Art Education Courses
Belmont’s BFA Art Education Program is all about options. We recognize that art teachers can teach in public, private, and parochial elementary, middle, and high schools... but they can also teach and/or run programs at art museums, anthropology museums, children’s museums, community arts centers, family support agencies, hospitals, parks & recreation departments and numerous other organizations.
The primary goal of our program is to prepare our pre-service teachers for a wide range of teaching possibilities, and our curriculum supports this goal through its focus on the following nine objective threads:
- Curriculum Planning and Lesson Development
- Imagery-based Discussion and Critique
- Media Exploration and Modification for Classroom Use
- Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Art Education
- Contemporary Issues, Ideas and Technology Specific to Art Education
- Artistic/Psychological Development
- Effective Classroom Organization and Management
- Identification of Museum and Community Resources
- Assessment Strategies in the Arts
Incoming BFA Art Education students enroll in the same foundational coursework as students in our other art concentrations; most art education students complete 50 hours in standard and advanced studio areas and well over 90 hours in the teaching field prior the start of their student teaching semester. Through this “nested” design, Belmont’s BFA Art Education Program is able to promote a successful balance of breadth and focus; a balance of art studio, art history, art criticism, and aesthetics; and a balance of educational theory and first-hand teaching experience.
Professional Education
- ART 2005, Introduction to Art Education (3)
- EDU 2100, Foundations of Education (3)
- EDU 2110, Educational Psychology (3)
- EDU 3800, Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in the Classroom (3)
- ART 4200, Student Teaching Seminar (2-4)
- ART 4240, Student Teaching (8)
- ART 3810, Elementary Art Education (3)
- ART 3820, Secondary Art Education (3)
- ART 4250, Contemporary Issues in Art Education (3)
Introduces students to the historical foundations and contemporary practice of art education. Special emphasis is given to the development of conceptual understandings and skills in aesthetics, art criticism, art history, visual culture and art production, including digital media and computer technologies. Students will investigate fundamental issues in curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and will explore career opportunities in both schools and community art settings through field observations. Introduction to Art Education serves as a prerequisite for further study in the Art Education major.
This course provides an overview of the historical and sociological development of the American education systems and instructs candidates to use advocacy for children, families, and the profession to uncover unconscious bias and to critically analyze the myths that exist about American education. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.)
A study is made of the processes of education, including such topics as learning, motivation, human growth and development, individual differences, evaluation of achievement, personality, and techniques of studying education. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.)
Overview of exceptionalities; introduction to pedagogical, curricular, and social considerations involved in educating diverse learners in the classroom. The course has a practicum component. (Approximately 20 hours of practicum required, which may be within the scheduled time of the class.)
This seminar deals with practical issues associated with the student teaching experience, ART 4240, which is taken concurrently. Students will meet periodically to discuss classroom practice and procedures for seeking employment.
Prerequisites: (For prerequisites see: Admission to Student Teaching; in the education section Admission to Student Teaching)
This laboratory course gives the student teacher experience in the school and an opportunity to observe and use appropriate classroom procedures under the direct supervision of an experienced teacher. This course requires satisfactory presentation of a professional portfolio and includes a seminar which meets periodically during the full-time student teaching experience. $325.00 course fee.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (Internships, Clinicals, Practica).
Prerequisites: Introduction to Art Education.
Examines the elementary school culture and the practical application of child development theories to the development of thematic units of study. Students will explore age-appropriate materials and processes, develop and investigate instructional strategies for facilitating, learning and develop comprehensive lesson plans as a basis for micro-teaching in local elementary schools.
Prerequisites: Introduction to Art Education.
Examines middle and high school cultures and the aesthetic development of the pre-adolescent and adolescent learner. Students will explore media and processes appropriate for the secondary student, and develop comprehensive, concept-driven lesson plans as a basis for micro-teaching in local secondary schools.
Examines significant and often complex issues in art education, including contemporary curriculum theories, assessment methodologies, art dialogue and inquiry strategies, and approaches to art education in community settings. Research and theory supporting these topics will be applied to actual classroom practice.
Art Core
- ART 1010, Creative Visualization (3)
- ART 1020, 3-D Design (3)
- ART 1030, Drawing I (3)
- ART 1000, Introduction to Visual Interpretation (3)
- ART 1011, 2-D: Principles of Color (3)
- ART 1400, Introduction to Digital Imaging (3)
- ART 2200, Exhibit/Workshop Attendance (0)
- ART 1040, Figure Drawing I (3)
- ART 1050, Painting I (3)
- ART 1060, Introduction to Darkroom Photography (3)
- ART 1070, Clay I (3)
- ART 1080, Sculpture I (3)
- ART 1090, Printmaking I (3)
- ART 2810, Art History II (3)
- ART 4740, Contemporary Art (3)
- ART 4900, Senior Exhibition / Portfolio (3)
3 hours
Prerequisites: ART 1000
This course serves as a studio-based investigation of visual creativity, and is based on core concepts introduced in ART 1000. The course experiences will focus on the active exploration, analysis and practice of the multiple stages other creative process, which includes the use of formal procedures, experimentation and accidental discovery. The course topics will examine the root sources and processes of inspiration, while the course projects will cultivate the use of borrowing, synthesizing and remixing of visual forms. Students will actively learn to observe, reflect, brainstorm and self-critique while engaging in visual expression, and be able to demonstrate this knowledge and skill required of all creative visual practitioners. Course is offered in the spring semester only.
