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MAJOR IN VISUAL ARTS

The Major in Visual Arts aims to educate qualified, promising students in various aspects of creative activity and Art History. Studio Art students may concentrate in: Drawing, Painting, and Graphic Design.

Art History students may select from a range of course offerings to fulfill their professional interests. Students are expected to develop a personal direction that culminates for studio students in a professional exhibition of their work. The program in Art History culminates in a semester long independent research project and presentation.

The major in Visual Arts consists of a minimum of 10 courses. The requirements include the following:

• ART 101 Drawing I

This course is foundational for students who intend to cultivate the sort of seeing that is required to make and to understand visual expression. Working from observation and slides of master works this course will clarify the basic elements of visual experience.

• ART 122 History of Western Art I or ART 124 Art History Survey I, and ART 123 History of Western Art II

These courses offer a survey of Western Art from Ancient to Modern times. This is taught in a historical framework, but also gives the students the opportunity to examine a select number of works in closer detail. This strategy exposes students to the elements of visual language and helps them to develop critical skills, which can be used to develop further understanding of the visual arts.

ART HISTORY CONCENTRATION:

• One additional studio course
• Six additional Art History courses, at least two of which are 300 level or above. One from each of the following areas: Ancient-Medieval, Renaissance-Baroque, 18th-Century-Modern, and one non-western Art History.
• ART 400 Senior Art History Seminar: Research Project and Presentation

STUDIO CONCENTRATION

• One additional Art History
• ART 106 Sculpture I (Intro to 3-D Design)
• ART 111 Painting I
• ART 115 Intro to Design with Computers
• Three additional studio courses, two of which are 300 level or above. This program of study should include one three-course sequence in Drawing, Painting, Graphic Design, or Sculpture.
• ART 401 Senior Art Studio Seminar

EDUCATION CONCENTRATION IN VISUAL ARTS

Assumption College offers a state-approved teacher preparation program for students interested in teaching visual arts in grades PreK-8 or 5-12. The major in Visual Arts provides students with course work that directly addresses the subject matter knowledge requirements for teacher licensure by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Students who are interested in teaching art at the elementary or secondary level should meet with the Education Program Coordinator early in their academic career for information about applying to the Education Concentration and for specific information on the subject matter requirements for visual arts licensure.

Did you Know?

More than 40% of Assumption undergraduates eventually go on to graduate school.