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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 Education 5-12
(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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 philosophy, art education theory and practice, lesson development, interpersonal relationships, classroom management, critiquing methods. Guest and student presentations.

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 Computer Animation
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 audio 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.

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.

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.

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 critiques. Readings based on locating the project 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.

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.