General Education

An analysis of art, archeology and history in the Pre-historic, Ancient World, Middle Ages, into the Early Renaissance. The focus is on art, architecture and relevant cultural context in the development of Western Art using contemporary methods and theories. Some non-Western history and themes will be included for context.

This survey of art begins in the High Renaissance and continues through the 1990s, focusing on European and American Art. Using current methods and theories in art history, specific artworks, artists and styles are discussed stressing the social, political, philosophic and individual influences.

Principles and practices of effective oral communication. Readings, lectures, and in-class exercises focusing on the preparation and delivery of four major presentations. Emphasis is on research and critical thinking to develop and support ideas, effective organizational and presentational techniques, ethics and responsibilities in public communication, effective listening, and insightful critique.

An overview of the conventions of grammar and an emphasis on effective expository and persuasive writing, with attention on the principles of research techniques and expressing thoughts and ideas clearly.

English Composition II is a continuation of English Composition I. This course emphasizes critical reading, writing, and analysis of texts with particular attention to research methods and writing. This course also provides an introduction to the study of literature and students are expected to demonstrate understanding and use of essay techniques in the form of literary analysis. (ENG 101)

A survey of the cultural, social, economic, and political aspects of significant civilizations from prehistory through the Seventeenth Century.

A survey of the cultural, social, economic, and political aspects of significant civilizations from the Eighteenth Century to the present. (HIS 101)

A study of basic mathematics, algebra, and geometry as these show demonstrated use in modern life with applications to art and design.

Natural Science Requirement (select one)*

SCI 310 History of Scientific Thought
Lecture, 3 Credit Hours
An examination of some of the breakthrough theories in the history of science and of the minds that conceived them. The effect upon society and culture of these thinkers as well as the general course of empirical thinking is addressed. (ENG 102)

SCI 315 Biology in the Visual Arts
Lecture, 3 Credit Hours
This course combines formal instruction in the core concepts of biology with artistic exploration of biological phenomena, ideas, discoveries, questions, or research techniques to be selected by each student individually. (ENG 102)

Social Science Requirement (select one)

ANT 101 Anthropology
Lecture, 3 Credit hours
An overview of key elements in the study of early cultures, with an emphasis on selected early societies, their basic belief systems, myths, and values thereby generating respect for diversity. Can fulfill social science requirement or serve as a General Education elective.

HUM 210 Gender Studies
Lecture, 3 Credit hours
This course is a historical investigation of how specific cultures represent gender difference. Students examine a variety of cultural forms and phenomena including film, television, literature, music, popular movements, and institutions. Can fulfill social science requirement or serve as a General Education elective. (ENG 102)

PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
Lecture, 3 Credit hours
This course is an introduction of human mental processes and behavior. This course serves as an overview of the history of psychology and the major fields within psychology with an emphasis on developing an understanding of psychology as the science of human thought and behavior. Can fulfill social science requirement or serve as a General Education elective.

This course follows the development of modern art in Europe and North America from roughly 1800 to 1945. The course addresses the artistic responses to this tumultuous era of industrialism, disenchantment, revolution, and total war. This course discusses the ways artists embraced these developments and the ways they attempted to escape them. We examine their efforts to make an art that would capture the rapidly changing contours of modern life or reject them favor of art for art’s sake. The course will address important movements and look at key works of modern art, but we will also address the ways in which these works responded to modernity in its exhilarating and terrible extremes. (ART 102)

Art History Special Topic Series
Lecture 3 Credit HoursA lecture course covering specific areas of art history, allowing the exploration of topical issues too narrow for the broader concerns of survey courses. The subjects rotate on a yearly basis. (ART 102)

ART 222A        Contemporary Practices
Lecture 3, Credit Hours
This course is designed to address specific genres and trends in contemporary art theory as well as potential investigations and examinations of studio art practices. This course is broadly designed but may allow for specific investigations into fields of inquiry or a theoretical investigation into alternative studio practices. This course places emphasis on understanding works of art within their cultural, social, political, economic, and biographical contexts.

ART 222B New Media
Lecture, 3 Credit Hours
This lecture course examines theories of new media art and the attempts to delineate its history and presence in art and culture. This course explores a different proposition of new media art, one that understands its disruptive as well as transformative capacity by transgressing the convention of visual language. This course seeks an understanding of the unique position that new media art occupies within but also distinct from the broad scheme of contemporary art production and an understanding of its critical relevance and creative potential in articulating and advancing artistic and cultural inquiries in the context of a post-industrial, posthuman society.

