Dec 03, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Bulletin

Department of Art


Professors J. Bennett, M. Bennett, Lee, Meyer, Somers, Wacker, Williams, Willett, Young;
Associate Professor Walsh;
Assistant Professor San;
Senior Instructor Foster.

Department Information

Misty Bennett, Chair
Bloch Hall
(205) 665-6400

Mission

The Department of Art provides students with hands-on intellectually informed instruction in visual arts media within a liberal arts university.  We create opportunities for the community that nurture understanding of the fine arts, promote inclusion, and value the perspectives of all.  Through supportive and rigorous training, we challenge our students to bring their creative visions to life.

General Education

All students seeking an undergraduate degree at UM must complete a core General Education curriculum that includes courses in English, history, mathematics, the natural sciences, social sciences, fine arts, oral and written communication, and personal development.

The minimum requirements can be found in the General Education Credit Hour Requirements section of the Undergraduate Academic Policies  section in this Bulletin.

ART 100 120 , or 220  may be selected to fulfill the Humanities and Fine Arts requirement; the Fine Arts requirement must be in a fine arts other than visual arts to earn credit in the major.

ART 250  and 255  may be selected to fulfill the Personal Development option and earn credit in the major, as well.

Majors

The Department of Art offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree , the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) , and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.)  to students majoring in Art.

Minors

Minors are offered in Art  and Art History . Details about the Arts Administration Minor  are available under the Department of Theatre. Details about the Game Studies and Design Minor  are available under the Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Internships

Internship credit is available for supervised work experience in graphic design, as well as many art-related fields, including graphic design, museums, galleries, and photography studios.

Art Education

Students who wish to teach art in the public schools should complete the BFA (recommended), B.A., or B.S. degree in Art. Certification is earned at the graduate level in the Alternative Master’s Degree Program. For information, contact the College of Education and Human Development.

Advanced Placement

Students who qualify for Advanced Placement (AP) credit in Studio Art and scored a 4 or better in the National Portfolio Review receive 3 art elective credit hours. Students who scored a 4 or better on the AP test in Art History receive 3-6 credit hours for ART 120  and/or 220 .

Students with exceptional studio preparation may request waiver of specific required foundations courses. Submission of a portfolio demonstrating competence in the full scope of course objectives is required. When a portfolio is favorably reviewed, required courses may be waived without earning credit. Course credit must be earned in elective courses or as assigned by the department chair. Portfolio review requests should be made well prior to registration.

Credit and Time Requirements

Three-credit-hour lecture classes in art meet for 3 hours per week for a 15-week semester, with the expectation that 6 hours of time outside of class per week will be used by students for preparation. 3 credit hour studio classes meet for 6 hours per week for a 15-week semester, with the expectation that students will spend a minimum of 6 hours outside of class per week for preparation. Summer sessions maintain the same number of total class meeting and outside working times.

Transfer Credits

Transfer credits in the art major are approved by the Department of Art and may require the presentation of completed coursework and/or syllabus for evaluation. At least one half of the art major must be completed at UM.

Reproduction Rights

The Department of Art reserves the right to retain examples of student work for instructional purposes. The Department of Art reserves the right to reproduce examples of student artwork on its web page and any other promotional materials the department produces or approves.

Courses in Art

Programs

Major(s)

Minor(s)