ART 101     Line, Form and Space: Studies in Drawing, Photography and Sculpture  (4)

This course establishes the fundamentals of visual literacy and communication by considering the relations among line, form, and space. Students learn the essential technical and theoretical principles of design, structure, materials, and methods as they pertain to drawing, photography, and culture. Instruction proceeds through studio assignments, writing exercises, readings, discussions, and critiques. Together with ART 102, this course introduces students to the principles of artistic production while encouraging understanding of the relationships between form and content, personal expression and social experience. Required for all art majors and minors. Open only to first-year students and sophomores.

ART 102     Color, Motion, and Time: Studies in Digital Art, Painting, and Video  (4)

This course establishes the fundamentals of visual literary and communication by considering the relations among color, motion, and time. Students learn the essential technical and theoretical principles of design, structure, materials, and methods as they pertain to digital art, painting, and video. Instruction proceeds through studio assignments, writing exercises, readings, discussions, and critiques. Together with ART 101, this course introduces students to the principles of artistic production while encouraging understanding of the relationships between form and content, personal expression and social experience. Required for all art majors and minors. Open only to first-year students and sophomores.

ART 103     Introduction to Lens and Time-based Media  (4)

An introduction to processes dependent on the lens as an imaging device, including wet-lab photography, digital photography, video editing and installation-based sequencing. The course incorporates the fundamental theoretical, technical and aesthetic principles of working with photography as an expressive medium. Assignments include darkroom laboratory work, studio projects, discussions, written analyses, and class presentations. Open only to first-year students and sophomores.

ART 104     Introduction to Three- and Four-Dimensional Media  (4)

An introduction to media involving spatial and temporal dimensions, including sculpture, video, sound, installation, computer-aided design, and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) fabrication. The course incorporates the fundamental theoretical, technical and aesthetic principles of composition in space and time. Assignments involve design of sound; video production; computer modeling; traditional and non-traditional sculpture techniques. Open only to first-year students and sophomores.

ART 105     Introduction to Drawing and Two-Dimensional Media  (4)

An introduction to two-dimensional media that explores mark making as the basis for visualization and ideation. The course incorporates the fundamental theoretical, technical and aesthetic principles of composition in two-dimensions. Students use wet and dry media to solve problems and investigate concepts of representation, abstraction and expression using traditional and non-traditional techniques. Open only to first-year students and sophomores.

ART 200     Special Topics: Intermediate  (4)

Though its content will vary from semester to semester, this class always focuses on an intermediate-level topic in Digital Arts, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture or Video, not fully covered in existing courses. Examples might include courses on artistic movements, disciplines or traditions, a genre, or a theme. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic differs.

ART 231     Topics in Electronic and Interactive Art  (4)

The course examines the broad range of electronic technologies and processes that are employed in contemporary art practice. Students meld traditional processes with software and hardware towards the production of physical, time-based and interactive projects. Assignments include consideration of the interplay between society, technology, and experience.

ART 242     The Lens and the Landscape: Documentary Studies and the Environment  (4)

This course studies the human, ecological, and environmental histories of the region through the lens and practice of documentary production. In collaboration with historians, archaeologists, and biologists, students develop individual and group projects to create short documentaries about a diverse range of topics focused on the past and present environmental conditions of the Domain and its surroundings.

ART 243     Cutting Time: Topics in Contemporary Video Production and the Moving Image  (4)

This course involves study of the theories and processes of video and audio production as well as other techniques for making moving images. It examines a variety of aesthetic, formal, thematic, and technical approaches to composition and artistic expression through moving images and sound. The evaluation and analysis of assignments involves group discussions and individual critiques. Examples from a spectrum of artists and filmmakers provide a context for understanding the potential of moving images in a variety forms.

ART 248     Video off the Wall: Topics in Video Installation Art  (4)

Combining video technology and installation art, this course considers video as a medium to engage the specific spatial, material, social, and other environmental factors of the place where it is presented. Projects are composed and presented as projections upon various objects or sites and as synchronized, multiple-channel installations in several distinct locations and configurations. Concepts of interactivity and various approaches to both linear and nonlinear composition are explored.

ART 251     Topics in Contemporary Drawing  (4)

Using both traditional and non-traditional drawing media, this course investigates drawing and its role in the contemporary world. Students explore the relation between perception and conception, reinforcing basic skills and increasing their sophistication in the organization of space, surface, material, composition, and design. Thorough exploration of contemporary artists working across media with a variety of themes is an essential part of the learning experience. Projects and student-led discussions address themes such as Space, the Figure, Narrative, Identity, or Abstraction. Emphasis is placed on challenging the notions of traditional drawing as it relates contextually to an ever-changing world.

