Art & Art History Degree Requirements
For current requirement and course listings, see the Austin College Bulletin http://bulletin.austincollege.edu/files/2011/05/bulletin2012.pdf
Art & Art History Faculty and Staff
Tim Tracz, chair
Jeffrey Fontana
Mark Monroe
Mark Smith
Cedra Wood (Visiting)
Joseph Allison (Studio Manager)
The program in art provides experiences in the practice and history of the visual arts, serving a major and minors in art, with possible specializations in art history, and in the various media. The department provides the non-art concentrator opportunities to think in non-linear ways, and to stretch problem solving skills in the search for multiple solutions. For those to whom they are goals, the program attempts to prepare students for careers as exhibiting artists or as professional art historians. Art coursework has application to skills and abilities necessary for related fields, such as commercial art, architecture, and arts management. Those skills and abilities are found to be very desirable in career fields seemingly remote from the fine arts.
The program in art history provides experiences in the analysis and interpretation of works of visual art within their historical contexts. The curriculum supports a minor in art history, a specialization in art history within the art major, and independent majors concentrating in art history. The program is presently limited to Western art. Through its points of contact with literature, history, philosophy, religion, economics, music, biology, political science, and physics, art history builds bridges between the visual arts and disciplines practiced in numerous departments across the Austin College campus. The critical skills students develop and practice through speaking and writing are transferable to other disciplines.
A major in art consists of a minimum of nine course credit units, including Art 113, 114, and any three approved courses in art history, plus four elective course credit units. Students who plan to attend graduate school in art or who intend to make art a career should take a maximum number of art courses, possibly on a special degree plan. Such students should consult with an art adviser as early as possible. Students who wish to concentrate in art history may do so within the art major or with a special major plan. Studio courses usually require six hours of laboratory and six hours of individual work per week. The senior art major concentrating in studio art is required to present an exhibition of work during the semester preceding graduation.
A minor in art consists of a minimum of five course credit units including Art 113 and any art history course and at least two courses numbered 200 or above.
A minor in art history consists of five course credit units, two of which must be at the 300 level or above. Required courses include either Art History 231 or 232, which would serve as a prerequisite for any higher level
art history course, and one studio course, either Art 113 or 114. The Art and Art History Department encourages the study of art history during an abroad experience, and upon pre-approval will accept toward the minor up to two courses taken at other institutions.
Art majors and minors are encouraged to spend some part of their college career in a major art center either in this country or abroad. This can be accomplished through participation in a study abroad program, January term< programs off-campus, individual projects off-campus, a summer abroad, or through other possibilities. We encourage art and art history majors and minors to arrange partial credit NSOCs in conjunction with off campus studio and art history classes, in order to optimize transfer of credit. See the department chair or art historian for advice in this matter.
A fee for art supplies is assessed through the Business Office for many art courses.
ART
Basic studio course in art, providing introductory experiences in design and art theory. This class is restricted to first- and second-year students, or permission of instructor. (Each fall and spring)
ART 114 Drawing
Beginning work in drawing. This class is restricted to first- and second-year students, or permission of instructor. (Each fall and spring)
ART 250 Topics in Art
Special subjects offered periodically or on a rotating basis. Prerequisite varies depending upon subject. May be repeated when topic varies.
ART 251 Painting
Basic studio practice with various subject matter, techniques, and approaches. Prerequisite: Art 113 or permission of instructor, Art 114 preferred. (Each fall)
ART 252 Sculpture
Basic studio practice with various subject matter, techniques, and approaches. Prerequisite: Art 113. (Each fall or spring)
ART 255 Ceramics
Basic experience in the designing, shaping, firing, and glazing of ceramic ware. Prerequisite: Art 113 or 114.
