Art Courses

Program | Faculty | Master's | Courses

All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise specified.

501  Advanced Drawing

Investigation and development of various techniques and media. Emphasis on figure drawing.

502 Advanced Drawing Problems

Advanced work in traditional and contemporary drawing media. Independent exploration of graphic problems. Solutions to problems sought in relation to student's personal objectives.

(Art Ed) 501 Student Teaching Practicum N-9

Art Education student teaching in grades K-9. Taken in conjunction with ART 761. Prerequisites: Art Education major, ART 510, 512, 515 or 516, and consent of instructor. Credit, 3-12.

(Art Ed) 502 Student Teaching Practicum

 5-12

Art Education student teaching in grades 5-12. Taken in conjunction with ART 761. Prerequisites: Art Education major, ART 510, 512, 515 or 516, and consent of instructor. Credit, 3-12.

510 Visual Arts and Human Development I(1st sem)

Visual arts as they relate to the development of the individual. The nature of art, artistic and concept development, art and psychology, integrated arts, art appreciation and criticism, and lesson planning. Field experiences, workshops, and readings. Prerequisite: Art Education major or consent of instructor.

512 Visual Arts and Human Development II  (2nd sem)

May be taken prior to ART 510. Visual arts as they relate to the development of the individual. Presentations, workshops, current literature in the field. Topics include: grading and evaluation, discipline, special needs students, art therapy, ordering of supplies, budgets, and lesson planning. Prerequisite: Art Education major or consent of instructor.

515 Advanced Problems in Art Education N-9  (1st sem)

Three components: curriculum development, special needs students, and pre-practicum to be arranged in area schools. Prerequisites: Art Education major, com-pletion of ART 510 and 512; or consent of instructor.

516 Advanced Problems in Art Education5-12

(See ART 515.)

520 Painting—Representation 1

Basic practice and theory of painting developed through the study of traditional and contemporary procedures used in the development of pictorial form. Emphasis on still life, landscape and the human fig-ure. Materials: oil and aqueous media.

521  Painting—Representation 2

Basic practice and theory of painting developed through the study of traditional and contemporary procedures used in the development of pictorial form. Emphasis on still life, landscape and the human figure. Materials: oil and aqueous media.

522 Advanced Painting Problems

Thematic development based upon the study of objects, the environment, human figure and non-objective vocabularies. Related contemporary and historical issues included. Group and individual critiques used to develop continuity of work.

523 Painting Methods

Study of formal and informal painting procedures. Focus on development of form as content. Information provided regarding painting processes and associated materials. Related contemporary and historical theoretical issues also included. Prerequisites: ART 521, 522, or consent of instructor.

536 Graphic Design I (1st sem)

Intensive general overview of the field of graphic design. Creative and effective problem solving in advertising design, preparing written design briefs, honing presentation and communication skills, illustration, print media, logo, poster, and environmental graphic design. Prerequisites: foundation art courses (drawing and design) or consent of instructor.

538 Graphic Design II

Continuation of ART 336. Advanced studio projects, emphasis on continued skills and concept development. Includes three-dimensional graphics projects (package design, point-of-purchase) and television storyboard, magazine layout, and general work on comprehensives with a variety of mediums. Required texts, and heavy materials cost and work load. Prerequisite: ART 336 or consent of instructor.

540 Printmaking: Relief I

Techniques and aesthetic considerations of the woodblock print and related media. Emphasis on drawing and on understanding technical procedures.

541  Printmaking: Intaglio I

Techniques and aesthetic considerations of techniques, engraving, aquatint, and related media. Emphasis on drawing and on understanding technical procedures.

542 Printmaking: Lithography I

Techniques and aesthetic considerations of making lithographs. Emphasis on drawing and on understanding technical procedures.

550  Interior Design II

The exploration of how a project is generated through careful attention to program and site is further developed in the context of a larger scale interiors project. Greater attention given to issues of detailing. Continued exploration of materials from Interior Design II.

551 Interior Design III

Studio projects emphasize the evolution of an interior design project through careful attention to program and site. Students analyze the physical spaces that surround them, paying careful attention to issues of materiality, dimension, color, and light. A series of exercises, including analysis of built projects, encourages understanding of the history of the discipline and the importance of creative thinking. Emphasis on acquiring the skills necessary to communicate design intention. Prerequisite: Interior Design I (ART 250) or consent of instructor.

