2009–2010 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Art
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Professors Derryberry (Chair), Dunning, Tynes; Associate Professors Dvorsky-Rohner, Wolfe; Assistant Professors Beldue, Canejo, Koven, Rundquist; Lecturer Gortemiller
The mission of UNC Asheville’s Art department is to provide an environment that nourishes creative thinking through visual experience for students at all stages of life. The department views the study of studio art, art history, and theory and criticism as essential to the development of artistic sensibility. The liberal studies curriculum enriches the art student’s vocabulary by stressing the importance of linking one discipline to another. This adds texture and depth to the content of each student’s work. Additionally, the art department encourages students to be fully involved in the university’s undergraduate research program.
For students who wish to pursue art history studies, the department offers a B. A. degree with a concentration in art history. The concentration allows students to study visual culture from prehistory through current times in introductory survey courses, followed by upperlevel courses that focus on particular eras, such as Renaissance, Baroque, Contemporary or on topics such as museum studies or Latin American art. Senior capstone courses emphasize the research process and require students to write an in-depth thesis paper. Additionally, a number of students who have a concentration in art history pursue internships related to art history, gallery and museum work.
For both art history and studio art, the process of self-discovery is initiated in the freshman year in the Foundation Core, in which the basic principles of art are introduced. Students are encouraged to discover their own way of integrating these concepts into quality works of art. For studio art majors, both concept and technique are honed in discipline-based courses such as painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography and printmaking during the sophomore year. A student’s approach to work becomes individualized in concept, style and technique in the upper-level courses as a preparation for the Senior Exhibition and B. A. Seminar capstone courses. These capstone courses require each student to complete a related body of work and accompanying research paper. This body of work is presented as a solo exhibition of art in partial fulfillment of the B. A. and B. F. A. studio degrees.
The senior capstone courses in art history and studio art are demanding in scope and require that a close relationship be maintained between faculty and students. Because the creative process often challenges preconceived ideas, students learn to be articulate in the search for meaning and validity in their work. The department believes that differences of opinion regarding individual image-making can be resolved in a positive way that involves mutual respect. The result is a mature body of work that prepares students to be independent thinkers and entrepreneurs.
Overall, the art department curriculum prepares students for advanced studies or admission into graduate programs and provides the basis for a variety of career opportunities. Art majors have five degree concentrations from which to choose:
Bachelor of Fine Arts—a pre-professional degree program for students who wish to pursue their studies at the graduate level
Bachelor of Arts—a liberal arts degree with an Art major
Bachelor of Arts, with a concentration in Art History
Bachelor of Fine Arts with K–12 Licensure—typically a five-year degree program
Bachelor of Arts with K–12 Licensure
Minors in art, described in more detail in each minor, also are offered.
The required core foundation courses, ART 100, 101, 102 and 103 are the base upon which the studio concentrations are built, providing each student with an essential variety of studio processes as well as historical background and critical theory. Students completing the Art History concentration choose 6 hours from ART 100 and either 101 or 103 since these courses focus on the history and the theory behind visual aesthetics.
Minors in Art
The UNC Asheville Art Department offers minors in both Studio Art and Art History. One-half of the hours required for a minor must be completed at UNC Asheville. All minors require that a minimum of 6 semester hours of 300-400 level courses be completed at UNC Asheville.
Art Department Programs Art
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