Art Department

Art Courses

Studio Courses

Students should note that many studio courses are offered alternate years.

Drawing

ARTS 100 Freehand Drawing (EA)

An introductory course in basic drawing that explores a range of drawing methods and media. Students will learn to translate visual perception into two dimensions. Critiques will develop an understanding of visual imagery. (This course does not count towards either a two or three course sequence required for art majors.)

ARTS 360 Intermediate Drawing [AC]

Students will examine the issues in translating three-dimensional reality onto a two dimensional surface. The emphasis will be on perceptual acuity and composition.Prerequisite: ARTS 100.

ARTS 460 Advanced Drawing

Students will construct space on a two-dimensional surface. Artifice will take precedence over perception. Prerequisite: ARTS 360.

Painting

This series of three courses will cover perception, imagination, form, color and space. As students advance they are expected to develop their own voice as painters.

ARTS 200 Beginning Painting (EA) [AC]

Prerequisite: ARTS 100.

ARTS 300 Intermediate Painting

Prerequisite: ARTS 200.

ARTS 400 Advanced Painting

Prerequisite: ARTS 300.

Sculpture

This series of courses begins with an introduction to basic conceptual development and modest technical instruction in areas such as clay modeling. Subsequent courses introduce more complex technical process such as mold-making, welding, casting, and woodworking. Advanced classes emphasize independent thought and personal conceptual development.

ARTS 210 Beginning Sculpture (EA) [AC]

ARTS 310 Intermediate Sculpture

Prerequisite: ARTS 210.

ARTS 410 Advanced Sculpture

Prerequisite: ARTS 310.

Printmaking

ARTS 220 Printmaking: Woodcut (EA) [AC]

This course is an introduction to fine art relief printmaking using wood blocks. Students learn methods for creating multiple prints based on original drawings. Techniques include multiple block printing and the color reduction method. Emphasis is on composition, conceptual development, craftsmanship, historical and contemporary printmaking and the aesthetics of printmaking as a unique art form. Prerequisite: ARTS 100.

ARTS 320 Printmaking: Etching (EA)

This course is an introduction to fine art intaglio printmaking using copper plates. Students learn a variety of techniques including drypoint, line etch, aquatint, soft ground, and chine colle while developing creative problem solving skills. Emphasis is on composition, conceptual development, craftsmanship, historical and contemporary printmaking and the aesthetics of printmaking as a unique art form. Prerequisite: ARTS 100.

Photography

These courses cover basic 35mm camera operation, black and white film processing, and photo printing.

ARTS 250 Beginning Photography (EA) [AC]

This course is designed for students with little or not experience in photography. The student will be exposed to the basic sills of black and white, film-based photography, focusing on photographic practice as an art medium. This will include an introduction to the critical history of photography as it relates to contemporary issues. Assignments will provide the student with a fundamental understanding of various formal and social issues, which relate to photography as a visual form.

ARTS 350 Intermediate Photography

This course is designed for students who have completed beginning Photography and have a good mastery of 35mm shooting, developing and printing. The student will learn medium format and be exposed to advanced skills of black and white photography, focusing on photographic practice as an art medium. Group and individual critiques will facilitate an understanding of photographic analysis and criticism. Prerequisite: ARTS 250.

ARTS 450 Advanced Photography

This course is designed for students who have completed Beginning and Intermediate Photography and have a refined mastery of 35mm and medium format shooting, developing and printing. The course consists of lectures, demonstrations and outside assignments. Students will learn advanced photographic techniques and some alternative photographic procedures. Having been given assignments for the beginning and intermediate courses, students will work toward a unique body of work, the emphasis being placed upon the development of ideas relevant to the individual student’s interests. Prerequisite: ARTS 350.

ARTS 491 Alternative Photography

This course is designed for students who have completed Beginning photography and have a good sense of the silver process. Students will learn several alternative photographic techniques, including the use of digital tools, and how to use these processes in their personal work. Emphasis will be placed upon the development of solid contextual ideas with image and object making and a solid working knowledge of alternative processes. Prerequisite: ARTS 250.

Ceramics

ARTS 280 Ceramics: Handbuilding (EA) [AC]

Introduction to the techniques and concepts of ceramic sculpture and functional ceramics.

ARTS 380 Ceramics: Wheel-Thrown

Functional ceramics and ceramic sculpture produced using the potter’s wheel. This course will introduce the operation of electric and gas kilns and will include instruction in clay and glaze technology. Prerequisite: ARTS 280.

ARTS 480 Advanced Ceramics

Advanced techniques in ceramic sculpture, wheel throwing, and mold- making. The class includes independent development in materials preparation and kiln firing.Prerequisite: ARTS 380.

Departmental Courses

ARTS 290 Special Topics: Studio Art

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

ARTS 490 Special Topics: Studio Art

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

ARTS 497 Practicum: Studio Art

Students will work on an individual basis to develop their own vision as artists. Group critiques will be regularly scheduled. The function of Practicum is to produce works that will be exhibited in the Senior Show. Students will create a professional quality slide portfolio complete with artist statement and resume. Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of instructor.

ARTS 499 Independent Study

This course offers students an opportunity to pursue interests in areas of study not typically offered by the department. Students should submit a written proposal for independent study at least one month before work commences. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Art History Courses

ARTH 170 Western Art History Survey I: Prehistory through Medieval (HP)

Introduces concepts and visual imagery of Ancient, Classical, and Medieval cultures.

ARTH 171 Western Art History Survey II: Renaissance through 20th Century(HP)

Introduces concepts and visual imagery from the Italian Renaissance through Postmodernism.

ARTH 290: Special Topics: Art History

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

The following courses are offered alternate years.

ARTH 331 Renaissance and Baroque Art History

Prerequisite(s): ARTH 170 and/or ARTH 171 are recommended.

ARTH 332 19th Century Art History (W2)

This course centers around the developments in European art during the 19th century. Prerequisite(s): ARTH 170 and/or ARTH 171 are recommended.

ARTH 340 American Art History (HP)

This course examines the changes in art, that is, the changes in how cultural values were reflected in the built environment (architecture) and the fine arts, over the course of America history from the founding to today. Students will be urged to consider the merits of those changes in values and what effect they have for contemporary American art and culture. Prerequisite(s): ARTH 170 and/or ARTH 171 are recommended.

ARTH 389 Aesthetics and Contemporary Art (LS, VA)

An introduction to aesthetics as a theoretical discipline in its own right, a discipline concerned with the nature of representation and thus with beauty and art. The course will focus in particular on issues of aesthetics and visual representation; the relationship between visual arts, literature, and other art forms; the efficacy of aesthetic theory as a mode of reading and interpretation. We will explore these issues in relation to specific works of visual art, film, and literature. Texts by, among others, Kant, Hegel, Schlegel, Freud, Kafka, Adorno, Benjamin, Derrida, and Sontag. Cross-listed as PHIL 389.

ARTH 391 History of Architecture

Students will study the history of buildings from Ancient Egypt to European Modernism of the 20th century. Prerequisite(s): ARTH 170 and/ or ARTH 171 are recommended.

ARTH 392 Great Directors

Cross-listed as FILM 392.

ARTH 430 Practicum: Professional Development

Students in this course will examine current theory, criticism, and practice relevant to understanding and creating art in the contemporary world. Prerequisite: ARTH 170 and/or ARTH 171, one upper-level art history class, senior standing or consent of instructor.