Classification: Major
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Through coursework across a variety of artistic disciplines, art historical and theoretical frameworks, internships, and study abroad opportunities, students focus on developing individual, sustainable, research-based practices and marketable skills for a wide range of careers in the arts.
Students majoring in the visual arts will benefit from the experience of study abroad and should consult the study abroad programs in this catalog. Because of the thesis requirements in the senior year, visual arts majors who wish to study abroad must do so before their senior year. Students majoring in Visual Arts may select from three concentrations: Studio Art, Art History, and Book Arts. All Visual Arts majors will take a holistic blend of coursework from the three concentrations.
The total number of courses required for the major is 15-16 (48-53 semester hours). At least six courses taken for the major must be at the 300-level or above.
Required Courses
The following (15 sem. hrs.)
- ARTH 101 Prehistoric to Renaissance Survey (3 sem. hrs.)
- ARTH 102 Renaissance to Contemporary Survey (3 sem. hrs.)
- ARTH 235 Contemporary Art (3 sem. hrs.)
- VART 300 Theoretical Frameworks in the Visual Arts (3 sem. hrs.)
- VART 315 Professional Visual Arts Practices (3 sem. hrs.)
One of the following (3 sem. hrs.)
- ART 119 Visual Organization (3 sem. hrs.)
- ART 121 Drawing from Life (3 sem. hrs.)
- ART 260 Introduction to Darkroom Photography (3 sem. hrs.)
One of the following (3 sem. hrs.)
- ART 118 Three-Dimensional Design (3 sem. hrs.)
- ART 241 Introduction to Oxidation Fired Pottery (3 sem. hrs.)
- ART 242 Introduction to Reduction Fired Pottery (3 sem. hrs.)
One of the following (3 sem. hrs.)
- BKRT 115 Hand Bookbinding I (3 sem. hrs.)
- BKRT 120 Letterpress Printing (3 sem. hrs.)
- BKRT 121 Paper Formation and Form (1 sem. hrs.)
One of the following (3 sem. hrs.)
- ARTH 105 Art of Non-Western Cultures Survey (3 sem. hrs.)
- ARTH 251 A Cultural History of Photography (3 sem. hrs.)
- ARTH 270 A Survey of Modern Art (3 sem. hrs.)
- BKRT 225 The History of the Book (3 sem. hrs.)
At least one additional course in art history, book arts or studio art (3 sem. hrs.)
Concentrations
A student must choose a concentration in art history, book arts, or studio art.
Art History (11-13 sem. hrs.)
The following (2-4 sem. hrs.)
- ARTH 390 Internship in Art History (2-4 sem. hrs.)
- ARTH 401 Senior Seminar in Art History (2 sem. hrs)
- ARTH 402 Senior Essay in Art History (2 sem. hrs.)
Two additional art history courses (6 sem. hrs.)
One additional course in book arts or studio art (3 sem. hrs.)
Book Arts (17-21 sem. hrs.)
The following (11-15 sem. hrs.)
- BKRT 115 Hand Bookbinding I (3 sem hrs.)
- BKRT 120 Letterpress Printing (3 sem. hrs.)
- BKRT 121 Paper Formation and Form (3 sem. hr)
- BKRT 290/390 Internship in the Book Arts (2-4 sem. hrs.)
- VART 401 Senior Seminar in Visual Arts (4 sem. hrs)
- VART 402 Senior Project in Visual Arts (3 sem. hrs.)
- VART 403 Senior Exhibition in the Visual Arts (1 sem. hr.)
Two or more of the following, in addition to BKRT courses satisfying above requirements (for a total of at least 6 sem. hrs.)
- BKRT 105 Introduction to Calligraphy (3 sem. hrs.)
- BKRT 215 Hand Bookbinding II (3 sem. hrs.)
- BKRT 220 Digital Book and Graphic Design (3 sem. hrs.)
- BKRT 285/385 Topics in the Book Arts (2-4 sem. hrs.)
- BKRT 299/399 Independent Study in the Book Arts (1-3 sem. hrs.)
- BKRT 325 The Printed Book (3 sem. hrs.)
Studio Art (14-16 sem. hrs.)
The following courses
- ART 285/385 Topics in Studio Art (3 sem. hrs.)
- ART 290/390 Internship in Studio Art (2-4 sem. hrs.)
- ART 350 Creative Art Projects (4 sem. hrs.)
- VART 401 Senior Seminar in Visual Arts (4 sem. hrs)
- VART 402 Senior Project in Visual Arts (3 sem. hrs.)
- VART 403 Senior Exhibition in the Visual Arts (1 sem. hr.)