Art & Art History - Majors & Minors
Art and Art History
The Department of Art and Art History offers courses of instruction in the studio arts, history of art and museum studies. Students may elect majors or minors in studio art and art history and a minor in museum studies. Studio courses (in drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, video and digital art) stress the fundamentals of visual communication and engage students in conceptual and technical exploration of contemporary art practice. Art history courses combine traditional and non-traditional approaches to the study of art, past and present, and stress the importance of viewing visual artifacts and architecture within their social and cultural contexts. Students are encouraged to look at art in an active and engaged way and to think critically about the meaning of art and visual culture in the contemporary world. Both programs, studio and art history, prepare students for graduate programs or entry into a wide variety of professional careers in the arts. Studio majors in the department have gone on to successful careers as practicing artists, gallerists and art educators; those with majors in art history have become art critics, art historians, museum or gallery professionals or arts administrators. The department hosts a range of events, including visits by artists, art historians, curators, and critics, that contribute to the vibrancy of the cultural life of the campus. The Art Center's three large gallery spaces provide a changing schedule of 10-12 exhibitions annually; visiting artists, critics and historians present their own work and meet with students for critiques and discussions; department faculty and students get together for group critiques and the annual major-minor mixer, and the department sponsors a popular bus trip each semester to visit museums and galleries in Chicago, St. Louis, or Cincinnati.
Requirements for a major
Art History
- Two with a focus pre-1800
- Two with a focus post-1800
In cases where it is unclear, your advisor will work with you to determine which categories your courses satisfy.
Design Studies
One Design Studies course in each of the two areas below. One must be at 300+ level
- Emerging Technologies
- Material and Message
Two additional Studio Art Courses, at least one at the 200 or 300 level
Two Art History courses, at least one at the 300 level
One elective "cognate" course from the following: ENG 267, UNIV 190, COMM 117, COMM 236, COMM 318, FLME 195, FLME 245, CSC 121, CSC 122 (or other cognate course, with major advisor approval)
Studio Art
- painting/drawing : ARTS 152, ARTS 153
- photo/new media: ARTS 160, ARTS 163, ARTS 165
- sculpture/ceramics: ARTS 175, ARTS 170
And Senior Projects: ARTS 491 and ARTS 492
In order to fulfill the writing in the major requirement, studio art majors enrolled in ARTS 491 will write a two to three page research-based artist statement in conversation with the artwork they are producing in their studios. Students will identify and research artistic influences as related to their studio practice, as well as contextualize that practice within art history and contemporary cultural concerns. The ideas that students explore through this writing requirement will be informed by and influence the public presentation of their artwork, which regularly happens through verbal critique and artist talks.
Requirements for a minor
Art History
Total courses required | Five |
---|---|
Core courses | Four art history courses, one course at the 100 level, and three courses at the 200 or 300 level. At least one course must be at the 300 level. One studio art course. |
Other required courses | Of the three non-introductory art history courses, one course must have a pre-1800 focus and one must have a post-1800 focus. Students considering a minor in art history should consult with an art history faculty member. |
Number 300 and 400 level courses | One |
Design Studies
- ARTD 120
- ARTS 152
- ARTD 292/392
- ARTD 294/394
- ARTD 495
1 Art History class, at any level
1 Studio Art class, at any level(Note: ARTS 152 may count for the Design Studies OR the Studio Art requirement for the minor, but not for both requirements)
Museum Studies
- One foundations course (MSST 110)
- 1/2 credit practicum. Can be fulfilled with approved Extended Studies course, internship, approved Prindle reading group, or independent studies. Students should consult with minor advisor.
- 1/2 credit capstone (MSST 493).
Studio Art
Total courses required | Five |
---|---|
Core courses | Four studio art courses. At least one 300 level studio art course is required for all minors. |
Other required courses | One course in art history. |
Number 300 and 400 level courses | One |