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| Degrees/Courses |
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| Degrees |
| Students interested in any of the major or minor programs listed below are asked to consult with the Art Department chairperson. Art majors are advised to consult with Art faculty before registering each semester. |
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| Majors |
| Bachelor of Arts Degree: Art Major |
| Major requirements: Forty-five (45) semester hours, including AT130, 131,
140, 141, 230 and five studio electives including two from among AT201,
212, 311, 321, and 341; 15 semester hours of art history courses which
include AT150, 151, 350, 351, and an art history elective course. B.A. majors
are required to earn a minimum of 12 credit hours in studio and 6 credit
hours in art history at Aquinas, and to participate in the annual student
exhibition during their senior year. |
| Art majors interested in earning K-12 Visual Arts Education certification
should consult with both the Art Department Chair and an advisor from
the Aquinas College School of Education. State of Michigan certification
requirements include twelve hours (four courses) in visual arts education,
and stipulate that the studio electives noted in the preceding paragraph include
three advanced courses in the same medium. Visual Arts Education
candidates must also take AT391 Contemporary Art, as their fifth art history
course, as well as required School of Education courses. A minimum cumulative
grade point average of 2.5 must be maintained in order to continue
taking education courses. A grade of “C” or above must be earned in all
major, minor and education classes. |
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| Bachelor of Arts Degree: Art History |
| Major requirements: Thirty-nine (39) semester hours, including AT150, 151,
260, 275, 350, 351, three electives from among AT380, 391, 395, and 398,
nine (9) semester hours in studio courses (from three different areas), and
three (3) elective credit hours from film, studio, or art history.
It is recommended that the College’s Foreign Language requirement be
fulfilled in either French or German and that either 3of the 9 credit hours
of an art history elective or 3credit hours of an elective be fulfilled with a 3
credit hours of AT398, with directed readings in “Historiography” during the
junior or first half of the senior year. B.A. majors in Art History are required
to earn a minimum of 18 credit hours in art history at Aquinas. Art History
majors are asked to consult with Sr. Marie Celeste Miller or Dr. Joseph
Becherer for clarification of these requirements. |
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| Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Majors: Ceramics, Drawing, New Forms, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, or Sculpture |
| Major Requirements: Seventy-eight (78) hours as follows: 33 semester
hours of foundation studio courses AT130, 131, 140, 141, 201, 202, 212,
230, 311, 321, 341; a primary studio concentration (12 semester hours) and
a secondary studio concentration (9 semester hours) in ceramics, drawing,
new forms, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture; and 6 hours
of art electives; 15 semester hours in art history courses including AT150,
151, 350, 351, and an art history elective; and 3 hours of AT400. B.F.A.
majors are required to earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in studio and 9
semester hours in art history at Aquinas. At least nine studio art credits must
be earned during the last two years before graduation. Entry into the B.F.A. program is via a portfolio review conducted near the end of each semester.
To remain in the program, B.F.A. students are required to have their portfolio
reviewed each semester. A final exhibition of work approved by Aquinas art
faculty is required of all B.F.A. students at graduation. |
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| Dual Major in Business and Art: Visual Arts Administration |
| Major requirements: Sixty-six (66) semester hours, including 36 hours in
business administration and related courses; BS201, 202, 305, 311, 357,
460, AG210, 211, ES213, 214, MS151, CS152 and 30 hours in art; AT130
or 140; three studio courses selected from among AT212, 230, 311, 321,
331 and 341; AT150, 151, 350, 351; and a six-hour internship in Arts Management.
