VISUAL ARTS 200. (3)
ART IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD. An introduction to visual art that covers various media used in studio art practices, develops skills in description and analysis of such works, and engages broader issues such as gallery and museum practices, and cultural heritage and patrimony. The course is open to all students and is a requirement of the Visual Arts Major. Offered: fall semester. Prerequisite: none.
VISUAL ARTS 201. (3)
HISTORY OF WESTERN ART I: ANCIENT TO MEDIEVAL. This introductory lecture course surveys the artistic traditions of ancient and medieval Europe framed against the art and architecture of ancient Near East and Egypt. Students examine representative works in their historical contexts and consider the ways art and architecture function as carriers of cultural meaning. Prerequisite: none. Offered: fall semester.
VISUAL ARTS 202. (3)
HISTORY OF WESTERN ART II: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN. This introductory lecture course surveys painting, sculpture, and architecture in Europe and America from the early Italian Renaissance to the middle of the twentieth-century. Students examine representative works in their historical contexts and consider the ways art and architecture function as carriers of cultural meaning. Prerequisite: none. Offered: spring semester.
VISUAL ARTS 204. (3)
GREEK AND ROMAN ART AND ARCHITECTURE. An introductory survey to the art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. The course concentrates on Greece from the Geometric through Hellenistic periods and on Rome from the Late Republic to the Late Empire including the period of the early Christian church under the patronage of the Emperor Constantine. Prerequisite: none.
VISUAL ARTS 205. (3)
MEDIEVAL ART AND ARCHITECTURE. This lecture course focuses on the architecture, sculpture, painting, and decorative arts produced in Europe between the fourth century and the early fourteenth century. Emphasis is on the construction, composition, and iconography of the monuments so that students develop skills in visual analysis and interpretation. Prerequisite: none.
VISUAL ARTS 208. (3)
WESTERN ART OF THE 19TH AND 20th CENTURIES. This lecture course focuses on the painting, sculpture, and architecture of Europe and North America in the modern age, presented in the context of contemporaneous historical events. Prerequisite: none.
VISUAL ARTS 210. (3)
AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHY. This lecture course examines American photographic representation from mid-19th-century experimental processes to the current digital age. The study of the role of photography in the United States is used to explore themes in the arts, social and political history, popular culture, and personal expression. Readings, discussion, portfolio viewings, oral and written reports, and visits to photographic exhibitions compose the course of study. Prerequisite: none.
VISUAL ARTS 220. (3)
COLOR AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN. This is a studio course which introduces and explores the use of color theory and the visual elements of line, shape, value, texture, and space in the visual arts and design. Drawing skills are not emphasized, though they would not be a disadvantage. Projects and problem solving include both fine arts assignments and graphic design applications. Students enrolling in this course will be charged an additional fee to cover the cost of materials. Prerequisite: none.
VISUAL ARTS 221. (3)
DRAWING I. This is a studio course, concerned with the development of basic rendering (such as linear perspective and contour drawing) in accordance with the concepts of art. Students enrolling in this course will be charged an additional fee to cover the cost of materials. Prerequisite: none. Offered: each semester. VISUAL ARTS 222. (3) PAINTING I. This introductory-level studio course stresses technical skills and includes color theory and instruction in both direct and indirect painting techniques. Students create several paintings during the semester. There is a lab fee to cover the cost of materials. Prerequisite: none.
VISUAL ARTS 223. (3)
PHOTOGRAPHY I. This is a studio course, with projects and readings that explore both the history and aesthetics of photography as a fine art. Along with instruction in using a 35mm film camera and processing and printing photographs, this course deals with the sharpening of visual perception and emphasizes the creative use of photographic technique. Students enrolling in this course will be charged an additional fee to cover the cost of materials. Prerequisite: none. Offered: each semester.
VISUAL ARTS 228. (3)
SEEING WITH A CAMERA. In this studio arts course, students will work with smart phone cameras and image editing applications. Projects are designed to strengthening creative thinking and visual communication skills. Through visual study, lectures, and discussions, students will be introduced to a variety of photographic genres with attention also given to the role of social media and image making. Students will develop strategies for image analysis, and learn vocabulary for discussing images in the context of group critiques, written essays, and oral reports. Prerequisite: none.
