Academic Catalog

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall and Spring

A studio project-based introduction to the elements and principles of 2-D and 3-D design in visual art and communication contexts. Emphasis is on visual problem solving, mastery of visual design principles, technical proficiency, and critical analysis of how visual images communicate. This course provides a foundation for students planning to take advanced courses in any art media and other fields in which visual imagery plays an important role. As a stand-alone course Art 120 provides critical and practical skills related to visual communication.

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall and Spring

A studio based exploration of drawing from observation using basic materials like graphite and charcoal. This course investigates drawing as a process generating and critically evaluating visual ideas as well as producing visual imagery. Art 130 is a foundation course for students planning to take advanced art courses in any medium. As a stand-alone, this course builds practical and theoretical skills in seeing and making the 2-D images we call drawings. Corequisite: FILA-150 or FILA-350EW FILA general education: fine arts & music

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall Only

An overview of the history of art from the mysterious cave paintings and carvings of the Paleolithic to the towering structures of Gothic cathedrals. This course is a requirement for art majors and minors and is very highly recommended to other students as a visual approach to the study of history and society. Prerequisites: FILA-150 or FILA-350EW; ENG 110 FILA general Education: fine arts & music and writing intensive

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Spring Only

An overview of the history of art from the Renaissance to the present. This course is a requirement for art majors and minors and is very highly recommended for other students as a visual approach to the study of history and society. Corequisites: FILA-150 or FILA-350EW FILA general Education: fine arts & music

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Spring Only

Critical study of the visual arts of the last 100 years with emphasis on understanding the implications of the concepts we know as modernism and postmodernism. Prerequisites: FILA-150 or FILA-350EW; ENG 110 FILA general Education: fine arts & music and writing intensive

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall Only

This course is a critical exploration into the views and theories shaping the production of art from the late 20th century into the early 21st century. Starting with an understanding of postmodernism in an art context, this course examines the impacts of globalization, identity, representation and environmental issues as major paradigms shaping contemporary art practice. Prerequisites: FILA-150 or FILA-350EW and ENG-110 FILA general education: fine arts & music and writing intensive

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Spring Only

Studio course working with clay to create sculptural forms using coils, slabs and press molds. Corequisite: ENG-110 FILA general education: fine arts & music

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Spring Only

Studio introduction to the potter's wheel as a tool in the production of functional and sculptural clay forms. Corequisite: ENG-110 FILA general education: fine arts & music

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Spring Only

Students conceptualize and create sculptural objects using wood as a primary material while gaining experience using hand and power tools and learning techniques including joining, laminating, fabricating, and carving. Prerequisites: FILA-150 or FILA-350EW FILA general education: fine arts and music

Credits: 3 Term Offered: May Term

Studio exploration of solving and designing and personal expression in metal fabrication using arc welding, plasma cutting, oxy/acetylene welding and cutting, cold metal work, mechanical fastenings, and MIG welding.

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall Only

Design and construct websites using current HTML and CSS standards and digital tools including Brackets, Dreamweaver and Photoshop. Emphasis on design process, content development and professional workflows.

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Spring Only

A studio based exploration into visual communication with typography and images using Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Emphasis is placed on the design process and creative thinking. Corequisite: ENG-110 FILA general education: fine arts and music

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall Only

An interdisciplinary hands-on workshop in creating artist's books-works of art conceived and produced in book form. Book binding techniques and experimental approaches to narrative, materials and form are emphasized.

