1999-2000 Undergraduate Catalog College of Arts and Sciences - Art

Professor Joshua Rose, department head

Professors Fidler, Jaffe, Ocepek, Rose; Associate Professor Green; Assistant Professors Barello, Rindge, Stevens, Zarur; College Associate Professor St.Aubyn; College Assistant Professor Fitzsimmons

(505) 646-1705; e-mail: artdept@nmsu.edu

DEGREE: Bachelor of Arts
MAJOR: Art
EMPHASIS: Studio Art
EMPHASIS: Art History

DEGREE: Bachelor of Fine Arts

MAJOR: Studio Art
EMPHASIS: Ceramics
EMPHASIS: Drawing
EMPHASIS: Graphic Design
EMPHASIS: Metalsmithing and Jewelry
EMPHASIS: Painting
EMPHASIS: Photo/Graphics
EMPHASIS: Photography
EMPHASIS: Printmaking
EMPHASIS: Sculpture

The Department of Art provides a rigorous program for the enrichment, application, development, and appreciation of the visual arts. Students in studio develop an individual aesthetic by experimenting with and expressing visual concepts in an articulate manner. Art history students acquire a comprehensive understanding of the aesthetic and cultural issues addressed within the history of art, conducting and presenting independent research. The study of art provides an appropriate background for the pursuit of careers in studio art and art history in such areas as the visual arts, graphic design, conservation, library/museum work, advertising, architecture and interior design, photography, crafts, cinematography, education and therapy, publishing, theatre, television, dance, industry and business, communication, religion, management, and research in the creative and academic areas. A major in art also provides students with a broad humanistic background appropriate to preparation for advanced degrees in other fields.

DEGREE: Bachelor of Arts

EMPHASIS: Studio Art

The general studio program is designed to give the student an understanding of the fields of drawing, painting, graphic design, printmaking, sculpture, photography, jewelry and metalsmithing, ceramics, and the history and appreciation of art in the context of a liberal education.

Departmental Requirements (Total credits 66)

Freshman Year (15 credits)

Sophomore Year (21 credits)

Junior Year (12 credits)

Senior Year (18 credits)

Elective art courses taken beyond the 66 required credits must be taken at a 300 level or above.

Electives: Sufficient to bring credits to 128, including 55 upper-division.

EMPHASIS: Art History

The art history program is designed to give the student a broad familiarity with the visual arts through the factual and theoretical study of aesthetics, cultural contexts, iconography, pictorial traditions, stylistic development, and technical practices. Students are encouraged to take related courses in anthropology, history, languages and literature, music history, philosophy, religion, theatre and costume history. Those anticipating graduate work in art history should also study French or German.

Departmental Requirements (Total credits 63)

Freshman Year (15 credits)

Sophomore Year (18 credits)

Junior Year (15 credits)

Senior Year (15 credits)

Electives: Sufficient to bring total credits to 128 for graduation, including 55 upper-division.

DEGREE: Bachelor of Fine Arts
MAJOR: Studio Art

The studio art curriculum is designed to give the student a broad understanding of the field of art, including appreciation and criticism, ceramics, graphic design, photography, metal arts, drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture, and art history. This program is recommended for those students who wish to embark on a professional career and/or studio teaching in art.

If the graduate wishes to teach art in the public schools, she or he may qualify for certification by taking 24 credits in professional education courses and by meeting certain other requirements set by the Department of Art and the State Board of Education (See the "College of Education" chapter in this catalog.)

The number of credits counted toward graduation is 81. Of these, 9 credits must be in 300-level art history period courses in addition to the basic survey in art history. A senior thesis exhibition will be required of all graduating B.F.A. students in their last semester.

The academic electives should be selected from upper-division courses in the following fields: English, history, science, or intermediate foreign language.

The maximum credits for variable courses shall be 6 credits per semester except by permission.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS EXCEPTION

A second language is not required.

Departmental Requirements (Total credits 78)

Freshman Year (18 credits)

Sophomore Year (21 credits)

Junior Year (21 credits)

Senior Year (18 credits)

A senior thesis exhibition will be required of all graduating B.F.A. students in their last semester.

DEGREE: Bachelor of Fine Arts
MAJOR: Studio Art

EMPHASIS: Ceramics

The Ceramics program provides the student with a broad spectrum of experience in the major areas of the ceramics profession.