ART 222C Social Practice vs. Disinterested Object
Lecture, 3 Credit Hours
This lecture course traces a history of social practice in art and investigate as a group the current critiques, debates and issues surrounding its current state in relation to its historical context. The course examines social practice from 1920 to present and touch on the key movements and artists including Dada, Situationism, Fluxus, Happenings, Social Sculpture, New Genre Public Art, art and activism, network art, Social Aesthetics and Relational Aesthetics.

ART 222D Non-Western Cultures
Lecture, 3 Credit Hours
This lecture course examines visual arts produced in non-Western cultures from prehistory to the present. Students follow the development of fine and popular art in select countries and geographical areas around the world, learning how to distinguish styles and movements. Social, political, religious, mythological, and economic factors are discussed, as well as instances of contact, influence, and cross-fertilization.

An emphasis on art since 1968. Postmodernism, multiculturalism, Earth Art, Installations, and New Media are examined. Rather than looking at the art as part of a chronological movement, the work and artists are discussed as a way of understanding various theoretical and cultural conditions. Although video and digital images will support discussion, this course is primarily a theory/readings course. (ART 102)

The​ ​Business​ ​of​ ​Art​ ​&​ ​Design
Lecture, 3 Credit Hours
This course provides the fundamental knowledge and skills to develop a career in art, design and film.
Students learn the elements needed to establish, fund, organize and manage self-employment, freelance
opportunities and/or entrepreneurial endeavors as visual artists. Available to students in all programs.
(ENG 102, MAT 101)

A study of selected classics of nineteenth or twentieth century literature, with an emphasis on works that have been adapted to other art forms. Topics of concentration vary. (COM 220, ENG 102)

In this advanced writing course, students develop strategies for writing about the humanities and fine arts as well as their own practice. This course addresses writing for different contexts—academic, exhibition, and the visual and creative marketplace. (ART 101, 102; ENG 102)

An introduction to the art of writing. Various genres such as poetry, fiction, drama, and others may be explored or emphasis may be given to one specific genre as it relates to the arts. (COM 220, ENG 102)

An intensive, specialized writing course focusing on developing an appreciation of genres of creative writing and on providing students with instruction, practice, and critique of their efforts as emerging creative writers. (COM 220, ENG 310)

This course concentrates on various topics in creative writing or study of a particular genre or technique. (COM 220, ENG 310)

This course is a study of selected works in the Gothic tradition of literature of the American South, with an emphasis on works that have been adapted to other art forms. (COM 220, ENG 102)

An examination of graphic novels and how their contents fits into social and historical context as well as specific literary genres, themes, and motifs. (COM 220, ENG 102)

A survey of American literature with an emphasis on particular authors, themes, genres and periods. (COM 220, ENG 102)

This course examines texts that have been classified as taboo, seized, and/or burned in the United States. Students will also explore the religious, political, and social reasons for the censorship and the impact on the success of the work. (COM 220, ENG 102)

A survey of British literature with emphasis on particular authors, themes, genres and periods. (COM 220, ENG 102)

A survey of major authors, literary movements and themes since 1945. (COM 220, ENG 102)

A course devoted to the study of selected literary works, which emphasize non-traditional voices and outsider art. (COM 220, ENG 102)

An overview of the narrative filmmaking process comprised of lectures that explore the different crafts, simple techniques, and tools of filmmaking. This course prepares the student for the collaborative filmmaking process.

An historical survey of American and international film, covering such areas as the evolution of cinematic technique, film styles and genres, national cinemas, major directors and film theory from the invention of the motion picture through the early 1940s. (ENG 102)

This is a continuation of Film History I: a study of American and international cinema from the early 1940s through the present day. (ENG 102)

Lecture, 3 Credit Hours
Courses that explore specific areas of filmmaking that serve as a required general education elective for all film students. (ENG 102, FLM 202; MFA students: FLM 501) 

FLM 351 Genre Films
Lecture, 3 Credit Hours
This category covers a specific film genre, such as horror, film noir, musical, comedies, westerns, science fiction, etc. The lectures include information conveyed by the instructor, screening of selected films and discussions.  Students write at least two critical papers.

FLM 352 Auteur Filmmakers
Lecture, 3 Credit Hours
This category covers a specific auteur, such as Kubrick, Coen Brothers, Hitchcock, Cassavetes, Altman, Lean, Renoir, Fellini, Bergman, etc.  The lectures in addition to information conveyed by the instructor , include the screening of selected films and discussions.

