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Contemporary artists use their talent, imagination, and skill to create works of art that add beauty and richness to the world. They produce work for a vast global network of museums, commercial art galleries, publicly funded arts organizations, and artist-run spaces. Taught by a faculty of active professional artists, students in Fine Arts delve into each of the core disciplines—Painting, Sculpture/New Genres, and Photography—before selecting an area of emphasis.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students in the Fine Arts Department will:

  • Formulate questions and ideas clearly and precisely based on relevant information and research and to come to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions. Students will develop the ability to think open-mindedly with the ability to consider alternative systems of thought that challenge received notions and social cultural bias.
  • Effectively express abstract concepts in concrete form.
  • Skillfully create artistic form using techniques and methods appropriate to the intended result.
  • Consider the role of art making in the larger social context.
  • Understand that the meaning of a work of art is conditioned by the manner in which it is exhibited or otherwise presented and distributed. They will have the ability to consider methods of presentation and distribution in innovative ways that respond to, and potentially influence, existing conditions in the field.
  • Have an awareness of current professional standards in their chosen media and in the larger field of contemporary art as well as the ability to effectively meet those standards.

Course Sequence

  • Sculpture/New Genres Sophomore - Fall

    Sculpture/New Genres I SCNG204 - 3 Credits

    Introduction to the history and practice of sculpture and new-genres (new art forms that use time and space). In addition to basic aesthetic, structural and conceptual practices, technical instruction covers use of wood and metal shops, adhesives, joinery, mold making and casting, as well as the new-genres forms of performance and installation art.

    Offered in fall semester only


    Painting I PNTG204 - 3 Credits

    Hands-on investigation of technical and formal issues in painting (oil, acrylic, and mixed media), focuses on the development of technical abilities in collusion with concepts and exploration of different methods of achieving visual “dexterity.”

    Offered fall semester only

    — or —

    Photography I PHOT204 - 3 Credits

    Introduction to the technical, aesthetic and conceptual aspects of the medium of photography. Basic skills including camera operation, black-andwhite film processing, color and black-and-white printing, as well as basic presentation techniques, are covered in regular lab sessions. Group critiques, slide lectures, and field trips help students to develop a critical vocabulary.

    Offered fall semester only

    Lab Fee: $30


    Digital Media FINA216 - 3 Credits

    Digital Media is an introductory course in new media—exposing students to a wide range of digital art-making practices while providing the technical fundamentals that enable students to begin integrating digital methods in their respective practices. The course consists of lectures, demonstrations, and computer lab experience. Particular attention is placed on balancing technical skills with creative content and experimental approaches. We will explore the evolution of new media and the corresponding social and cultural impact. The core software is Adobe Premiere, InDesign and Photoshop.


    Sophomore Seminar I: DEI in Global Art and Culture AHCS237 - 3 Credits

    Course description to be announced


    Contemporary Art Survey AHCS226 - 3 Credits

    This is a survey of contemporary fine art on a global stage.
    Required for All Fine Arts majors. 

  • Sculpture/New Genres Sophomore - Spring

    Sculpture/New Genres II SCNG214 - 3 Credits

    Building on practices developed earlier, SCNG 2 guides students in the development and realization of advanced projects. Skills include refined fabrication techniques and expanded repertoire of materials, new computer technologies for 3-D output, video, sound, and more. Students are exposed to contemporary practices through lectures, reading discussions, critique and interviews with artists.

    Offered spring semester only


    Studio Elective (Fine Arts) - 3 Credits

    A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

    For examples of what is available, visit Fine Arts electives.


    Studio Elective (Fine Arts) - 3 Credits

    A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

    For examples of what is available, visit Fine Arts electives.


    Sophomore Seminar II: DEI in Global Art and Culture LIBS238 - 3 Credits

    With diversity and equity at its core, Sophomore Seminar engages the western and non-western philosophical canons as a way to critique and de-center eurocentrism, white privilege, ableism, misogyny, patriarchy, systemic racism, power and exclusion at the very root of Western culture. The class asks the following: How do officialized and unspoken philosophies or worldviews shape our most essential and normalized standards/canons of beauty, value, “truth,” as well as produce our centuries old privileges and prejudices? Who/what is advanced by these entrenched ideas; who is excluded? Who are the non-dominant but powerful voices that oppose philosophical givens? This is an interconnected two-semester class. Sophomore Seminar 1 introduces key concepts in ancient and modern, European, and non-western philosophical systems, to trace the impact of these ideas on current art, thought and racial/gendered biases. Then Sophomore Seminar 2 critically considers contemporary theorists, non-western and LGBT creatives who challenge the classical and modern philosophical canons covered in Soph Sem I. In both courses/semesters, students learn to evaluate the ideological impact of power, gender, economics, and social class on social and artistic norms. Required of all Fine Arts majors.