REQUIRED COURSES

Freshman Year (18 credits)

Sophomore Year (21 credits)

Junior Year (21 credits)

Senior Year (18 credits)

A senior thesis exhibition will be required of all graduating B.F.A. students in their last semester.

EMPHASIS: Drawing

The drawing program begins with basic studies in drawing, painting, and two-dimensional design. Study continues with drawing from the model, painting, and advanced independent studies. Overall, the program emphasizes development of drawing techniques, exploration of various drawing mediums and the pursuit of an individual approach to the conceptual aspect of drawing. Critical discussions and analysis of work provide a framework for the understanding of drawing concepts.

REQUIRED COURSES

Freshman Year (18 credits)

Sophomore Year (21 credits)

Junior Year (21 credits)

Senior Year (18 credits)

A senior thesis exhibition will be required of all graduating B.F.A. students in their last semester.

EMPHASIS: Graphic Design

The graphic design program provides the student with a broad spectrum of experience in the major areas of this applied design profession. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of basic studio skills, the use of design studio tools, equipment and materials, the creative solution of visual communication projects, and portfolio design.

REQUIRED COURSES

Freshman Year (18 credits)

Sophomore Year (21 credits)

Junior Year (21 credits)

Senior Year (18 credits)

A senior thesis exhibition will be required of all graduating B.F.A. students in their last semester.

EMPHASIS: Metalsmithing and Jewelry

The metalsmithing and jewelry program is designed to expose the student to a broad range of technical processes, including, but not exclusive to, metals. Contemporary metal working encompasses the realm of purely conceptual and sculptural objects, as well as the ornamental and body related. Students study the history of the decorative arts and clarify their ideas through such vehicles as wearable jewelry and utilitarian and sculptural objects.

REQUIRED COURSES

Freshman Year (18 credits)

Sophomore Year (21 credits)

Junior Year (21 credits)

Senior Year (18 credits)

A senior thesis exhibition is required of all graduating B.F.A. students in their last semester.

EMPHASIS: Painting

The painting program begins with basic studies in drawing, two-dimensional design, and color in preparation for more advanced study of color, specific painting techniques, exploration of the expressive possibilities of various media, and the diverse conceptual modes available to the painter.

REQUIRED COURSES

Freshman Year (18 credits)

Sophomore Year (21 credits)

Junior Year (21 credits)

Senior Year (18 credits)

A senior thesis exhibition is required of all graduating B.F.A. students in their last semester.

EMPHASIS: Photo/Graphics

This emphasis is for students who have an interest in both photography and graphic design. Students planning to combine these two studio areas professionally take a concentration of photography and graphic design courses. Concepts of visual form, communication and image processing are areas shared by the photography and graphic design professions.

Freshman Year (18 credits)

Sophomore Year (21 credits)

Junior Year (21 credits)

Senior Year (18 credits)

A senior thesis exhibition is required of all graduating B.F.A. students in their last semester.

EMPHASIS: Photography

The program of study includes basic black-and-white and color photography, including shooting, processing, and printing, zone system, photochemistry, and archival procedures. Contemporary criticism and theory provide a framework for understanding photography in the fine arts, advertising, journalism, and documentary work. Readings, slide lectures, and writing assignments offer a critical and historical context for the refinement of individual work.

REQUIRED COURSES

Freshman Year (18 credits)

Sophomore Year (21 credits)

Junior Year (21 credits)

Senior Year (18 credits)

A senior thesis exhibition is required of all graduating B.F.A. students in their last semester.

EMPHASIS: Printmaking

The printmaking program provides the student with a strong foundation in the major forms of art. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of the student's aesthetic through printmaking and drawing.

REQUIRED COURSES

Freshman Year (18 credits)

Sophomore Year (21 credits)

Junior Year (21 credits)

Senior Year (18 credits)

A senior thesis exhibition will be required of all graduating B.F.A. students in the last semester.

EMPHASIS: Sculpture

Students enrolled in the sculpture program are encouraged to experiment with a variety of forms and ideas and to distill these visual and conceptual experiences into art that reflects the individuality of the maker. Students frequently travel to exhibitions, symposia, and artists' studios to further their knowledge of sculpture and their awareness of making art within a historical context. Technically augmenting students' processes is a collection of power tools, metal, plaster, and woodworking facilities, and a spacious outdoor work area.

REQUIRED COURSES

Freshman Year (18 credits)

Sophomore Year (21 credits)

Junior Year (21 credits)

Senior Year (18 credits)

A senior thesis exhibition is required of all graduating B.F.A. students in their last semester.