Art and Design (ART)
Professor Parks-Kirby; Associate Professors Lopez-Isnardi and Rozier.
The Art Program at Alma College covers a wide range of visual disciplines. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the close student-faculty relationships and the excellent undergraduate studio facilities in the Clack Art Center to design programs suited to their own needs and those of their profession — or simply to explore art.
Two major programs are offered by the Art and Design Department. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree is a pre-professional program in studio art or design. The B.F.A. is offered in the areas of ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and three-dimensional design. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree program provides a more general study suitable for those wishing to teach in the public schools. Graduates of Alma's Art and Design programs find career opportunities in such fields as advertising, design, illustration, museum work, photography, printing and teaching.
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Requirements
- Seventy-two credits in Art which must include ART 101, 111, 112, 113, 121, 122, 220 or 223, 226, 227 and 500.
- Twelve credits of drawing studio including ART 101, 227 and the 390-490 series or its equivalent.
- A coherent area of concentration of 20 credits in Art made up of courses at the 200-400 level.
- A 3.0 CPA in Art courses.
- A senior exhibit acceptable to the Department and presented during the latter part of the senior year.
- Acceptance to this program requires the candidate to submit a portfolio after completing 24 studio credits and to have it approved by the Department. This should be done no later than December of the junior year.
- A total of 148 credits.
- A B.F.A. in a design field must include ART 230 in addition to the courses listed above.
Bachelor of Arts (Art Major) Degree Requirements
- Thirty-six credits in Art which must include ART 101, 121, 122, 220 or 223 and 226; two courses from 111, 112 or 113; and 500.
- A senior exhibit acceptable to the Department and presented during the latter part of the senior year.
Art Minor Requirements
Twenty-four credits including two courses from ART 101, 121, or 122; two courses from 111, 112, or 113; and two studio courses from the 200-400 level.
Art History Minor Requirements
- Twenty-four credits including two courses from ART 111, 112 and 113; two upper-level Art History courses from ART 241, 243, 244, 248, 249, 250, 280 (which may be taken more than once for credit if under different topics), or other approved course; four credits from either ART 385 or 400; four credits to be chosen, with the approval of the Department, from offerings in related disciplines outside of the Department as described in Number 3 below.
- For B.A. or B.F.A. candidates in studio art, 24 credits including 16 credits in Art History chosen from ART 113, 241, 243, 244, 248, 249, 250, 280 (which may be taken more than once for credit if under different topics) or other approved course; four credits from either ART 385 or 400; four credits to be chosen, with the approval of the Department, from offerings in related disciplines outside of the Department as described in Number 3 below. ART 111 and 112, required for the studio major, will not count toward the Art History Minor.
- Because of the multi-disciplinary nature of studies in Art History, students are required to take at least four credits from a related area outside of the Department. Recommended courses include, but are not limited to, Art History or Cultural Studies courses taught through Alma's international programs including those listed in this catalog: SPN 350, 355; approved HUM 180 Topics courses; PHL 224; SOA 115, 213, 215; courses in the history of Music, Theatre and Dance: MUS 120, 235, 443, 444, 445; THD 261, 262, 346 and 352.
- Students may not combine minors in Art and Art History.
Teacher Certification Requirements
- Forty-eight credits in Art which must include ART 101, 121, 122, 220 or 223, 226 and 500; three upper-level studio courses in one studio area (these may include either 220 or 226); 111, 112, 113 and 245 — Survey of Non-Western Art. Note: Candidates for the 72-credit B.F.A. in Art and Design will follow the requirements listed for that degree with the addition of a fourth course in Art History, Art 245 — Survey of Non-Western Art, which will be substituted for one studio elective outside the student's area of concentration.
- Fourteen credits in Art Education which must include EDC 306, 345, 354 and 445a. Art majors will student teach in a secondary, grade 7-12 classroom and must take EDC 445a either in the term prior to, or in their student teaching term.
- Other professional education courses specified by the Department of Education in the requirements for secondary certification. Note: Professional education course requirements reflect Michigan Department of Education standards for teacher education and are subject to change.
Transfer Credits in Studio Art
Up to three studio art courses may be included in the major by transfer from an accredited institution. Transfer of upper level studio work will require Departmental review.Program Considerations
Students who have had little or no studio experience are strongly encouraged to complete at least one studio course from the 100-200 level series.
