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Art

The Major

A significant concern of the School of Art, Design and Art History is the creative growth of its students. The school focuses on the development of sound undergraduate programs which provide a strong basic foundation in art. A major in art may be planned with an emphasis in applied design, with specialities in ceramics, furniture, metalsmithing, jewelry, and textiles; art history; studio arts; environmental design; graphic design; interior design; painting, printmaking, and photography; and sculpture. A program for those preparing for a single subject teaching credential is also available, as is a broad spectrum of courses for both majors and nonmajors in art history, art appreciation, basic drawing and design.

All emphases except art history require a set of core courses consisting of two courses each in drawing, design, and the survey of art history of the Western world. It is strongly recommended that all students complete the core requirements during their freshman year, or at least prior to taking beginning coursework in a specific program emphasis. It is recommended that students take courses from other emphases in order to enhance their overall art experience. In addition to the undergraduate degree, the school offers a Master of Arts degree (30 units) in all of these emphases and a Master of Fine Arts degree (60 units).

Although a degree in art is often pursued as a means of self-fulfillment and creative growth, graduates of the school are employed in a variety of settings. The programs in environmental design, interior design, and graphic design have a preprofessional orientation supplemented by a strong liberal arts background. Environmental design and interior design can lead to interior, architectural, landscape design or city planning. Graphic design prepares the student for the areas of environmental graphics, art direction, visual design for the contemporary media of advertising, or editorial illustration. The areas of painting, printmaking, photography, and sculpture prepare students for professional attitudes toward the fine arts and the continuance of their educational experience in graduate schools with the goal of teaching at institutions of higher learning. The preprofessional program in art education prepares the student for teaching in either elementary or secondary schools. The applied design program can be developed to specialize in ceramics, furniture design, jewelry, metalsmithing, textile design and weaving.