This is an archive of the 2018-2019 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, Please visit catalog.csun.edu.

Program: B.A., Art

Program Description

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.

Note: Students with a catalog year of 2014 or later are not required 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.

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, ART 263, ART 363B, ART 364. Select ART 463 or ART 465.

Art Education

ART 124B, ART 148, ART 579/L, ART 585/L, ART 586/L and ART 590.
Note that ART 579, 585, 586 and 590 are required for the Single Subject Credential in Art (see Credential Information below).

Art History

Select ART 110, ART 112 or ART 114; ART 510; select five additional 400- or 500-level courses.

Ceramics

ART 235, ART 267, ART 366, ART 367, ART 467

Drawing

ART 124B, ART 148, ART 324A, ART 330

Graphic Design

ART 243, ART 244, ART 313, ART 343, ART 344, ART 444

Illustration

ART 124B, ART 222, ART 322A, ART 322B, ART 322C, ART 422

Interdisciplinary

ART 124B, ART 148, ART 488, ART 494

Painting

ART 124B, ART 227, ART 326, ART 327, ART 429

Photo/Video

ART 250, ART 350, ART 351, ART 353, ART 357, ART 450, ART 455A, ART 455B, ART 455C

Printmaking

ART 124B, ART 237, ART 337A, ART 337B, ART 337C or ART 337D, ART 437

Sculpture

ART 124B, ART 235, ART 335, ART 339, ART 435, ART 439

5. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog.
ART 140 (3 units) can be counted toward GE Arts and Humanities and the major.

Total Units in the Major: 57

General Education Units: 45

Additional Units: 18

Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120

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, as well as 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 it 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. See also the disclosure statement regarding Programs Leading to Licensure and Credentialing. Here are the steps to prepare for the Single Subject Credential:

  1. Choose an area of concentration.
  2. Lower division core program.
  3. Upper division core program.
  4. Grade of “B” or better in ART 579/L, ART 585/L, ART 586/L and ART 590.
  5. Minimum of 57 units in Art.
  6. Art Department Contract form, approved by an Art advisor.
  7. Portfolio review and interview.
  8. Overall GPA of 2.75 or higher required to enter the credential program in the College of Education.
  9. GPA of 3.0 or higher in Art Subject Matter Program courses for the Single Subject Credential.

Contact

Department of Art
Chair: Edward C. Alfano
Associate Chair: Magdy Rizk
Art and Design Center (ADC) 120
(818) 677-2242

Student Learning Outcomes
  1. 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.
  2. Broaden knowledge of ancient through contemporary art; develop an understanding of the theoretical, cultural and historical contexts of art.
  3. Apply processes of generating and solving problems in art; analyze, interpret and question traditional methodologies and preconceived notions of art and art-making.
  4. Explore and engage in interdisciplinary forms of art-making.
  5. Develop an appreciation and tolerance of diverse perspectives dealing with art, culture, teaching and learning.
  6. Engage in individual and collaborative art experiences with other students, faculty and community.
  7. 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.