Art and Art History (ART)

• Priscilla Briggs, Chairperson
• Nicole Hoiland (Visiting, 2010–2011)
• Kristen Lowe
• Bruce McClain
• Donald Myers
• Lois Peterson
• David Ryan (Visiting, 2010–2011)
• Stan Shetka
• Linnea Wren

The Department of Art and Art History values the universal human need for artistic expression and celebrates the contributions of artists in all cultures throughout history. We are committed to high quality teaching that develops the creative spirit, intellectual potential, and aesthetic sensibilities of every student. Through our teaching and advising, we also prepare majors for professions in the visual arts. Our faculty, staff, and students collaborate to offer programs, activities, and service projects that enrich the college campus and community at large. It is our belief that every person can contribute to the vitality of the arts in contemporary society and to the betterment of our shared communities.

ART-101 and ART-102 are considered introductory to other art history experiences. ART-110 and ART-117 studio courses are considered introductory to other studio experiences.

Majors in Art and Art History are encouraged to study abroad to gain an international perspective on their discipline. Students should talk to their advisers early in their studies about international programs and internships that will be best for them.

Art Studio Major:

Twelve required courses, graded C (2.0) or better:

1. ART-101, ART-102, ART-110, ART-117, ART-362, ART-399 (2 semesters);
2. Two courses from ART-232, ART-233, ART-234, ART-235, ART-238, ART-240, ART-242, ART-243, ART-246, ART-256, ART-258, ART-260, ART-270;
3. Two courses from ART-360, ART-370, ART-372, ART-374, ART-378, ART-380, ART-382, ART-383, ART-386, ART-388;
4. Two elective studio art courses from those listed above.

Art Education Major:

Admission to the major is by application and interview in the department of Education. Applicants present a portfolio of their work in their sophomore and junior years. Completion of a major in Art Education includes a written statement of artistic development and participation in a senior Art major group exhibition, normally held in the spring of the senior year. Majors also must complete EDU-354 and all other requirements for licensure (see Department of Education).

Eleven and one half courses, graded C (2.0) or better:

1. ART-101, ART-102, ART-110, ART-117, ART-248, ART-362, and ART-399 (1 semester, .5 credits);
2. Three courses from: ART-232, ART-233, ART-234, ART-235, ART-238, ART-240, ART-242, ART-243, ART-246, ART-256, ART-258, ART-260, ART-270;
3. Two elective 200-level or 300-level studio art courses.

Art History Major:

Twelve courses, including:

1. ART-101, ART-102, ART-392;
2. Two of the following: ART-239, ART-245, ART-362;
3. Two of the following: ART-265, CLA-211, CLA-212;
4. One of the following: ART-110, ART-232, ART-238, ART-240, ART-256;
5. One of the following: ART-234, ART-242, ART-243;
6. Three of the following: ART-250, ART-255, COM-235, ENG-142, FRE-352, PHI-241, SCA-234, SPA-390, T/D-260.

Note: Art History majors are strongly encouraged to work with their advisers in arranging internships, and arts-oriented study programs abroad and in urban settings in the United States.

Art Studio Minor:

Five required courses: four studio courses and one additional course in either art studio or art history.

Art History Minor:

ART-101, ART-102, ART-392, and two art history electives chosen with the consent of the adviser.

Art Courses

110 Drawing – Techniques and Theories (1 course) This is an introductory studio arts course. The goal is to develop the ability to use the techniques, processes, and tools of drawing as investigation into meaning, intention, audience, craft, execution and presentation. The framework of this course is designed to demonstrate how the art of drawing is the mind’s connective link to endless analytical and poetic processes. ARTS, Fall and Spring semesters.

117 Studio Foundations (1 course) This course serves as an introduction to the elements and principles of aesthetic language as they relate to basic design issues. It is an exercise in craftsmanship, presentation, and clear concept development to communicate ideas through perceptual, symbolic, and expressive relationships. Students will identify and describe the elements of art and principles of design and utilize these elements to create and execute designs. They also will use design terminology and vocabulary effectively in written and oral communication and will utilize the design process (research, studies/sketches, completed work) as a means of arriving at successful design solutions. ARTS, Fall and Spring semesters.

232 Oil Painting (1 course) An introduction to painting through the use of oil pigments on stretched canvas. Painting will be explored as a very adaptable medium open to a variety of subject matter, styles, content, and techniques. The tradition of painting will be explored through assignments using historical and contemporary approaches. Group and individual critiques will be used to evaluate technical and aesthetic growth during the semester. ARTS, Fall semester.

