Art Studio (ARTS)

Related Catalog Entry: Institute of the Arts

Related Mason Website: Institute of the Arts (http://www.gmu.edu/cfa/ioa.html)

103 Introduction to the Artist's Studio (3:3:0). For nonmajors only. Through a series of projects, readings, class critiques, videos, CD-ROMs, slides, and field trips, students are encouraged to explore materials, techniques, concepts, and processes that are essential to the understanding of the language of the visual arts and the role of the artist. Students also develop imaginative thinking and sensitivity to their visual environment.

104 Studio Fundamentals I (4:2:4). First half of a two-semester course concerning basic visual decision-making and the choices involved in ordering elements of a visual vocabulary into a unified, coherent whole. Focusing on two-dimensional design and color in a variety of media, the course establishes a basis for comprehension and use of a visual language.

105 Studio Fundamentals II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ART 104. Second half of a two-semester course concerning basic visual decision-making and the choices involved in ordering elements of a visual vocabulary into a unified, coherent whole. Continues the study of color and extends the study of methods and media into selected areas in two and three dimensions.

204 Visual Thinking (3:3:0). Also ARIN 204, DANC 204, and THR 204. Introduction to visual thinking. Topics include information from visual perception, memory, classical and modern art, performance, and dance. Opportunities for students to assess themselves as visual thinkers.

205 Creative Impulses (3:3:0). Also ARIN 205, DANC 205, and THR 205. Study of the creative process in general, with particular emphasis on the inspiration, working methods, and final creations of various artists. Students are encouraged to explore their own creative processes through regular journal keeping, collaborative exercises, and two major projects.

215 Graphic Design I (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ARTS 104, 105, and 222 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Introduction to graphic design and its techniques. Creation of a visual vocabulary to solve typical problems in graphic design, such as in newspaper and advertising layout.

222 Drawing I (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ARTS 104 and 105 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Fundamentals of drawing with emphasis on perspective systems and skills in representing space, objects, and textures with a variety of methods.

232 Painting I (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ARTS 104, 105, and 222 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Painting taught as concept and observation through techniques in oil- or water-based media, varying with the instructor.

243 Relief Print Making (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ARTS 104, 105, and 222 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Process and history of basic relief methods of print making, including woodcut, linoleum cut, wood engraving, and relief collagraph, is practiced and studied. Application of relief print making to the design, illustration, and production of books and portfolios is emphasized.

252 Photography I (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ARTS 104, 105, and 222 or permission of instructor. Introduction to the basic principles and aesthetics of photography, 35mm camera operation and darkroom practices including film processing and print development.

262 Sculpture I (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 104, 105, and 222 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Fundamentals of sculptural design with emphasis on three-dimensional forming processes in a variety of media, both traditional and unconventional, that are available to the sculptor today. Combines historical, critical, and practical aspects of sculpture in the form of lectures, critiques, discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on work.

280 Computer Graphics I (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ARTS 104, 105, and 222 or permission of instructor. Emphasi on aesthetics and design, using the computer both as tool and medium. Course focuses on elementary computer graphics techniques, programming concepts, and principles of design such as color, composition, and spatial relationships. Students construct a series of images to explore the creative process using elements of design. Through critiques, students discuss the conceptual and visual quality of their work.

307 Aesthetic Awareness (3:3:0). Also ARIN 307, DANC 307, and THR 307. Presentation of the historical, philosophical, and aesthetic traditions of the arts, with opportunities for students to confront their own sense of beauty.

308 Cross-Cultural Arts Appreciation (3:3:0). Also ARIN 308, DANC 308, and THR 308. Gives students a cumulative arts experience by tying the subject matter to one of the major cultural productions of the Center for the Arts. Subject matter varies each semester.

311 Graphic Design II (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ARTS 104,105, and 215 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Graphic design concepts and techniques. Solutions to typical problems encountered by graphic designers in publication design and environmental design.

313 Basic Typography (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 104 and 105 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Introduction to elements of typographical composition, including historical development of letter forms; recognition, use, and specification of existing typefaces; alphabet design.

323 Drawing II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 222 or permission of instructor. Fundamentals of drawing with emphasis on perspective systems and skills in representing space, objects, and textures with a variety of methods.

333 Painting II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 232 or permission of instructor. Painting taught as concept and observation through techniques in oil- or water-based media, varying with the instructor.

344 Intaglio Print making (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ARTS 104 and 105, or permission of instructor. The process and history of basic intaglio methods of print making are practiced and studied, including mono type, metal and plastic engraving, etching, aquatint, embossing, soft- and lift-ground techniques, and an introduction to color intaglio printing.

350 Pinhole Photography (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ARTS 104 and 105, or permission of instructor. Beginning photographic design. An introduction to photography using student-built pinhole cameras. Course includes darkroom work in processing and printing paper negatives, as well as film development.