FLM 353 Historical/Social/Artistic Trends in Film/TV
Lecture, 3 Credit Hours
This category covers a specific historical, social or artistic trend, such as French New Wave, British Pop, Social Realism, Surrealism, American Independent, Anti-War, TV Drama, Sexuality in Cinema, Women and Film, etc.

This course focuses on the business, legal and financial aspects of the motion picture and television industries. Students learn about both the creative and business aspects of production. The course emphasizes the role of the producer, and the various ways that features, documentaries, non-scripted and scripted television series get funded, developed, produced, distributed and marketed. A business plan will be produced. (FLM 210)

A critical and analytical study of significant events, personalities, and technological advances that have contributed to the global history of graphic design. This comprehensive course is a critical and analytical study of the factors contributing to the history of graphic design.

A first-hand encounter with one or more major centers of art and culture in foreign nations, emphasizing art and design values. (COR 102)

A study of myths, legends, and their related images in order to clarify modern belief systems. Particular emphasis is placed on visual depictions of myths and the use of mythology in storytelling. (ENG 102)

This course analyzes modern and contemporary poetry as it relates to modern cinema in order to discover the possibilities inherent in the language/image interface throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century. (ENG 102)

This course examines the evolution of literary works into screenplays and, finally, into cinematic adaptations. (ENG 102)

This course is a research-based independent study. Students complete a Chair-approved critical writing project that explores the cultural and historical contexts as it relates to their chosen topic and their study of the visual arts. Students must provide an initial proposal and timeline for their project to the department chair the semester before they intend to enroll in this course. (Junior or Senior Status; Chair Approval)

Materials integrated in the basic interior from flooring materials to ceiling systems are discussed including proper installation and maintenance. Coordination of interior materials by use of product schedules and finish schedules will be introduced. (COR 102)

The basics of fiber, yarn, finishing and construction methods are discussed during this course. The student is introduced to textiles and furnishings with special emphasis on function and proper selection. (COR 101)

Furnishings from classical times through the late Renaissance periods are examined in terms of historic, as well as present day, needs. Style, methods of ornamentation, use of color, and significance of the period are reviewed using images and lecture information. Emphasis is placed on the influences of geographical locations and social, religious, and economic forces of history on interiors.

The second semester of historical architecture and interiors reviews furniture and decorative arts from the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassic periods through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and into the contemporary interiors of the early twentieth century. Focus is placed on the built environment as it has been influenced by geographic location as important social, religious, economic and political forces. (IND 206)

The course includes a study of the evolution of twentieth century conceptual thinking in the creative fields of architecture and interior design. Lecture include subjects such as the Bauhaus, contemporary furniture design and profiles of twentieth century architects and designers. (ENG 102, IND 207)

Instruction incorporates an overview and analysis of the latest green philosophies, systems and building products and provides an extensive compilation of current green literature and resources. Guest lecturers and field experiences are featured. (ENG 315)

A survey of the basic issues and problems of philosophy through selected readings in the works of leading philosophers from the ancient Greeks to contemporary thinkers. (ENG 102)

Students examine basic approaches to ethics and morality from a multicultural perspective. (ENG 102)

Through a thorough examination of historical texts, this course investigates the nature and value of art, works of art, expression, creativity, artistic meaning, aesthetic experience, interpretation and aesthetic judgment. (ENG 102)

This course examines the development of Western philosophy from the 17th to the early 20th century. Students explore a variety of philosophers and concepts including the contrast between empiricism and rationalism, transcendental idealism and metaphysics. (ART 101, 102; ENG 102)

This course is a survey of the important events, ideas, images, and photographers in photographic history. Course information covers the invention of the camera and its impact on art and culture, major movements in photography, and significant artists from early development through contemporary works.

Course lectures concentrate on artists, essays, and an introduction to critical analysis of photographic genres and contemporary works. Students explore all aspects of the medium through discussion and individual research. (ENG 101, Co-requisite ENG 102)

An introduction to the psychology of sensation, perception, and attention. Perceptual processes of behavior, including attention, are studied in addition to the basic neurobiology of sensation. (PSY 101)

This course is designed to introduce students to some of the major religious traditions of the world: Santana Dharma (Hinduism); Buddhism; Confucianism; Taoism; Judaism; Christianity; Islam; Indigenous and Tribal Religions. (ENG 102),