ART 255     Collage and Assemblage: Combinations of Contemporary Culture  (4)

Using found and self-generated imagery, this course explores collage and assemblage as means for developing artistic concepts. Through the understanding and juxtaposition of materials such as magazine clippings, wallpaper, texts, objects, photographs, and drawings, students establish a heightened sensitivity to the meaning of specific materials, explore various methods of combining them, and critically address how collage and assemblage have been used and created in both past and present. Through studio assignments, writing exercises, readings, discussions, and critiques, students explore forms of both historical and contemporary collage processes.

ART 257     Figure Drawing  (4)

This course investigates drawing the human form through the study of anatomy, observation of the live human form, and fundamental exercises in gesture, line, contour, and tonal modeling. Students explore the relationship between figures and their environments, as well as the proportions and forms of the body and how to depict dynamic three-dimensional forms on a two-dimensional surface. In class, students work predominantly from the live model, and outside of class pursue a combination of advanced assigned and self-directed projects aimed toward an understanding of the body in space.

ART 259     Drawing from Life  (4)

This course explores use of observational drawing techniques as a means for translating three-dimensional realities into two-dimensional drawn images. By observing still lives, structures, landscapes, and live models, students gain heightened sensitivity to the world around them through attentiveness to the visual. In the process, they also become acquainted with various drawing materials. Through studio assignments, exercises, readings, discussions, and critiques, students learn to draw from both life and the imagination, all the while honing their observational skills and their facility with drawing media.

ART 261     The Lens, Time and Space: Topics in Photography  (4)

This course introduces students to thematic approaches in photography using film-based methods, digital printing, and multi-media. Class projects and discussions center around the cultural and socio-political impact of the medium, as well the deeply personal and expressive aspects of photographic art. Prerequisite: ART 103 or ART 263.

ART 263     Intermediate Documentary Projects in Photography  (4)

The course introduces students to documentary methods and issues pertaining to photography and related media used in the making of photo-documentaries. Class projects and discussions examine the cultural and socio-political impact of this genre, as well as the genre's core triangulation points of subjectivity, objectivity, and truth.

ART 281     Material, Space, and Form: Topics in Contemporary Sculpture  (4)

This course explores both new and traditional media for the study and production of sculptural form. A series of assignments involve additive and reductive processes, mold making and casting, static and temporal composition, and a range of materials. Examples ranging from ancient to current sculptural practices are discussed and reviewed to provide historical and theoretical context for the assignments. The evaluation and analysis of assignments involves group discussions and individual critiques. Prerequisite: ART 101 or ART 104.

ART 282     Sustainable Structures  (4)

Through the study and application of sustainable materials as media for sculpture, design, and architecture, this course examines relationships among landscape, physical culture, and the built environment. With the benefit of various locally grown and recycled materials used to build a series of projects, the course employs new technologies and discusses issues related to the practical integration of ecologically sound aesthetics into contemporary culture.

ART 285     Modeling and Casting in Contemporary Sculpture  (4)

This course provides an introduction to a variety of modeling, mold-making, and casting techniques for use in sculpture. Traditional and other techniques, including metal casting, computer-aided design, and modeling with clay are investigated through a series of assignments aimed at both technical instruction as well as creative exploration of notions of representation and artistic production. Prerequisite: ART 101 or ART 104.

ART 287     Electronic Sculpture  (4)

This course employs new media technologies in sculpture and installation projects. Students translate digital and analog input from a variety of sensors and sources into creative output through the use of programming, circuits, sound, video, motors, and traditional sculptural media.

ART 291     Topics in Contemporary Painting  (4)

Using both traditional and non-traditional painting media, this course investigates painting and its role in the contemporary world. Students explore the relation between perception and conception, reinforcing basic skills and increasing their sophistication in the organization of space, surface, material, composition, and design. Thorough exploration of contemporary artists working across media with a variety of themes is an essential part of the learning experience. Projects and student-led discussions revolve around themes such as Space, the Figure, Narrative, Identity, or Abstraction. Emphasis is placed on challenging the notions of traditional painting as it relates contextually to an ever-changing world.