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall Only

Learn skills and concepts for collage and assemblage, the re-purposing of 2D and 3D found images and objects into unique works of fine art. This class will examine the history and evolution of collage and assemblage, and its place in the world of fine art, applied arts, and advertising. Prerequisites: FILA-150 or FILA-350EW, and ENG-110 FILA general education: fine arts & music

Credits: 3 Term Offered: May Term

This intensive studio course will use drawing methods and materials to explore abstraction. Students begin by making drawings from observation, then collectively and collaboratively engage processes that move the drawings from representation to abstraction. Students are encouraged to be courageously curious and experimental in their work. Prerequisites: FILA-150 or FILA-350EW, and ENG-110 FILA general education: fine arts and music

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall and Spring

A project based investigation of the materials, practices, and aesthetics of painting with emphasis on how these three elements work together to create compelling 2-D colored images. This course provides practical and theoretical foundations for four hundred-level courses in drawing and painting and for independent work in these media. Corequisite: FILA-150 or FILA-350EW FILA general education: fine arts and music

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall Only

Learn to skillfully and confidently use digital cameras and software including Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop to create compelling photographs. Emphasis is placed on composition, visual communication and creative process in a contemporary photography context. Note: Students must provide a digital camera capable of manual exposure and Raw image capture. Corequisite: FILA-150 or FILA-350EW FILA general education: fine arts and music

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall Only

Learn skills and concepts for studio lighting of portraits, objects and environments using continuous lights, strobes, on-camera lighting and special effects such as light painting. Prerequisites: FILA-150 or FILA-350EW FILA general education: fine arts and music

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall Only

Learn the fundamentals of video production including camera operation and control, stationary and moving camera techniques, audio recording, natural and artificial lighting, framing and shot structure, and use of nonlinear editing software. Students will complete hands-on exercises and assignments designed to build strong visual and technical skills needed to produce effective videos and short films. Corequisites: COMM-100, ENG-110, FILA-150 or FILA-350EW FILA general education: fine arts and music

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Spring Only

Use skills gained in Art 347 to produce a short nonfiction video that promotes an idea, for example, a company profile, event promotion, advocacy or fundraising video, or mini-documentary. Topics will include treatments and proposals, planning, research and fact checking, interviewing, shot coverage, editing process, narrative structure and creative approach, and dissemination of the final product. Prerequisites: FILA-150 or FILA-350EW, ENG-110, COMM-100, and ART-347 or permission of instructor FILA general education: experiential learning

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Spring Only

A continuation of ART 311, building more advanced forms including multiples, large-scale pieces, and sculptural forms. Emphasis is on personal experimentation and expression through aesthetic forms and advanced instruction in materials and surface techniques. Prerequisite: ART-311 or permission of department

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall Only

An advanced course in which students develop a series of related sculptural forms in a specific medium. The focus is on in-depth exploration of materials, advanced techniques, and the development of individual working processes and creative voices. Knowledge of historical and contemporary sculpture is emphasized. Prerequisite: ART-115

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall Only

An advanced-level studio course in drawing, exploring the potential of various drawing media. Emphasis on advanced mastery of drawing and composition skills and on the development of individual interests and concepts conveyed through drawing. Prerequisites: ART-130 or ART-335

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall Only

An advanced-level studio course in painting, exploring the technical and conceptual potential media (oil, acrylic, other water-based paints, and mixed media/collage) and color composition. Emphasis on advanced mastery of painting and compositional skills and on the development of individual interests and concepts conveyed through painting. Prerequisites: ART-130 or ART-335

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Fall and Spring

A study of specific topics related to studio art and art history. May be taken more than once provided different topics are covered.

Credits: 3 Term Offered: Spring Only

A study of specific topics related to photography including mixed media and alternative process, creating and publishing a photography book, and conservation photography. May be taken more than once provided different topics are covered. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor Corequisites: FILA-150 or FILA-350EW; and ENG-110

Credits: 3 Term Offered: All Terms

Upon approval of the department and the division head, a student with a cumulative grade point average of 2.20 or better may engage in an independent study or research project. One desiring to pursue independent study or research must submit a written description of the proposed work to the chair of the appropriate department and to the appropriate division head prior to the last day of the drop and add period for the semester in which the study is to be conducted. At the end of the semester, the supervising professor files with the registrar a grade for the student and a description of the work accomplished. Credit may be received for no more than three independent studies or research projects.