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Course Descriptions - Studio Arts

FA100 – Introduction to Drawing
Students in this course develop the essential drawing and perceptual skills necessary to be an effective visual communicator. Students embark on a series of exercises, focusing on observation skills, formal elements, perspective, and composition using a variety of black and white media.

 

FA101 – 2D Design Principles
This course provides a foundation in two-dimensional design through an overview of the principles and elements unique to the concept. Essential vocabulary, technical and conceptual skills are integral to the course.

 

FA102 – 3D Form and Space
A practical and theoretical foundation of how objects, and the spaces they occupy, shape the physical and perceptual nature of our reality. Through the exploration of various materials, spatial concepts, formal elements and organizational principles, students will be able to create objects that fulfill expressive and/or utilitarian purposes.

 

FA103 – Time-based Art
An introduction to the conceptual and technical processes involved when time is introduced as the essential formal element being explored. The study of historical and contemporary video art, as well as other art forms, will provide students with a framework in which to explore and develop their own ideas into finished time-based art works.

 

FA200 – Intermediate Drawing
The exploration of media and techniques learned in Introduction to Drawing is expanded. Students will focus on an in-depth study of selected formal elements and principles in conjunction with direct observation.
Prereq: FA100, FA101

 

FA201 – Figure Drawing
This course is a continuation of the development of essential drawing and perceptual skills with an emphasis on rendering the human figure. Students will learn gesture and analytical approaches to the figure while exploring various media and mark-making techniques.
Prereq: FA200

 

FA205 – Introduction to Painting
The foundations of observational and representational painting are introduced. Students will study visual perception and systematically explore the relationships between materials, techniques, formal issues, and color theory. Drawing will be used as an integral process in developing compositional studies.
Prereq: FA100, FA101

 

FA210 – Introduction to Printmaking
This course offers an introduction to mono-printing, relief, and intaglio processes. Students will use printmaking tools and materials to explore various drawing and painting techniques in a printmaking environment.
Prereq: FA100, FA101

 

FA215 – Introduction to Sculpture
This course includes an introduction to the basic language, elements, media, tools and techniques of sculpture. Through lectures, readings, exercises and assignments students will expand on the practical skills and theoretical concepts learned in 3D Form and Space. Using a variety of materials and informed by both historic and contemporary practice, students will explore additive, reductive, modeled, and cast methods of creating three-dimensional artworks.
Prereq: FA100, FA101, FA102

 

FA225 – Contemporary Art Issues and Practices
This course combines the examination of current directions in contemporary art with each student’s own art practice. Field trips to galleries, as well as discussions with artists, will stimulate students to move their own work into a dialogue with the issues presented. By researching, discussing, analyzing and presenting aspects of contemporary art issues, students will be able to complete a project that synthesizes their understanding of one or more issues with their own art practice.
Prereq: FA100, FA101, FA102, FA103, GE101AH, GE102AH

 

FA305 – Painting: Concepts and Approaches
Through studio work, critique, discussions and research, students will expand their knowledge of traditional and contemporary modes of painting. Building upon skills learned in Introduction to Painting, students will continue to develop their technical and perceptional skills, while producing artwork that explores the possibilities and intersections of abstraction, figuration, process and experimentation.
Prereq: FA205, FA225

 

FA306 – Water Based Painting
Students explore the material, techniques and processes of water based painting media, including watercolor, acrylic and gouache. Through lecture, demonstration and excercises in the field and in the studio, students will develop their abilities in brush movement and marks, composition, color and value harmonies and direct painting from nature. Students will also gain knowledge of the history of water based meda, including selected historical and contemporary pioneers.

FA310 – Intermediate Printmaking
Building on the concepts and skills learned in Introduction to Printmaking, students will extend their knowledge of the image-making possibilities of printmaking processes by exploring both screen-printing and lithography. Technical and creative aspects of reproducing editions are explored as students engage in the process of developing ideas into a personal visual language.
Prereq: FA210, FA225

 

FA315 – Sculpture: Concepts and Approaches
A continuation of the exploration of practical skills and theoretical concepts learned in Introduction to Sculpture. Through exercises, assignments and critiques students will learn how sculptural works result from the development and analysis of concepts in relation to theme, sculptural issues, site and materials.
Prereq: FA215, FA225

 

FA324 – Intermedia: Site and Environment
This course is an investigation of issues integral to the meaning of the site and its use of the environment as an art form. Through research, discussion, exercises, and assignments, students will utilize information learned as a starting point for making site-specific artworks. Students will develop and realize inter-media works that integrate materials, techniques, and placement into fully investigated places and environments.
Prereq: All lower division FA or PH requirements

 

FA325 – Inter-Media: Individual Approaches to the Figure
Utilizing the human form as subject matter, students will explore issues of meaning and representation in their choice of 2D or 3D media. Accurate observation and representation as well as experimental approaches will be emphasized as appropriate.
Prereq: All lower division FA or PH requirements

 

FA326 – Inter-Media: Experimental/Non-Traditional Media
Students will be encouraged to push the bounds of various traditional and nontraditional media in order to make personal visual statements. Assignments will be structured around contemporary topics in issues-based art, and students will be encouraged to consider using materials that further support the exploration of individual concepts.
Prereq: All lower division FA or PH requirements

 

