teaching the ART 462 Studio Capstone course, includes a non—credit portfolio review in the fall semester and the required capstone course in the spring.
The writing requirement for majors concentrating in studio art is met by earning a minimum of "C" in ART 241, 243 or ART 251, or in one seminar offered by the department.
Art History
Ten courses are required for the art history major:
Seven core courses are required:
- ART 103. Introduction to Western Art;
- ART 105. Introduction to Asian Art;
- ART 114. Introductory Drawing;
- CLS 148. Roman Art and Archaeology or CLS 149 Greek Art and Archaeology;
- ART 231. Art and Architecture of the Italian Renaissance;
- One course in the modern period (ART 241, 243, 245, 249 or 251);
- ART 461, the advanced seminar in art history.
In addition, students will choose three electives with which they can deepen their study of studio art, create an area of special focus within art history, or investigate courses of interest. At least one of these three electives must be at the 300—level. Faculty advisers will help students construct a coherent cluster of courses for the area of special focus; courses in other departments may also be appropriate as part of this cluster. Some possible areas of focus include: Asian art; early modern art; 19th—century art; American art; architecture/urbanism; art and archaeology; and technology and image—making.
The writing requirement for majors concentrating in art history is met by earning a minimum grade of "C" in one seminar offered by the department.
The minor consists of six courses, as follows:
The Studio Minor
Two courses:
- ART 114. Introductory Drawing;
- One course in modern art history (ART 241, 243, 251).
- Plus four other courses in studio art, chosen in consultation with an adviser, with at least one at or above the 300—level.
The Art History Minor
Three introductory courses:
- ART103. Introduction to Western Art;
- ART105. Introduction to Asian Art;
- ART114. Introductory Drawing.
Plus three other courses in art history, chosen in consultation with an adviser, with at least one at or above the 300—level.
Note: Requirements outlined above are applicable to majors and minors beginning with the class of 2009. Students fulfilling requirements under the department's old curriculum should consult their faculty advisers.
To be considered for departmental honors in Art and Art History, graduating seniors, besides meeting the College's general requirements for honors, must complete a substantial project, usually evolving from a fall semester course or independent study and continuing in an independent study in the spring. Students interested in pursuing departmental honors should consult with their academic adviser and obtain a copy of the department's detailed guidelines.
Majors in the Department of Art and Art History have studied abroad in the following programs in recent years: Butler University Programs; F&M Summer Session in Bath; IES Madrid, Spain and University of London; Temple University in Rome. See the International Programs section of the Catalog for further information.
