Sep 18, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2020-2022 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2020-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Visual Arts Department


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Professors: Catherine Bernard, Tricia McLaughlin
Associate Professor: Patricia Harris, Chair
Assistant Professors: Eric Hagan, Frederick Fleisher
Director, Amelie A. Wallace Gallery: Hyewon Yi

Students may earn a Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) in Visual Arts, a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Visual Arts: Electronic Media or a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (B.F.A) with two concentrations: Studio Arts and Electronic Media, by completing requirements in the Visual Arts program.

The Visual Arts Program focuses on a problem and project oriented course of study. Skills are developed as students need them; thus students feel free to use and even invent media related to expressive needs. Students do not have to postpone creation until they have mastered a whole set of techniques. Students are urged to blend technical education with creative projects.

The aim of the department is to develop students’ awareness of creative processes as well as their understanding of the relationships between art and society. The program of study for majors includes the study of art history and an introduction to the practical problems associated with the pursuit of careers in art. Faculty emphasize the appropriate selection of elective courses in non-art areas. Specific courses in economics, anthropology, sociology, basic sciences, psychology and business are recommended.

The department’s course of study is divided into three levels. First, the foundation level allows students to differentiate between authentic personal decisions and those dictated by social and cultural conditions. Second, a tutorial level allows students to focus on creative problems connected with their personal decisions and to understand their relation to the decisions of others. as well as their relation to the contemporary cultural context Third, a final critical level enables students to develop a quality control for the formal solutions of the projects and to relate them to the larger professional world.

As the student’s work develops, their main area of interest will inform their choice of internship as well as their decision whether to pursue a B.A., B.S., or B.F.A. degree. B.A. and B.S. students will take part in a group exhibition in the Amelie A. Wallace Gallery. BFA students will have a one-person exhibition in this same gallery.

Professionally, Visual Arts graduates have chosen either to continue their education by pursuing a Master of Arts degree, a Master of Fine Arts degree or to enter directly into the work world. A sampling of careers that graduates have entered include: advertising, graphic and corporate design, interior design, animation, game design, photography, gallery management, art therapy, publishing, television and teaching.

Liberal Education Curriculum Notes

Students who are not Visual Arts majors are encouraged to take courses in art to broaden their education and strengthen their skills. Non-majors may select from the following list of Visual Arts courses in fulfilling their Liberal Education Curriculum requirement.

Evening Students

At this time it is not possible for a student to earn a degree in Visual Arts by attending courses exclusively in the evening.

Transfer Students

Transfer credits are evaluated for satisfaction of program requirements.

Art Majors

In order to start the Tutorial Sequence and complete it, Visual Arts majors need to maintain a 3.0 average in all Visual Arts courses.

Programs

    Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Fine ArtsBachelor of ScienceMinorOther Programs

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