The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in art — studio art emphasis develops students’ perceptual skills, technical making skills, creativity, and ability to think critically and independently. Students are encouraged to explore ideas between fine and applied arts methodologies and gain experiences in developing and applying skills and creativity outside the classroom. Instruction in use of art materials and specific art processes enables students to create original work reflecting their evolving vision. The degree program also facilitates broad cultural awareness of the visual arts in society through art history and criticism, the expectation of travel, and applied, real-world experiences required within the curriculum. Graduating majors are able to clearly express ideas through artworks via historical and contemporary aesthetic and technical models, along with developing a substantial vision for their own careers and/or creative possibilities in the 21st century art world.
The photo media concentration offers coursework in both analog and digital methods, including B&W darkroom printing, 19th century processes, studio lighting, large format shooting and printing, advanced digital manipulation, appropriation, and crossover with time-based media. A foundation in the fundamental aspects of photography is required, as well as an understanding of the historical and social context in which photography is encountered.
Admission
Students gain formal admission to the degree program through the preparation of a plan of study in Mid-Program Review (ARTF 202), a course that provides structured advising about career options and degree requirements.
Program Requirements
A minimum total of 120 credit hours is required for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in art – studio art: photo media concentration and includes 86 credit hours of art and art history courses listed below. A grade of C (2.000 grade points) or higher is required in all major courses to count towards degree requirements. In addition to meeting the university scholastic, residence and General Education Program requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.000 is required within the major.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education (34-35 credit hours) | ||
| Select courses to meet General Education requirements 1 | 34-35 | |
| Art Foundation Studies | ||
| ARTF 102 | Introduction to Art and Design 2 | 3 |
| ARTF 136 | Foundation 2-D Design 2 | 3 |
| ARTF 145 | Foundation Drawing 2 | 3 |
| ARTF 189 | Foundation 3-D Design 2 | 3 |
| ARTF 202 | Mid-Program Review | 0 |
| Art History | ||
| Select two ARTH 125_ Introduction to Art History courses | 6 | |
| ARTH 347 | Themes in Contemporary Art and Design I | 3 |
| Select 3 credit hours in ARTH 300+ (300-level or above) | 3 | |
| Select 3 credit hours in ARTH 500+ (500-level or above) | 3 | |
| Introductory Art Studies | ||
| ARTS 232 | Introduction to Photography | 3 |
| ARTS 240 | Introduction to Life Drawing | 3 |
| ARTS 252 | Introduction to Painting Media | 3 |
| ARTS 261 | Introduction to Printmaking | 3 |
| ARTS 270 | Introduction to Ceramics | 3 |
| ARTS 282 | Introduction to Sculpture and Extended Media | 3 |
| Select one of the following | 3 | |
| Digital Studio | ||
| Digital 3-D Tools in Sculpture | ||
| Studio Art Program Studies | ||
| ARTS 305 | Studio Tools and Presentation | 3 |
| ARTS 398 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 2 |
| Select one course in ARTE/ARTG/ARTS 200-level or 300-level (excludes ARTS 375_, ARTS 390_) | 3 | |
| Select two courses in ARTE/ARTS 300-level or above (excludes ARTS 375_, ARTS 390_, ARTS 590_, ARTS 591_) | 6 | |
| Select one course in ARTE/ARTS 300-level or above or three 1 credit hour courses from the following | 3 | |
ARTH/ARTS 390_ | QuickFire Topics | |
ARTS 375_ | Special Topics in Ceramics | |
| Photo Media Concentration | ||
| Select two of the following | 6 | |
| Alternative and Hybrid Photography | ||
| Digital Photographic Techniques | ||
| Photo Media Topics | ||
| ARTS 335 | Contemporary Photography Studio | 3 |
| ARTS 535 | Advanced Photo Media (take two semesters) | 6 |
| ARTS 598 | Studio Art Senior Project | 3 |
| ARTS 599 | Senior Exhibition | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Note: 45+ upper-division credit hours are required for graduation. Model programs of study are available in the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries office and ADCI website3.
- 1
Required major courses may also count towards General Education requirements. Students will need to select additional electives to reach 120 credit hours required for graduation with assistance from an advisor.
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Must be completed prior to enrolling in ARTF 202.
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Applied Learning
Students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in art - studio art program are required to complete an applied learning or research experience to graduate from the program. The requirement can be met by completing ARTS 599 Senior Exhibition.