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ART - Lower Division Courses

Foundation Art

The classes listed below are the foundation art classes that are required of most studio art majors. When foundation studio classes are chosen, be aware of the prerequisites; do not take the studio classes out of order.

  • AH 111A,B. Foundation Art History I, II
  • ART 130. Foundation Two-Dimensional
  • ART 131. Foundation Three-Dimensional
  • ART 132. Foundation Color Theory
  • ART 149. Foundation Computer Art
  • ART 181. Foundation Drawing
  • ART 184. Foundation Life Drawing

101. Artists in Their Own Words (1)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: One GE Foundation course.
Students learn from guest artists and arts scholars about their work, and how they have established and sustained a practice and career. Invited from across the spectrum of visual arts, each guest represents a case study in presentation and professionalism.
Credit/No Credit grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 2 units in different semesters. (2 hours activity)

110. Introduction to the Visual Arts (3)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: One GE Foundation course.
Exploration of meanings, purposes, styles, materials and forms of art and architecture. Multicultural perspective. Development of awareness through examination and comparison of art and artifacts, past and present.

121. Safety and Sustainable Practices for Studio Artists (1)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: One GE Foundation course.
Introduces current best practices for basic machine and hand-tools, material handling, personal protective equipment, risk assessment and safety culture essential to student success in developing a sustainable studio practice.
Credit/No Credit grading only. (2 Hours Activity)

130. Foundation Two-Dimensional (3)

Foundation course required to be taken by all majors within the School of Art prior to 200-level or above art courses. Exploration and application of principles, components and terminology of two-dimensional design via relational, problem-solving and visual-vocabulary exercises.
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hours lab)

131. Foundation Three Dimensional (3)

Foundation course required to be taken by all studio and art education majors within the School of Art prior to 200-level or above art courses. Focus on structural, material, and compositional concerns involved in dealing with three-dimensional form.
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hours lab)

132. Foundation Color Theory (3)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: ART 130
Foundation course satisfying a choice between requirements in the BA Studio Art (Students choose from a group of courses). Also satisfies requirements or choices in some BFA degrees. Focus on visual and aesthetic interactions of color. (Not open to students with credit for ART 182.)
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hours lab)

149. Foundation Computer Art (3)

Prerequisites: ART 130.
Foundation course satisfying a choice between requirements in the BA Studio Art (Students choose from a group of courses). Also satisfies requirements or choices in some BFA degrees. Project-based exploration of art-related digital imaging, layout, and vector software, and introduction to interactive and web-based media.
Letter grade only (A-F). Course fee may be required. Information on fees related to this course can be found here. (6 hrs. lab.) Not open for credit to students with credit in ART 349A.

181. Foundation Drawing (3)

Foundation course intended to be taken by all majors within the School of Art prior to 200-level or above art courses. Introduction to drawing with emphasis on perspective, light, shadow, and volume in composition using a variety of media.
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hrs. lab.)

184. Foundation Life Drawing (3)

Prerequisites: ART 181.
Foundation course required in the BA Studio Art. Also satisfies requirements or choices in all other undergraduate degrees in the School of Art. Introduction to drawing from the human figure.
Letter grade only (A-F). Course fee may be required. Information on fees related to this course can be found here. (6 hrs. lab.)

221. Shop Orientation (1)

Familiarization with student workshop facilities, specific instruction on safety procedures and methods in use of tools and equipment. Safety lectures and technical demonstrations followed by hands-on experience. Projects familiarize students with machinery and facilitate the acquisition of basic woodworking skills.
Credit/No Credit grading only. (2 hours activity)

223. Introduction to Typography (3)

Prerequisite: For Art majors: ART 130, ART 181. For Design majors: DESN 120A and DESN 132A.
Introductory course in the fundamentals of typographic form. Close examination of the architecture of letterforms and alphabet construction.
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hours lab) Student-owned laptop computer is required. See School website for current hardward and software specifications.

227. History of Animation (3)

Prerequisites: Completion of GE A1 requirement; sophomore standing
Historical, theoretical and aesthetic developments of animation since its beginnings across cultures and within global contexts with consideration of cultural, social, political and technological influences.
Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as FEA 227. Not open for credit to students with credit in FEA 227.

