This liberal arts degree with a major in art enables students to develop the range of knowledge, skills, and competencies expected of those holding a liberal arts baccalaureate degree in art. This degree differs from the Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in that it allows the flexibility to design a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum that may include a minor outside of art.
Candidates for this degree must meet all requirements set by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of the Arts, including a foreign language sequence (6 hours or 2 courses, see catalog requirements). In addition to the required art studio and art history requirements (57 total hours), the BA degree offers flexibility in course work with 6-18 hours of electives in art studio or art history and 6-18 hours in guided electives outside of art (6 of the hours outside of art must be comprised of course work at the 3000 or 4000 level). These two areas should total 24 hours of credit.
Ultimately, the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in art is a versatile degree for art students interested in foreign languages and in investigating subjects outside of art.
The BA with a major in art may be an appropriate selection for students who want to craft an interdisciplinary path in order to create unique perspectives into making, presenting, and engaging with visual culture. This degree may also be an appropriate selection for a transfer student or a change of major, as the interest that motivated the earlier course of study can be used to enhance this versatile degree.
The BA degree is also an appropriate degree choice for students who are interested in preparing for advanced specialized degree programs. This is a 120-hour degree program.
Selected Educational Outcomes and Competencies
Students pursuing a BA degree with a major in art will:
- demonstrate a developed visual sensitivity.
- demonstrate the technical skills, perceptual development, and understanding of principles of visual organization sufficient to achieve basic visual communication and expression in one or more media.
- develop the ability to make workable connections between concept and media.
- demonstrate some familiarity with the works and intentions of major artists/designers and movements of the past and the present, in both the Western and the non-Western worlds.
- show evidence of an understanding of the nature of contemporary thinking on art and design and have gained at least a rudimentary discernment of quality in design projects and works of art.
Examples of Outcome Assessments
- Assessment and evaluation of art works produced.
- Senior exhibition and presentation review by committee using a criterion-based rubric.
- Departmental review of student competition exhibition using a criterion-based rubric.
- Comparisons of transcript audit results with accreditation curriculum requirements.
- Review of selected artists’ statements and art history research papers.
- Review of program make-up (variety of courses) based on the liberal arts degree concept.
Requirements for B.A. Degree with a Major in Art
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Field of Study | ||
| ART 1010 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 1020 | Two Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ARTH 2121 | Art History Survey I | 3 |
| ART 1030 | Three Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART 1011 | Drawing II | 3 |
| ART 2030 | Computers in Art | 3 |
| Major Curriculum | 60 | |
| Major Core Studio Sequence | 18 | |
| Select three course sequences from the following: | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Figure Drawing | ||
| Advanced Drawing | ||
ART (3xxx-4xxx course in content area) | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Painting I | ||
| Painting II | ||
ART (3xxx-4xxx course in content area) | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Printmaking I | ||
| Printmaking II | ||
ART (3xxx-4xxx course in content area) | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Ceramics I | ||
| Ceramics II | ||
ART (3xxx-4xxx course in content area) | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Black and White Photography | ||
| Digital Photography | ||
ART (3xxx-4xxx course in content area) | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Sculpture I | ||
| Sculpture II | ||
ART (3xxx-4xxx course in content area) | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Graphic Design I | ||
| Graphic Design II | ||
| Graphic Design III | ||
ART (3xxx-4xxx course in content area) | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Jewelry and Metalsmithing I | ||
| Jewelry and Metalsmithing II | ||
ART (3xxx-4xxx course in content area) | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Aqueous Media I | ||
| Aqueous Media II | ||
ART (3xxx-4xxx course in content area) | ||
| ARTH 2122 | Art History Survey II | 3 |
| Art History (ARTH) Electives | 6 | |
| Studio and/or Art History and Criticism Electives 1 | 6-18 | |
| Guided Electives or Minor 2 | 6-18 | |
| Foreign Language (two courses in sequence) | 6 | |
| Preparation/Capstone Courses | 3 | |
| Professional Preparation | ||
| Senior Exhibition Seminar | ||
| Senior Portfolio Presentation | ||
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
- 1
Guided Electives/Minor + Art Studio/Art History and Criticism must total 24 hours.
- 2
If no minor is declared, at least 6 semester hours of course work numbered 3000 or above in a single discipline outside the major must be completed.The degree program must include a minimum of 39 hours at the 3000 or 4000 level.
Students pursing the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in art should refer to the “Specific Requirements for the Degree...” information listed for the College of Arts and Sciences and the information related to declaring a minor in the Academic Affairs section of this catalog.