233 Acrylic Painting (1 course) Acrylic painting is an introduction to the use of the medium in a variety of subject matter, styles, and techniques. Concepts in the creative use of color, composition, paint handling, and the implications for content will be explored. Group and individual critiques during the semester will help encourage technical and aesthetic growth. ARTS, Spring semester.

234 Sculpture – Clay Modeling/Bronze Casting (1 course) An intense exploration into three-dimensional form using wet clay on armatures. Projects include a series of object, portrait, and/or figure studies. All aspects of plaster mold making to different casting techniques will be addressed. Finished works will be cast in bronze. Lectures and critiques will address formal and contemporary issues related to sculpture. In terms of out-of-class work, emphasis will be placed on the creative process as it relates to personal growth and interest. ARTS, Fall and Spring semesters.

235 Sculpture – Metal (1 course) An exploration into three-dimensional form using metal as the medium. Students will learn how to fabricate sculpture using metal. Lectures and critiques will address formal and contemporary issues related to sculpture. In terms of out-of-class work, emphasis will be placed on the creative process as it relates to personal growth and interest. ARTS, Fall and Spring semesters.

238 Printmaking (1 course) An introduction to the craft and expressive potentialities of etching, screen printing, and lithography through demonstrations, slide lectures, and studio work. Group discussions and individual critiques will be used to discern how technical skills can become a means to achieving a creative and meaningful art form. ARTS, Fall and Spring semesters.

240 Darkroom Photography (1 course) This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of camera vision and black and white photographic materials. Students will learn to operate all the major controls of the camera, expose negatives accurately, and produce prints with good tonality. Through lectures, demonstrations, group critique, and individual discussion, students will be encouraged to pursue their own ideas in response to the assignments. A fully manual camera with an adjustable lens and a built-in or hand-held light meter is required. ARTS, Fall semester.

242 Wheel-Thrown Ceramics I (1 course) This course is an introduction to the use of the potter’s wheel as a means of personal study of the creative art making process. A wide range of pottery forms and surface treatments will be studied and applied to the work made. Students will be given a strong foundation in the history, aesthetic, and technical aspects of working with clay on the potter’s wheel. ARTS, Spring semester.

243 Handbuilt Ceramic Sculpture I (1 course) An introduction to ceramics through hand-building, glazing, and firing to make containers, and sculptures. Development of capacities for positive critical analysis of volumetric function, sensitivity of three-dimensional form, and surface enrichment. Emphasis will be on the creation of work that is well crafted and reflects the student s ability to develop ideas surrounding personal images and creative problem solving abilities. The hand-building techniques of slab, coil, pinch, and mold making will be taught. Assignments will be structured to build both technical skill and one’s problem-solving aptitude. Experience will be gained in the use of glazes and the firing of kilns. Materials presented will involve historical, technical, and aesthetic concerns of sculptural handbuilt clay forms. ARTS, Fall semester.

244, 344 Special Topics (1 course) Special topics in art history and studio art. Content will vary from semester to semester. Course will explore an area in the studio arts or in art history in depth and students will pursue projects that develop advanced skills in their appropriate disciplines. More than one special topic may be taken. Fall and/or Spring semester.

246 Watercolor (1 course) An introduction to watercolor as a means of painting with transparent washes of color. A variety of subject matter will be explored in quick sketches and larger, more developed paintings. The techniques will be used to discover creative directions for content and formal qualities. ARTS, Fall and Spring semesters.

248 Elementary Art Education Content and Methods (1 course) This course focuses on both the development of art classroom teaching skills and also individual hands-on art experiences. Discussions of art, creativity, and general philosophy of education are combined with a survey of the developmental stages of children and their art. Course contains practical, developmental, and philosophical considerations for planning and teaching an art program in the elementary school. ARTS, Fall and Spring semesters.

256 Digital Photography (1 course) This course explores the conceptual and practical principles of photography in the digital era, through lectures, demonstrations, readings, hands-on assignments, and critiques. Discussion topics will focus on the impact of digital technology on contemporary photographic practice, as well as the aesthetic and ethical issues surrounding it. Adobe Photoshop will be used to explore creative and experimental possibilities for manipulating photographs. Studio work will emphasize printed, still imagery, but students will also be encouraged to devise new uses for their digital materials. Introduction to input/output peripherals will include digital cameras, various scanners, and ink-jet printers. Digital camera with fully manual capability is required. ARTS, Fall and Spring semesters, odd years.

258 Video Art (1 course) This course introduces video as a medium for artistic expression and social inquiry. Students gain an understanding of the video image-making process through class projects that explore time, space, realism, and narrative. Through workshops, students develop proficiency with video equipment, lighting and sound equipment, and digital editing systems. The class develops strategies to use the medium as a means of critical and aesthetic investigation. ARTS, Fall and Spring semesters, even years.