(Each fall or spring)
ART 256 Photography
Basic experience in photography as a medium of creative visual experience. Prerequisite: Art 113 or 114. (Each
fall and/or spring)
ART 260 Intermediate Directed Study (Variable course credit)
ART 314 Advanced Drawing
Continuation of drawing with advanced projects and techniques. Prerequisite: Art 114. (As needed)
ART 351 Advanced Painting
A continuation of painting. Prerequisite: Art 251. (As needed)
ART 352 Advanced Sculpture
A continuation of sculpture. Prerequisite: Art 252. (As needed)
ART 355 Advanced Ceramics
Continuation of ceramics with advanced projects and techniques. Prerequisite: Art 255. (As needed)
ART 356 Advanced Photography
Continuation of photography with advanced projects and techniques. Prerequisite: Art 256. (As needed)
ART 357 Digital Imaging
Introduction to the computer as a tool in art making. Prerequisite: 2 studio art classes. (Each fall and/or spring)
ART 450 Advanced Topics in Art
Prerequisite varies depending upon subject. May be repeated when topic varies.
ART 460 Advanced Directed Study (Variable course credit)
ART 464 Teaching/Learning Participation
An individualized study that includes sharing in the instructional process for a particular art course under the supervision of the faculty member teaching the course. Open only to certain highly qualified juniors and seniors by invitation. (See Bulletin under “On Campus Learning Opportunities”)
ART 490, 491 Independent Study
Individual study in art history, art education, or studio art. Prerequisite: one course in appropriate subject field.
ART 492 Independent Study Off-Campus/NSOC
ART 495 Senior Conference (Variable course credit)
A thesis or final project in art history, art education, or studio art. Fractional or full course credit unit. (Each fall and spring)
ART HISTORY
ARTH 231 Western Art: Ancient to Medieval
The history of western painting, sculpture, and architecture from prehistory to the late Gothic. (Each fall)
ARTH 232 Western Art: Renaissance to Modern
The history of western painting, sculpture, and architecture from the Italian Renaissance to Post-Modernism.
(Each spring)
ARTH 250 Topics in Art History
Special subjects offered periodically or on a rotating basis. Prerequisite varies depending upon subject. May be repeated when topic varies.
ARTH 343 Modern Art and Architecture
The history of European and American painting, sculpture, and architecture from the 19th century to about 2000. Prerequisite: Art History 231 or Art History 232. (Every other year)
ARTH 345 Italian Renaissance Painting and Sculpture
This course examines Italian painting and sculpture of the 15th and 16th centuries, after an initial look at the “proto-Renaissance” of the 14th century. Closest attention will be paid to the arts in Florence, Rome and Venice. Prerequisite: Art History 231 or Art History 232. (Every other year)
ARTH 347 Baroque Painting and Sculpture
This course examines the development of Baroque painting and sculpture in Italy, Spain, France, Flanders and Holland, in the context of the Counter Reformation, the monarchy of King Louis XIV and the burgeoning Dutch middle class. Particular attention will be paid to the Carracci, Caravaggio, Bernini, Poussin, Velazquez, Rubens, Rembrandt and Vermeer. Prerequisite: Art History 231 or Art History 232. (Every other year)
ARTH 349 A History of Beauty in the Visual Arts
This course examines the ways we have sought to understand and define beauty in the visual arts, particularly in association with the body, and how these ways have changed from ancient Greece through the 20th century.
Prerequisite: Art History 231 or Art History 232. (Every other year)
ARTH 450 Advanced Topics in Art History
Prerequisite varies depending upon subject. May be repeated when topic varies.
ARTH 460 Advanced Directed Study in Art History (Variable course credit)
ARTH 464 Teaching/Learning Participation
An individualized study that includes sharing in the instructional process for a particular art history course under the supervision of the faculty member teaching the course. Open only to certain highly qualified juniors and seniors by invitation. (See Bulletin under “On Campus Learning Opportunities”)
ARTH 481 Seminar in Art History
Seminars dealing with selected topics in art history. May be repeated when topic varies.
ARTH 482 Internship in Art History (Variable course credit)
Placement in a museum or gallery (e.g., in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex or in New York City) in which the student works as an unpaid intern for up to 40 hours a week and completes additional academic work.
Prerequisite: A range of courses in art and art history and permission of instructor. May be repeated for up to two credits.
ARTH 490, 491 Independent Study in Art History
Individual study in art history, art education, or studio art. Prerequisite: one course in appropriate subject field.
ARTH 492 Independent Study in Art History Off-Campus/NSOC