Art Major

Course Descriptions

NOTE: A lab fee of $50 is required for each art course with the exception of Art 311, 312 and 315.

Art 101 - Experiences in Art - 1.5 units

This course is designed to expose the student to the visual elements of art such as line, value and color. Students also develop basic drawing skills which enable them to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional art forms. Through active participation in artist's exhibitions and lectures the student is introduced to the study of art history and the role the artist plays within society.

Art 200 - Elements of Art - 3 units

Students will be given a practical introduction to the basics of art through creative studio activities involving the elements of art in a variety of media with two and three dimensional projects. Prerequisite: Art 101 or consent of instructor.

Art 201 - Drawing I - 3 units

Students will explore a variety of subjects such as landscape, still life and natural and man-made objects through a variety of drawing media. Prerequisite: Art 200 or consent of the instructor.

Art 251 - Design - 3 units

Students learn the elements and principles of design by creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of art. Students also study the art of professional designers who work in the field. Prerequisites: Art 200 and 201.

Art 261 - Graphic Design I - 3 units

This studio art course is an introduction to the study of graphic design. Students will be exposed to the history of visual communication, typography and advertising. They also learn how to identify the elements and principles of design by creating image and text related projects. Students develop skills utilizing the digital techniques of scanning, typographic adjustments, vector drawing, exporting and printing.

Art 270 - Digital Publishing - 3 units

Students will develop page layout skills, utilizing composition and typographic principles while learning to use Adobe InDesign. Students will learn to combine images created in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop with text to produce flyers, posters, newsletters, magazines, brochures, calendars, etc. (Previously listed as Art 170)

Art 271 - Digital Image Manipulation - 3 units

Students will become proficient using Adobe Photoshop, the industry-standard digital image manipulation program and a foundational communication tool that has applications in graphic design, advertising, web design, animation and multimedia. This course examines the ways in which complex ideas and messages can be interpreted and represented in visual form, thus offering clarity or deeper meaning to the intended receiver. (Previously listed as Art 171)

Art 272 - Digital Illustration - 3 units

Students will acquire type manipulation and digital illustration skills through tutorial exercises, demonstrations and practical assignments using Adobe Illustrator, the industry-standard vector-based digital illustration program. In the course, distinctions will be made between pixel-based and vector-based technologies. (Previously listed as Art 172).

Art 301 - Drawing II - 3 units

Students will be helped to establish a style and technique emphasizing discipline, craftsmanship and imagination, using a variety of drawing materials. The student will investigate perspective, composition, line and tone control, along with personal point of view. Studio Course. Prerequisite: Art 210 and and consent of instructor.

Art 311 - Art History I - 3 units

This course is a survey of Western Art from the Prehistoric Period through the Renaissance, employing illustrated lectures, independent research, museum visits and discussion.

Art 312 - Art History II - 3 units

This course is a survey of western art from the Renaissance through the present employing illustrated lectures, independent research, museum visits and discussion.

Art 315 - The History of Contemporary Art - 3 units

This course examines the art of the last half of the 20th century and the art of the 21st century. It explores the ideas that became seminal points of interest for contemporary artists during this period. Students in the course will study how art reflects history; how style communicates the concerns of the artist and his/her culture; and how symbols, techniques, materials and subjects are used to convey issues important to contemporary artists. Prerequisites: Art 311 and 312.

Art 321 - Painting I - 3 units

Students explore the importance of composition, color and value by painting in oil and other media such as acrylic, watercolor and tempera. An emphasis is placed on studying art history and learning from professional painters who work in the field. The students also explore the techniques of painting in relationship to specific content. Prerequisite: Art 201.

Art 331 - Sculpture I - 3 units

This course introduces the student to the concepts, materials, and methods of sculpture. Creative ideas will be developed in wood, clay, plaster, found objects, and cardboard. Principles and use of equipment, material sources, and safety factors will be addressed. Prerequisite: Art 200 or consent of instructor.

Art 341 - Ceramics - 3 units

This course introduces clay from the process of construction through the completion of a finished piece using the following methods: pinch, coil, slab, wheel and decorative. Prerequisites: Art 101 and 201 or consent of instructor.

Art 351 - Printmaking I - 3 units

This course provides an introduction to printmaking media. Emphasis is placed on experimentation of the media through techniques such as the monoprint, relief and silkscreen. Prerequisite: Art 200 and 201 or consent of the instructor.