It is strongly recommended that each major take at least four credits in a digitally based course appropriate to his/her area of emphasis.
Because graduate programs in Art History typically require proficiency in at least two foreign languages, students who are considering advanced studies in this discipline should plan to include at least four semesters of foreign language coursework in their curriculum.
Completion of a senior thesis is strongly encouraged for students considering graduate school.
Four credits from ART, with the exception of practicum or independent study courses, count towards the Distributive Requirements in the Humanities.
| ART 101. | Drawing Studio | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 credits | $40 | |
| Exploration of graphic media with emphasis on developing drawing skills. | ||
| ART 111. | Art History I | |
  |
4 credits | $25 |
| Survey of human artistic achievement from its earliest visual record to the Medieval Period. | ||
| ART 112. | Art History II | |
|
4 credits | $25 |
| Survey of art from the Renaissance to the 20th century. | ||
| ART 113. | American Art and Design | |
|
4 credits | $25 |
| Survey of the work of American artists, architects and craftsmen from Colonial times to the present day. Consideration will be given to the influences of technology, women and minority artists in the development of American art. | ||
| ART 121. | Two Dimensional Design Studio | |
| 4 credits | $75 | |
| Introduction to the elements and principles of design as the foundation needed to create conceptually and aesthetically resolved visual problems in the plastic, graphic and media arts. | ||
| ART 122. | Tools and Materials (Studio) | |
| 4 credits | $40 | |
| Introduction to studio work with emphasis on three-dimensional theory and the use of basic tools and techniques. | ||
| ART 180. | Topics in Studio Art | |
| 4 credits | TBA | |
| Permission | ||
| Topics in studio art. Subject varies according to instructor's field. Course content and artist announced in advance. May be repeated for credit if course content covers a different topic. | ||
| ART *220. | Sculpture Studio | |
| 4 credits | $100 | |
| Exploration of sculptural form through the processes of modeling, carving and assemblage. Consideration of sculptural ideas and imagery from various times and cultures with emphasis on contemporary practices. Day trip to Meijer Sculpture Gardens, Grand Rapids. | ||
| ART *222. | Printmaking Studio | |
| 4 credits | $65 | |
| Exploration of relief, intaglio and planographic techniques with emphasis on works of art in multiples. Some attention to the history of the print as art, the craft of printing, and print preservation and connoisseurship. | ||
| ART *223. | Ceramics Studio | |
| 4 credits | $75 | |
| Introduction to direct forming processes; handbuilding and wheel-throwing. Investigation of the uses of slips, glazes and other methods of surface enrichment. Participation in class kiln firings. Fee for clay. | ||
| ART *224. | Photography Studio | |
| 4 credits | $125 | |
| Introduction to basic 35mm traditional and digital photography techniques. Students will develop and print using traditional black and white film. Scanning and Digital Asset Management techniques will be used as means to edit, manage and archive photographic work. Traditional 35mm SLR camera is required. | ||
| ART *226. | Painting Studio | |
| 4 credits | $40 | |
| Introduction to basic procedures, tools and materials for oil and acrylic painting. Emphasis on composition, form and color. Discussion of historical development of all painting media. | ||
| ART *227. | Life Drawing Studio | |
| 4 credits | $75 | |
| Introduction to expressive drawing of the human figure including some study of anatomy. Students are charged a fee to cover the cost of models. | ||
| ART *230. | Graphic Design Studio | |
| 4 credits | $100 | |
| ART 121 and/or ART 101 recommended | ||
| Development of communication skills through the organization of image and text to inform, persuade, identify, or clarify an idea to a specific audience. Students will design works for printed media and Web-based communications. | ||
| ART *231. | Raku Ceramics | |
|
4 credits | $200 |
| ART 223 or Permission | ||
| An introduction to the history, aesthetics and techniques of raku-fired ceramics. | ||
| ART *232. | Digital Imaging Studio | |
| 4 credits | $100 | |
| Exploration of aesthetic and technical relationships between still images, montage, and mixed media as they are presented in the form of narratives, series, and video. | ||
| ART *241. | Survey of Ancient Art | |
|
4 credits | $25 |
| Introduction to the arts of ancient Greece and Rome with emphasis on the context in which they were produced. Survey of ancient history, literature and mythology are included to enrich students' comprehension of the artworks. | ||
| ART *243. | Medieval and Renaissance Art | |
