Department Overview

The Department of Art offers a curriculum that is equally appropriate for those who plan serious careers in studio art or in art history and for those who want to expand their knowledge of the visual world.

A major in Studio Art or in Art History acquires the background required to attend graduate school or to become a professional artist. Students develop the creative and critical skills necessary to pursue a life of making art or to undertake a life of scholarship and teaching. Students are also well prepared for careers in gallery, museum, and arts administration.

The Majors

The department offers two majors: studio art and art history. Students majoring in studio art must choose a medium in which to specialize. Because the introductory-level studio course is fundamental to more advanced work in the department, students are encouraged to take foundations 102 or 103 in their freshman or sophomore year before taking the 100 level courses. Studio areas are ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture. Art history students must take a variety of courses in different areas and complete one of the relevant introductory-level prerequisites before undertaking more advanced work.

Because of planning involved in the junior and senior years of the studio major, students must declare the major by the end of their sophomore year and select a faculty adviser. A review will take place at the end of the sophomore year or the beginning of the junior year in which students will present examples of their work to the entire art department faculty. At this time, students will need to have completed a course in foundations 102 or 103 and will be expected to provide examples of foundation work at this review. Before beginning work on the required senior project, studio students must have completed at least two semesters of work in their chosen medium in addition to the course in foundations. Students concentrating in art history are encouraged to take History 300 before taking the Senior Seminar.