Courses

• CFA AR 447: Printmaking 1: Etching & Monotype 4 credits Fall term
  This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the intaglio print media -- traditional and contemporary - including etching, aquatint, photo-processes, monotype, and alternative techniques. Printmaking encompasses drawing, design, mark making, multiples, sequences, and overlays, using various material substrates such as metals and plastics. Students are encouraged to master and adapt intaglio techniques as an expressive means for exploring visual intent for their own imagery. Group and individual critiques; emphasis is on image development and technical knowledge. Projects may span media to build a group of related prints. Presentations on the historical and contemporary print and its culture, visiting artists, museum and studio visits provide context.
• CFA AR 448: Printmaking 1: Lithography and Relief 4 credits Spring term
  This course introduces methods of plate and stone lithography, multiple block layered color relief printing, and monotype used as a developmental tool. It presents print as the expressive means toward exploring visual intent and subject. The intrinsic nature of print involves drawing, creating multiples, opacities and transparencies, varied material substrates, color layering, and sequences and versions -- all can access ideas. This course is project-based, and projects may bridge media to build a group of related prints. Presentations on the historical and contemporary print and its culture, museum and studio visits provide context.
• CFA AR 450: The Art of the Multiple
  This course investigates the history of printmaking, paper making, and the production of the multiple image from Johannes Gutenberg to the Internet. The contemporary multiple in printmaking, installation, photography, sculpture, book, and the digital forms will be studied.
• CFA AR 451: Printmaking 2 (Fall, variable credit)
  This course offers advanced professional study in printmaking techniques, for students who wish to focus on the print with intensity, as they refine their personal visual statement through workshop practice, critique and the enhancement of critical thinking. Experimentation is encouraged while students develop technical mastery and independent problem solving through print. In addition to demonstrations and hands-on guidance, the course provides an expanded technical vocabulary. Combined multiple printing applications and experimental media will be an option as well as the opportunity to print at large scale. Introduction to contemporary artists engaged in print practice and contemporary issues, through presentations, field and museum trips, and visiting artists. Variable credit, one or both semesters.
• CFA AR 452: Printmaking 2 (Spring, variable credit)
  This course offers advanced professional study in printmaking techniques, for students who wish to focus on the print with intensity, as they refine their personal visual statement through workshop practice, critique and the enhancement of critical thinking. Experimentation is encouraged while students develop technical mastery and independent problem solving through print. In addition to demonstrations and hands-on guidance, the course provides an expanded technical vocabulary. Combined multiple printing applications and experimental media will be an option as well as the opportunity to print at large scale. Introduction to contemporary artists engaged in print practice and contemporary issues, through presentations, field and museum trips, and visiting artists. Variable credit, one or both semesters.
• CFA AR 461: Directed Study Art Education
  Provides opportunity for individual students to gain practical experience or to pursue academic investigations of a more independent nature in a subject related to art education. Open to undergraduate students in the Art Education BFA or the Five-year MA Program only. Approval of the student's advisor or supervising faculty and department chair required. An established focus of study must be submitted in writing in advance of registration. Variable credits, either semester.
• CFA AR 468: Pre-K-14 Visual Arts Curriculum Design and Writing
  Graduate students produce an illustrated thematic curriculum that covers Pre-K-12 studio studies in the visual arts for one year including a unit/lessons for the preceding and following course or year. Attention is given to generating a rationale for the curriculum, developing a teaching philosophy, describing district demographics, addressing 21st century skills, providing adaptations for both gifted and special needs students, etc. Accommodations are made to adapt course requirements for undergraduate art education majors. This course is taken in conjunction with student teaching and clinical practicums.
• CFA AR 469: Color
  Color is a studio course that investigates the relativity of color, and the role that quantity, proportion, and context play in our perception of color, both in the visual arts, and in our daily environment. Lectures, demonstrations, slide presentations, and museum visits will complement the primary studio activity of solving specific color problems, and of generating individual, expressive color compositions. Open to all University students. No previous experience in art is required. Elective credit may be applied to the BFA Major or the Visual Arts Minor. 4.0 credits.
• CFA AR 470: Ceramics 1
  Introduction to methods and strategies for using ceramics as a sculptural material. The course initiates the students to the process, vocabulary and techniques involved in all the steps of hand-building, glazing and firing. Students will explore traditional and experimental techniques: building with coils, slabs, imprints, forming on molds, extruding, surface development, glazing and staining. There will also be a demonstration of some basic throwing. The class includes experimentation with different surface treatments and initiation to glaze chemistry and uses. The class approaches the history and contemporary practice of ceramics through lectures, museum visits and individual research. (4 cr)
• CFA AR 471: Ceramics 1
  Introduction to methods and strategies for using ceramics as a sculptural material. The course initiates students to the process, vocabulary and techniques involved in all the steps of hand-building, glazing and firing. (2 cr)
• CFA AR 483: Senior Graphic Design Fall: Collaboration
  Group collaboration and design as an agent for social change are areas that will challenge students to develop their own content, point of view and to learn their audience. Students will work in teams representing a professional studio environment. Students will manage multiple work streams through lead and supportive roles. Thesis research will complement group activities throughout the fall. Research will begin in fall semester and serve as a launching point for self-directed study during the final semester.
• CFA AR 484: Senior Graphic Design Spring: Senior Thesis
  In this culminating semester students will independently develop systems and methodologies for solving real world, pragmatic design problems. Students start by identifying an area of research and discussing its relationship to graphic design. The idea of 'designer as author' will be emphasized through a self-motivated design project that will strengthen individual processes and problem solving capabilities. Upon graduation students are expected to have developed a refined, intelligent, professional-grade body of work.
• CFA AR 487: Junior Type Fall: Denotation, Connotation
  Junior level typography is an advanced examination into the theory and practice of denotative and connotative typography. Students will learn how to design a complex typographic system over a sequence of pages; and how to control complex hierarchal systems as a means of conveying visual language and verbal meaning. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the function of design principles in creating typographic contrast, hierarchy, meaning and expression. Students will address how variables such as rate, pace and sound impact typographic narrative in a time-based context.
• CFA AR 497: Junior Type: Motion + Interactivity
  CFA AR497 is the only typography course that solely addresses dynamic typography. Students will learn how to translate traditional typographic variable like form, weight, scale and space into dynamic environments, type-based narrative sequences, and type in an interactive format. Students will learn how pacing, rhythm, sequencing and interactivity impact hierarchy and communication. Focus on refinement, craft, typographic complexity, denotative and connotative typography is emphasized. Creative concepting, visual storytelling and hierarchy will be emphasized. Tutorials in After Effects and Flash are included. Open to undergraduate junior graphic design students. This is a required course for graphic design majors. 2 credits. Spring semester.
• CFA AR 500: Independent Study: Drawing Elective
  Discussion of a broad range of drawing issues, including drawing from memory, and from secondary sources. Introduction of subjects explored in non-representational drawing traditions. Regular critiques.
• CFA AR 501: Drawing Venice
  