|
4 credits | $25 |
| Examination of the shift in perception from the contemplative art of the Medieval period to the active art of the Renaissance. Individual works of art and architecture will be studied within the greater context of their religious, political and social environment. | ||
| ART *244. | History of Architecture | |
|
4 credits | $25 |
| Survey of architectural forms and technologies. Emphasis on the relation of historical and contemporary techniques and forms. The role of the architect and architecture in various cultures and periods of history also is considered. | ||
| ART *245. | Survey of Non-Western Art | |
|
4 credits | $25 |
| An introduction to the visual arts of India and Southeast Asia, China, Japan and Korea, the Pacific, and the Americas with emphasis on the historical and cultural contexts in which they were created. | ||
| ART *248. | International Film and Filmmakers | |
|
4 credits | $25 |
| Survey of the art of film with emphasis on major genres and directors. | ||
| ART *249. | Issues in Art Since 1945 | |
|
4 credits | $25 |
| Discussion of American art from 1945 to the present. Study includes such issues as the changing nature of the art object itself; the impact of technology; the influence of the women's movement; and the respective roles of the critic, the art magazine and the gallery structure. | ||
| ART *250. | Contemporary Art in New York | |
|
4 credits | TBA |
| Permission | ||
| Introduction to the major artistic movements and critical theory in the last two decades. Students spend eight days in New York City exploring galleries, museums and artists' studios. Seminar includes readings, discussion and a research paper on a special topic. | ||
| ART *280. | Topics in Art History | |
| 4 credits | $20 | |
| Permission | ||
| Selected topics in the history of art. Subject varies according to instructor's field. Course content and instructor announced in advance. May be repeated for credit if course content covers a different topic. (Past courses include women in art, history of prints, art history in Rome, and world ceramics: London). | ||
| ART *290. | Intermediate Directed Studio Projects | |
| 4 credits | TBA | |
| Permission | ||
| Exploration at the intermediate level through a studio project in a selected medium. Open to majors and non-majors. Utilizes a directed studio format. (Past courses included bookarts, jewelry, watercolor, wheel-thrown ceramics, etc.) | ||
| ART *299. | Independent Studies | |
| 4 credits | TBA | |
| Permission | ||
| Individual study of a subject in Art or Art History. | ||
| ART *380. | Topics in Studio Art | |
| 4 credits | TBA | |
| ART 101, 121, 122 or Permission | ||
| Selected topics in studio art. Subject varies according to instructor's field. Course content and artist announced in advance. May be repeated for credit if course content covers a different topic. (Past courses included advanced illustration, landscape photography and architectural ceramics.) Studio courses taught overseas during Spring Term. | ||
| ART *385. | Practicum | |
| 4 credits | ||
| ART 101, 111, 112, 121, 122 or Permission | ||
| Designed to provide on-site working experiences in the student's area of interest. Examples of typical practica include: apprenticeships with professional artists, internships with museums or art centers, internships with community art councils, or short-term employment in firms specializing in an art-related area. Practicum arranged with assistance of faculty advisor. Departmental approval is required. | ||
| ART *390-*490. | Advanced Directed Studio Projects | |
| 4 credits each | TBA | |
| Permission | ||
| In-depth study in the student's area of interest under direction of a faculty member in that area. Designed for junior and senior Art and Design majors who have completed 12 credits of studio work. Exceptions to this policy made only with Departmental permission.
Subject matter arranged through close consultation with advisor according to individual needs or to specified curricula available. Advanced Directed Studio Projects have been offered in, but are not limited to, the following:
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| ART *399-*499. | Independent Studies | |
| 4 credits | TBA | |
| Permission | ||
| Individual study of a subject in Art or Art History. | ||
| ART *400. | Senior Thesis in Art History | |
|
2-4 credits | $25 |
| Permission | ||
| Readings, discussion and research paper on special topics in Art History. | ||
| ART *500. | Senior Show | |
| 2-4 credits | $15 | |
| Permission | ||
| Participation in a Senior Exhibit with an emphasis on selection and presentation of creative work. Explores all aspects of show preparation, including publicity, gallery installation, reception, production of an electronic portfolio, and Advisory Board Critique. Total of four credits required for senior Art and Design majors. | ||