260 Introduction to Interactive Media (1 course) This course introduces students to the techniques and concepts of interactivity in the context of fine art practice. Students will be introduced to various software, such as Dreamweaver and Flash, as well as the history of Web art, performance, and installation as a survey of forms. ARTS, Spring semester.

270 Intermediate Drawing (1 course) This is a continuation of work in ART-110 developing the skills in the drawing process and testing theories of perception as it pertains to their expressive intent. This course expands the broader context of drawing through experience with various media, methods, and techniques including the fundamentals of figure drawing, mixed media, realism, and abstraction. Prerequisite: ART-110. Spring semester.

360 Interactive Media II (1 course) Interactivity is embedded in the social constructs of our lives and functions as one of the dominant forms of expression in contemporary art and design. The interactive media course is an introduction to the aesthetic discourse between culture, communication, technology, and human interaction, providing a broad framework of inquiry for students to develop as independent thinkers. They will explore forms such as video installation, performance, and Web art. Prerequisite: ART 260. Offered occasionally.

370 Advanced Drawing (1 course) This is a continuation of work in ART-270 dealing with visual problems of increased complexity in both classroom and out-of-class work. Emphasis is placed on locating formal solutions to support expressive intent. Students work towards self-direction, increasing experimentation, and developing a clearer artistic voice through the drawing process. Prerequisite: ART-270. ARTS, Spring semester.

372 Advanced Painting (1 course) Painting in oils, acrylics, or watercolor with emphasis on individual criticism and independent experimentation in visual problems of painting. Prerequisite: ART-232. ARTS, Spring semester.

374 Advanced Sculpture (1 course) A continuation of ART-234, emphasizing individual research and projects without formal instruction or criticism. Prerequisite: ART-234. Fall and Spring semesters.

378 Advanced Printmaking (1 course) One or two areas selected from intaglio, lithography, screen printing, or relief printing may be used as a printmaking medium for concentrated study. Increased technical competence, conceptual experimentation, and personal development in creating visual images through printmaking will be encouraged. Prerequisite: ART-238. Spring semester.

380 Darkroom Photography II (1 course) This course is a continuation of work begun in ART-240 and deals with visual and technical photographic ideas and problems of increased complexity. The course emphasizes the development of the student s personal photographic vision through class projects as well as individual self-directed experimentation. Camera with fully manual functions required. Prerequisite: ART-240. ARTS, Course By Arrangement, Fall semester only.

382 Wheel-Thrown Ceramics II (1 course) This course expands on experience from ART-242 and is a continued exploration into the use of wheel-thrown pottery as a means of personal study of the creative art making process. An expanded range of thrown forms, surface treatments, and firing techniques will be taught. Students are expected to begin developing further technical skills on the wheel and also create critical understanding of aesthetic qualities of ceramic forms in art. Prerequisite: ART-242. ARTS, Spring semester.

383 Handbuilt Ceramic Sculpture II (1 course) This course expands on experience from ART-243. Students are expected to build more complicated or larger forms and to demonstrate an ability to develop original personal images to convey ideas presented in the assignments they are given. Building techniques and surface treatments will be expanded to include various uses of styles, oxides, glazes, and firing techniques. Students are expected to take an active role in the firing of kilns and the mixing of glazes. Prerequisite: ART-243. ARTS, Fall semester.

386 Digital Photography II (1 course) This course expands on experience from ART-256, dealing with visual, conceptual, and technical problems of increased complexity. The course emphasizes the development of the student’s personal vision through class projects as well as individual self-directed experimentation. Digital camera with fully manual capabilities required. Prerequisite: ART-256. ARTS, Spring semester, even years.

388 Video Art II (1 course) This is a continuation of work begun in ART-258, dealing with conceptual and technical problems of increased complexity. The course emphasizes the development of the student’s personal vision through class projects as well as individual self-directed experimentation. Prerequisite: ART-258. Spring semester, odd years.

291, 391 Independent Study (Course value to be determined) An individualized art course arranged between student and instructor with departmental approval. The study should extend the limits of an existing course or explore media and content not contained in regular courses. Fall and Spring semesters.

268, 368 Career Exploration, Internship (Course value to be determined) Off-campus employment experiences related to the student’s major. See description of Internship Program. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status. Fall and Spring semesters and Summer.

399 Senior Seminar (.5 course) This required two-semester seminar provides the beginning of a professional orientation towards art. The course emphasizes the development of the individual artistic statement, and includes preparation of the senior exhibition and written statement of purpose, group critiques of student work, readings and discussions of contemporary esthetic issues, and resume and slide portfolio preparation. Prerequisite: Senior status. ARTS, Fall and Spring semesters.

