Plan of Study – Art Education

Introduction to drawing and two-dimensional design with a variety of media and approaches. Students explore observational and expressive drawing along with the elements and principles of art and design. No prior experience needed.

Introduction to painting with a variety of acrylic and watercolor media. Students explore observational and expressive painting techniques and learn color theory along with the elements and principles of art and design. No prior experience needed.

Introduction to hand building clay vessels and sculptural forms using a variety of expressive methods. Students explore forming and glazing techniques along with art elements and design principles. No prior experience needed.

Introduction to printmaking with relief printing, silkscreen and intaglio. Students explore creative expression with each printmaking process, along with the elements and principles of art and design. No prior experience needed.

An introduction to the uses of Adobe Illustrator. Students master key Adobe Illustrator program functions, including tools and palettes, in creating digital images. In this course students create projects that demonstrate a clear understanding of these digital visual communication tools.

An introduction to and use of Adobe InDesign for creating clear, creative layouts of visual communications. Students master key program functions, including tools and palettes, in creating digital layouts using Adobe InDesign.

Basic digital photography; principles of light, lenses, and composition; participation in all phases of digital work flow from initial composition to final image. Required for students seeking teaching certification with a Journalism minor.

Investigation of art making across cultures from over 250,000 years of prehistory through the time of the early Renaissance. Multicultural artistic innovations across the world are charted chronologically. Using art history as a framework, human history is reflected back to us.

Investigation of innovations in artwork across world cultures from the time of the Renaissance in Italy to art made across the globe in the early 20th century.

Focused study on the paintings, sculpture, buildings, and landscape architecture of India, China, and Japan. Artifacts and aesthetics are correlated with historic, social, and cultural forces. Emphasis is on investigation of continuing traditions and new stylistic content.

Investigation of international art breakthroughs from the 20th century to the present day. Beginning with art movements that influenced the development of modernism and other “avant-garde” concepts, continuing through to contemporary expressions in the visual arts, emphasis is placed on understanding historical and cultural contexts.

Investigation of the development and impact of modern design as it emerged through the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century and progressed through 20th century modernism, post-modernism, and the design trends of the 21st century. Aesthetics of modern design are analyzed, as are the philosophies and theories of the designers creating these. Students look at the relationship of design to technology, the needs of society, the environment, and industry.

Course scans the increasingly visual phenomena that influence the lives of twenty-first century people. Analytic tools of semiotics are used to look beyond the surface of visual communications to underlying content and motivations.

Authentic Visual Arts experiences for children in Grades PK-Elementary with a focus on matching children’s developmental levels with appropriate Art making experiences such as Process-Focused art. Students learn about beneficial ways for adults to talk to children about their artwork. Lesson planning activities incorporate research on the benefits of infusing the Visual Arts across PK-Elementary teaching and learning scenarios.

Field experience in Elementary Art classrooms. Corequisite: AED 3160. For Art Education major students only.

Developmentally appropriate visual arts techniques, teaching strategies, lesson design and presentation, classroom observations, and the theories, history, and philosophy of visual arts education for the elementary age child. Includes 15 hours of field placement.

Visual arts techniques, teaching strategies, lesson design and portfolio presentation, classroom observations, and the theories, history, and philosophy of visual arts education for the secondary student. Includes 15 hours of field placement.

All Art Department majors complete their programs with Senior Seminar research, critical reflection, and planning for professional presentation of creative work. Course includes preparation of portfolios, presentation of a body of creative work, and required participation in producing the senior art exhibition.

Forming clay using a variety of subjects, students continue to develop skills and personal approaches to creating expressive sculptural forms and vessels while exploring tools and media. Course includes expansion of hand building and glazing techniques and learning the basics of wheel throwing and kiln firing. Prerequisite: ART 1040.

Individualized instruction in advanced technical and aesthetic skills in using the potter’s wheel and more sophisticated hand building techniques to create functional or sculptural objects. Kiln firing and glaze mixing skills are expanded. Creative goals are determined with instructor at the start of the course. Prerequisites: ART 1040, ART 2040.

Experimentation with materials, refinement of techniques and artistic problem solving are emphasized for developing a personal body of work. Independent ceramic challenges and creative goals are determined with instructor at the start of the course. Prerequisites: ART 1040, ART 2040, ART 3040.

Drawing a variety of subjects, students continue to develop skills and personal approaches to creating expressive compositions while exploring tools and media. Includes introduction to drawing the human figure and alternative drawing methods. Prerequisite: ART 1010.

Exploration of anatomy and drawing the human figure, with focus on proportion, gesture, and composition. Includes continued experimentation with drawing techniques and materials. Individualized goals to be determined with instructor at start of course. Prerequisite: ART 1010, ART 2010.

Focused experimentation with materials, refinement of techniques and artistic problem solving are emphasized for developing a personal body of work. Independent drawing challenges and creative goals are determined with instructor at the start of the course. Prerequisites: ART 1010, ART 2010, ART 3010.

Introduction to using traditional materials, tools and methods of oil painting. Painting from a variety of subjects including the human figure, students continue to develop skills and personal approaches to creating expressive compositions. Prerequisite: ART 1030.

Continue skill and concept development in water-based, oil or alternative painting media and methods. May include approaches to collage and mixed media. Course continues painting the human figure. Individualized goals to be determined with instructor at start of course. Prerequisites: ART 1030, ART 2030.

Experimentation with materials, refinement of techniques and artistic problem solving are emphasized for developing a personal body of work. Independent painting challenges and creative goals are determined with instructor at start of course. Prerequisites: ART 1030, ART 2030, ART 3030.

Drawing from a variety of subjects, students continue to develop skills and personal approaches to creating expressive compositions with more complex relief printing techniques. Course emphasizes quality printing, experimentation and relevant aesthetics. Prerequisite: ART 1060.

In-depth exploration of serigraphy (silkscreen) and techniques, with additional emphasis on quality printing, experimental and multi-screen printing, and aesthetics. Individualized goals to be determined with instructor at the start of the course. Prerequisites: ART 1060, ART 2060.

Experimentation with materials, refinement of techniques and artistic problem solving are emphasized for developing a personal body of work. New planographic techniques are presented. Independent printmaking challenges and creative goals are determined with instructor. Prerequisites: ART 1060, ART 2060, ART 3060.