Art Courses (ART)

 

Note: All studio courses except ART 101 have as prerequisites ART 103-104 and ART 105-106, or the approval of the instructor and the chairperson.

 

101     Introduction to the Visual Arts (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. An exploration of the principles of design and the creative process in the plastic arts through a series of studio projects in a variety of media; periods of lecture and discussion devoted to aesthetics and the history of art. Offered Each Semester.

 

103     Foundation Design I (3)

An exploration of pictorial composition in two-dimensional representation with emphasis on the basic elements of design. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

104     Foundation Design II (3)

A study of space, light and color with emphasis on three-dimensional expression. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

105     Foundation Drawing I (3)

Development of visual perception and organization through drawing from nature and life in a variety of drawing media. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

106     Foundation Drawing II (3)

A variety of thematic drawing experiences emphasizing work in ink, color pencil and mixed media. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

107     Visual Experience (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. An investigation of the visual aspects of the world through artistic themes, techniques, and landmarks. Methods of analyzing form will aid students in experiencing aesthetic responses to historical artistic examples and the contemporary, immediate environment. Offered Each Semester.

 

109     Art and Design Fundamentals (3)

For high school juniors and graduating seniors only. This course is designed to give an intensive drawing and design experience for high school students wishing to prepare for a college visual art curriculum. Offered Summer Only.

 

155     Photography for Non-Majors (3)

Introduction to the essential principles of photography and its use as a creative tool. Offered As Needed.

 

204     Figure Drawing I (3)

Drawing from the human figure to include experimentation in a variety of media. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

205     Figure Drawing II (3)

Continuation of figure study, incorporating the figure as an integral element of composition. Prerequisite: ART 204. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

219     Graphic Design I (3)

An introduction to traditional and contemporary production methods and practices used by Graphic Design professionals. Emphasis is placed on terminology and technical production practices. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

225     Watercolor Painting I (3)

An introductory course in painting using watercolor and casein in painting techniques. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

226     Watercolor Painting II (3)

Advanced study of watercolor painting processes, materials and techniques, with emphasis on contemporary Western watercolor and Oriental watercolor painting. Prerequisite: ART 225. Offered As Needed.

 

229     Ceramics for Non-Majors (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. Introduction to ceramics, the aesthetic possibilities of clay, basic construction techniques and a basic experience of glazing for those students not majoring in Art, Graphic Design, or Art Education. Offered as Needed.

 

230     Computer Rendering (3)

Students are introduced to vector- and raster-based computer software as they explore drawing and painting/image processing applications. Emphasis is placed on the Macintosh computer as a tool for artists and graphic designers. Students examine the effects of digitally producing/altering graphic, photography-based, and typographic images. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

240     Woodcuts and Monoprints (3)

Introduction to these two basic forms of printmaking with attention to both aesthetics and processes. Offered Summer Only.

 

251     Ceramics I (3)

Introduction to ceramics, the aesthetic possibilities of clay, basic construction techniques and a basic experience of glazing. Offered Each Semester.

 

267     Sculpture I (3)

Introduction to sculpture process concentrating on working in the round and relief. Experiences in a wide variety of common materials and techniques. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

275     History of Art (Ancient-Medieval) (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. Writing intensive. Illustrated lectures and discussions on the art of the ancient world from prehistoric times through medieval art. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

285     History of Art (Renaissance-Modern) (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. Writing intensive. Study of the development of artistic expression from the fourteenth through the mid-twentieth century. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

287     History of Design (3)

Study of the history of design, especially the history of visual communication design, 40,000 BC through the present. Offered As Needed.

 

301     Publication Design and the Computer (3)

Students learn about the role of graphic communication design in the production of publications. Emphasis is placed on traditional print publications such as posters, brochures, magazines, and newsletters. The production of screen-based publications is introduced. Prerequisites: ART 230 and 319. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

306     Figure Drawing III (3)

Advanced work from the figure. Special focus based on student’s major field of study. Required for Drawing/Illustration majors. Prerequisite: ART 205. Offered As Needed.

 

319     Graphic Design II (3)

The history of typography, the anatomy of the letterform, typeface classifications, typographic terminology and the effective usage of type to convey visual/verbal messages are explored in this course. Prerequisite: ART 219. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

320     Graphic Design III (3)

Continued exploration of the role of typography in graphic visual communication as combined with graphic and pictorial elements in the production of screen-based interactive visual communication projects. Prerequisite: ART 319. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

325     Introductory Oil Painting (3)

Introductory course in painting using oil as the vehicle of expression. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

326     Introductory Acrylic Painting (3)

A painting course emphasizing the use of the acrylic medium. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

327     Fibers I (3)

Principles of design and their creative application in the use of fibers, for various off-loom construction techniques. Offered Alternate Years.

 

331     Art Reading List (3)

An examination of selected writings on art and aesthetics; seminar discussions and research reports. Prerequisite: Junior status. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

340     Lithography and Intaglio (3)

Exploration of lithography and intaglio printmaking processes emphasizing the production of editions. Offered As Needed.

