Art History
Introduces the principles, techniques, and approaches to the creation and analysis of works of art and presents an overview of the great landmarks of art from classical Greece through the twentieth century.
Introduction to Art History from Prehistoric times to ca. 1400. This introduction to art history surveys painting, sculpture, architecture and other arts from the earliest artistic creations of humans throughout the world to the rise of civilizations in antiquity. Centers including Sumeria, Egypt, Greece, and Rome are examined. With the the dawn of Christianity, Medieval art and architecture to ca. 1400 is discussed.
Music
An introduction to the elements of tonal music. Provides students with an understanding of rhythm, pitch, keyboard, scales, key signatures, intervals, and triads. Intended primarily for non-majors and minors.
A variety of topics, such as Music in Film, American Popular Song, American Hip Hop, etc. offered on a rotating basis. Visit the Online Schedule of Classes for current offerings.
Theater and Film
A survey from the classical period through the 17th century, with emphasis on the major periods, typical plays, performance theories, important figures, and major playhouses and forms of production. Western and non-Western traditions may be examined. The two courses in this series need not be taken in sequence.
Visual Art
Introduction to concepts and processes of making art. Studio projects complemented by lectures and discussions on ways of looking at art, both past and present. Emphasis on the development of each student’s creative capacities and awareness.
Prerequisite 50:080:103 or permission of instructor.
A dynamic, hands-on exploration of clay. Covers slab building, hand building, proportion and figurative work, surface treatment, glazing techniques, the firing process and the history of ceramic sculpture. Students need no prior background in art-making to take this class.
Prerequisite 50:080:211 or permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor.
A continuing exploration of concepts, materials and techniques in ceramic sculpture, emphasizing advanced hand building, figurative work, mold making, and glaze techniques.
Prerequisite to all upper-level studio classes. Pre or co-rerequisite: 50:080:102 or permission of instructor. This Drawing I class is focused on practicing various drawing strategies and approaches to achieve an understanding of traditional and experimental techniques. The course develops students’ observational skills: to perceive size, shape, proportion, value, and spatial relationships. Students will also perceive drawing as an assortment of abstract elements composed on a flat page.
Prerequisite: 50:080:103 or permission of instructor.
Explores the evolving relationship between digital technologies and contemporary art. Digital tools and media are used in this studio-based course to explore such topics as recontextualization, time-based media, harvesting, generative art, robotics, and fair usage practices for images, video and sound. The work done in class will be accompanied by lectures and readings that trace the historical significance of each project. Students need no prior background in art-making to take this class.
Prerequisite: 50:080:102. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor.
An introduction to photography with the digital camera.
Prerequisites: 50:080:102 and 221 or permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor.
An exploration of basic concepts, materials and techniques in printmaking.
No Pre-requisite. The purpose of this course is to provide students with an overview of fundamental 3D-animation technology through working with Maya vision on PC/Mac workstations. The course will give students a practical focus in techniques of geometric modeling, surface texturing, lighting illumination and Arnold rendering that are relevant to the production of film, animation, multimedia and creation of art.
Prerequisite: 50:080:223 or permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor.
Builds on traditional animation skills, working with both drawings and digital approaches. The principles of classical animation and 2-D animation software will be demonstrated. Students are expected to find their own style, working toward personal career goals.
Prerequisites: 50:080:102 and 221 or permission of instructor.
Introduction to painting concepts, media, and techniques.