351 Color Slide Photography (3:0:6). Prerequisite: 24 credits. Study of 35mm photography in terms of camera manipulation, basic optics, and aesthetics of the color slide medium. Students are required to provide a manual 35 mm camera (preferably single lens reflex), a light meter, and film.

353 Photography II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 252, or permission of instructor. A continuation of Photography I, with further investigation into the aesthetics of photography through experimentation with new films, developers and papers, and development of a portfolio of photographic images.

363 Sculpture II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 262, or permission of instructor. Fundamentals of sculptural design with emphasis on three-dimensional forming processes in a variety of media, both traditional and unconventional, that are available to the sculptor today. Combines historical, critical, and practical aspects of sculpture in the form of lectures, critiques, discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on work.

370 Imaginary Impulse (3:3:0). Examination of the phenomenon that leads artists in all cultures throughout history to create disconcerting representations of the visible world by reordering sensorial reality and inventing new orders.

371 Visual Perception and the Arts (3:3:0). Review of the major approaches to the study of visual perception. Topics include an analysis of picture perception, visual thinking, the relationship between symbolic and nonsymbolic thinking and representation, and how pathologies of vision affect art production.

381 Computer Graphics II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 280, or permission of instructor. Emphasis on high-resolution electronic imaging using the computer both as tool and medium. Complex menu structures, rotations and scaling, color mapping and palette design, font generation, video digitizing techniques, composition studies, and aesthetic concerns. Students construct a series of images to explore the creative process using elements of design. Through critiques, students discuss the conceptual and visual quality of their work.

382 Computer Art and Animation (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 381, or permission of instructor. Advanced computer graphics concepts as applied to computer animation. Lab assignments address the technical and aesthetic challenges of computer animation. Students learn to transfer computer generated images to videotape format. Short animated sequences with accompanying audio are designed and executed.

383 Internet Multimedia Art (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ART 382, or permission of instructor. Course will investigate and present current networked computer technologies with special attention and focus on their artistic applications. Intermediate and advanced principles of form, content design, and aesthetic languages will be explored across closed and open (internet) network systems. Overview and comparison of current internet content development applications, hardware architectures, storage mediums, and interface schemes will be provided. At midterm, students will present an interactive network environment, and at the end of the semester, students will present an interactive networked art installation.

390 Digital Media and Video Art (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ARTS 104 and 105, or permission of instructor. Integration of the study of contemporary theory, philosophy, and artistic practices with the application of new media and technology. Special focus will be placed on video, visual digital, and internet artists, their relationship to technology, and the socio-political implications of their work. Form and content, medium, and process of art works will be studied, analyzed, and discussed.

391 Collaborative Arts (4:2:4). Prerequisite: 24 credits. Exploration of the nature of collaboration in the arts, that addresses both historical and contemporary collaboration. Deals with the theoretical, critical, and experiential aspects of collaboration and culminates in a collaborative course project.

392 Gallery Practices (4:1:3). Prerequisite: Three credits of ARTS or three credits of ARTH or junior standing, or permission of instructor. Introduction to gallery practices associated with the division's galleries, including planning, curatorial, budgetary, advertising, installation, and docentship activities. May be repeated for credit.

393 Internship in Art Studio (1-6:0:0). Prerequisite: Junior standing and completion of six credits of ARTS courses in the area of residency, or permission of instructor. Unpaid residency, internship, or field experience in a professional art organization or with an individual artist, providing an opportunity to apply classroom training. May be repeated for credit.

396 Mixed Media (4:2:4). Prerequisite: 12 credits of 300- or 400-level ARTS production courses, or permission of instructor. Advanced studio course in which the combinations or synthesis of visual media and their critical analyses are the major component.

399 Special Topics in Art Studio (1-6:1-6:0-6). Exploration of topical studies in art studio including both the theoretical and critical aspects of art or studio production. Topics and credit vary with instructor. May be repeated for up to 12 credits taken under different topics.

414 Corporate Image (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 311, or permission of instructor. Combined lecture/studio course in which students simulate a design firm with a number of corporate clients. In consultation with the instructor and other students, each student investigates a specific client, writes a design brief or contract, and produces a style manual that specifies the complete visual identity for the client. Specific elements of the visual identity, such as business stationery, promotional literature, and advertisements, are produced as full-size mock-ups or client comps.

422, 423 Drawing III, IV (4:2:4), (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ARTS 323, or permission of instructor for 422; ARTS 422, or permission of instructor for 423. Advanced drawing skills and techniques with an emphasis upon individual exploration in a variety of media.

432, 433 Painting III, IV (4:2:4), (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ARTS 333, or permission of instructor for 432; ARTS 432, or permission of instructor for 433. Advanced painting course intended to develop individual control and direction of various media while exploring contemporary issues in painting.

443, 444 Print making I, II (4:2:4), (4:2:4). Prerequisites: ARTS 344, or permission of instructor for 443; ARTS 443 or permission of instructor for 444. Process and history of print making in screen, relief, and/or intaglio methods are practiced and studied. The expressive and formal uses of color are explored via various print making processes and developed as an individualized project. Class projects include exhibitions and field trips.