557 Architectural Design Problems I

Principles and process of architectural design. Projects developed and presented by student with individual attention from instructor. Each project reviewed by open jury system with visiting critics. Readings from texts and journals. Design projects, sketch problems.

560 3-D Studies/Clay Sculpture — Figure

Focus on representing the human figure using clay as the primary material. Introduction to building techniques in clay. Focus on observation and elements of three-dimensional form.

561  3-D Studies/Wood Sculpture

Three-dimensional form through a sequence of assignments stressing visual design principles. Projects primarily in wood, using woodshop equipment and power tools.

562A 3-D Studies/Metal Sculpture—Casting

A sequence of problems in direct and cast-metal sculpture. Emphasizes traditional and modern lost wax casting.

562B 3-D Studies/Metal Sculpture—Welding

Primary emphasis on constructivist methods using electric and oxy-acetylene welding.

580 3-D Studies/Ceramics—Handbuilding

Introduction to all basic methods of handbuilding and decorating techniques. Focus on both vessel tradition and ceramic sculpture. Introduction to glazes, slips and firing. Overview of ceramic/historical traditions.

581 3-D Studies/Ceramics—Wheelthrowing

Emphasis on multiples and ceramic surface solutions. Personal solutions to assignments highly encouraged. Introduction to temperature glaze, slips, and clay making. Overview of contemporary ceramic history.

582 3-D Studies/Ceramics—Moldmaking

Introduction to plaster mold-making for use in slip casting, paper and metal-casting. The use of slip casting and the making of slip and press molds. Emphasis on modular units, multiples, and production.

583 3-D Studies/Ceramics—Advanced Throwing

Emphasis on further development of advanced throwing techniques; uses on- and off-wheel methods of building. Glaze making and firing instruction.

584 Ceramic Process

Introduction to the technology of ceramic materials and procedures in the studio. Clay body and glaze formulation at all temperature ranges, decorative and firing techniques.

597B Special Topics—Color Theory

Introduction to the use of color in art and design; emphasis on the visual effects of colors due to context. Various color phenomena isolated and studied independently. Review of major color order systems.

597D Special Topics—Computing in the Fine Arts

Historical overview of the development of computing in the arts. Major types of graphics and imaging devices surveyed. Projects include hands-on experience with a computer graphics system to create both graphic output and programs. Prerequisite: completion of Art Foundations courses or consent of instructor.

597M Special Topics—Photography I

Introduction to photographic materials and processes. Emphasis on acquiring technical skills. Involves the balance between self-inquiry and the importance of process and materials as vehicles of meaning. Critiques and slide presentations employed to examine photography from both a personal point of view and its wider cultural context.

597P Special Topics—Photography II

In-depth exploration of techniques and materials including: zone system, large format, non-silver processes. Slide lectures, discussions, and readings. Prerequisite: ART 597M or consent of instructor.

597Q Special Topics—Animation Fundamentals

With studio. Introduction to methods and techniques of animation, as well as history of experimental film. Hands-on work with object, sand, line and clay animation, a-mong others. Basic audio and video skills. Students develop projects of their own design resulting in a fully edited videotape of their work. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

632 Rendering

Visual communication skills necessary and related to interior/architectural design presentation. Black and white and color presentations. Techniques include per-spectives, axonometrics, and medium exploration.

640 Printmaking: Relief II

Advanced study of materials, techniques, and aesthetic considerations relevant to relief printmaking.

641  Printmaking: Intaglio II

Advanced study of materials, techniques, and aesthetic considerations relevant to etching, engraving and aquatint.

642 Printmaking: Lithography II

Advanced study of lithography. Emphasis on concepts and techniques of color lithography.

650  Professional Practice

Introduction to issues affecting the operation of a professional interior design/architecture office: programming, office structures, liability insurance, project scheduling, NCIDQ orientation, code search, cost estimating, portfolio and interviewing procedures. Includes field trips. Prerequisite: Design sequence through Design III (ART 551).

651  Interior Design IV

Continuation of Interior Design III (ART 551). Several complex interior planning and design projects. Emphasis on refined planning and presentation techniques.

652 Construction Methods and Materials

Combines with ART 653 to present a broad survey of construction technology. Manufactured products in building: cabinets, stairs, doors and exits, acoustics, and HVAC considerations. Lectures followed by drawing assignments in working drawing style, ending with a partial set of working drawings.