VISUAL ARTS 321. (3)
DRAWING II. This is a studio course that focuses upon identifying style, improving visual memory, working on a large scale, and using varied drawing materials. Students enrolling in this course will be charged an additional fee to cover the cost of materials. Prerequisite: Visual Arts 221. Offered: spring semester alternating with Visual Arts 325.
VISUAL ARTS 322. (3)
PAINTING II. This intermediate-level studio course is an expansion upon Painting I, with assignments that look for more mastery of basic painting skills to further image sophistication and complexity. There is a lab fee to cover the cost of materials. Prerequisite: Visual Arts 222.
VISUAL ARTS 323. (3)
PHOTOGRAPHY II. This studio course explores photography as a visual language. Projects help students to develop their capacity for creative thinking and communication. Topics include montage, digital imaging, photographic mixed media, fiber-base printing, and print-toning. Students create a self-directed project and develop a portfolio of images. Students enrolling in this course will be charged an additional fee to cover the cost of materials. Prerequisite: Visual Arts 223, or permission of the instructor. Offered: spring semester. Offered: on sufficient demand.
VISUAL ARTS 324. (3)
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY. This studio course explores the aesthetic, conceptual and technical aspects of digital image making. Students develop proficiency using a digital camera and working with image editing software. Digital photographic techniques such as workflow, digital darkroom, image manipulation, and digital printmaking are addressed. Students work with color and learn basic color theory as it relates to photographic imagery. Students enrolling in this course are charged an additional fee to cover the cost of materials. Prerequisite: Visual Arts 223 228, or permission of the instructor. Offered: fall semester.
VISUAL ARTS 360. (3)
TOPICS IN ART HISTORY. This lecture course focuses on a specific topic in visual art, either of a specific period or style or discipline (e.g., Renaissance Art or early Christian Art, architecture, or decorative arts). The course emphasizes analysis and interpretation through written reports, observation, and discussion. Appropriate field trips may be undertaken. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Offered: in rotation with Visual Arts 361.
VISUAL ARTS 361. (3)
TOPICS IN STUDIO ART. This studio course focuses on a specific studio discipline (documentary photography or digital art). The course emphasizes analysis and interpretation through examination of practices and portfolio development. Observation, discussion, and reports are also a part of the class. Appropriate field trips may be undertaken. Students enrolling in this course will be charged an additional fee to cover the cost of materials. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Offered: in rotation with Visual Arts 360.
VISUAL ARTS 422. (3)
ADVANCED PAINTING I. This advanced-level studio course is an expansion of Painting II with projects that look for increased technical proficiency and conceptual sophistication. Direction is given in the development of personal styles. There is a fee to cover the cost of materials. Prerequisite: Visual Arts 322.
VISUAL ARTS 423. (3)
PHOTOGRAPHY III. In this advanced level studio course, students will refine their technical and creative skills as they complete projects and assemble portfolios of images. Students are encouraged to work more autonomously while developing their own approaches to the medium and investigating related issues in contemporary photography. Students enrolling in this course will be charged an additional fee to cover the cost of materials. Prerequisite: Visual Arts 323 or Visual Arts 324 and permission of the instructor. Offered: on sufficient demand.
VISUAL ARTS 442. (3)
ADVANCED PAINTING II. This course is the continuation of Advanced Painting I. It is geared toward painting students who are committed to improving their painting ability and to more fully developing their personal style, themes, and content. Students will also demonstrate an understanding of their work in its art historical context. There is a fee to cover the cost of materials. Prerequisite: Visual Arts 422.
VISUAL ARTS 498. (1)
PRE-THESIS STUDY. Each Visual Arts major must take this course the semester before taking Visual Arts 499 (Senior Thesis) to craft the thesis project proposal and to strengthen the skills required for the thesis. The student chooses and works with the thesis advisor to develop a plan for the upcoming semester that includes the wording of the thesis proposal and efforts sufficient to convince the advisor that he is prepared to undertake the thesis project. Prerequisite: one course from among VISU 321, 322, 323, 324, or 361.
VISUAL ARTS 499. (3)
SENIOR THESIS. This course involves the student in a project designed specifically to reflect his interest in the arts. In consultation with the faculty of the Fine Arts Department, and under the guidance of the appropriate member of that department, the project is undertaken in the student’s senior year, and must include appropriate documentation. Prerequisites: Visual Arts 498 and senior status.
updated 7/28/2025