Art, B.A.
Coordinator: Mark Rooker
Phone: (540) 568-6410
Email: rookermd@jmu.edu
Program Description
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Art is designed for students who seek a breadth of knowledge in the visual arts and who have an interest or background in the humanities and foreign language. 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, assist in running on-campus galleries and art studio labs, and 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 first year, 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. 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.
SADAH Computer Requirements for Art, B.A.
SADAH's programs require all students to have a laptop computer equipped with and capable of running any necessary software. SADAH considers a laptop an essential tool for total participation in classes and content.
SADAH faculty determine the hardware and software requirements annually to ensure students purchase the most up-to-date technology conducive to participating in the curriculum.
For all hardware and software requirements, please see the department's website.
Degree Requirements
| Degree Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| General Education1 | 41 |
| Foreign Language courses (intermediate level required)2 | 0-12 |
| Philosophy course (in addition to General Education courses) | 3 |
| Major requirements | 45 |
| University electives | 19-31 |
| Total 3 | 120 |
- 1
The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some credits may be fulfilled by courses required within the major.
- 2
The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student's chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of World Language and Cultures' placement test.
- 3
The optional art education concentration requires more than 120 credits.
Major Requirements
The art major requires a minimum of 45 credit hours in art and art history.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses | ||
| FDS 102 | Color and Composition | 3 |
| FDS 104 | Observational Drawing | 3 |
| FDS 106 | Form and Space | 3 |
| ARTH 205 | Survey of World Art I: Prehistoric to Renaissance [C2VPA] | 3 |
| ARTH 206 | Survey of World Art II: Renaissance to Modern [C2VPA] | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| 3-D Studio Art Courses | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introductory Ceramics | ||
| Introduction to Fibers Processes | ||
| Introductory Metals | ||
| Introductory Sculpture: Idea Material Process | ||
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| Studio Art Electives | ||
| 18 credit hours of Studio Art electives must consist of studio-based courses with an ART or FDS prefix. 1 | 18 | |
| Subtotal | 18 | |
| Studio Art Emphasis | ||
| In addition to the 18 credit hours of studio art electives above, 6 additional credit hours of upper-level Studio Art electives (300-400 level) must be taken in a single studio area (i.e. Ceramics, Fibers, Metals, Sculpture, Printmaking and Immersive Media, Photography or Painting). Only courses with an ART prefix count toward this requirement. | 6 | |
| Subtotal | 6 | |
| Art History Elective | ||
| Students must take 3 credit hours of art history at the 300-400 level. 2 | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
- 1
Excluding ART 200, ART 105, ART 304*, ART 305, ART 405, ART 491, ART 493 and ART 496.
* Students who elect the concentration in art education may count ART 304 towards this requirement.
- 2
Students may not count ARTH 397, ARTH 490, ARTH 495, ARTH 497, or ARTH 499 towards this requirement.
Art Education Concentration
Coordinator: William Wightman
Phone: (540) 568-5144
Email: wightmwh@jmu.edu
Students pursuing the B.A. in Art who desire to obtain K-12 Licensure should declare a concentration in art education. The concentration requires 42 credit hours, 3 of which may double-count for major requirements. An additional 3 credits may double count towards general education.
It is necessary to be admitted to the teacher education program prior to enrolling in professional education courses. For a complete description of admission and retention policies and procedures for teacher education, refer to the College of Education.
Students seeking the concentration in art education professional PK-12 teaching licensure are encouraged to consult regularly with the program coordinator of art education. The undergraduate degree leading to licensure must include the following minimum requirements in art:
- Nine credits must be earned in art history and art appreciation.
- Six credits must be earned in ceramics and crafts, with a minimum of one course in ceramics.
- Six credits must be earned in three-dimensional media, with one course in sculpture.
- Twelve credits must be earned in four different two-dimensional media.
- Twenty-seven studio credits, with a minimum of six credits in each of three separate studio areas.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Art Education Concentration Requirements | ||
| ARED 300 | Elementary Art Education Methods | 3 |
| ARED 302 | Secondary Art Education Methods | 3 |
| ARED 400 | Visual Arts Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| ARED 480 | Student Teaching 1 | 16 |
| ARED 490 | Field Experiences in Art Education 2 | 6 |
| ART 304 | Methods of Art Criticism | 3 |
| EDUC 200 | Foundations of Education in the United States | 3 |
| LED 420 | Content Area Literacy, K-12 | 2 |
| PSYC 160 | Life Span Human Development [C5SD] | 3 |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
Recommended Schedule for Majors
| First Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| FDS 102 | Color and Composition | 3 |
| FDS 104 | Observational Drawing | 3 |
| FDS 106 | Form and Space | 3 |
| ARTH 205 | Survey of World Art I: Prehistoric to Renaissance [C2VPA] | 3 |
| Madison Foundations | 9 | |
| General Education requirement | 9 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Second Year | ||
| ARTH 206 | Survey of World Art II: Renaissance to Modern [C2VPA] | 3 |
| Required 3-D studio art course | 3 | |
| Foreign language courses (if needed) | 6 | |
| General Education requirement | 12 | |
| Studio Art electives (any level) | 6 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Art history elective (300-400 level) | 3 | |
| Studio art electives (any level) | 9 | |
| General electives | 6 | |
| B.A. philosophy requirement | 3 | |
| General Education requirement | 9 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Studio art emphasis (300-400 level) | 6 | |
| Studio art or general electives | 24 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |