Program: B.A., Art
Overview
The Department of Art offers a curriculum designed for students wishing a liberal arts education in art and design. Emerging artists have numerous opportunities available to them for expressing their creativity and obtaining employment after graduation. Students may explore several areas of art making and choose the field that best fits their interests and talents.
The curriculum leading up to the B.A. degree is designed for students who are interested in (1) a liberal arts program with an emphasis in art, (2) specialized study in art, (3) preparation for graduate study in art, (4) preparation for academic and professional fields, and/or (5) art teaching credential preparation.
The Lower and Upper Division core program is required of all art majors. Additionally, students select Lower and Upper Division elective units from one or more areas of concentration offered in the Art Department in order to complete the B.A. program in their chosen area of study. Experiences are also available outside specialty areas offering students opportunities to sharpen professional skills and increase their marketability.
Program Requirements
1. Lower Division Core Foundation Requirements (15 units)
ART 124A Drawing I (3)
ART 140 Beginning Two-Dimensional Design (3)
ART 141 Beginning Three-Dimensional Design (3)
Select two courses from the following (6 units):
ART 110 World Arts: The Western Tradition (3)
ART 112 World Arts: Africa, Oceania and the Americas (3)
ART 114 World Arts: Asia (3)
2. Lower Division Courses by Area of Concentration (minimum of 9 units)
100- and 200-level courses
The selection of Lower Division courses will be for the purpose of satisfying prerequisites for Upper Division courses and for electives, with guidance from an Art Department advisor. Lower Division courses may be substituted for courses from outside the Art Department with approval of the Art Department.
Students who have a catalog year of 2014 do not have to take ART 200 and can obtain permission numbers for classes requiring ART 200 as a prerequisite.
3. Upper Division Core Requirements (12 units)
ART 307 Core Art Studio (3)
ART 438 Senior Projects and Lab (3)
Select one course from the following (3 units):
ART 318 Survey of 19th and 20th Century Arts (3)
ART 448 History of Contemporary Art (3)
Select one course from the following (3 units):
300-, 400- and 500-level Art History (3)
(ART 305, 311, 315 and 510 do not satisfy the Upper Division Core Requirements for Art majors)
4. Upper Division Courses by Area of Concentration (21 units)
300-, 400- and 500-level courses
A minimum of 21 units of Upper Division courses shall be selected with the aid of an art advisor from one or more areas of concentration.
General Education
ART 140 can be counted toward GE Arts and Humanities and the major.
Total Units in the Major: 57
General Education Units: 45 (does not include ART 140, which is required in the major)
Additional Units: 18
Total Units Required for a B.A. Degree: 120
Areas of Concentration
To meet the specific requirements of the areas of concentration, students must complete all required core courses and select additional elective units in consultation with a faculty advisor in that area of concentration.
Note: Advisement is mandatory for all Lower Division Art majors each semester. It is highly recommended that all Upper Division Art majors see an art advisor each semester, and review of graduation requirements is mandatory for Upper Division majors. Each area of concentration provides an advisement form, available in the Art office, which lists both required core and elective courses for the area of concentration.
Core Requirements for Areas of Concentration
Animation: ART 124B, 263, 363B, 364. Select 463 or 465.
Art Education: ART 124B, 148, 579, 585, 586 and 590. Note that 579, 585, 586 and 590 are required for the Single Subject Credential in Art (see Credential Information below).
Art History: Select Art 110, 112 or 114; 510; select five additional 400- or 500-level courses.
Ceramics: ART 235, 267, 366, 367, 467
Drawing: ART 124B, 148, 324A, 330
Graphic Design: ART 243, 244, 313, 343, 344, 444
Illustration: ART 124B, 222, 322A, 322B, 322C, 422
Interdisciplinary: ART 124B, 148, 488, 494
Painting: ART 124B, 227, 326, 327, 429
Photo/Video: ART 250, 350, 351, 353, 357, 450, 455A, 455B, 455C
Printmaking: ART 124B, 237, 337A, 337B, 337C or 337D, 437
Sculpture: ART 124B, 235, 335, 339, 435, 439
Credential Information
An approved subject matter program leading to a Single Subject teaching credential in art (K-12) is available. The purpose of the subject matter program in art education is to provide students with a strong foundation in and understanding of visual art, and with coursework and field experiences necessary to teach visual art to the diverse public school student populations in the secondary schools of California. The academically rigorous and intellectually stimulating Art Education Program curriculum reflects and builds upon the Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools K-12: Visual Art (2001) and California State Visual Art Curriculum Framework, and establishes a basis for continued professional development during their teaching career.
Contact the Art Department Advisement Center at (818) 677-2348 for information about the Art Subject Matter Program for the Single Subject Credential. Here are the steps to prepare for the Single Subject Credential:
- Choose an Area of Concentration
- Lower Division Core Program
- Upper Division Core program
- Grade of B or better in ART 579, 585, 586 and 590
- Minimum of 57 units in Art
- Art Department Contract form, approved by an Art Advisor
- Portfolio review and interview
- Overall GPA of 2.75 or higher required to enter the credential program in the College of Education
- GPA of 3.0 or higher in Art Subject Matter Program courses for the Single Subject Credential
Contact
Chair: Edward C. Alfano
Associate Chair: Lesley Krane
Art and Design Center (ADC) 120
(818) 677-2242
www.csun.edu/art
Student Learning Outcomes
- Acquire basic knowledge, theories and concepts about art; develop a foundation of art skills and a high level of craftsmanship; communicate ideas and concepts through writing, speaking and art making; acquire a competency with the tools and technologies associated with the visual arts;
- Broaden knowledge of ancient through contemporary art; develop an understanding of the theoretical, cultural and historical contexts of art;
- Apply processes of generating and solving problems in art; analyze, interpret and question traditional methodologies and preconceived notions of art and art making;
- Explore and engage in interdisciplinary forms of art making;
- Develop an appreciation and tolerance of diverse perspectives dealing with art, culture, teaching and learning;
- Engage in individual and collaborative art experiences with other students, faculty and community; and
- Develop a career path for an art profession or an art-related field; develop an understanding of the demands and expectations of that area of art profession or art field.