653 Shelter Technology

Basic elements of construction: masonry, wood, metals, concrete, sheathing, and surfacing materials. Lectures followed by drawing assignments leading to final assignment of a rudimentary set of working drawings.

654 Furniture—Design, Theory, Technology

Furniture design with studio, lecture, and field trip components, with the intent to examine and experiment with the making of furniture in the context of decorative arts, design, technology, and industrial processes. Students design and fabricate two projects using found-object components in addition to a research project and other assignments.

656 Architectural Lighting

The importance of light in shaping the physical environment. Developing a lighting plan. Lecture topics include the physics of light and color, basic electricity, the characteristics of different lamp sources and the psychological impact of lighting. Field trip to view successful lighting installations. Studio exercises include the redesign of an existing lighting scheme and the design of a luminaire.

657 Architectural Design Problems II

Similar to ART 557. Different and more advanced series of problems.

659  Environmental Behavior and DesignEvaluation

Lectures, discussions and practicum sessions. Review and analysis of environmental behavior and related design literature. Emphasis on need for user-based evaluations of design environments as an important component of the environmental design process. Concepts, techniques, and qualitative and quantitative approaches from behavioral sciences and design professions.

691A New York Professional Outreach

Introduction to the professional art system in New York City. Overnight trips. Visits to artist studios and art critics. Meetings with curators at nonprofit, alternative and museum spaces. On Friday nights: performance art, video screenings, art openings, underground films, dance events. Independent work from students' studios discussed in critiques with class and instructor in Amherst.

691E Seminar—Design Colloquium

Seminar format with student participation expected. Current topics in the field of interior design and architecture. One or two special field trips; participation in pertinent lectures and symposia in the area. All design graduate students expected to enroll. Credit, 1.

691G Seminar—Graduate Teaching Workshop/Studio Art  (1st sem)

Requirement for being Art Department Teaching Assistant in studio areas. General history of educational principles and philo-sophy, art education theory and practice, lesson development, interpersonal relationships, classroom management, critiquing methods. Guest and student presentations.

692E Seminar—Master's/Design Workshop

Restricted to students working on their Interior Design master's project or thesis. Seminar/studio providing week-to-week guidance and criticism.

696 Independent Study

Credit, 1-6.

697C Special Topics—Computer-Aided Design

Focus on producing a range of drawings on the computer: plans, sections, elevations, details, and perspectives using Auto-CAD. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

697J Special Topics—Computer Animation I: Introduction to ComputerAnimation

With studio. Principles and applications of computer animation in film, video, music and technology. Introduction to 2-D and 3-D animation programs. Skills acquired in preparation for production in second semester. Emphasis on professionalism and quality. Prerequisite: ART 597Q or consent of instructor.

697L Special Topics—Introduction to Electronic Still Photography

With studio. Aspects of image processing in the context of electronic still photography. Topcis include: image acquisition, image enhancement, image analysis, spatial and color transformation, image display and recording. Students develop images and algorithms for display on various devices. Prerequisites: ART 597D and 597M or consent of instructor.

697M Special Topics—Photography III

Students submit a proposal outlining a semester-long project. An audio-visual pre-sentation focusing on all the influences related to the project also required. Class time divided between critiques, discussions based on readings, presentations and tech-nical demonstrations. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

697P Special Topics—Photography IV

Continues work begun in Photography III (ART 697M). Final presentation includes the development and consideration of forms in relation to content and issues of audience and location. Critiques, discussion of assigned readings, and slide lectures. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

697Q Special Topics—Computer Animation II: Advanced Computer Animation

With studio. Animation production using both 2-D and 3-D software, video and au-dio editing equipment. Includes a group project and a personal animation submitted on fully edited, individual videotape. Emphasis on professionalism and quality. Prerequisite: ART 697J.

697R Special Topics—Research in the Fine Arts

Graduate research methods in theory, technology and/or experimental practice.

697Z Special Topics—Desktop Graphic Design

With studio. Beginning class developing skill using Pagemaker program on Mac-intosh, geared to quick and effective integration of text, typography, photographs, illustration, and other graphic elements. Prerequisite: background in computer graphics or graphic design, or consent of instructor.

698 Master's Project

Credit, 1-18.

