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    At least 13 courses in the department. Five introductory level courses (AVA 100-160 or 345), one from each of the following areas: design fundamentals or drawing (AVA 100, AVA 110 or 345); photography (AVA 120); sculpture or three-dimensional design (AVA 130, AVA 140); printmaking (AVA 150, AVA 151); digital arts (AVA 160). Two intermediate studio courses (AVA 210-270, or 345); two advanced studio courses (AVA 300 or above); one art history survey course; and three other visual arts studio courses chosen in consultation with a visual arts faculty advisor.

     Seven courses, including three introductory (AVA 100-160 or 345); two intermediate (AVA 200-270 or 345); and one advanced course (AVA 300 or above). One art history course is required.

     Students who wish to major in a combined dual concentration of studio art and art history must take seven courses in each area.
      In studio: Students must take one course in three of the disciplines of the studio arts offered by the department (drawing and painting; photography; printmaking and two-dimensional design; sculpture and three-dimensional design; digital arts). Students may not exceed four introductory courses. Two intermediate-level courses are required in at least two studio art disciplines (AVA 210-270 or 345). Two advanced courses are required in a single discipline (300 or above). For honors requirements, see below.
     In art history: Students must take two of the three Western art history survey courses (AAH 101-102-103) and one of the two Asian art history survey courses (AAH 104-105).  Additionally, students must take four additional courses that cover at least three historical periods or geographic regions; three of these four must be advanced  courses.  The WS requirement for combined dual concentration must be fulfilled by an art history seminar taken in the senior year.

Requirements for Interdepartmental Major:

     Eight courses with at least one course in three of the five general disciplines of studio visual arts (drawing/painting; photography; printmaking/two-dimensional design; sculpture/three-dimensional design; digital arts). No more than three introductory courses (AVA 100-160 or 345); no more than two intermediate courses (AVA 200-270 or 345); at least two advanced level courses (AVA300 or above); at least one art history course; senior/honors sequence optional.

     In-depth study in drawing/painting, photography, printmaking/two-dimensional design, sculpture/three-dimensional design or digital arts in the senior year, leading to a solo exhibition. A senior honors project takes the form of a two-term independent study focusing on the student’s particular area of interest in the visual arts. An honors project usually takes place during winter and spring terms (first term, 498, pass/fail; second term, 499, with an overall grade for both terms). Candidates must meet College qualifications for honors and secure approval from a visual arts faculty sponsor for the two-term project with culminating exhibit. There are additional requirements of honors in studio fine arts and they should be obtained from your visual arts advisor.

Requirements for Departmental Honors for Studio/Art History Combined Dual Concentration:

    Honors for the combined concentration requires a cumulative grade point average of 3.3; a 3.3 grade point average for all courses counting toward the combined concentration; and one of three project options.
    1) Successful completion of a two-term art history thesis (“A” or “A minus”), which also requires successful completion of a paper by the end of the junior year (“B plus” or above), a proposal approved by the advisor, approval of the final product by a second faculty reader, and an oral presentation at Steinmetz in the spring term of the senior year or
    2) A two-term independent study project focusing on the student’s particular area of interest in the studio arts, culminating in an exhibition (“A” or “A minus”) or
     3) a two-term project that combines art history and studio arts, which must be planned in consultation with an advisor from each discipline, and which must be proposed by the end of the junior year. For those doing a written work, a copy must be left with the department’s collection and archives, for those completing a studio project, visual documentation (usually slide reproductions) of the project, a one-page abstract, and one original work must be left with the department. These requirements for project option #3 will be negotiated with the advisors on a case-by-case basis.

     Each honors student keeps a written journal during the two-term project, reflecting on his/her work. There is regular verbal and written input from the faculty sponsor. This journal forms the basis for a final paper of at least 15 pages, which satisfies the College's senior writing (WS) requirement. Visual arts majors who elect not to pursue a senior honors project must satisfy the WS requirement either through an art history senior seminar designated WS (for those studio concentrators who have the necessary prerequisites in art history) or by obtaining a faculty sponsor for a one-term independent senior studio project with a journal and final paper.

     Union offers a studio fine arts concentration with a recommended sequence of courses for students wanting preparation for graduate school in architecture as well as the related fields of historic preservation, landscape architecture, and urban planning. While graduate schools in these areas do not require a specific major, a thorough visual arts portfolio is essential, and greatly enhanced by specific course work in engineering, art history, math, science and computer science. Those interested should consult any of the studio advisors as early as possible for specific details. Advisors: Professors Benjamin, Duncan, Hatke; Senior Lecturer Wimer.

Note: Due to demand and limited enrollments, all studio visual arts courses are “card” (also known as “list”) courses requiring preliminary sign up during preregistration times, outside the main Arts Office. Most introductory courses have some openings for incoming freshmen fall term only.