Art (BA)

Affiliation: School of Arts & Letters
 

THE MAJOR

The objectives of the degree programs in the visual arts are defined by and were developed to:

1. Offer programs of concentrated study that are sensitive to the needs of students and relate to the overarching goals of the University.
2. Ensure well-organized, coherent programs that provide opportunities for synthesis and integration across courses within those programs.
3. Help students assimilate the knowledge delivered within the programs and develop the capacity to focus on methods of inquiry and analysis that enables them to use that knowledge.
4. Encourage students to develop a critical perspective that enables them to learn about and from the variety of views existing within their chosen field of study.
5. Guide students in the cultivation of liberal learning by helping them perceive and appreciate the connections among courses in their major and those in other disciplines.
6. Assure practical support and encouragement for students’ intellectual and creative growth and development by providing opportunities for interaction and dialogue in an environment conducive to learning.
7. Present students with a culturally diverse approach to art and to acknowledge biases that may be inherent within the discipline.
8. Prepare students for graduate study or employment opportunities within the field. 

ART COMMUNICATION

In addition, all Art majors will significantly develop their skills as speakers and writers within their major courses. All majors are required to take Art History courses which develop a wide range of skills involved in research and writing and writing about research, and at least one of these courses is required to be a Writing-Enhanced (WE) course. Writing also occurs in many different forms throughout the curriculum including informal, creative, and professional modes – and via other Writing-Enhanced (WE) opportunities. All Art majors also engage in a wide range of oral communication activities including regular class critiques in studio contexts and formal class presentations in both studio and lecture courses.

DEPARTMENTAL HONORS IN ART: 

Departmental Honors are only offered for the Art History track in this degree. Students in the Studio track seeking a degree with honors are encouraged to become an Honors Scholar in the Arts and Sciences.

Departmental Honors in the Art History track requires:

• GPA: 3.50 or above cumulative.
• GPA: 3.50 or above in the major.
• Receive an “A” in both semesters of Senior Thesis (ART 436 - Art History Capstone: Thesis I  and ART 437 - Art History Capstone: Thesis II ); Senior thesis participation is by invitation of the Art History faculty.
• Provide documentation to Honors Committee Chair of presentation at an off-campus conference, either regional or national (NCUR, Midwest Art History Society, or other venue).

Becoming an Honors Scholar in the Arts & Sciences

The requirements for becoming an Honors Scholar in the Arts and Sciences are: complete five approved courses in the areas of mathematics, science, humanities, and social science with at least one course from each area; and earn at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA overall and in these five courses. Only grades of “A” and “B” may count toward the 3.5 minimum grade point average requirement in the five approved Honors Scholar courses.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: