School of the Arts Courses
These courses, offered by the School of Art+Design, are open to students in all disciplines without permission of instructor (excluding visual arts majors, unless otherwise noted). Additional courses may be added each semester.
Design | Drawing and Painting | General Visual Arts
Photography | Printmaking | Sculpture/3-D Media
Design I
SOA 1140 Refer to VDE 1150 in Design Courses for description.
Artist/Writer Workshop
SOA 4240 Refer to VDE 4790 in Design Courses for description.
Introduction to Drawing
SOA 1010 / 2 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
A basic introduction to drawing for students from other disciplines. Focus is placed on becoming familiar with the elements of 2-D design and on strengthening observational skills. A variety of drawing techniques and materials are used to explore both representational and nonrepresentational image making.
Introduction to Painting
SOA 1030 / 2 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
A basic introduction to painting for students from other disciplines. Focus is placed on becoming familiar with the materials and methods of painting. A variety of techniques and materials are used to explore both representational and nonrepresentational image making.
Prerequisite: SOA 1010
Introduction to Visual Communication
SOA 1020 / 2 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
An introduction to digital visual communications and basic creative software applications used by professionals outside of the visual arts. The course focuses on building a digital and visual vocabulary and developing skills within the Mac iLife suite and Photoshop. Concepts include basic design principles, resolution, printing, scanning, optical media, and multimedia presentations. Digital literacy is promoted through observation, discussion, workshops, tutorials, exercises, collaborative work, reading, writing, and small projects. Coursework is designed to integrate the student’s field of study with digital visual communications.
Color Seminar
SOA 2010 Refer to VIS 2110 in the General (VIS) section for description.
Collage
SOA 2020 Refer to VIS 2200 in the General (VIS) section for description.
Theme and Variations
SOA 2030 / 2 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
A personally chosen theme is developed through a variation of traditional and alternative image-making methods. Investigations of photography, printmaking, and the readymade are used to create a finished work. The artist’s process of making is emphasized while challenging individual concepts of “expression.”
Prerequisite: One visual arts studio course or permission of instructor
Performance Art I
SOA 4010 Refer to VIS 4440 in the General (VIS) section for description.
Introduction to Photography
SOA 1100 / 2 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
An introduction to the basic concepts and techniques of black and white photography. Exposure, development, printing, enlarging, spotting, and mounting are among the techniques covered. Assignments include both technical and aesthetic concerns. Students need a camera and light meter.
Prerequisite: Some photographic experience
Photography I
SOA 1110 Refer to VPH 1010 in Photography Courses for description.
Introduction to Color Photography
SOA 2100 / 2 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
An introduction to the basic techniques of developing and printing color negatives. Students explore the issues that arise when translating black and white photographic techniques to color processing.
Introduction to Printmaking
SOA 1150 / 2 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
An introductory course in printmaking for students from other disciplines. Focus is placed on becoming familiar with basic processes like intaglio, lithography, silkscreen, and woodcut.
Introduction to Wood
SOA 1200 Refer to VSC 1020 in Sculpture/3-D Media Courses for description.
Introduction to Sculpture
SOA 1210 / 2 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
An introductory course in sculpture for students from other disciplines. Focus is placed on the development of 3-D design (form, space, object, composition) and on strengthening observational skills. A variety of materials and form-making processes are explored.
Interactive Media/Sound
SOA 2200 Refer to VSC 2450 in Sculpture/3-D Media Courses for description.
Woodturning
SOA 2230 Refer to VSC 2230 Sculpture/3-D Media Courses for description.
Description revised Fall 2008 (8/28/08):
Introduction to Video Art
SOA 3000 / 2 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
In this introduction to the discipline of video art, students expand their knowledge of nonlinear editing as it pertains to the exhibition of video. Conceptual approaches may include non-narrative structures, installation art, and performance art as they relate to the moving image. Students must have access to and be able to use a DV camcorder, Webcam, camera phone, or other video-recording device that can capture moving images of decent quality and upload them to a computer for editing.
Prerequisite: Experience in shooting and editing digital video
Sound/Interactive Media I
SOA 3210 Refer to VSC 3630 in Sculpture/3-D Media Courses for description.
Sound/Interactive Media II
SOA 3220 Refer to VSC 3640 in Sculpture/3-D Media Courses for description.
Prerequisite: SOA 3210
Updated Aug. 28, 2008
