The goals of the Department of Art are to expand students’ awareness of the variety of artistic expressions, to acquaint them with the many different and related media used in those expressions, to teach the techniques and practices of visual art, to give students an awareness of art history, and to help students acquire taste and critical evaluation in art.

The department’s course offerings are designed to present and clarify artistic traditions and contemporary practice, and to instill understanding of and excitement for excellence in the visual arts. Learning is centered on developing ability to judge critically and independently, without reliance upon preconceived solutions and answers.

A major in Visual Art requires 36 semester hours. These hours consist of the following core requirements: AR 105, 170 or 271, 250, 255, 350, 380 and 481 for a total of 18 hours. In addition to the core requirements, students must select one course from at least three of the following concentrations: Painting (AR 240), Graphic Design (AR 216 or 217), Printmaking (AR 230), and Drawing (AR 271 or 272), or AR 270. Students also must complete three to six hours built on existing studio core requirements at or above the 300 level. These courses are selected from: Painting (AR 341, AR 342), Graphic Design (AR 316), and Printmaking (AR 331, AR 334).

One art elective is required from either studio or art history at or above the 200 level. This course may be from within the studio core courses. All majors must submit a portfolio to a Departmental Committee at the beginning of their junior year and will produce an exhibition of their own work during the senior year.

A minor in Visual Art consists of the following courses (12 hours must be above the 100 level): AR 105, 170 or 270, two courses from 250, 255 or 350 and one course each from at least two of the following concentrations: Painting (AR 240), Graphic Design (AR 216 or 217), Printmaking (AR 230), Drawing (AR 272).

A minor in Art History shall consist of 16 semester hours which must include: Art History I: The World, Paleolithic thrugh Medieval (AR 250), Art History II: The World, Early Renaissance through 19th Century (AR 255), Art History III: The 20th and 21st Centuries (AR 350) and Practicum in Art History (AR 450). Additionally, the student must take one introductory studio course selected from the following: Art Studio Foundation (AR 105), Drawing I (AR 170), Drawing: A Contemporary Approach (AR 271), Graphic Design I or II (AR 216 or AR 217).