Art History Courses

101 Art History I (1 course) A survey of painting, sculpture, and architecture from the ancient Near East, Egypt, Greece, and Rome through CE 1400. Non-Western art traditions will be included. Changes and developments in artistic styles and relationships between artistic concerns and cultural attitudes will be examined. ARTS, Fall semester.

102 Art History II (1 course) A survey of painting, sculpture, and architecture from CE 1400 through the present. Broad movements in style will be studied, the achievements of individual artists will be analyzed, and cultural contexts will be examined. Both Western and Non-Western traditions are included. ARTS, Spring semester.

CLA-211 Art and Archaeology of Greece (1 course) An introduction to the art and archaeology of Greece, focusing on the classical art of fifth-century Athens. The course explores the origins and meaning of the classical style by examining the archaeological remains of the Minoans and Mycenaeans, the art and architecture of the geometric and archaic periods in Greece, and literary parallels in Homeric epic and Greek tragedy. The class studies the changes classical art underwent as it reflected the values and perceptions of the later Greeks. ARTS, Spring semester, even years.

CLA-212 Art and Archaeology of Rome (1 course) A survey of the art and archaeology of ancient Rome, beginning with its Etruscan origins, and focusing on the Republican and Imperial periods and the transition to the early Christian era. Statues, paintings, pottery, jewelry, temples, aqueducts, houses, forums, and town planning will be discussed in relationship to the culture that produced them. The course will explore Greek influence on Roman art and Roman influence on later art and architecture. ARTS, Spring semester, odd years.

239 Christian, Islamic, and Jewish Art: CE 0–1400 (1 course) An introduction to the arts of Europe in the Middle Ages. This course discusses the traditions of Christian, Islamic, and Jewish faiths as expressed in art and architecture. The course examines the ways that these traditions intersected each other and created a vibrant visual culture that continues to influence the contemporary world. ARTS, WRITD, Spring semester.

245 Renaissance and Baroque Art (1 course) A study of the development of painting and sculpture from the fourteenth to the eighteenth centuries in Europe. Special attention will be given to the relationship between visual images and intellectual concepts such as the revival of classicism, the emergence of humanism, the changing social status of the artist, and the influence on art of the evolving dynamics of the church. Major masters (Giotto, Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Bernini, etc.) and monuments will be studied, with emphasis on the general artistic principles of the Renaissance and Baroque styles. ARTS, WRITD, Fall semester.

250 Gender and Art (1 course) This course will consider the impact of gender on the production, reception, and cultural understanding of art and imagery. We will study a number of artists, both women and men, who have used art to effect social change. Influenced by feminist approaches to art historical study, we will explore perceptions of gender through visual culture and personal experience. We will examine the ways that certain ideals of masculinity and femininity are represented in art and its history to gain insight into gender performance and sexual identity both in past periods and in contemporary society. ARTS, WRITD, Spring semester.

255 Museum Studies (1 course) This course will combine a consideration, both historical and philosophical, of museums (in particular, art museums) and the role they have played and continue to play in society, with an experiential component. The latter will include field trips and visits with various museum professionals, such as registrars, curators, conservators, preparators, etc., and will also use the Hillstrom Museum of Art as a classroom/lab; this latter element will include research and other work towards explicating specific artworks in the Hillstrom Collection with the goal of eventual public presentation. Spring semester.

265 Maya and Mexican Art and Archaeology (1 course) An introduction to the painting, sculpture, and architecture of Native American culture in Mexico, Guatemala, and North America from 700 BCE to CE 1500. The art forms will be studied as indications of the religious and philosophical thought of the peoples who created them. ARTS, NWEST, WRITD, Spring semester.

362 Contemporary Art (1 course) The course is an investigation of theoretical developments and artistic practices from 1900 to the present. We will read texts by artists, critics, philosophers, and theoreticians in conjunction with exploring work made by artists throughout late modernist and postmodernist periods. Through the course we will examine the role of theory in art of the 20th century in its influence, antagonisms, and evaluations of the boundaries of art and thought. As this is a writing intensive course, students will work through formal and informal writing exercises. WRITD, Spring semester.

392 Art History: Theory and Methods (1 course) This course introduces students to the dominant approaches in art criticism and theory. The writings of aestheticians, art critics, and art historians from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are read and discussed. Class presentations and a research paper are required. Prerequisite: ART-101 and ART-102. Fall semester.

The following courses are offered by other departments and may be selected as electives in the Art History major:

• ENG-142 Film as Art
• COM-235 Media and Society
• FRE-352 French Cinema
• PHI-241 Philosophy of Art
• SCA-234 Scandinavian Film
• SPA-390 Film in Spanish