An introduction to the basic principles of 3-dimensional design, this course combines design theory with projects created by each student. Students will explore the basic components of 3-dimensional art, which includes subject, form, and content. A variety of materials and techniques will be introduced. Projects and discussions centered around 3-dimensional design and creative ideas help foster an understanding of basic 3-dimensional concepts and serve as a foundation for sculpture, ceramics, and design. $100.00 course fee.
This course is an introduction to basic drawing materials, practices, and concepts. The class will focus on the process of perception in particular as a means to achieve a successful drawing. Various techniques of using graphite, pen, and conté crayon will be demonstrated, and the use of line, value shading, and composition will be constantly emphasized and practiced, using assorted classroom and outdoor arrangements as a basis for study. Students who successfully complete the course should be able to use contour line, value shading, gesture, and other techniques to accurately represent what they see. $50.00 course fee.
Prerequisites: Open to Art majors only or by permission of instructor
An introductory study of Art and Design (open to Art majors only) emphasizing the analysis and interpretation of images drawn from various global and historical contexts. Conceptual and formal links between the visual arts and the cultural frameworks through which they are produced, viewed, and critiqued are stressed. This is a required foundation course for all first year art majors.
An introduction to subtractive color mixtures, using the 12-hue subtractive color wheel as a basis. Projects will include studying value, saturation, disharmony, color matching, and emotional color. $100.00 course fee.
This introductory course in digital imaging will introduce students to the basic Macintosh hardware and operating system. In addition, the course is a survey of basic animation, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Project may incorporate a variety of mediums. incuding print and motion media. $150.00 course fee.
Students will be expected to attend a minimum of five student, faculty and guest exhibits, artist workshops, assemblies and master classes during the semester. This requirement applies to all art majors for each semester they are enrolled as a declared major and two semesters total for all art minors. (See individual curricula for specific degree requirements.)
An introduction to the techniques, materials, and methods used in acrylic, oil, watercolor, and mixed-media. Exercises include color wheels, color matching, and brushwork techniques. Painting assignments include landscape, portrait, watercolor, and mixed-media. Composition, color mixing, and problem solving are stressed. $50.00 course fee.
An introduction to the basics of black and white photography. This class emphasizes the basic parts and operation of an SLR (manual) camera, black and white film processing, and darkroom use. Students will study the basics of composition, design, lighting, printing, processing, and final print presentation. Students will learn to develop film, process prints, and other printing controls such as dodging, burning, split filtering, experimental printing techniques and the use of filters. Concentration is on photography as a fine art medium. Students must have a 35mm manual control camera. $110.00 course fee.
This course provides an introduction to the design and creation of ceramic forms. Students will be introduced to a variety of clay bodies, basic construction methods—including pinch and coil pots, slab-building, and wheel throwing—and the demonstration of different firing techniques. Additional focus will be made on the use of glazes, slips, and engobes. Students will gain a visual awareness of the aesthetics of original ceramic pottery and/or sculpture, and learn to identify and use the techniques, tools, processes, and materials associated with them. $100.00 course fee.
Prerequisites: ART 1020
This course emphasizes the development of artistic expression in sculptural form. Students will explore traditional and contemporary sculptural materials, techniques, and concepts. Media explored include: woodworking, modeling, carving, and fabrication. Students are encouraged to explore sculpture in more conceptual depth a medium they find to be of interest. Students will be exposed to historical and contemporary artists with an emphasis on sculptors. $100.00 course fee.
An introduction to the basic techniques, materials, and methods of relief, intaglio, silkscreen, and lithography with concentrations in two or three of these processes each semester. Basic skills in printmaking plus individual creative development are emphasized. The historical and contemporary context of printmaking in the visual arts is examined through lectures, readings, demonstrations, and studio practice. $50.00 course fee.
This is the second part of a general survey of the history of Western art and architecture, and covers the Late Gothic to the Modernist era. Particular emphasis will be made on the stylistic achievements of the Renaissance and the 19th century. The primary course objectives remain the same in principle as ART 2800.
Gen. Ed. Designation: GS (G - Global Studies).
A study of the visual arts from 1980 to the present. This course moves beyond the considerations of modernism, to examine the revolutionary theories and practices in contemporary visual art, and explores how these works reflect current social, political, psychological, and technological realities.
Prerequisites: ART 4015 or permission of Department Chair and Instructor Note course policy for ART 4015 Art Senior Capstone.
This course is for all graduating art majors. The objective is to develop the skills and impart the information necessary for being a working artist or designer, culminating in an exit review in the form of a formal portfolio review for Design Communications majors and a gallery exhibition for Studio and Art Education majors. Design Communications majors may also have a gallery exhibition. Students will develop a resume, business card, and promotional material and gain first-hand experience working with printers and other professional resources. Students will focus and get advice on the formal development-planning, preparation, execution- of their portfolio or exhibit. In addition, career-oriented discussions in a seminar atmosphere will relate to concerns and issues in the professional art and design world including but not limited to graduate school, job searches, networking as well as visits to area galleries, studios, and design firms. Upon the completion of the course, students are required to submit a slide portfolio and copies of their printed collateral (resume, business card, and self-promotional piece) in addition to their exit portfolio/exhibit. This course is offered in the spring semester only and should be taken in the spring semester prior to graduation.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (P - Recitals, Shows, Exhibits).