    CAIL200 CAIL200 - 3 Credits

    Creative Action Liberal Arts electives enable students to work in transdisciplinary teams with a community partner. Emphasizing collaborative methodology, synthesizing diverse perspectives, creativity, critical thinking, clear communication, and information literacy, students engage in issues that extend beyond the traditional classroom. See department for course offerings.

  • Sculpture/New Genres Junior - Fall

    Studio III: Painting, Photography, Sculpture/New Genres FINA374 - 3 Credits

    This advanced studio course allows students to learn advanced methods, materials, and techniques in painting, photography, and sculpture/new genres and accomplish advanced projects with the guidance of faculty. The course is also a welcoming place for students and faculty to exchange artistic and cultural attitudes, beliefs, and assumptions to develop together a more open-minded and generative approach to our artmaking and the evaluation of the works of other artists. Attending the Visiting Artist Lecture Series is required.

    Offered fall semester only.


    Studio Elective (Fine Arts) - 3 Credits

    A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

    For examples of what is available, visit Fine Arts electives.


    Studio Elective (Fine Arts) - 3 Credits*

    A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

    For examples of what is available, visit Fine Arts electives.


    Social Science SSCI210 - 3 Credits*

    More than one course may be available, see the Course Catalog and consult the department and/or your advisor for more information.


    Math 136 - 3 Credits*

    Explores the connections between math and art in two and three dimensions. The class includes an exploration of Escher’s work, tiling the plane, fractals, and the golden ratio. It also covers topics such as graphing equations and geometric constructions.

  • Sculpture/New Genres Junior - Spring

    Studio IV: Painting, Photography, Sculpture/New Genres FINA375 - 3 Credits

    This production-oriented advanced studio course emphasizes concepts, processes, and visual strategies toward developing an individual studio practice across the three main disciplines. Critiques, seminars, and individual meetings provide insight into contemporary discourses and practices while helping students find the working methods that best suit them. Attending the Visiting Artist Lecture Series is required.

    Offered spring semester only.


    Studio Elective (Fine Arts) - 3 Credits

    A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

    For examples of what is available, visit Fine Arts electives.


    Creative Action Studio CAIL301 - 3 Credits*

    An upper-division interdisciplinary studio course offering unique core content that shifts from term to term. This studio affords students the opportunity to engage with professionals from various fields and expand their notion of problem solving beyond their major in public site real world challenges. A limited choice of CAIL301 courses will count for the Community Arts Engagement and Sustainability Minor. Please see the Interdisciplinary Studies Director.


    Natural Science NSCI307 - 3 Credits*

    More than one course may be available, see the Course Catalog and consult the department and/or your advisor for more information.


    LAS Upper Division Elective LIBS314 - 3 Credits

    This course can be an upper division Art History or upper division Liberal Studies elective. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for examples of upper division elective offerings or see the Department and/or your Adviser for more information.

  • Sculpture/New Genres Senior - Fall

    Senior Studio I FINA474 - 6 Credits

    Each student is given their own studio and works with a group of faculty mentors to develop a body of work. Critiques, individual meetings with mentors, visiting artists and critics, and group exhibitions expand students’ knowledge base while focusing their practice. Attending the Visiting Artist Lecture Series is required.

    Offered fall semester only


    Studio Elective (Fine Arts) - 3 Credits

    A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

    For examples of what is available, visit Fine Arts electives.


    Studio Elective (Fine Arts) - 3 Credits

    A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

    For examples of what is available, visit Fine Arts electives.


    Capstone LIBS440 - 3 Credits*

    A required senior- level course where students identify and critically reflect on a theme that intersects with their own studio practice, discipline, and/or identity and their work in Liberal Studies. The Capstone is the signature course and culminating expression of the Liberal Arts program.

    A minimum grade of “C-" or better is required to pass this course.

    Note that Creative Writing, Art History, Cultural Studies, Sustainability minors, and Fine Arts majors take specific Capstones. Please see department for courses.

  • Sculpture/New Genres Senior - Spring

    Senior Studio II FINA475 - 3 Credits

    Devoted to the completion of a cohesive body of work culminating in the building and mounting of the senior exhibition. Students continue independent studio practices, discussions and critiques with mentors, peers, visiting artists and critics. This course addresses issues that prepare students for a life in art. Attending the Visiting Artist Lecture Series is required.

    Offered spring semester only


    Studio Elective (Fine Arts) - 3 Credits

    A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

    For examples of what is available, visit Fine Arts electives.


    Studio Elective (Fine Arts) - 3 Credits

    A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

    For examples of what is available, visit Fine Arts electives.


    LAS Upper Division Elective LIBS314 - 3 Credits*

    This course can be an upper division Art History or upper division Liberal Studies elective. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for examples of upper division elective offerings or see the Department and/or your Adviser for more information.

*Must be completed during this academic year, semester may be assigned for CAIL course