Visual Arts Studies
The Visual Arts Program seeks to offer an educational environment that enables students to realise their potential as visual artists, strengthened by and contributing to, the diverse, liberal arts context of the University. As a part of the School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation, at the core of the Visual Arts program is the vision of a creative community, one that allows students proximity to others interested in visual ideas and creative expression through Art, Design and Conservation. The interrelated missions of the SAAHP programs foster a community of artists, architects, preservationists and historians, within which program missions find a vitalizing context.
It is the vision of the Visual Arts Faculty, that the Visual Arts occupy a central role in the cultural and academic experiences of the University student body as a whole. Visual Arts is the study of the making of images and objects and the relationship of the physicality of making to ideas, concepts and cultures. The mission and vision of a creative community that encourages interdisciplinary experiences and discussions is directly in accord with the mission of the University as a whole. With Visual Art as a focus of the program, differences in approach to expression are discussed and indeed, celebrated.
The Visual Arts program provides students opportunities to explore techniques, methods, and processes for expressing ideas while encouraging interdisciplinary explorations. Emphasis is placed on both the historical context of the making of art and contemporary trends in the arts so that the student may better place his/her own artwork relative to and within the larger context of making art today. The program seeks to develop a student's ability to become articulate in writing and speaking about visual ideas. Both an active visiting artist lecture series and travel to important historical and contemporary exhibitions here and abroad are integral parts of the program.
Degree Requirements
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts Studies must satisfy the University Core Curriculum requirements. Senior Visual Arts Studies majors must submit a written thesis and participate in an exhibition of their work during their last year at the University. In addition, all majors must successfully complete the 18 courses required for the major as well as sufficient electives to total the 120 credits necessary for the Bachelor of Arts. Majors are encouraged the apply electives toward a minor or second major.
I. Foundation Course Requirements
6 Courses 18 Credits
Students complete all six (6) Foundations courses:
VARTS 101 Foundations of Drawing
VARTS 231 Foundations of Sculpture
VARTS 261 Foundations of Photography
VARTS 281 Foundations of Painting: Color and Design
AAH 121 History of Art and Architecture I
AAH 122 History of Art and Architecture II
II. Intermediate Studios
7 Courses 21 Credits
The Intermediate Studio sequence is a three-part structure of 2 required courses, 4 intermediate studio options and one advanced studio option. Students complete all seven required + elective studio courses:
VARTS 361 Introduction to Digital Media
VARTS 392 Mixed Media
and four (4) intermediate studios from the following menu:
VARTS 201 Drawing The Figure
VARTS 203 Renaissance Drawing Techniques
VARTS 204 Renaissance Drawing Techniques: The Human Figure
VARTS 232 Intermediate Concepts in Sculpture
VARTS 241 Introduction to Printmaking
VARTS 282 Oil Painting
VARTS 301 Advanced Drawing: Process and Content
VARTS 331 Metals Fabrication
VARTS 332 Wood Fabrication
VARTS 351 Intermediate Concepts in Photography
VARTS 352 Advanced Photography: Process and Content
VARTS 362 Moving Image/Multimedia
VARTS 381 Painting The Figure
VARTS 382 Renaissance Apprentice Workshop
VARTS 383 The Art of Buon Fresco /
and one advanced studio from the following:
VARTS 430 Special Topics in Visual Art
VARTS 431 Topics in Sculpture
VARTS 451 Topics in Photography/Digital Media
VARTS 481 Topics in Painting/Drawing/Printmaking
III. History/Theory
3Courses 9 Credits
Students select 2 History/Theory courses from the following menu:
AAH 305 Theory and Methods of Art and Architectural History
AAH 311 American Art
AAH 312 Modern Art
AAH 313 African Art
AAH 315 Art of Buon Fresco
AAH 317 Giotto to Leonardo
AAH 318 Michelangelo to Vasari
AAH 319 History of Italian Renaissance Art
AAH 320 The Art of Buon Fresco
AAH 321 Arts & Arch of the Classical World
AAH 322 Arts & Arch of the Medieval World
AAH 323 Arts+Arch Islamic World
ARCH 324 Evolution of Urban Form
ARCH 325 Modern Arch I
ARCH 326 Modern Arch II
ARCH 327 American Architecture
ARCH 328 Renaissance Architecture
ARCH 329 Landscape Arch
HP 341 Pre-Industrial America
HP 342 Industrial America
and:
AAH 421 Issues in Contemporary Art
IV. Advanced Studies
3 Courses 13 Credits
VARTS 471 Visual Arts Professional Practices
VARTS 491 Inter Media (5 credits)
VARTS 492 Senior Studio (5 credits)
The Visual Arts Studies Minor
Visual Art Studies Minors are available in Concentration areas of Painting/ Drawing/ Printmaking, Sculpture, and Photography/ Digital Media. Students pursue introductory courses in drawing and in art and architectural history in preparation for completion of concentration areas.
Minor in Visual Art Studies: Painting / Drawing / Printmaking
VARTS 101 Foundations of Drawing
AAH 121-122 History of Art and Architecture I-II
VARTS 281 Foundations of Painting: Color and Design
and two of the following:
VARTS 202 Drawing The Figure
VARTS 241 Introduction to Printmaking
VARTS 282 Oil Painting
VARTS 301 Advanced Drawing: Process and Content
VARTS 381 Painting The Figure
VARTS 481 Topics in Painting / Drawing / Printmaking
Minor in Visual Art Studies: Sculpture
VARTS 101 Foundations of Drawing
AAH 121-122 History of Art and Architecture I-II
VARTS 231 Foundations of Sculpture
and two of the following:
VARTS 232 Intermediate Concepts in Sculpture
VARTS 331 Metals Fabrication
VARTS 332 Wood Fabrication
Minor in Visual Art Studies: Photography / Digital Media
VARTS 101 Foundations of Drawing
AAH 121-122 History of Art and Architecture I-II
VARTS 26 Foundations of Photography
and two of the following:
VARTS 351 Intermediate Concepts in Photography
VARTS 352 Advanced Photography: Process and Content
VARTS 361 Introduction to Digital Media
VARTS 362 Moving Image/ Multimedia
VARTS 451 Topics in Photography/ Digital Media