452 Photography III (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 353, or permission of instructor. An advanced darkroom course with emphasis on the fine art photographic print and the development of a personal portfolio.

453 Photography IV (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 452, or permission of instructor. An advanced photography course with emphasis on technique, content, photographic criticim, contemporary trends, and portfolio development.

454 Photo Imaging (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 353, or permission of instructor. Introduction to 19th century and alternative photographic printing processes, including cyanotype, van dyke, gum bichromate, liquid emulsion and image transfer. Exploration of photography's influence and use in other mediums will also be examined.

462, 463 Sculpture III, IV (4:2:4), (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 363, or permission of instructor for 462. ARTS 462, or permission of instructor for 463. Combined lecture/studio course to develop individual ideas and solutions by promoting more advanced thinking toward sculpture. Through lectures, discussions, critiques, technical demonstrations, and projects, this course broadens students' practical skills and aesthetic understanding.

472 Critical Thinking (3:2:1). Prerequisites: ARTH 374 and PHIL 356, or permission of instructor. In-depth approach to criticism that addresses the theoretical, critical, and experiential factors of written and verbal critical analysis of the visual arts.

480 Advanced Animation Arts (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 382, or permission of instructor. Looks in depth at digital animation techniques. Camera movement, roto scoping, mixing animation with live action and digital cell animation, 3D animation, texture mapping, surface lighting and motion path control will be introduced as students plan and produce a digital film. Emphasizes the integration of traditional techniques with recent software applications.

489/ARIN 489/DANC 489/THR 494 Field Experience in the Arts (1-6:0:0). Prerequisites: Junior standing and completion of six credits in IOA courses in the area of residency, ARIN 350, or permission of instructor. Apprenticeship, internship, or project with an organization in the arts or with an individual in the arts, providing an introductory working and learning experience in the field. Must be prearranged with the division director prior to enrollment. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.

491, 492 Advanced Studio Problems (1-6:0:0), (1-6:0:0). Prerequisites: 60 credits, permission of instructor, and permission of chair. Study proposal submitted prior to registration. Opportunity for development of advanced skills and concepts in drawing, painting, sculpture, and other media. May be repeated for credit.

495 Portfolio Preparation (4:2:4). Combination lecture and studio production course that addresses the nature of a professional portfolio in terms of career development and self marketing including visual presentation of a body of work, the preparation of professional written materials, and the public/verbal presentation of one's work.

497 Senior Project (4:2:2). Prerequisite: Senior art studio major. Students plan and develop a series of works and organize a final public exhibit.

522, 523 Drawing V, VI (4:2:4), (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 422 or 423 or permission of instructor for 522; ARTS 522 or permission of instructor for 523. Drawing on an advanced level. Emphasis on individual decision making and personal initiative.

532, 533 Painting V, VI (4:2:4), (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 432 or 433 or permission of instructor for 532; ARTS 532 or permission of instructor for 533. Painting on an advanced level. Emphasis on individual decision making and personal initiative.

562, 563 Sculpture V, VI (4:2:4), (4:2:4). Prerequisite: ARTS 462 or 463 or permission of instructor for 562; ARTS 562 or permission of instructor for 563. Sculpture on an advanced level. Emphasis on individual decision making and personal initiative.

593 Internships in Art Studio (3-6:0:0). Prerequisite: Senior standing and completion of six credits of ARTS courses in the area of residency, or permission of instructor. Unpaid residency, internship, or field experience in a professional art organization or with an individual artist, providing an opportunity to apply classroom training. May be repeated for credit with permission of division.

596 Independent Study (1-4:0:0). Prerequisite: B.A. in art or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Independent reading and creative work on a specific project under the direction of a department member in the Division of Art Studio. Written report is required. May be repeated for credit with permission of division.

599 Special Topics in Art Studio (1-6:1-3:0-6). Prerequisite: Senior standing and completion of six credits in ARTS, or permission of instructor. Exploration of topical studies in art studio, including both the theoretical and critical aspects of art or studio production. Topics and credit vary with instructor. May be repeated when taken under different topics.

601 Drawing (4:2:4). Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree in art or art education (B.A. or B.F.A.) or equivalent. Directed project in drawing with emphasis on individual development.

602 Painting (4:2:4). Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree in art or art education (B.A. or B.F.A.) or equivalent. Directed project in painting with emphasis on individual development.

605, 606 Graduate Print Making I, II (4:2:4), (4:2:4). Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree in art (B.A. or B.F.A.) or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Directed research and practice in print making focuses on the individualized development of content and technique. Emphasis is placed on exploration and growth in the intellectual and expressive aspects of the print making process.

622 Drawing (4:2:4). Prerequisite: B.A. in art or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Advanced directed research in drawing with continued development of individual aesthetic. Study of the historical and philosophical precedents is integral to the course.