Department of Art
Programs of Study
As an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the Department of Art is committed to offering a thought-provoking and challenging environment for which students understand the role of the arts in preserving cultural tradition, delineating social change, and fostering relationships within the community. Primary objectives include preparing students with the skills and tools necessary for the successful pursuit of careers in art and fine arts related activities.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Students graduating from Lander University with a degree in visual arts should demonstrate a general knowledge of art concepts and the ability to apply art techniques in a range of media as outlined by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design standards, including:
1. Students will demonstrate familiarity with the works and intentions of major artists/designers and movements of the past and the present, both in the Western and non-Western worlds;
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the nature of contemporary thinking on art and design, and will have gained at least a rudimentary discernment of quality in design projects and works of art;
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to make workable connections between concept and media through a variety of art making methods;
4. Students will demonstrate the technical skills, perceptual development, and understanding of principles of visual organization sufficient to achieve basic visual communication and expression in one or more media;
5. Students will create a summative portfolio that demonstrates a developed visual sensitivity.
Admission Requirements
Because art as an applied discipline requires the mastery of academic and creative studio skills, Department of Art criteria for admission to the major differ from the general admission criteria of Lander University.
Admission Procedure
Students entering the University begin with foundation studies in art. Following successful completion of art courses required in the freshman year and a meeting with art faculty, students may be admitted into the art major. Students must meet minimum progress requirements at each level. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the space available in the program, the art faculty will determine admission based on the cumulative grade point average of the applicants. Students not admitted to the major may minor in art, use art as an interdisciplinary degree component, or take electives in art.
The Visual Arts program is designed to provide a general background of knowledge and demonstrable skills including:
- A working knowledge of art history and the tools of art research,
- A practical foundation of theoretical design knowledge and analytical skills,
- The major techniques used in the production of art, including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, illustration, photography, and computer graphics,
- Opportunities to prepare for art careers and graduate school both in and out of the classroom through internships, practice teaching, study tours, and field trips,
- A working knowledge of the techniques and skills needed to prepare art for exhibition and mount a one-man show.
The art curriculum offers the student opportunities to develop individual creative capacities. Some will become painters, printmakers, and sculptors whose work will contribute to our cultural and intellectual lives; others may become designers or creative professionals who will determine how our everyday world will look. Still others may accept the challenge and adventure of teaching art as a discipline with its own skills, its unique approach to learning, and its own rewards.
The visual arts program at Lander is unique in that students move through three levels of studio preparation. The first year is designed to upgrade drawing skills, to experiment with materials, and to identify personal interests and goals.
Art majors are encouraged to take all 100 level courses the first year, except ART 101. A major must earn at least a “C” in each of these courses. At the sophomore level, the student should take five introductory studio classes: commercial art, sculpture, printmaking, painting/drawing, and photography or ceramics. Students concentrating in commercial art are encouraged to take photography while art education students are encouraged to take ceramics. No more than one “D” will be allowed in these courses. This provides the major with a broad background of the spectrum of visual art. In the junior and senior years, the student concentrates in the area(s) of his or her strengths and interests. A strong, professional portfolio of work will be the final outcome of senior studio classes. To further the aim of graduating only competent students, a major must maintain at least a 2.3 GPA in all art courses in the major. For three hours credit in an art studio course, six laboratory class hours per week are scheduled.
Professor MacTaggart assists student
with ceramic mosaic mural project
Career Specialization
At the beginning of the junior year, students are required to concentrate in activities which enhance their professional goals. The art program is designed to meet the needs of a variety of interests. These include the fine arts, such as photography, painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Students who successfully specialize in any of these are encouraged to continue their work by attending graduate programs offered by other colleges and universities.
If a student wishes to concentrate in the commercial design field, the Lander art program offers training in commercial graphics, illustration, computer graphics and computer animation. Students who successfully specialize in any of these are prepared to work at entry level positions requiring these skills and experiences.
VISUAL ARTS TEACHER CERTIFICATION MAJOR
Students wishing to pursue a teaching career in public school will take those courses which lead to certification. The Lander art program is one that emphasizes the philosophy that “those who teach must also do.” Therefore, our teacher training program provides the student with a solid background in the fine arts, with a variety of experiences from which to draw upon in the classroom, as well as being a source for developing personal interests.
Senior Exhibit
All art majors are required to have a digital portfolio of their work prior to graduation. Art majors who wish to obtain one semester hour's credit for a senior exhibit must submit their digital portfolio for review and approval by the art faculty.
ART HISTORY MINOR
Students who are pursuing a major in an area other than art may pursue a minor in art history.
Requirements for the minor in art history are:
ART
101 3
Two of the following:
ART 103, 104, 105, 106,
200 Level Studio
6
Three of the following:
ART 309, 310, 311,
312, 314, 371-375
9
TOTAL
18
ELECTRONIC ART MINOR
Students who are pursuing a major in an area other than art may pursue a minor in electronic art.
Requirements for the minor in electronic art are:
Art
105 3
Art 103 or
104
3
Art
308 3
Three of the following:
Art 204, 304, 350,
490
9
TOTAL 18
VISUAL ARTS MINOR
Students who are pursuing a major in an area other than art may pursue a minor in visual arts.
Requirements for the minor in visual arts are:
ART
101 3
ART 103 or
104
3
ART 105 or 106
3
Electives from
any
9
ART 200,
300,
or
400 level
studio
TOTAL 18
GRAPHIC DESIGN EMPHASIS
Students who are working towards a major in art may pursue an emphasis in graphic design. This emphasis is designed to meet the needs of students with a variety of interests by studying and practicing design techniques and theories that will improve artistic communication and enhance their professional goals. A student may explore many areas of graphic design including typography, illustration, photography, corporate identity/logo design, package design, environmental/sign design, web design, self promotion, production/printing techniques and procedures and design internships. Students successfully completing this emphasis will acquire knowledge and develop skills that will be essential in many entry level design positions.
Requirements for the emphasis in graphic design are:
ART 304 3
ART 404 3
ART 308 3
ART 408 3
TOTAL 12