 

344     Art in Space and Environment (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. Writing Intensive. A collaborative experience with THA 326. Performance in Space that leads students to address issues relating to art and theater in a site-specific context. Offered As Needed.

 

345     Advanced Drawing I (3)

Emphasis on the development of an idea through a sequence of drawings. Prerequisites: ART 204, 205. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

346     Advanced Drawing II (3)

Provides the drawing major with a bridge between the high level of instructor participation characteristic of preceding drawing/illustration courses and the expected independence of the senior project semesters. Prerequisite: ART 345. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

351     Ceramics II (3)

Technical and creative experiences in throwing on the wheel and a creative exploration of glazing. Prerequisite: ART 251. Offered As Needed.

 

355     History of Non-Western Art (3)

An overview of artistic traditions outside the influence of Europe with particular emphasis on the arts of East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

356     Women in Art (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. Illustrated discussion of women in the arts, centering on the obstacles and reception of women in the artistic establishment, and the depiction of women by both male and female artists. Offered As Needed.

 

367     Sculpture II (3)

Theory and practice of sculptural composition utilizing modeling and carving with introductory welding and casting. Prerequisite: ART 267. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

368     Sculpture III (3)

Continued exploration of sculptural techniques with emphasis on understanding the character and value of the material to the final work. Prerequisite: ART 367. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

381     Illustration I (3)

Exploration of mostly black and white media, investigation of drawing aid apparatus, drawing techniques. An introduction to extensive conceptual problems will be given. Prerequisite: ART 205. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

382     Illustration II (3)

A combined drawing and painting experience with specific directions toward narrative images. Media and technique to be compatible with photo/print production. Prerequisite: ART 381. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

383     Illustration III (3)

Advanced exploration of illustration in various media. Prerequisite: ART 382. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

420     Graphic Design IV (3)

The role of the graphic visual communication designer in the field of advertising is addressed as students produce an advertising campaign. The history of advertising is explored in its relationship to the development of today’s most popular forms of advertising including print, broadcast/video, out-of-home and screen-based and interactive media. Prerequisite: ART 320. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

425     Painting III (3)

Advanced painting problems in various media. Prerequisites: ART 325, 326. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

426     Painting IV (3)

Advanced study in painting. Prerequisite: ART 425. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

427     Fibers II (3)

Work in fibers emphasizing on-loom textile construction techniques. Prerequisite: ART 327. Offered As Needed.

 

435     Advanced Typography (3)

Advanced design projects which explore the expressive potential of type in a variety of conceptual applications. Additionally, projects focus on the design process as the central component in the development of solutions to visual communication problems. Prerequisite: ART 319 or approval of instructor. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

439     Serigraphy (3)

Exploration of printmaking processes using the photo-mechanically produced image. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

441     Advanced Printmaking (3)

Opportunity for advanced students to continue exploration of and involvement with chosen printmaking processes and procedures. Prerequisites: ART 240, 340, 439. Offered As Needed.

 

443     Issues and Methodologies in Contemporary Art (2)

Writing Intensive. Together with ART 498: Senior Exhibition, this course fulfills Research and Presentation requirement. Diverse exercises in criticism and analysis to broaden the art student’s aesthetic awareness, judgment and sensitivity. Prerequisite: Senior status. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

445     Special Projects (Variable Credit)

Advanced study in a studio area with special authorization of a faculty member and approval of the department chairperson. (May be repeated.) Offered Each Semester. Two uses total, senior year only.

 

 

446     History of Contemporary Art: 1940 to present

Study of contemporary art history based on the visual and historical movements of the second half of the twentieth century. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

455     Photography (3)

Study of basic techniques in the use of film as an art medium; studio work in developing and printing in black and white. Offered Each Semester.

 

456     Advanced Photography (3)

Advanced work in the creative use of film and papers. Prerequisites: ART 455 or approval of instructor. Offered As Needed.

 

464     Sculpture IV (3)

Advanced study in sculpture. Prerequisite: ART 368. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

490     Senior Project (3)

Advanced study in a major discipline in preparation for and including an exhibition of completed works; supervision by a major instructor and a faculty review board. Normally elected in the final semester, and only after the completion of the entire numbered sequence of courses in the major discipline. Required of all BFA candidates. A BFA degree may not be earned without a grade of “C” or higher in this course. Offered Each Semester.

 

498     Senior Exhibition (1)

Required of all BFA Art, BFA Graphic Design, BS Art, and BS Visual Arts Education majors. Together with ART 443, fulfills Research and Presentation requirement. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

499     Travel-Study in Art (Variable Credit)

Travel and study in this country and in foreign countries. By special arrangement. Offered during intersemester or summer. Offered As Needed.

 

 

Music Appreciation and History Courses (MUS)

 

100     Introduction to Music (3)

Basic concepts and terminology; survey of selected periods in music history, with study of representative illustrations. Offered Every Semester.

