ARTP-MIN - Art Practice (Minor)
Download as PDF
Program Overview
The undergraduate minor in Art Practice is designed to help students think critically about the visual arts and visual culture. Courses focus on the meaning of images and media and their historical development, societal roles, and relationships to disciplines such as literature, music, and philosophy. Work performed in the classroom, studio, and screening room is designed to develop a student’s powers of perception, capacity for visual analysis, and knowledge of technical processes.
Suggested Preparation for the Minor
Any student considering an Art Practice minor is strongly encouraged to take the following three introductory courses, which also fulfill minor degree requirements, during their frosh or sophomore years. The core studio series course ‘Foundations 2D’ and course ‘Foundations 3D/4D’ expose students to a broad range of contemporary artists and hands-on art-making techniques, familiarize students with the various studio facilities in the Department of Art & Art History, introduce key theoretical concepts in contemporary practice, and provide experience with group critiques and exhibition practices which are critical components of the art practice field and major. The core course ‘Art & Power’ course familiarizes students with contemporary thinking regarding the power dynamics in the production and circulation of art, along with its cultural and historical uses and impacts. By taking these three core courses early on, students will gain a broad overview of the field and its essential components and better situate and contextualize their elective coursework for the minor upon declaring.
How to Declare the Minor
To declare the minor, students must meet with the Student Services Specialist. During this meeting, students will select a faculty advisor with guidance from the Student Service Specialist. Students then must confirm that the faculty member has agreed to advise them by filing a signed advisor form.
Minors must meet with their faculty advisor and the Student Services Specialist at the start of each year to approve coursework and ensure they are meeting degree requirements.
Minors must attend an orientation session presented by the professional staff of the Art and Architecture Library, which introduces the tools of research and reference available on campus or through the Internet. This requirement should be completed no later than the quarter following the minor declaration.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
Overview
A student declaring a minor in Art Practice must complete 36 units of Art Practice and Art History coursework.
The coursework includes four lower-level studio courses, two upper-level studio courses, and three art history/critical theory courses as follows:
Three required courses:
Six elective courses:
Two 100-level elective studio courses
Two 200-level elective studio courses
Two art history/critical theory elective courses*
*(One Film & Media Studies course may satisfy an art history/critical theory elective. One of these electives may also be from another department with advisor approval.)
Students are expected to pass reviews and critiques of their work throughout the quarter and participate in open studios and exhibitions as required by their art studio courses.
All required and elective courses must be taken for a letter grade.
Completing a full year of ITALIC can count as four credits towards either one Art History elective or one lower 100-level Art Practice elective.
For notes on advanced placement credit, transfer credit, or credits for study abroad, please see the External Credit Policies.
Curricular Flow
As outlined in the “Suggested Preparation for the Minor” section above, students are strongly encouraged to take the required core program courses course ‘Foundations ‘I and course ‘Foundations II’ studio series, and course ‘Art and Power’ before declaring, or at least early in their minor course flow, as these provide broad understanding and context for the field.
Early in the minor, along with the above core courses, students should take two introductory (100-level) elective studio courses to fulfill their four lower-level studio electives. In these lower-level courses, students explore different media and build an understanding of the scope of contemporary art practice. After completing 100-level courses, students can focus their practice via upper (200-level) elective courses in specific areas of interest. The advanced 200-level courses are designed to deepen the student’s knowledge of particular materials and techniques and stretch their understanding of conceptual issues. Experimental and challenging, these courses typically cross area boundaries. Independent study, which a permanent faculty member supervises, is also available on a case-by-case basis as a component of a student’s 200-level coursework for the degree.
Declared minors interested in taking the Art Practice Major Seminar course may apply for acceptance to this course, which can count as one 200-level elective if the student is accepted. Students must have completed all the course prerequisites (course, course, course, and two additional 100-level studio electives) by the time the course runs to apply. The Art Practice Major Seminar is typically offered in winter quarter. Applications consist of a portfolio and statement of interest and are due to the student’s advisor by November 31. The AP faculty will review applications at the December faculty meeting and the student will be notified of acceptance by the end of autumn quarter.
Course Requirements
Specific ARTSTUDI courses listed may not be offered yearly and are subject to change. Art practice courses change frequently, so this list may not be current. Consult your art practice advisor if a course you want to take for the major is not listed. Typically any 4-credit ARTSTUDI 100-level course may count towards 100-level electives for the major, and any 4-credit ARTSTUDI 200-level course may count towards the 200-level electives. Ask your advisor or the Student Services Specialist if a course not listed can count toward your major.
Completing a full year of ITALIC can count as four credits toward either one Art History elective or one lower 100-level Art Practice elective.
Independent study, which a permanent faculty member supervises, is also available on a case-by-case basis as a component of a student’s 200-level coursework for the degree. Independent Study must be taken for four units to apply to the minor.
Complete two art history/critical theory elective courses. One Film & Media Studies course may satisfy an art history/critical theory elective. One of these electives may also be from another department with advisor approval. Completing a full year of ITALIC can count as four credits towards either one Art History elective or one lower 100-level Art Practice elective.