Art

Students will learn the basic principles of drawing including line, shape, and form. Students will learn how to control the application of value with a variety of tone based media and how value works to define form, depth, and space.



General Education Core: Humanities & Fine Arts / Group 1

Design isn’t just for artists… It's for anyone who wants to communicate ideas. In this course, you’ll learn to see like a designer by exploring how humans naturally perceive color, patterns, balance, and meaning.You’ll move from theory to creation, using open-source vector and raster software to bring your ideas to life. Whether you’re crafting a presentation, a brand, or a poster, you’ll gain the insight and confidence to create designs that not only communicate, but make a lasting impact.


General Education Core: Humanities & Fine Arts / Group 1

This course serves as the introductory three-dimensional experience, focusing on fundamental principles, elements and strategies of visual organization. Focus on creative problem solving using a variety of approaches and materials, and favors non-equipment intensive assignments (group collaboration, modular design, and expanded practices). Students develop critical thinking and practical skills relating to three-dimensional form and space. This foundation-level course prepares students for subsequent study within all the visual arts.

Photography is more than capturing moments… it’s shaping how others see. During this course, you’ll learn the art of visual storytelling through the lens of a camera, exploring light, composition, and perspective. You’ll refine images with professional editing tools, and push creative boundaries. You’ll leave with both technical control and an artist’s eye, ready to turn what you see into what others feel.

To fully participate, students should use a digital SLR camera capable of full manual control… cell phone and point-and-shoot digital cameras are not sufficient for this level of work. Students will also need access to the Adobe Creative Cloud for post-processing and editing.

Develops understanding and appreciation of the nature of art and its historical development. Illustrated lectures.


General Education Core:  Humanities & Fine Arts / Group 3

This course introduces concepts, tools, software and a series of guided exercises to support the creative integration of digital media into making and understanding visual art. Students will be encouraged to incorporate on campus resources (Innovation Hub) while learning to apply new technologies and skills towards their practices. In addition to developing technical proficiency with digital media (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Premier), emphasis is placed on visual literacy and critical thinking skills throughout this course.

This course builds upon the basic perceptual skills learned in Drawing I. Further development of skills in depicting space and light via observation, and compositional principles. Introduction to color theory, both technical and conceptual approaches. Students will be prompted to research and create their own unique ideas, as well as begin to identify and build a personal style of mark making.

This course is designed to be taken after ArtCORE has been completed (or in progress) during the student’s spring semester sophomore year. Common review is an introduction to visual arts practices (craft/material VS conceptual) as well as a candid assessment of students strengths based on their portfolio of work from ArtCORE. This course is required for all students (Studio Art and Graphic Design) wishing to pursue a BFA.

A beginning course in clay as a creative medium and attention to the techniques and principles involved in creating functional and sculptural work. Hand-building will be emphasized.



General Education Core:  Humanities & Fine Arts / Group 1

Traditional paper-making techniques, weaving, sewing, macramé, and fiber sculpture. Required for all art education majors.

This introductory special topics course opens the door to creative approaches, materials, and processes not typically covered in foundation courses. When offered these courses provide an opportunity to experiment, play, and discover new ways of making. From unconventional tools to emerging studio practices, students will develop confidence in exploration while expanding their artistic vocabulary.

This course is repeatable for credit.

Art on location explores the diverse arts in a major city. Students attend exhibits and see performances of the current cultural season. Students tackle questions such as: What does the art genre offer? How does each speak to us? How does art create, serve, and represent the people of the city and its diverse communities? Aesthetic appreciation is supported by social and historical investigations so that students are provided with opportunities for different kinds of engagement with art forms, including interpretation, analysis, and creative endeavors.


General Education Core:  Humanities & Fine Arts / Group 1

Prehistoric to Medieval art. Illustrated lectures on the history of Western and Mediterranean art, including sculpture, architecture, minor arts, and painting.

Graduation Degree Requirement:  Writing Intensive Course

This course expands upon the formal and technical aspects of 3D composition. Students are introduced to the methods of anatomical figure modeling, portraiture, mold making, and casting.

