Fine Arts B.F.A.

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Art

College of Visual & Perf Arts

Catalog Year: 2014-2015

Degree Specific Credits: 75

Required Cumulative GPA: 3.0

Lower Division Requirements

Rule: All Courses Are Required Unless Waived Via Departmental Advanced Placement Policy

Note: Students seeking the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a major in Art must complete 36 credits of lower division art courses: Studio Art Fundamentals, 9; Beginning Art History, 6; Introductory Art Criticism, 3; Photography, 3; Ceramics, 3; Printmaking 3; Sculpture, 3; Painting, 3; Drawing, 3;

Minimum Required Grade: C
36 Total Credits Required

Studio Art Fundamentals

Rule: All Courses Required Unless Waived Via Deaprtmental Advanced Placement Policy

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ARTZ 105A - Visual Language - Drawing
Offered autumn and spring.  Introduction to visual language, concept development, and studio practicum. Focus on basic skills development based on observation, imagination, and memory. Some research in historical and contemporary approaches to drawing required.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 106A - Visual Language - 2-D Fndtns
Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq. or coreq., ARTZ 105A.  An introduction to the formal elements and principles of design, color theory, and predominant western and non-western historical styles.  Emphasis on solving specific design problems.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 108A - Visual Language - 3-D Fndtns
Offered autumn and spring.  Basic three-dimensional course for both general education and beginning art students.  Prerequisite to beginning sculpture and beginning ceramics.  Emphasis placed on conceptualization and formal development of the 3-D object in the areas of form, mass, scale, texture, space and color.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C 9 Total Credits Required

Studio I Courses

Rule: All Courses Reqired

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ARTZ 211A - Drawing I
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTZ 105A, and ARTH 200H or 201H. Study of human anatomy with an emphasis on rendering and interpreting the figure. Students complete a variety of homework assignments. Some research in historical and contemporary figuration required.
3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 221A - Painting I
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTZ 105A, 106A, ARTH 200H and 201H.  Acrylic and oil painting emphasizing composition and application of color theory. Research in historical and contemporary strategies.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 231A - Ceramics I
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTZ 108A. Introduction to clay as a historical and contemporary art-making medium. Basic methods of building with clay, with emphasis on handbuilding; elementary solutions to problems of glazing and surface treatment.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 251A - Sculpture I
Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., ARTZ 108A.  Introduction to fundamental technical skills and new processes in various materials.  Further development of the formal concerns within three-dimensional design.  Issues of content and formal criticism as it relates to personal expression.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 271A - Printmaking I
(R-9) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTZ 105A. Introduction to various printmaking media.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 284A - Photo I-Techs and Processes
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTZ 105A. Introduction to photography as an art form. Exposure, digital camera basics, composition, digital image processing, printing, print finishing techniques. Discussion of historical and contemporary uses of photography. Focus on technical expertise and issues of content and personal expression.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C 18 Total Credits Required

Begining Art History And Criticism

Rule: All Courses Required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ARTH 200H - Art of World Civilization I
Offered autumn. Survey of history of visual art from prehistory to 1400.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 201H - Art of World Civilization II
Offered spring. Survey of history of visual art from 1400 to the Present.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 250L - Introduction to Art Criticism
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTH 200H-201H. An overview of the description, and interpretation, and evaluation of visual art as practiced in the discipline of art criticism.
3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C 9 Total Credits Required

Upper Division Studio Courses I

Rule: 12 Credits of Upper Division (300-400 Level) Courses Inside Area Of Concentration Are Required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ARTZ 311 - Drawing II
(R-9) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTZ 211, ARTH 200H, ARTH 201H, ARTH 250L. Focused time for individual exploration and production of drawings for portfolio development through studio practicum, lectures, critiques, reading and writing.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 321 - Painting II
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTH 200H, 201H, 250L, and ARTZ 221A.  Continued development of painting skills and concepts development of painting skills and concepts with an emphasis on contemporary ideas, process and materials.  Studio practicum, lectures, critiques, reading and writing.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 331 - Ceramics II
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTZ 108A and 231A. Further exploration of the ceramic process introducing more complex ways of handbuilding and developing the art of throwing. Examination of the technology and chemistry of clay, glazes and high temperature oxidation and reduction firing.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 335 - Clay and Glaze
Offered autumn. Prereq., ARTZ 108A, 231A. In-depth study of the physical and chemical properties of clays and glazes. Hands-on testing of various clay and glaze formulas and an introduction to kiln firing.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 351 - Sculpture II
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., 251A. Focus on contemporary issues and a deeper engagement with materials.  Development and execution of clear sculptural responses to material-based and topic-based assignments.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 371 - Printmaking II
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTZ 271A. Continued work in various printmaking media.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 372 - Printmaking II- Lithography
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ART 233A. Continued work in various printmaking media.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 384 - Photo II-Theory, Crit, Prctice
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., ARTZ 105A, 284A. Further exploration of photography as an art form.  Survey of different approaches to cameras, films, chemical and digital processes, presentation techniques.  Emphasis on issues of content and personal expression.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 385 - The Art of Digital Photography
Offered autumn or spring. Prereq., ARTZ 105A, 284A. Introduction to digital photographic manipulation. Survey of techniques, theory and potential for creative expression as an art form.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 391 - Special Topics
(R-12) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
 1 To 9 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 398 - Internship
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Special internships under direction of department faculty allowing students practical experience in a chosen area.
 1 To 12 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 410 - Advanced Research- Drawing
(R-9) Offered intermitently. Prereq. ARTZ 211, ARTH 200H, ARTH 201H, and ARTH 250L or consent of instructor. Focused time for individual exploration and production of drawings for portfolio development through studio practicum, lectures, critiques, reading and writing. Sections providing a forum for performance art are taught intermittently.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 420 - Advanced Research- Painting
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereqs., ARTZ 105A, 106A, ARTH 200H, 201H, 250L, ARTZ 211A, 221A, 311, 321, and 422, and/or consent of instructor. Investigation of painting with emphasis on student proposals, including specific technical and conceptual aspects.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 430 - Advanced Research- Ceramics
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Investigation of ceramics with emphasis on student proposals, including specific technical and conceptual aspects.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 451 - Advanced Research- Sculpture
(R-9) Offered intermittingly. Prereq., ARTZ 351 or consent of instructor. Thorough investigation and articulation of the communicative elements of art. Emphasis on the craftsmanship of ideas and the refinement of personal aesthetics as they pertain to sculptural production.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 470 - Advanced Research- Printmaking
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Investigation of printmaking with emphasis on student proposals, including specific technical and conceptual aspects.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 484 - Photo III- Studio Projects
(R-9) Offered autumn or spring. Prereq., ARTZ 105A, 284A, 384. Further exploration of photographic theory, criticism, technique and expression as an art form.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 486 - Advanced Research- Photography
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Pre-req., consent of instructor.  Investigation of photography with emphasis on student proposals, including specific technical and conceptual aspects.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 491 - Special Topics
(R-12) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
 1 To 6 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 492 - Independent Study
(R-24) Offered intermittently.  Prereq. Consent of instructor. Advanced studio techniques with emphasis on student initiated projects.
 2 To 6 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 498 - Internship
(R-12) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instructor. Special internships under direction of department faculty allowing students practical experience in a chosen area.
 1 To 12 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C 12 Total Credits Required