241. Introduction to Photography (3)

Prerequisite(s): One G.E. Foundation Course
Introductory course satisfying a choice between requirements in the BA Studio Art (Students choose from a group of courses). Also satisfies requirements or choices in some BFA degrees. Fundamentals of digital photography: cameras, digital darkroom techniques, photographic vision, critical issues.
Letter grade only (A-F). Course fee and digital camera (DSLR) may be required. Information on fees related to this course can be found here. (6 hrs. lab.)

251A. Introduction to Ceramics: Handbuilding (3)

Prerequisites/Corequisites: For non-Art majors: None. For Art majors: ART 131.
Introductory course satisfying a choice between requirements in the BA Studio Art (Students choose from a group of courses). Also satisfies requirements or choices in BA Art Education and some BFA degrees. Includes slab, coil, and molding techniques; glazing, firing.
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hrs. lab.)

251B. Introduction to Ceramics: Wheel Throwing (3)

Prerequisites/Corequisites: For non-Art majors: None. For Art majors: ART 131.
Introductory course satisfying a choice between requirements in the BA Studio Art (Students choose from a group of courses). Satisfies requirements or choices in BA Art Education and some BFA degrees. Development of forms with potters wheel, glazing and firing.
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hrs. lab.)

254. Introduction to Wood (3)

Prerequisites: ART 121, ART 131, or consent of instructor.
Introduction to concepts, tools and techniques used in the creation of handcrafted, wooden objects. Basic construction and reductive shaping techniques including, lamination, milling, woodturning, carving, and joinery.
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hours lab)

257. Introduction to Metals (3)

Prerequisites: ART 121, ART 131, or consent of instructor.
Introduction to metal and jewelry processes; approaches include enameling, casting, forging, and fabrication.
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hours activity)

261. Introduction to Life Sculpture (3)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: ART 131 or ART 181 or consent of instructor.
Introduction to modeling from the human figure with emphasis on a range of approaches and techniques to figurative sculpture.
Letter grade only (A-F). Course fee may be required. Information on fees related to this course can be found here. (6 hrs. lab.)

263. Introduction to Sculpture/4D (3)

Prerequisites: ART 131 or consent of instructor.
Introductory course satisfying a choice between requirements in the BA Studio Art (Students choose from a group of courses). Also satisfies requirements or choices in BA Art History and most BFA degrees. Exploration of art in three and four dimensions.
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hrs lab)

265. Introduction to Fiber (3)

Prerequisites: ART 130, ART 131
Introductory course satisfying a choice between requirements in the BA Studio Art. Satisfies requirements or choices in some BFA degrees. Introduction to mixed media and fiber/fabric materials, processes and approaches including surface design, papermaking, weaving, hand-construction.
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hours lab)

270. Introduction to Printmaking (3)

Prerequisites: None.
Introductory course satisfying a choice between requirements in the BA Studio Art. Satisfies requirements or choices in some BFA degrees. Exploration of multiple printmaking processes and possibilities for producing art in multiples, variations, and unique works. Focus on non-toxic approaches.
Letter grade only (A-F).(6 hours lab.)

271. Introduction to Rendering (3)

Prerequisite: ART 130, ART 181.
Introductory course satisfying a choice between requirements in the BA Studio Art (Students choose from a group of courses). Satisfies requirements or choices in some BFA degrees. Graphic visualization for convincing representation.
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hrs. lab.)

287. Introduction to Painting (3)

Prerequisites: ART 130, ART 181.
Introductory course satisfying a choice between requirements in the BA Studio Art (Students choose from a group of courses). Satisfies requirements or choices in BA Art Education, BA Art History, and most BFA degrees. Introduction to painting problems using opaque media.
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hrs. lab.)

291. Introduction to Animation (3)

Prerequisites: ART 130, ART 181
Introduction to frame-by-frame manipulation, including traditional, experimental, and digital animation, pre-production work, motion graphics, and brief history of animation. Survey course satisfying a choice between requirements in the BA Studio Art. Satisfies requirements or choices in some BFA degrees.
Letter grade only (A-F). (6 hours lab)


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