BFA Coursework in Fine Arts (Sculpture)

This course is an introduction to a wide variety of the processes, materials, and conceptual aspects of 3D art-making. Students learn to engage their art-making in a three-fold approach: critical thinking as a process, attention to materials, and knowledge and exposure to contemporary and historical artists through lectures. Students investigate formal aspects of sculpture and the development of ideas. They expand written and oral communication skills regarding aesthetics and art as they develop and employ research methods by which to nourish their art making. They explore a variety of new working methods: individual, small group, and class collaboration. At the conclusion of this course, students will have worked with wood, fibers, metals and other alternative forms to create a coherent body of work..
Prerequisite: none

Students thoroughly analyze the total organic structure of a work of art and its meaning. The class also studies light and space in relation to both two and three dimensions. Psychology, theory, history, design, and aesthetics are investigated as tools to develop a visual vocabulary. At the conclusion of this course, students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of visual vocabulary, formally and in relationship to content in class projects.
Prerequisite: none.

Students explore definitions and applications of contemporary sensibilities. The merging of existing art forms into innovative and experimental approaches, including the utilization of new technologies, also blends into considerations of site and audience in this multi-dimensional course. At the conclusion of this course, the students project exhibits awareness of current art practices, increased art literacy and understanding of the role of technology and experimentation in contemporary art.
Prerequisite: none

This is the first of a two-term course sequence of fine arts investigations, designed to expand awareness of materials and concepts available in the field. Contemporary and/or traditional materials and methods are introduced, including, but not limited to: kinetic and robotic art, public art, earth art, fibers, interactive art, sound and light, relational art, intervention art, and figure studies. At the conclusion of this course, students are versed in the topic selected for the term and create work that demonstrates this knowledge.
Prerequisites: Must be a junior (60 hrs +). Non-Fine Arts majors accepted upon Department Chair’s or Department Head’s approval (Formerly FAS 3270)

In this course, students define their individual direction as they investigate more closely the issues that pertain to their work. Through the activity of locating a topic (or topics) of interest, students “exhaust the metaphor” in their work through the development of sound research methods and exploration of various new and traditional sculpture techniques. At the conclusion of this course, students demonstrate research skills through written papers and oral presentations. Students demonstrate, through formal critiques, increased technical skills that are applied to topic(s) of research within a series of sequential sculpture projects.
Prerequisite: FAS 2250 Sculpture I: Sculpture Practicum

Through advanced research, students consider contemporary issues while refining a personal visual vocabulary. Emphasis is on content, idea development and process. At the end of this course, students have developed their art into a coherent body of work, evolving out of concepts explored in previous studies. Individual influences and sources are researched and investigated. Extended studies include in-depth readings, reports and visits to area art venues.
Prerequisite: FAS 3250 Sculpture II: Exhausting the Metaphor

Students explore basic hand-building techniques using ceramic materials to make sculpture and vessels. Emphasis is placed on individual style and how clay can be used as a vehicle for expression. Students make work from low-fire clay using a combination of coil, slab, and texturing techniques, surface slips, and glazes. An introduction to ideas about sculpture, the vessel, and the Raku process are presented through slide lectures and research assignments. At the conclusion of this course, students will be well-versed in handbuilding techniques, basic glaze formulation, and firing of electric and Raku kilns. Students will learn to develop strategies to translate an idea into sculptural form. Prerequisite: none

This lecture course focuses on issues, art movements, and criticism from 1950 to the present. Students investigate art through the writings of artists and critics that correspond with movements that include: Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Earth Art, Process Art, Conceptual Art, Feminist and other political art movements, video, and multimedia work. Students study important issues and philosophies in contemporary art. Discussions are led by visiting lecturers, and field trips are taken to museums, galleries, and artists’ studios. Coursework includes a research project covering contemporary artists and issues. (Formerly FA 2015)
Prerequisite: AH 1020 Art History II: Renaissance to Contemporary