720A-D Painting

Graduate Painting majors only. Emphasis on independent studio work. Regular meetings with peers and Area Coordinator.

740A Printmaking/Intaglio Emphasis

Graduate Printmaking majors only. Emphasis on independent studio work. Regular meetings with peers and Area Coordinator.

740B Printmaking/Lithography Emphasis

Graduate Printmaking majors only. Continuation of ART 740A.

740C Printmaking/Relief Emphasis

Graduate Printmaking majors only. Continuation of ART 740B.

740D Printmaking/Varied Media

Graduate Printmaking majors only. Continuation of ART 740C. Choice of medium/technique.

750 Advanced Design

Professional design procedures consisting of complete design solutions from inception to completion of project. Theory and practice seminar discussions to enlarge knowledge and understanding of the practice of designing interiors in architecture. Prerequisites: ART 151, 250, and 550.

760A-D 3-D Studies/Sculpture

Graduate Sculpture majors only. Emphasis on independent studio work. Regular meetings with peers and Area Coordinator.

761  Seminar—Art Education

Seminar, lecture, discussion. Evaluation of student teaching experiences. Problems and procedures. Assigned readings. Participation required. Prerequisites: ART 510 and 512.

780A-D 3-D Studies/Ceramics

Graduate Ceramics majors only. Emphasis on independent studio work. Regular meetings with peers and Area Coordinator.

791C Seminar—Computer, Design and Photography

Personal approaches to fine art and creativity. Students select projects of personal interest and complete them in a studio setting. Development of discussion, production, critique and presentation skills. Readings based on locating the project within contemporary visual practice. Taken every semester of first two years by graduate computer and photo arts degree graduates.

791D Seminar—Graduate Design

Design criticism, current design literature, man/environment problems, design education, sociology of design, energy conservation through design, etc. Guest speakers, possibly one or two field trips; each participant prepares a class presentation on a chosen topic.

791E Seminar—Electronic Arts Forum

Current events and topics in the electronic arts. Topical literature on the integration of art, science, and technology reviewed. Emphasis on recent advances in technology and their impact on the arts. Discussions, papers, lectures, and presentations. Not limited to Computer Art majors.

792K Supervision in Art Education  (2nd sem)

Guided field work in supervision of undergraduate art education student teachers in the schools. Graduate Art Education majors only.  Credit, 6.

792L Graduate Seminar in Art Education

Required for all students in the M.A. in Art Education Program. Current issues in art education. Readings, discussions, and lectures. Graduate Art Education majors only.

792M Research in Art Education

Research methodologies and problems in art education. Designing of a research problem/study and engaging in a pilot study for further research. Graduate Art Education majors only.

792N Independent Research Project in Art  Education

An extensive research paper in art ed-ucation. Graduate Art Education majors only.

793B Seminar — Graduate Photography

Graduate Photography majors only. Emphasis on the development of a long-term project. Discussion, lectures, and criti-ques. Readings based on locating the pro-ject within contemporary visual practice. Weekly meetings with peers and Area Coordinator.

795 Studio Art Seminar

Graduate discussion group on critical issues relating to the process of making art. Emphasis on contemporary art issues and cultural influences. Open to all graduate students.

796 Independent Study

Credit, 1-6.

797D Special Topics — Decorative Arts/Interiors: Ancient to Contemporary Emphasis on elements used in architectural interiors from cultural, political, social, and aesthetic perspectives. Major periods and styles covered; specific emphasis on glass, ceramics, textiles, metals, floor coverings, furniture, interior trim, and woodwork. Class and slide lectures supplemented by field trips to studios and museums.

797F Special Topics — Graduate Art Forum

Series of lectures/presentations, panel discussions with guest speakers. Wide variety of topics relating to art. Alternate years, usually spring semester.

797G Special Topics — Graduate Drawing

Emphasis on individual thematic development. Discussion of contemporary issues in the visual arts; active involvement in group and self-criticism. Strongly recommended for all first-semester students; others encouraged.

797P Special Topics — Criticism, Theory and Practice

Attempt to integrate the complex history of Postmodernism(s). Topics include: locating the postmodern; deconstruction; the political economy of art and culture; and the emergence of the "subject" in identity politics. Lectures, readings, discussion, film and video screenings. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

799 Master's Thesis

Credit, 1-18.