Visual Arts
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CFA AR 362: Secondary Methods of Art Education (4 credits; spring semester)
This course is designed to acquaint the learner with the role of an art educator in the secondary setting. Art content and concepts are used to teach the ways in which the design of studio learning experiences can enhance students' artistic, creative, and aesthetic development. The cognitive, socio-cultural, and physical characteristics of pre-adolescent and adolescent learners that impact sound instructional methodology and planning as perceived by the school, the student(s), and the teacher are considered. -
CFA AR 365: Practicum PreK-8
Undergraduate art education majors complete student teaching at the preK -- grade 8 levels. The student intern, who is supervised by art education faculty in collaboration with the cooperating teacher, completes an eight-week practicum. A preliminary visit by the supervising faculty member occurs during the first two weeks and is followed by three announced formal observations recurring on a two-week cycle during which the student assumes responsibilities for one-third, two-thirds, and the full cooperating teacher's duties. -
CFA AR 366: Practicum 5-12
Undergraduate art education majors complete student teaching at the grades 5-12 levels. The student intern, who is supervised by art education faculty in collaboration with the cooperating teacher, completes an eight-week practicum. A preliminary visit by the supervising faculty member occurs during the first two weeks and is followed by three announced observations recurring on a two-week cycle during which the student assumes responsibilities for one-third, two-thirds, and the full cooperating teacher's duties. -
CFA AR 381: Junior Graphic Design Fall: Audience, Authorship
Junior graphic design exercises a student's knowledge of graphic design fundamentals--form development and communication strategies--to solve more complex design problems. Variables such as audience, context, authorship and issues relevant to contemporary practice will be investigated and discussed. Context driven platforms for communication will be explored as students consider how to reach both narrow and broad audiences across multiple mediums. -
CFA AR 382: AR382 Junior Graphic Design Spring: Audience, Authorship
Students examine design as cultural practice as they explore their own design sensibilities and interests through a sequence of self-authored projects in preparation for senior year. Projects and discussion focus on how narrow and broad social contexts/environments impact the way in which graphic design lives and functions. -
CFA AR 385: Sophomore Type Fall: Rules of Typography
In this introductory course for sophomore graphic design majors, students will study the fundamentals of typography, from its history and anatomy to organizational structures, legibility and hierarchy. Legibility and hierarchy will be examined with increasing complexity from the letterform, to the word, sentence, paragraph and page. Students will learn characteristics of major type families, how to create and use a typographic grid and to work with type in a dynamic environment. -
CFA AR 386: Sophomore Type Spring: Hierarchy, Composition
In the second sequence of sophomore typography, students will learn (1)aspects of working with and refining bodies of text, from letter spacing, word spacing and line spacing, (2) basic ideas associated with connotative typography and visible language and (3) how to create a simple typographic system and apply it to a sequence of pages. Students will develop a sensitivity toward defining and controlling multiple typographic hierarchies. Students will explore dynamic typographic variables like rate, pace and sound to express an abstract concept typographically. -
CFA AR 401: Directed Study Sculpture
Undergraduate only. With Permission of faculty. 2.0 credits. -
CFA AR 402: Directed Study Ceramics
Undergraduate only. By permission of faculty. -
CFA AR 403: Directed Study Printmaking
Undergraduate only. With permission of faculty. Credit amount varies. -
CFA AR 404: Directed Study Graphic Design
Undergraduate only. With permission of faculty. Credit amount varies. -
CFA AR 406: Directed Study Painting
Undergraduate only. With permission of faculty. -
CFA AR 410: Visual Arts Directed Study
Undergraduate only. With permission of faculty. Credit amount varies. -
CFA AR 415: Photography 1
Designed to assist the student in mastering the basic techniques of black-and-white photography, including negative exposure, film development, and print production. Critical evaluation of photographs, relationship of photography to other visual media, and study of both historical and contemporary precedents. 4.0 credits. -
CFA AR 419: Murano Glass
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CFA AR 425: The Artist and the Book (4 credits Spring term)
By creating artist's books, students explore developing the series image, written text, and spatial and conceptual aspects. Students may work with collage and drawing, photo-based and traditional print forms, and digital and polymer-based letter press processes to produce books. Studio work will be augmented with visits to the Houghton Library Rare Book Collection and the Fogg Museum. Open to non-majors. 4 cr, 2nd semester. -
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.