ART 299     Painting from Life  (4)

This course explores use of observational painting techniques as a means for translating three-dimensional realities into two-dimensional painted images. By observing still lives, structures, landscapes, and live models, students gain heightened sensitivity to the world around them through attentiveness to the visual. In the process, they also become acquainted with various painting materials and surfaces. Through studio assignments, exercises, readings, discussions, and critiques, students learn to paint from both life and the imagination, all the while honing their observational skills and their facility with painting media.

ART 300     Special Topics: Advanced  (4)

Though its content will vary from semester to semester, this class always focuses on an advanced-level topic in Digital Arts, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture or Video, not fully covered in existing courses. Examples might include courses on artistic movements, disciplines or traditions, a genre, or a theme. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic differs.

ART 331     Advanced Projects in Digital Arts  (4)

This course builds on experience gained from courses such as ART 101, ART 102, and ART 231. Students continue to receive specific instruction in using the main imaging and design software and are assigned projects to help consolidate expressive and conceptual skills. This course can be repeated twice for credit. Prerequisite: ART 231.

ART 343     Advanced Seminar in the Production of Video and the Moving Image  (4)

This seminar course involves the production of video, sound, and the moving image. Students pursue a combination of advanced assignments and self-directed projects aimed towards furthering the study of these art forms through a focused set of methods and technologies. This course can be repeated twice for credit. Prerequisite: ART 231 or ART 243 or ART 331.

ART 349     Community Engagement and Creative Practice: Investigating the Highlander Folk School through Art  (4)

An inquiry-based course that examines the impacts of the Highlander Folk School. The course introduces an interdisciplinary approach to the production of socially-engaged art through place-based experiential learning. Utilizing participatory practices and critical pedagogy to examine local contexts and social issues through community engagement, students visualize, record, and reflect on Highlander’s history. A range of approaches including journal writing, activating archives, field trips, recording oral histories, and production of video and photographic work are involved. Prerequisite: ART 242 or ART 243 or ART 248 or ART 261 or ART 263 or junior standing.

ART 351     Advanced Studio Seminar in Drawing  (4)

In this drawing seminar, students engage in a combination of advanced assignments and self-directed projects aimed towards furthering the study of the drawing in both traditional and non-traditional materials. Prerequisite: ART 251 or ART 255 or ART 257 or ART 259 or ART 291.

ART 352     Advanced Studio Seminar in Drawing and Painting  (4)

In this seminar, students engage in a combination of advanced assignments and self-directed projects aimed towards furthering the study of drawing, painting and mixed media in both traditional and non-traditional materials. Content will vary from semester to semester. This course may be repeated twice for credit. Prerequisite: ART 251 or ART 255 or ART 257 or ART 259 or ART 291 or ART 299 or ART 351 or ART 391.

ART 361     Advanced Photography  (4)

The course builds on prior experience and concentrates on small and large format photography, color and alternative photographic processes. Class projects and discussions are shaped around self-defined projects. This course can be repeated twice for credit. Prerequisite: ART 261 or ART 263.

ART 363     Advanced Documentary Projects in Photography  (4)

The course builds on ART 263 and consolidates methods and issues pertaining to the making of photographic documentaries. Class projects and discussions examine the cultural and socio-political impact of this genre, as well as the genre's core triangulation points of subjectivity, objectivity, and truth. Prerequisite: ART 263.

ART 381     Advanced Studio Seminar in Sculpture  (4)

In this sculpture seminar, students engage in a combination of advanced assignments and self-directed projects aimed towards furthering the study of the art involved in three-dimensional media and methods.This course can be repeated twice for credit. Prerequisite: ART 281 or ART 282 or ART 287.

ART 391     Properties of Painting  (4)

This seminar course explores the properties and applications of acrylic and oil paints as they relate conceptually to our contemporary world. Working both observationally and abstractly, students experiment with traditional techniques such as glazing and under painting. They also investigate paint as a sculptural and textural material. Prerequisite: ART 291 or ART 299.

ART 420     Seminar in Creativity  (4)

This investigation of the creative process requires advanced studio skills and is based on discussion of works-in-progress. Selected readings, participation in critiques, and a semester-long studio project help establish a disciplined and systematic approach to creative practice. Open only to seniors pursuing majors in art.

ART 430     Senior Seminar  (4)

Participants will have already developed advanced skills in at least one of the five media offered (drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, video production). This seminar further enhances studio skills by referencing individual, self-defined project work to readings that explore the theory and practice of the visual arts, the societal role of the artist, contemporary issues and interdisciplinary approaches. Open only to students pursuing majors in art.

ART 444     Independent Study  (2 or 4)

For select students. Permission of the instructor required. Prerequisite: Instructor prerequisite override required.