Department of Visual Arts

A foundations course designed to promote an understanding of and appreciation for the various technical and aesthetic qualities fundamental to the visual arts. Fee: Additional fee required.

An exploration of drawing with a foundation in observational studies. Throughout the course a broad range of drawing materials and applications will be introduced. Includes lecture and discussion on the history of drawing and the nature of drawing in contemporary art. Fee: Additional fee required.

An introductory studio experience, this course examines both technical and aesthetic relationships specific to three-dimensional forms as well as creative problem-solving through manipulation of various media and techniques. This course also emphasizes tool usage and studio safety. Fee: Additional fee required.

A studio-based course designed to introduce students to the various basic forming, decorating, glazing, and firing techniques used in the medium of clay. Fee: Additional fee required.

Coursework will be based on observation of the live model and will be carried out as an exploration in various traditional and non-traditional 2D media and methods for representing the figure. Offered alternate years. Fee: Additional fee required.

An introductory course in illustration with an emphasis on developing conceptual skills, individual expression, and technical expertise in a variety of media. Students will focus on the process of taking a project from thumbnails and roughs, through to finished art. Fee: Additional fee required.

An introduction to graphic design with emphasis on exploring the roles and responsibilities of design in contemporary culture. Studio projects will focus on graphic problem-solving through the use of symbols, type, and imagery, with additional emphasis on the exploration of design applications, techniques, issues, and media fundamental to the graphic design profession.

An introduction to the fundamentals of painting. This course is designed to develop the student's ability to accurately translate color and effectively organize pictorial space and compositional ideas. Fee: Additional fee required.

An introductory digital design course emphasizing industry standard drawing, photo editing and layout computer applications, especially the Adobe Creative Suite. Students will gain foundational technical skills that are applied through relevant projects. Fee: Additional fee required.

An introductory course in the fundamentals of black and white photography and the medium as a means of visual expression. Students will learn 35mm camera operation, film developing and darkroom printing. Basic design principles are reinforced through assignments. Students should have a 35mm SLR camera. Fee: Additional fee required.

Intermediate studio experience with emphasis upon development and refinement of practical and theoretical concerns related to three-dimensional artwork. Projects in this course will include various additive, reductive, and constructive procedures, as well as historical and contemporary sculptural issues. Offered alternate years. Fee: Additional fee required.

Further exploration, development, and refinement of individual projects in the medium of clay. This course is designed to explore both traditional vessel and sculptural ceramic forms. Contemporary issues as well as the use of other media along with clay are explored. Fee: Additional fee required.

An introduction to the processes and history of printmaking with an emphasis on screen printing for artistic and commercial purposes. Processes may include screen printing and block printing techniques. Offered alternate years. Fee: Additional fee required.

A continued exploration of drawing processes, materials and methods of representation. Expanding upon the foundation established in Drawing 1, less conventional materials and processes will be introduced. Emphasis will be placed on the development of the student's individual visual vocabulary. Offered alternate years. Fee: Additional fee required.

Students will explore a variety of book structures as well as an introduction to letterpress printing. Students will learn to hand set type in the letterpress studio. Book forms that may be explored are folded, pop-up, soft and hard cover structures. A variety of sewing techniques will be included. Fee: Additional fee required.

Survey of visual art and architecture from its prehistoric origins through the Gothic period. Offered alternate years.

Introduces elementary education majors to theoretical and practical experiences necessary for incorporating a discipline-based art education program into the elementary school curriculum. This course includes a 10-hour field experience. (See EDUC3330)

Advanced applications of graphic design including multifaceted communication problems, professional-level assignments and critical analysis of various historic and contemporary graphic forms. Emphasis will also be placed on the development of professional production techniques. Fee: Additional fee required.

A continuing exploration of painting including more contemporary materials and processes. Historical and contemporary approaches will be analyzed. Emphasis on the individualization of each student's visual vocabulary and their understanding of contemporary issues in painting. Offered alternate years. Fee: Additional fee required.

Students will explore digital imaging techniques and applications of acquiring, manipulating and outputting digitized photographic images using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Students should have a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera for this course. Fee: Additional fee required.

Introductory experiences in the creation and production of web-based graphic forms through the use of HTML, CSS, and industry-standard software applications including Adobe Dreamweaver and Photoshop. Students will learn the basics of setting up a website from start to finish, including buying a domain name, signing up for a hosting service, and creating a website on WordPress. Fee: Additional fee required.