FA327 – Inter-Media: Artist’s Book
The book as a work of art is the focus of this course. Students will be introduced to the use of image, color and text as a formal and conceptual element of the artists’ book. Creative approaches to narrative and non-narrative sequence, the sculptural qualities of the book form and presentation and installation will also be explored.
Prereq: All lower division FA or PH requirements

 

FA328 – Inter-Media: Installation Art
Examples of concept based inter-media installation from the past 30 years will be researched, discussed, and analyzed to provide a basis for students to identify issues and practices relevant to their own ideas. Students will develop and install projects that expand and regenerate previously explored ideas using multiple two- and three-dimensional media within a defined space.
Prereq: All lower division FA or PH requirements

 

FA329 – Inter-Media: Intermediate Time-Based Art
An advanced exploration of the conceptual and technical processes involved when time is introduced as the essential formal element. Semester-long projects allow students the opportunity to explore time-based art in depth.
Prereq: All lower division FA or PH requirements

 

FA401 – Drawing and Painting: Developing a Personal Language
Conceptual and technical knowledge learned in previous drawing and painting courses is extended into individual expression. Lectures, discussions, exercises and assignments will be structured to guide students through the process of discovering, developing and clarifying their own personal visual language. Students will complete a series of works that explore a chosen concept and subject in depth.
Prereq: all lower division FA or IL requirements, FA305

 

FA405 – Advanced Painting: Materials and Techniques
This advanced painting course builds upon formal and conceptual skills learned in earlier painting courses through a focused study of a variety of historical painting techniques and approaches. Watercolor, egg tempera, and classical methodologies associated with oil painting will all be investigated as possibilities available to the contemporary painter.
Prereq: All lower division FA or IL requirements, FA305

 

FA406 – Advanced Painting: Contemporary Narrative
While learning the history and methods of traditional and contemporary narrative painting, students will create paintings that explore concepts surrounding figuration, sequential storytelling and personal language. Working from live models and photographs, students will learn and apply advanced color palettes and modern applications of classical techniques.
Prereq: All lower division FA or IL requirements, FA305

 

FA410 – Printmaking: Digital Printmaking & Photographic Process
Traditional printmaking processes are incorporated with photographic and digital methods of image making. Students will produce thematically linked series of prints that explore non-traditional methods of creating composite images. Students will be encouraged to create multiple pictorial spaces within a single picture plane.
Prereq: All lower division FA requirements, FA310

 

FA411 – Printmaking: Developing a Personal Language
Conceptual and technical knowledge learned in previous printmaking courses is extended into individual expression. Lectures, discussions, exercises and assignments will be structured to guide students through the process of discovering, developing and clarifying their own personal visual language. Students will complete a series of works that explore a chosen printmaking approach, concept and subject in depth.
Prereq: All lower division FA requirements, FA310

 

FA412 – Advanced Printmaking: Materials and Techniques
This printmaking course builds upon formal and conceptual skills through a focused study of advanced materials and techniques. Self-directed projects will be structured to allow the student to apply newly acquired skills to the development of an individual approach to aesthetics, style and content.
Prereq: All lower division FA requirements, FA310

 

FA415 – Sculpture: Casting Processes
This sculpture course builds upon formal and technical skills through a focused study of advanced materials and techniques in casting. Projects will be structured to allow the student to apply newly acquired skills to individual approaches to aesthetics, style and content.
Prereq: All lower division FA requirements, FA315

 

FA416 – Sculpture: Developing a Personal Language
Conceptual and technical knowledge learned in previous sculpture courses is extended into individual expression. Lectures, discussions, exercises, and assignments will be structured to guide students through the process of discovering, developing and clarifying their own personal sculptural language. Students will complete a series of works that explore a chosen concept, form and sculptural material(s) in depth.
Prereq: All lower division FA requirements, FA315

 

FA417 – Sculpture: Wood and Metal Processes
This sculpture course builds upon formal and technical skills through a focused study of advanced materials and techniques in wood and metal. Projects will be structured to allow the student to apply newly acquired skills to individual approaches to aesthetics, style, and content.
Prereq: All lower division FA or PH requirements, FA215

 

FA530 – Advanced Studio
In this course, students will begin the process of creating a thesis proposal that outlines and supports the concepts and methodology of a cohesive body of work. Throughout the term students will meet in formal critique settings that foster an ongoing dialogue about the development of their work. Students will also gain skills to aid them in exhibiting and promoting a body of work.

Prereq: At least two 400 level course in FA or PH

 

FA531 – Advanced Studio 2
In this course, students will continue the process of developing a cohesive body of work supported by a thesis proposal that outlines and defines the concepts and methodology of their art and ideas.  Throughout the term students will meet in individual and group critique settings that foster an ongoing dialogue about the development of their work.
Prereq: At least one 400 level course in FA or PH

Prereq: FA530

 

FA535 – Professional Practices
This course investigates a broad range of professional pathways that are available to artists from various backgrounds. The course provides students with the knowledge and skills that will assist them in applying for residencies and grants and responding to exhibition opportunities. Course work also includes visits to galleries, artist’s studios and gallery openings.
Prereq: At least one 400 level course in FA or PH

 

FA540 – Thesis and Portfolio Exhibition
This course is the combined completion, presentation, and documentation of a cohesive body of work developed in advanced studio concentration classes. Students engage in the practical application of exhibit preparation installation and promotion. The process results in an exhibition of the students’ work and includes both an oral and written review.
Prereq: FA530, FA535