The 18-hour residency requirement must include 9 credit hours in
the Art Department. Students should consult with the Art Chairperson for
clarification. |
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| Minors |
| Art History Minor |
| An Art History Minor can be earned in combination with any major by taking
a 21 semester hour sequence which must include AT 150, 151, 350, 351
plus three elective Art History courses. To earn an art history minor, a
minimum of twelve hours must be earned at Aquinas. |
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| Studio Art Minor |
| A studio art minor may be earned in combination with any major by taking
a 24-hour sequence including 18 hours of studio art (AT130, 140, and four
studio electives) and six hours of art history (AT150 and 151). Students
intending to earn a minor in studio art are required to complete, with the Art
Department Chair, a minor agreement form. To earn a studio art minor, a
minimum of twelve hours must be earned at Aquinas. |
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| Exhibition Program |
The Art and Music Center houses an excellent exhibition facility, through
which the Art Department’s exhibition program provides art students and
the College and civic communities the opportunity to experience, study, and
enjoy artwork in a wide variety of media and conceptual concerns. Exhibition
opportunities and requirements are part of each degree program. |
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| Courses |
| Art History Courses |
| AT150, 151, and 161 fulfill the Artistic and Creative Studies General Education
distribution requirement. Art majors should follow recommended course
sequences. Non-majors are welcome in any art history course. |
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| AT150 Art Survey I (3) AC |
| Selected major monuments of painting, sculpture, architecture from the cave to
early Italian Renaissance, arts of China, and Japan. |
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| AT151 Art Survey II (3) AC |
| Major monuments of painting, sculpture, and architecture of western world from
early Italian Renaissance through 19th century. |
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| AT161 Art Appreciation (3) AC |
| A sampling of a wide range of Art with emphasis on understanding the elements,
principles, and language of the visual arts, selected artists, their works, and their
historical contexts. This course will not apply for credit in the studio art major. |
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| AT260 19th Century Art (3) |
| An examination of the major artistic personalities and stylistic movements in
European art from the 1780s through the advent of Impressionism. The independence
and European influence on the art of the United States will also be
introduced. |
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| AT275 Renaissance Art and Society (3) |
| An investigation of the masters and monuments from 1250-1550. Emphasis is
placed on Italy culminating in a study of Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael
and their legacy; however, Northern masters and styles will be introduced. |
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| AT350 Van Gogh to Picasso (3) |
| Survey of painting, sculpture, and architecture of western world c. 1880-1925,
including Post-Impressionism and Cubism. |
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| AT351 Dali through Abstraction (3) |
| Survey of painting, sculpture, and architecture of the western world c. 1925-1940. |
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| AT380 Baroque Art (3) |
| A study of the artistic styles and cultural centers of European painting, sculpture
and architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries. Emphasis will be placed on
the development and legacy of leading masters such as Rembrandt, Rubens,
Bernini and Caravaggio. |
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| AT391 Contemporary Art (3) |
An exploration of the primary currents in the visual arts from 1945 through the
present. Leading figures and artistic currents in the United States and Europe
are discussed as will the expanding role of art theory and criticism. |
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| AT398 Readings in Art (Variable) |
| Individually-negotiated program of readings on selected topics established by
contract between instructor and student. Contracts filed with Registrar.
Prerequisite: Approval of the chairperson. |
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| Studio Courses |
| The following studio courses fulfill the Artistic and Creative Studies General Education requirement: AT111 and 130. |
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| AT111 Art for Non-Majors (3) AC |
| Introduction to visual thinking and process in art through a studio art experience.
Specific media (ceramics, drawing, painting, print-making, photography,
or sculpture) will vary from semester to semester. |
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| AT130 Basic Drawing I (3) AC |
| Introductory course in drawing from life using traditional materials and subject
matter including still life, landscape, and the human figure. A sequence of
projects isolates technical and compositional problems. |
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| AT131 Basic Drawing II (3) |
| Continuation of AT130. Emphasis on increased understanding and control of
composition as well as basic elements of drawing. Exploration of additional
drawing media and techniques. Individual creative solutions encouraged.
Prerequisite: AT130. |
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| AT140 2-D Design (3) |
| Principles of two-dimensional design as foundation for understanding and creating
art. Problems in composition and in color theory.
No prerequisite. |
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| AT141 3-D Design (3) |
| Structural, spatial, and organizational problems carried out with basic 3D materials.
No prerequisite. |
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| AT201 Life Drawing (3) |
| Beginning course in drawing the human form using both clothed and nude
models. Accurate observation and rendering will be emphasized along with
compositional elements and recognition of a developing personal aesthetic.
Prerequisite: AT131. |
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| AT202 Advanced Drawing (3) |
| Continuation of AT201, Life Drawing; broadened technical and conceptual approaches
introduced; strong encouragement in recognizing and developing individual direction.
Prerequisite: AT131. |
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| AT212 Photography I (3) |
| Exploration of photography as fine art. Includes: basic camera handling, black and
white film development and printing, aesthetic discussion and critiques.
All photography courses require an additional lab fee. Consult current course
schedule.
Equipment required: 35 mm camera. |
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| AT213 Photography II (3) |
Continuation of Photography I. Includes further development of camera techniques,
darkroom skills, and manipulation of print. Digital photography an option
for some projects. Postmodern issues in photography also covered. Individual
directions are encouraged, written and verbal critiques included. All photography
courses require an additional lab fee. Consult current course schedule.
Prerequisite: AT212. |
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| AT214–219 Photography III–VIII (3) |
| Advanced photography course emphasizing personal artistic growth. Frequent
critiques. Exploration of advanced techniques. Digital photography an option for
some projects. All photography courses require an additional lab fee. Consult
current course schedule. |
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| AT230–236 New Forms Studio I–VII (3) |
| Based in a post-modern art aesthetic, this course will allow students to make art
using a concept-driven approach. Ideas will be developed via reading, journal writing,
sketching, video, and photography. Final art works will use media appropriate
to the idea. |
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| AT/EH240 Artists and Writers in Collaboration (3) |
| A studio/writing workshop centered on collaborative production of art works and
creative writing. Students are encouraged to register in collaborative pairs if
possible.