Art 360 - Typography - 3 units

This course is a historical overview of type and typographic technologies. Students will be introduced to the formal qualities of different typefaces and they will learn to use type as an expressive communication tool. This is an essential course for anyone who wishes to communicate with the printed word. Prerequisites: Art 270 or the consent of professor. (Previously listed as Art 260)

Art 361 - Graphic Design II - 3 units

Students produce intermediate design projects that emphasize aesthetics, the theory of design and the relationship between text and image. Students also learn how to create package design, posters and magazine advertisements. A portion of this course is devoted to a service learning assignment creating collateral pieces for a nonprofit organization within the community. Prerequisites: Art 261 or the consent of professor.

Art 390: Graphic Design Practicum

A practical experience outside the classroom that is directly related to graphic design. It will involve “hands-on” experience that is a beneficial complement to the student’s academic experience. Prerequisites: By consent of professor.

Art 391 - Art in the Schools - 3 units

This is a practical experience for students who plan to teach art at the secondary level. Students assist an art teacher in a middle or high school setting and integrate what they have learned in Art 480 for the presentation of a variety of art projects in the classroom. Prerequisites: Art 480 and consent of instructor.

Art 392 - Art Gallery/Center Practicum - 3 units

For this course, students will expand their understanding of art by assisting in an art gallery or center. The experience is designed to equip studio art students with practical skills such as curating exhibitions, working with professional artists, teachers and/or art dealers. Prerequisite: studio art emphasis with senior standing or consent of instructor.

Art 401 - Senior Art Seminar - 3 units

Art majors take this course as a means to create a solo exhibition. Students choose particular media to use in order to create a body of work that explores a focused theme. They are also expected to conduct research for the work they produce for the exhibit. Prerequisites: senior standing and consent of instructor.

Art 421 - Painting II - 3 units

Students are encouraged to paint from life in oil paint and other media. They engage in active discussion about historical methods of painting as well as view the work of professional painters. Class critiques enable the students to articulate both the techniques and subject matter they explore in the images they produce for the course. Prerequisite: Art 321.

Art 421 - Painting II - 3 units

Students are encouraged to create and solve problems from observation as well as from imagination. Critiques, both individual and group, will help the student attain formal knowledge and self awareness. Experience in a wide range of media will also be encouraged. Media such as oil, acrylic, pastel, modeling paste and tempera will be used to develop an interest and technique in painting. Studio course. Prerequisite: Art 321 and instructor's permission. Limited to art majors.

Art 431 Sculpture II - 3 units

Principles, use of equipment, and safety factors will be addressed with emphasis on individual development of form and craftsmanship. Creative assignments will be given involving metal, wood and other materials. Studio course. Prerequisites: Art 331 and consent of instructor.

Art 451 - Printmaking II - 3 units

Students expand upon their knowledge of certain printing techniques such as the monoprint, collagraph, relief and silkscreen methods. The students are expected to conduct research that combines art history and practical experience to produce prints that are rich in content. Prerequisites: Art 201, 301 and 351.

Art 461 - Graphic Design III - 3 units

The goal of this course is to allow advanced students to choose between projects so that they can fill in gaps in their portfolios. Students write creative briefs to clarify all details of their projects. The briefs must include objectives, methodologies, and finished piece details. An emphasis is placed on preparing students to become professional graphic designers in the field. Prerequisites: Art 361 or consent of instructor.

Art 471 - Video Art - 3 units

In this studio course, students create relationships between image and sound by using the time-based medium of video. An emphasis is placed on students developing strong concepts for their projects. They learn how to create a storyboard, film and edit video art pieces together using the programs Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects. Prerequisites: Art 271 or Art 272, or by consent of instructor.

Art 480 - Secondary Art Curriculum and Methods - 3 units

Students learn how to create an effective art curriculum for middle and/or high school-aged students. They design art projects that combine art history, cultural aspects about art and the theory of artistic methods and techniques in an engaging manner. Prerequisites: Art 200, 201, 311, 312, 331, 341 and 351 or consent of instructor.

Art 488 - Children's Art - 3 units

Students will explore the developmental stages of art in children at different levels. To aid in curriculum development, students will have opportunities to experiment with various art activities to develop skills needed for the effective teaching of art in the elementary school. Prerequisite: Art 101 or consent of instructor.

Art 490 - Internship - 3-8 units

An intense practical experience outside the classroom that is an integral part of a professional program. This may be either a part-time or full-time experience that contributes significantly to the preparation of a student for entrance into a profession. Approximately 40 contact hours are required for each unit of credit. Prerequisites: By consent of professor.

Art 491 - Public Art - 3 units

In this course, students study the history of public art through readings and discussion. They expand upon their knowledge of traditional art by learning how to create installations, performances and other art forms that involve technology. Students also produce site-specific projects that are designed for diverse audiences. Prerequisites: Art 200, 201, 311, 312, 321 and 331 or consent of instructor.

For more information:

Contact Professor Niclas Kruger at (949) 214-3291 or email niclas.kruger@cui.edu.