An examination of pragmatic techniques and philosophical approaches necessary to design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive discipline-based art education program at the secondary school level. Additionally, both historical and contemporary art education issues are examined, discussed, and evaluated. Field experience: 20-40 hours. (See EDUC3530.)

An advanced exploration of typography as a vehicle for expressive communication, especially as it relates to the online and digital environment. Students will explore advanced typographic concepts such as learning to design custom typefaces using font generation software, developing type in motion (eg. film and digital application title sequences), and developing typography for user-centered interactive experiences (eg. websites, kiosks, digital apps). Fee: Additional fee required.

Introduction to alternative photographic processes and medium format cameras. Skills learned in Photography 1 are applied with more advanced opportunities for self-expression and conceptualization. Students will gain a working knowledge of the history of photography. Topics may include: cyanotype, VanDyke brown, Fuji film, digital negatives, handmade pinhole cameras, encaustic, liquid emulsion, and bookbinding. Fee: Additional fee required.

The history of visual art from Impressionism in the 19th century to contemporary art in the 21st century, including a survey of art criticism and theory. Focused on the development of modern and contemporary art and its relationship to experience as a defining factor, this course is an exploration of the impact and implications for current art production and reception. Exposure to contemporary art through field trips to galleries and museums. Offered every spring semester. Fee: Additional fee required.

An integrated approach to art history, exploring visual art, design, and architectural history across the ages. Focus will be on art objects which can be seen and experienced in Europe, and the relationship between those objects and the culture and time period in which each was created. Traditional coursework will be followed by an immersive experience in Europe, seeing and engaging with the art objects firsthand. Typical locations include London, Paris, Florence and Rome. Course is only open to those who have chosen to participate in the trip to Europe, and have made the corresponding payments. Fulfills a General Education Cultural Experience (CE) requirement, and a General Education Art History elective. Fee: Cost of Europe trip, to be paid separately. 

This course is designed for junior and senior art majors. The purpose of this course is to explore both traditional and non-traditional art media in site-specific and installation formats. Offered alternate years. Fee: Additional fee required.

A concentrated study of one topic in art. May be repeated for credit. Fee: Additional fee required.

Advanced design course emphasizing the development of a working portfolio and other self-promotional materials. Additional projects may include books, CD jackets, packaging, logotypes, and corporate identity campaigns. Fee: Additional fee required.

Advanced web design course with emphasis on the construction of dynamic commercial websites with additional consideration of theories of interactivity, animation, user experience, and user interface design on the web. Course will also focus on the development of technical skills using industry-standard applications including Dreamweaver, Photoshop and WordPress. Fee: Additional fee required.

Cross-emphasis studio course structured to develop professional studio practice through rigorous critique, individuated expression, and criticality regarding relevant issues in contemporary art production. Course normally taken in the senior year.

A course in professional practices for the studio artist and designer. Students will learn the practical skills necessary to promote, design and carry out an exhibition or portfolio presentation of their work culminating in a solo or group exhibition in the Friesen Galleries. Fee: Additional fee required.

A survey of the process, forms, and techniques for writing screenplays for video and film production. This includes fiction and non-fiction processes for video content, short films, documentaries, and feature films. Course includes lecture, scriptwriting, exercises, labs, and analysis and critique of student work.

An introduction to the processes involved in video production and time-based media. Includes the technical and creative aspects of producing, directing, camera, lighting, sound, editing, graphics, and basic engineering for digital production. Course includes traditional lecture, lab exercises, and individual and group video projects. Fee: Additional fee required.

A lab course involving student production of voice, music, and sound effects projects. Includes a study of microphone selection and placement, signal processing and shaping, and field and studio recording as they specifically relate to video production and post production. Fee: Additional fee required.

Survey of narrative and documentary motion pictures, from Edison and Lumiere to the present. Course covers the structural and aesthetic trends of motion pictures through the viewing and analysis of selected films. Fee: Additional fee required.

An introduction to the processes and products of animation and motion graphics. Experiments in stop motion and 'cell' animation lead to the integration of animation software and motion graphics. Fee: Additional fee required.

A lab course designed to familiarize the student with the advanced tools and techniques of cinema production, concentrating on visual effects and post-production. Includes editing theory and an introduction to industry standard third-party software packages for graphic design and image manipulation. Fee: Additional fee required.

A lab course designed to familiarize the student with the advanced tools and techniques of animation, concentrating on visual narrative, development of environment/atmosphere, and post-production. Fee: Additional fee required.