Prerequisites: EH240 creative writing or comparable class; AT240 at least one
studio art class. |
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| AT302–307 Advanced Drawing III–VIII (3) |
| Individual problems in drawing defined by the student, approved by instructor.
Options include addressing a traditional or non-traditional, figurative or non-figurative direction. Frequent critiques. Scheduled in same time slot as AT201
and AT202.
Prerequisite: AT202. |
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| AT 310 Special Topics in Art (1–3) |
| Trial courses on variable subject matter in studio art or art history, outside of the
focuses of regularly scheduled courses. |
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| AT311 Painting I (3) |
| Beginning course in oil painting. Introduction to basic tools and techniques, with
an emphasis on observation and composition.
Prerequisites: AT130, 140 or instructor approval. |
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| AT312 Painting II (3) |
| Continuation of Painting I with more advanced problems and techniques.
Prerequisite: AT311 or instructor approval. |
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| AT321 Sculpture I (3) |
| Traditional life-sized figurehead project modeled in clay and either kiln-fired or
cast in plaster. Additional figurative sculptural problems. |
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| AT322 Sculpture II (3) |
| On a rotating basis, opportunities to work in steel, stone, clay, plaster, bronze,
and assemblage. The conceptual emphasis will be on 20th century approaches
to sculpture. Individual sculptural directions will be encouraged. |
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| AT331 Ceramics I (3) |
| Introduction to ceramics as a fine-art form. Hand building, wheel-throwing, and
glazing techniques. Frequent critiques will build skills in evaluating art objects.
No prerequisite. |
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| AT332 Ceramics II (3) |
| Continuation of Ceramics I. Greater student involvement in wheel-throwing,
glazing, and firing techniques. Individual directions encouraged. Frequent critiques.
Prerequisite: AT 331. |
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| AT341 Printmaking I (3) |
| Beginning course in etching, lithography, and relief printmaking. Introduction to
materials, techniques and methods unique to these media.
No prerequisite. |
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| AT342 Printmaking II (3) |
| Continuation of Printmaking I. With more advanced problems and techniques,
studio problems are designed to encourage individual direction and the development
of a personal aesthetic.
Prerequisite: AT341. |
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| AT370 Foundations in Visual Arts Education (3) |
| Introduction to the philosophical, psychological and cultural foundations of visual arts
education for visual arts educators and artists.
Four art courses and EN201; cumulative grade point average of
2.5. |
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| AT372 Elementary Methods in Visual Arts Education (3) |
| Methodology used in the teaching of elementary school students, including the
study of child development, applicable technologies and practical and cultural
influences relevant to the discipline of visual arts education for young learners.
Four art courses and EN201; cumulative grade point average of
2.5. |
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| AT374 Secondary Methods in Visual Arts Education (3) |
| Methodology used in the teaching of junior high and high school students,
including the study of child development, applicable technologies and practical
and cultural influences relevant to the discipline of visual arts education for preadolescent
and adolescent learners. Four art courses and EN201; cumulative grade point average of
2.5. |
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| AT376 Studio Practicum in Visual Arts Education (3) |
| Methodology and practices used to design, implement and sustain a quality visual arts
education program for elementary and secondary school students, including
facilities, supplies, equipment, curriculum, budget, technology and communications.
Four art courses and EN201; cumulative grade point average of
2.5. |
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| AT399 Independent Studio Project (Variable) |
| Individually-negotiated project of defined nature established by contract between
instructor and student. Contract filed with Registrar.
Chairperson approval. |
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| AT400 Art Seminar(3) |
Structured experiences centered on the profession of being an artist: slide documentation
of artworks, portfolio and resume preparation, and discussions with
art professionals. Substantial writing component.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior status. |
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| AT412–417 Painting III–VIII (3) |
| Advanced courses in painting. Individual problems and directions designed to
build strengths in color and composition while emphasizing personal artistic
growth.
Prerequisites: AT311 and AT312. |
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| AT422–427 Advanced Sculpture III–VIII (3) |
| Continuation of individual directions begun in Sculpture I and II.
Prerequisites: AT321, AT322. |
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| AT432–437 Ceramics III–VII (3) |
| Continuation of AT332 with emphasis on individual solutions to problems in
design, clay, and glaze composition, forming and firing techniques.
Prerequisites: AT331, AT332. |
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| AT442–447 Printmaking III–VIII (3) |
| Advanced course in printmaking. Individual problems and directions designed
to foster growth within the printmaking media.
Prerequisites: AT341, AT342. |