 

115     The Music of the United States (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. A survey of the entire range of American music: religious, folk, classical, popular, jazz, etc. Offered As Needed.

 

124     American Popular Music (3)

Includes all sources of popular music: Tin Pan Alley, Musical Theatre, etc. The purpose is to acquaint students with this aspect of their culture. Offered As Needed.

 

128     Music Before 1750 (3)

The history of music during the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Elizabethan Era, and the Baroque. Offered As Needed.

 

129     Music After 1750 (3)

The history of music during the Classical Era, Beethoven Epoch, Romantic Period, Impressionistic Period, and the 20th Century. Offered As Needed.

 

145     History of Jazz (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. The reasons for the birth and evolution of Jazz, musicians of Jazz, and elements of music forming the Jazz style. Offered As Needed.

 

 

Music Theory and Composition Courses (MUS)

 

113     Music Theory I (3)

Designed to acquaint students, at a level which is less than professional, with the fundamentals of notation, reading, and theory. Topics will include: melody, the keyboard, rhythm, timbre, dynamics, articulation, major scales, intervals, minor scales, key signatures, other pitch resources, and triads. Not intended for students pursuing a major in music. Offered As Needed.

 

114     Music Theory II (3)

A continuation of Music Theory I. Topics will include: review of fundamentals, connection of chords, the three principal triads, subdominant chord-Plagal Cadences, leading-tone triad, super-tonic triad, mediant and submediant triads, non-harmonic tones, miscellaneous seventh chords, and introduction to part-writing. Not intended for students pursuing a major in music. Offered As Needed.

 

119-120         Composition I and II (2-2)

Beginning fundamentals of composing — study, analysis, organization, design, and creative application of compositional materials and techniques. Offered As Needed.

 

 

Applied Music

 

Private lessons are available in the following areas:

 

Bassoon                    Piano

Clarinet                      Saxophone

Euphonium              String Bass

Flute                           Trombone

French Horn             Trumpet

Classical Guitar        Tuba

Harp                           Viola

Oboe                          Violin

Organ                         Violoncello

Percussion                Voice

 

 

Performing Ensembles (MUS)

 

371-372         Orchestra (1-1)

By arrangement with State University of New York at Buffalo and State University College at Buffalo. Offered Each Semester.

 

379-380         Band (1-1)

By arrangement with the State University of New York at Buffalo. Offered Each Semester.

 

389-390         Wind Ensemble (1-1)

By arrangement with the State University of New York at Buffalo. Performance of works written for smaller wind band groups. Offered Each Semester.

 

 

Theatre Arts Courses (THA)

 

103     Basic Acting Technique (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. Acting as an art, survey and evaluation of its development, analysis of method acting and current trends. Exercises and application of acting principles to individual talents and towards development of an ensemble. Theatre games, improvisation, and beginning scene work. Offered Each Year.

 

106     Introduction to the Theatre (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. Analysis of theatre and drama, historical and current production practices, in order to enhance aesthetic appreciation. Field trips are planned. Offered Each Semester.

 

108     Masked Performance (3)

This introductory class will explore the fundamentals of acting and characterization through the lens of the mask and the specific problems it creates for the actor.

 

207     Improvisation (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. The class will look at improvisation in various performative and cultural contexts. Activities will include practical experiences, including solo and group performances, readings, viewings, research, and writing on historical aspects and contexts of improvisation. Offered As Needed.

 

213     Introduction to Stage Combat (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. This class will focus on the idea of unarmed, staged violence, and will seek primarily to gain an understanding and respect for the physical safety concerns of the stage. Offered As Needed.

 

246     Design for the Theater: History of Theatrical Space (3)

Fulfills core competency: Contextual Competency. This course explores the design of theatrical spaces throughout history, especially in terms of the cultures that shaped them. We will use this information to investigate what we can learn about a culture from its theatrical events and the spaces designed to hold these events. Offered As Needed.

 

250     Voice and Speech for the Actor (3)

Fulfills core competency: Communication Skills. This class explores the different facets of vocal communication and how they can be manipulated purposefully towards a theatrical end. The class will also investigate the differences between the concerns of stage voice and everyday voice. Offered As Needed.

 

260     Advanced Acting: Scene Study (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. This course for advanced acting students focuses on the skills involved in interpreting text, especially in terms of character development. We will explore the notions of character objective, tactics and arc, as well as continuing our study of narrative structures and the actor’s responsibilities toward story. Offered As Needed.

 

326     Performance in Space (3)

A collaborative experience with ART 344: Art in Space and Environment that leads students to address issues relating to art and theater in a site-specific context. Offered As Needed.

 

328     Advanced Improvisation (3)

Fulfills core competency: Affective Judgment. This course for advanced acting students is a continuation of the skills introduced in THA 207. We will deepen our mastery of improvisation, working toward performance in more complex, longer forms. Offered As Needed.