Visual Arts Program
Objectives
The objectives of the Visual Arts Program are as follows:
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To provide through studio activities, a strong foundation in traditional and contemporary visual arts media, media processes, and media production;
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To provide an understanding of art history and contemporary issues of the visual arts;
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To maintain a course of study that effectively provides instruction in pedagogical methods and procedures, knowledge in the selection, preparation, and organization of teaching materials for students who seek certification as public school teachers in the visual arts;
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To encourage growth as a professional artist through studio production and critiques, student participation in competitive visual arts exhibitions, and through periodic review of portfolio development;
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To provide a gallery for promoting increased awareness of the African-American’s contributions to the visual arts and American culture, to foster a forum for the presentation, preservation, and exhibition of visual arts media, and to sponsor visual arts activities that provide opportunities for appreciation and cultural enlightenment in the University and surrounding communities.
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To provide direct access to visual arts technology through continued development and maintenance of a specialized computer laboratory with graphics stations and, thus, to provide alternatives to studies in traditional media with courses in computer-aided design, desk top publishing, and interactive media production.
DEGREES OFFERED
Visual Arts, Design – Bachelor of Arts (Curriculum Guide)
Visual Arts, Visual Media (Graphic) Design – Bachelor of Arts (Curriculum Guide)
Art (Secondary Education) – Bachelor of Science (Curriculum Guide)
GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
To be admitted to an undergraduate degree program in the Visual Arts Program, the student must first meet all admissions requirements of the University.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Students who elect to major in Visual Arts, Design are required to complete a minimum of 124 semester hours to meet graduation requirements. Students who elect to major in Visual Arts, Visual Media Design are required to complete a minimum of 127-128 semester credit hours to meet graduation requirements. Students majoring in Secondary Education (Art) must take a minimum of 125 semester credit hours to meet graduation requirements. In addition to passing the core requirements of the University, a minimum grade of "C" is required performance in all art studio and art lecture classes.
The Visual Arts Program requires students who elect a visual arts major to have a desire to develop skills necessary for achieving as artists. It is recommended that students have taken high school courses in art or have had other art instruction. The visual arts major consists of courses from foundation to advanced levels in art media and techniques. Majors are expected to begin developing their portfolios as freshmen and to have accumulated a substantial body of work by their senior year.
Students are expected to demonstrate growth and development consistent with courses taken in drawing, painting, design and aesthetics as they work towards graduating from the Visual Arts Program.
Students should be prepared to spend from $75 to $150 or more per year on supplies and materials for studio art classes.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Visual Arts, Design Major
Students interested in the Design major will take studio courses in drawing, design, color theory, computer graphic design, painting and art history. The design degree requires 124 semester credit hours, 30 of which must be taken at the 200 level or above, with a grade average of “C” or above.
Visual Arts, Visual Media Design Major
Students interested in the Visual Media Design major will take studio courses in computer visual design, design drawing, advertising design, and motion arts. The visual media design degree requires 127-128 semester credit hours, 36 of which must be taken at the 200 level or above, with a grade average of “C” or above.
Secondary Education (Art) Major
Students who aspire to become teachers must enroll in the Secondary Education (Art) concentration. This major prepares prospective teachers for certified careers in a high-demand field. Students will take courses in art appreciation, art history and studio courses in painting, drawing, ceramics and computer graphic design. The teaching major requires 125 semester hours 33 of which should be at the 200 level or above, with a grade average of “C” or above.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities in the visual arts are more prolific and lucrative today than ever before for students. The visual arts world is experiencing rapid expansion in electronic imaging processes both for print production and the Internet. A new graphics language is in development and demands specialized technical training for today’s graphic design artist. Our mission is to provide the program and training that enable graduates to meet the demand for new standards in visual arts communications. To this end the visual arts major provides a rigorous curriculum centered on student portfolio development demonstrating skills in both traditional and new media.