Art History of Western Art from Medieval to Baroque, with emphasis on major movements and personalilties in Western Europe and the United States.

Graduation Degree Requirement:  Writing Intensive Course

A course emphasizing more advanced drawing allows students the opportunity to study and expand their personal interpretations and approaches to drawing concepts and techniques. Emphasis is placed upon individual interpretation of class assignments. Further development of individual students’ “hand”/markmaking.

Techniques of printmaking including etching and relief printing.

Techniques in printmaking methods of silkscreen and monoprint.

Continued experience in drawing, emphasizing work from the model.

Introduction to acrylic painting. Emphasis placed on best studio practices and fundamental painting principles and techniques via observation.

At this stage, photography becomes less about what you see and more about how you see. In this advanced course, you’ll dive deeper into light, composition, and post-production to tell stories with precision and purpose. You’ll experiment, take risks, and refine your personal vision… creating images that connect, communicate, and endure.

Students must use a digital SLR camera with full manual control, as cell phones and basic digital cameras do not offer the flexibility required for advanced work. Continued access to the Adobe Creative Cloud is also necessary for editing and post-production assignments.

Continuation of ART 224, stressing design concepts and experimentation. Focuses on wheel throwing techniques and basic firing methods. Some hand building included.

Graduation Degree Requirement:  Service Learning Course

Introduction to oil painting. This course will continue the study of formal composition and analysis. Course content will focus on figure and environment via reference and observation. Development of students' individual markmaking approach and style.

Graduation Degree Requirement:  Service Learning Course

Each special topic offering highlights new methods, contemporary practices, or niche areas of study informed by faculty and visiting artist expertise. Whether the focus is technique-driven or concept-led, the course encourages students to refine personal voice through hands-on making and sustained inquiry.

Independent study in Ceramics 3, Photography 3, or Sculpture 3. May be repeated in different media areas.

Advanced painting course in oil. This course will continue the study of formal composition and analysis with an emphasis on development of conceptual subject matter, themes, and individual style. Course content will focus on research and independent projects.

Reading or research at a greater depth than is permitted in a normal class.

The Studio Art Internship gives students the opportunity to apply their creative skills in a professional, real-world setting. Working with an approved studio, gallery, community organization, or creative industry partner, students gain hands-on experience in areas such as studio production, exhibition preparation, arts administration, fabrication, or client-driven creative work. 

A history of art from Rococo to the present with an emphasis on major international movements in painting, sculpture, architecture and new media. 

Graduation Degree Requirement:  Writing Intensive Course

This course provides students with the opportunity to create using new modalities not offered in traditional studio classes. Emphasis is placed on developing a cohesive body of work through experimentation, dialogue, and independent problem-solving. Students are expected to sharpen technical skills with conceptual intent, engaging with advanced methods and interdisciplinary strategies relevant to the topic. Constructive critique and self-directed research support the refinement of personal artistic vision.

Independent study in Ceramics 4, Photography 4, Drawing 4, or Sculpture 4. May be repeated in different media areas.

The goal of the course is to challenge students to develop their paintings at an advanced level. Greater expectations and self-discipline are requirements as students develop their aesthetic, technical and conceptual ability. Emphasis is placed upon individual interpretations of painting concepts at the advanced level.

Reading or research at a greater depth than is permitted in a normal class.

Required of all BA/BFA Studio and BFA Graphic Design majors during their first (fall) semester of their senior year.
Allows Art/Grfx majors to begin assembling and presenting representative work in their major field. 
This course also provides students with practical skills to support and manage their future careers in art and design. 
Students will craft and curate application materials including resumes, artist statements, biographies, cover letters, and more. 

Required of all BA/BFA Studio and BA/BFA Graphic Design majors during their second (spring) semester of their senior year. 
BA majors in both Studio Arts and Graphic Design will be expected to produce and document a body of five interrelated works. 
This portfolio of works will then be assessed by faculty within their respective department.
BFA majors in both Studio Arts and Graphic Design will be expected to produce a body of five interrelated works and exhibit them within the Morris Gallery of Contemporary Art. 
BFA’s will explore the gallery practices of installation, de-installation, lighting, and publicity.