Goals and Learning Objectives

The Faculty of Department of Art and Music have identified the skill areas and intellectual qualities that they believe are essential to artists, designers, and art historians. The following goals and related learning objectives for the Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art reflect these skill areas and intellectual qualities.

Goals and Learning Objectives for Art History

  • Goal 1

    To possess a high degree of visual and art historical literacy.

     

     

     

  • Learning Objectives

    1. Visually recognize and identify major art and architectural monuments from antiquity to the present

    2. Identify the characteristic features of major artistic and cultural styles and demonstrate the ability to categorize known and unknown objects by style.

    3. Visually recognize, identify, and explain major iconographical themes from antiquity to the present.

    4. Demonstrate familiarity with the biographies and works of major artists and their social, cultural, and art historical context and significance.

    5. Demonstrate facility with the professional terminology and vocabulary of art and architectural history.

     

     

  • Goal 2

    To develop an understanding of the power and role of art in past and present social and historical contexts.

     

     

  • Learning Objectives

    1. Examine, analyze, and interpret major works of art from antiquity to the present in their cultural, social, historical, and art historical contexts.

    2. Critically evaluate the social role of art, artistic traditions and practices, and artists in Western and non-Western, modern and pre- modern cultures.

    3. Analyze the role of art in the construction of power, identity, and authority.

    4. Discuss the complexities of artistic and cultural ethics, politics, and institutions.

     

     

  • Goal 3

    To be familiar with traditional and non-traditional methods of interpretation.

     

     

  • Learning Objectives

    1. Identify, analyze, and evaluate traditional and non-traditional methodological approaches to art and architecture.

    2. Demonstrate familiarity with the basic historiography of art history.

    3. Demonstrate familiarity with current methods of scientific and archeological examination of material culture.

     

     

  • Goal 4

    To develop students’ analytical and critical faculties.

     

     

  • Learning Objectives

    1. Participate in discussions of problems and questions in art history

    2. Evaluate the thesis and evidence presented in art historical literature

    3. Incorporate analysis of the formal elements, iconography, and social context of an artwork into a sophisticated and complex interpretation

     

  • Goal 5

    To conduct art historical research.

     

     

  • Learning Objectives

    1. Locate, summarize, evaluate, and apply research materials.

    2. Use primary as well as secondary sources.

    3. Produce an art historical research paper in full scholarly format.

     

     

  • Goal 6

    To speak and write effective academic discourse, informed by the discipline.

     

     

  • Learning Objectives

    1.Write critical and persuasive essays and term papers based on art historical literature.

    2. Formally present their research to an audience.

    3. Participate in art historical discussions and debates

     

     

 

  

Goals and Learning Objectives for Studio Art

  • Goal 1

    To achieve functional competence with principles of visual organization, including the ability to work with visual elements in two and three dimensional design and drawing

  • Learning Objectives

    1. Use design elements and principles competently to create desired visual effects.

    2. Demonstrate observational skills to depict objects, figures and environments with effective realism and convincing structure.

  • Goal 2

    To demonstrate dexterity with tools, equipment, and various media necessary for solving aesthetic, conceptual, and technical problems.

  • Learning Objectives

    1. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical uses and applications of the tools, equipment, and media used in the production of visual art.

    2. Exhibit a competent level of craftsmanship with a variety of visual art tools and media as demonstrated in the production of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional works of art.

    3. Demonstrate creative use of a variety of visual art tools and media through the production of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional works of art.

    4. Employ proper safety procedures when handling all visual art tools and equipment.

  • Goal 3

    To critically analyze and discuss a diverse range of artworks with terminology appropriate to the discipline in both verbal and written form.

  • Learning Objectives

    1. Use appropriate and accurate terminology in complete descriptions of any work of art.

    2. Explain how formal characteristics, intentions, and context contribute to the meaning of a work of art.

    3. Identify strategies and techniques used in works of art to create specific visual effects.

    4. Discuss the intentions, process, strengths and weaknesses of their own finished work and that of their peers in class critiques.

  • Goal 4

    To apply inventive, critical thinking in the translation of concept to form and in the interpretation and use of images and objects.

  • Learning Objectives

    1. Exhibit creative/critical thinking abilities by synthesizing concepts and visual art materials to craft original compositions and objects.

    2. Demonstrate a maturing awareness of how 2-D compositions an 3- D forms exist in space both materially and conceptually.

    3. Demonstrate critical thinking skills by reflecting in visual, oral, and written formats an understanding of art movements both historical and contemporary as the movements relate to individual studio artwork.

    4. Thoughtfully articulate individual working processes and editing skills in relation to finished compositions and objects.

  • Goal 5

    To demonstrate knowledge of major art periods, art movements, multicultural art traditions, and individual artists from antiquity to the present.

  • Learning Objectives

    1. Recognize and identify major art and architectural monuments from antiquity to the present.

    2. Identify the characteristic features of major artistic and cultural styles and demonstrate the ability to categorize known and unknown objects by style.

    3. Visually recognize, identify and explain major iconographical themes from antiquity to the present.

    4. Demonstrate familiarity with the biographies and works of major artists and their social, cultural, and art historical context and significance.

    5. Locate, summarize, evaluate, and apply research materials, including art historical literature.

  • Goal 6

    To demonstrate professional expertise and vision in one or more studio art areas through the presentation of a culminating exhibition and comprehensive portfolio.

  • Learning Objectives

    1. Acquire pragmatic knowledge and technical skills at the level of professionalism required in the field.

    2. Demonstrate an ability to state analytical and methodical written and verbal descriptions of subjects.

    3. Demonstrate evidence of effort, growth, motivation, and confidence in the thesis project and portfolio.

  • Goal 7

    To understand the concepts and methodologies of several other academic areas outside of visual art and demonstrate the ability to incorporate these concepts in a manner that leads to new ideas that transcend traditional notions of art and artist.

  • Learning Objectives

    1. Demonstrate the ability to meld research with artistic process to develop a personal visual language.

    2. Demonstrate a willingness to explore new or alternative methods and technologies.

    3. Demonstrate the ability to apply visual language across the disciplines to challenge preconceived concepts about art and art practice.