Art at Aquinas College

Art Major (BA)

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Major Requirements: Fortyfive (45) semester hours.

  • At least twelve (12) semester hours in Studio Art and six (6) semester hours in Art History must be taken at Aquinas
  • Participation in the annual Student Exhibition required during senior year.
  • A senior portfolio must be submitted before midterm of the final semester. Only courses with a grade of C or better will count toward the major.
Aquinas Requirments
AT130 Basic Drawing I (AP) 3.0
AT131 Basic Drawing II (AP) 3.0
AT142 Graphic and Digital Design (AP) 3.0
AT143 2 and 3 Dimensional Design (AP) 3.0
AT230 New Forms Studio 3.0
Five (5) Studio Art courses including two of the following:
AT201 Life Drawing 3.0
AT212 Photography I OR AT211 Digital Photography (AP) 3.0
AT311 Painting I 3.0
AT321 Sculpture I (AP) 3.0
AT341 Printmaking I (AP) 3.0
Fifteen (15) semester hours of Art History:
AT150 History of Art & Architecture I (AT) 3.0
AT151 History of Art & Architecture II (AT) 3.0
AT350 Modern Survey (AT, WI) 3.0
AT391 Contemporary Art (AT, WI) 3.0
ATXXX (Art History Elective) 3.0

Students majoring in Art are strongly advised to enroll in the following courses as outlined below:

First year, First semester:

  • AT130 Basic Drawing I
  • AT143 2 & 3 Dimensional Design

First year, Second Semester

  • AT131 Basic Drawing II
  • AT142 Graphic and Digital Design

Second year, First semester:

  • AT150 History of Art & Architecture I
  • Studio Elective

Second year, Second Semester

  • AT151 History of Art & Architecture II
  • Studio Elective

Courses

  • AT130 Basic Drawing I (3) AP

    Course offered fall only 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.

  • AT142 Graphic and Digital Design (3) AP

    This course introduces the technical and creative aspects of graphic design, digital design and the design process. Assignments will introduce the most current computer applications and image making software used in the graphic design profession. Traditional and digital design environments will be explored, and principles of 2-d design will be woven into every unit, every project, and every media used.

  • AT230 New Forms Studio (3) AP

    Course offered fall semester only 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.

  • AT131 Basic Drawing II (3)

    Course offered spring only 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.

  • AT143 2 and 3 Dimensional Design (3) AP

    This course will cover the basic elements of both 2 and 3 dimensional design. Studio problems, readings, and critiques will create a visual vocabulary and develop familiarity with both 2 and 3-D materials. Color theory will also be introduced.

  • AT150 History of Art and Architecture I (3) AT

    Course offered fall only. A survey of global art from pre-history to 1300 CE.

  • AT151 History of Art and Architecture II (3) AT

    Course offered spring only. A survey of global art from 1300 CE to the present.

  • AT350 Modern Art (3) AT, WI

    Course offered fall only. A survey of modern art practices in Europe and the United States from 1880 to 1945.

  • AT391 Contemporary Art (3) AT, WI

    Course offered spring only 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.

  • AT201 Life Drawing (3)

    Course offered fall and spring 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.

  • AT212 Photography I (3) AP

    Course offered fall and spring 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.

  • AT211 Beginning Digital Photography (3) AP

    Our goal in this course is to learn the techniques of a medium, here digital photography, to allow you to express your own ideas. We will explore digital photography, including basic camera handling, image editing and printing. Techniques, aesthetics and concepts will be discussed through class critiques.

  • AT311 Painting I (3)

    Course offered fall and spring Beginning course in oil painting. Introduction to basic tools and techniques, with an emphasis on observation and composition. Prerequisites: AT130, AT140 or instructor approval.

  • AT321 Sculpture I (3) AP

    Course offered fall and spring Traditional life-sized figurehead project modeled in clay and either kiln-fired or cast in plaster. Additional figurative sculptural problems.

  • AT341 Printmaking I (3) AP

    Course offered fall and spring Beginning course in etching, lithography, and relief printmaking. Introduction to materials, techniques and methods unique to these media.

Art