• CFA AR 502: Branding
  Brand identity is a unique and sustainable symbol that synthesizes big ideas. It works across all media to build awareness and loyalty. This course will deal with the real world issues and problem-solving for brand identities. Students will develop logos as a point of entry to a brand for a series of assigned hypothetical companies. A creative marketing oriented brief will precede each assignment. Each project will include: applications for stationery; web-site home page look-and-feel; product nomenclature or packaging; and signage (where applicable). Logos include symbols, wordmarks, single letters such as H for Herman Miller, pictorial marks like the Michelin Man and abstract symbols like Chase Manhattan. The creative brief will contain information about the target audience for each assignment. Students must have a good practical knowledge of typography, as it is the key ingredient for this course. "A good logo should suggest, not explain." Paul Rand
• CFA AR 508: The Experimental Photograph
  This course brings together the STEM disciplines with the art of photography through hands on experiments and explorations of neuroscience, engineering, and new media. From pinhole photography to 3D printing, students will gain skills in historical processes within the medium of photography as well as current technologies. Final projects will be presented in exhibition format in Gallery 5. Materials will be presented through lectures, readings, technical demonstrations, guest scientists, group discussions, and visits to labs on campus. Student work will be discussed in formal critiques and informal work shares. The interdisciplinary approach to the course aims to broaden students' understanding of the medium of photography and to appreciate an expanded view of the arts and sciences. No prior experience with photography or the STEM disciplines is required.
• CFA AR 512: Architect Draw
  
• CFA AR 515: Digital Photo
  Prereq: CFA AR 415 or equivalent. Digital Photo will acquaint student with the basics of RAW image capture using a digital camera, non-destructive image file management, input and output resolution management, establishment of a digital workflow, adjustment and editing in Adobe Photoshop, fundamentals of color correcting management, digital retouching and high-end archival inkjet printing.