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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog
Art, B.F.A.
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Program Description
Coordinator: Greg Stewart
Phone: (540) 568-6816
Email: stewargk@jmu.edu
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art offers concentrations in ceramics, fibers, integrated 3D, metals, painting and drawing, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. It is designed for students who aspire to develop a professional art practice as expansively defined in today’s world. Students are prepared to produce and exhibit art and to pursue further study at the graduate level.
The art faculty is made up of practicing artists who work closely with the students, and students also work closely with each other as they develop their studio practice. Visiting artists and scholars, workshops, field trips and frequent on-campus exhibitions of professional artwork enhance student engagement with contemporary art. Additionally, students have opportunities to exhibit and present their artwork, to assist in running on-campus galleries and studio art labs and to partake in other hands-on art experiences.
Students graduating with a major in art will:
- Display technical command of at least one medium and display fluency in a range of media
- Effectively analyze and apply two- and three-dimensional design principles and devices
- Develop an independent line of creative inquiry that embraces risk-taking and inventive solutions
- Knowledgeably critique and contextualize their artwork to cultivate expressive ideas and meaningful content
- Demonstrate awareness of contemporary art and art history within a global context
Special Admission Requirements
Architectural Design, Art Studio, Graphic Design and Industrial Design Majors
All prospective freshmen, transfer and change of major students intending to major in architectural design, graphic design or studio art must meet JMU admission requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Catalog. In addition to meeting JMU admission requirements, all students seeking the BFA with a major in architectural design, art studio or graphic design, or the BS with a major in industrial design are required to submit a portfolio to the school’s SlideRoom account (https://jmuart.slideroom.com). The submission of a portfolio is optional for students seeking the BA and BS with a major in art studio. All students regardless of degree type, who wish to be considered for a scholarship must submit a portfolio to SlideRoom. The submission of a portfolio is seen as evidence of a student’s interest and potential for future success in art. The deadline for submitting portfolios to SADAH’s SlideRoom site can be found on the School’s Portfolio page. There is a $10 charge for this submission.
Transfer and Change of Major Students
Transfer and change of major students seeking the BFA with a major in architectural design, art studio, or graphic design or the BS with a major in industrial design are required to submit a portfolio and also need to upload unofficial transcripts and a statement of intent to the school’s SlideRoom account that explains their educational and artistic goals, articulating the reasons for choosing this area of study.
On-Campus Portfolio Feedback Days and Scholarships
All students who would like to be considered for scholarships are required to attend one of the on-campus or virtual portfolio feedback days. Students will show their original art and participate in a faculty interview. If time-based media examples (video and animation) are included, students will need to bring their own digital device for presentation purposes. Refer to the SADAH website for the dates of the upcoming portfolio feedback days and for additional portfolio requirements. All scholarship awards are based on merit and vary in amount. Tours of facilities and program information sessions will take place at on-campus events.
Off-Campus Portfolio Feedback Days
The SADAH also offers students the opportunity for faculty critiques on their portfolio, prior to their digital submission and before an on-campus or virtual portfolio scholarship interview. The off-campus portfolio feedback events provide an opportunity for students to meet SADAH’s faculty. All prospective first-year, transfer and change of major students are strongly encouraged to attend a portfolio feedback day, on or off campus, prior to submitting their portfolio.
Degree and Major Requirements
| Degree Requirements |
Credit Hours |
|---|
| General Education courses 1 |
41 |
| University elective 1 |
1 |
Major requirements (listed below)
Total
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78
120
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Footnotes
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary. Major Requirements
The general fine arts concentration requires 78 credit hours in art, art history and art related courses.
Required Art Courses
Foundation Courses
Studio courses (choose six of the following): 18 Credit Hours
Courses cannot be double-counted in studio concentration. Studio Concentration (choose one of the following): 15 Credit Hours
Credits taken to fulfill the studio concentration must be taken in a single studio area. Complete three of the following courses:
Integrated 3D
The integrated 3D emphasis requires 78 credit hours in art, art history and art related courses.
Foundation Courses: 18 Credit Hours
2D Studio Art courses (choose two): 6 Credit Hours
3D Studio Art courses: 24 Credit Hours
Courses cannot be double-counted in studio emphasis.
Studio Emphasis (choose one of the following media): 6 Credit Hours
Credits taken to fulfill the studio emphasis must be taken in a single studio area.
Required Capstone Courses: 6 Credit Hours
Art History Electives: 6 Credit Hours
- Art history electives (300-400 level) 2 Credits: 6.00
Additional Courses: 12 Credit Hours
- Art and art-related electives 3 Credits: 12.00
Footnotes
1 This course fulfills the College of Visual and Performing Arts writing-intensive requirement for the major.
2 Excludes ARTH 490 , ARTH 495 and ARTH 499 .
3 Studio and art-related electives include courses from graphic design, interior design, art education and internships, but excludes courses taken to fulfill the studio concentration.
Integrated 3D Concentration Total: 78 Credit Hours
Art and art-related electives: 21 Credit Hours
Art and art-related electives may include courses from graphic design, architectural design, art education independent study, industrial design, internships and study abroad studio courses but excludes courses taken to fulfill the studio concentration. Major Requirements Total: 78 Credit Hours
Recommended Schedule for Majors
First Year Total: 30 Credit Hours
Second Year Total: 30 Credit Hours
Third Year
- Art history elective (300-400 level) 3 Credit Hours
- Required two- and three-dimensional studio art electives 9 Credit Hours
- Studio concentration 6 Credit Hours
- General or art electives (any level) 6 Credit Hours
- General Education: The Human Community courses 6 Credit Hours
Third Year Total: 30 Credit Hours
Fourth Year
- Art history elective (300-400 level) 3 Credit Hours
- Studio concentration 6 Credit Hours
- General or art electives 9 Credit Hours
- General Education: The Human Community courses 12 Credit Hours
Fourth Year Total: 30 Credit Hours
Program Total: 120 Credit Hours
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