Upper Division Studio Courses

Rule: 12 Credits of Upper Division (300-400 Level) Courses Outside Area Of Concentration Are Required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ARTZ 311 - Drawing II
(R-9) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTZ 211, ARTH 200H, ARTH 201H, ARTH 250L. Focused time for individual exploration and production of drawings for portfolio development through studio practicum, lectures, critiques, reading and writing.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 321 - Painting II
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTH 200H, 201H, 250L, and ARTZ 221A.  Continued development of painting skills and concepts development of painting skills and concepts with an emphasis on contemporary ideas, process and materials.  Studio practicum, lectures, critiques, reading and writing.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 331 - Ceramics II
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTZ 108A and 231A. Further exploration of the ceramic process introducing more complex ways of handbuilding and developing the art of throwing. Examination of the technology and chemistry of clay, glazes and high temperature oxidation and reduction firing.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 335 - Clay and Glaze
Offered autumn. Prereq., ARTZ 108A, 231A. In-depth study of the physical and chemical properties of clays and glazes. Hands-on testing of various clay and glaze formulas and an introduction to kiln firing.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 351 - Sculpture II
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., 251A. Focus on contemporary issues and a deeper engagement with materials.  Development and execution of clear sculptural responses to material-based and topic-based assignments.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 371 - Printmaking II
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTZ 271A. Continued work in various printmaking media.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 372 - Printmaking II- Lithography
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ART 233A. Continued work in various printmaking media.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 384 - Photo II-Theory, Crit, Prctice
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., ARTZ 105A, 284A. Further exploration of photography as an art form.  Survey of different approaches to cameras, films, chemical and digital processes, presentation techniques.  Emphasis on issues of content and personal expression.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 385 - The Art of Digital Photography
Offered autumn or spring. Prereq., ARTZ 105A, 284A. Introduction to digital photographic manipulation. Survey of techniques, theory and potential for creative expression as an art form.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 388 - Alternative Process Photog
Offered intermittently. Prereq., ARTZ 105A, 284A. Introduction to historic, experimental and alternative process photography. Survey of techniques, theory and potential for creative expression as an art form.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 391 - Special Topics
(R-12) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
 1 To 9 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 398 - Internship
(R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Special internships under direction of department faculty allowing students practical experience in a chosen area.
 1 To 12 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 410 - Advanced Research- Drawing
(R-9) Offered intermitently. Prereq. ARTZ 211, ARTH 200H, ARTH 201H, and ARTH 250L or consent of instructor. Focused time for individual exploration and production of drawings for portfolio development through studio practicum, lectures, critiques, reading and writing. Sections providing a forum for performance art are taught intermittently.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 420 - Advanced Research- Painting
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereqs., ARTZ 105A, 106A, ARTH 200H, 201H, 250L, ARTZ 211A, 221A, 311, 321, and 422, and/or consent of instructor. Investigation of painting with emphasis on student proposals, including specific technical and conceptual aspects.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 430 - Advanced Research- Ceramics
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Investigation of ceramics with emphasis on student proposals, including specific technical and conceptual aspects.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 451 - Advanced Research- Sculpture
(R-9) Offered intermittingly. Prereq., ARTZ 351 or consent of instructor. Thorough investigation and articulation of the communicative elements of art. Emphasis on the craftsmanship of ideas and the refinement of personal aesthetics as they pertain to sculptural production.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 470 - Advanced Research- Printmaking
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Investigation of printmaking with emphasis on student proposals, including specific technical and conceptual aspects.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 484 - Photo III- Studio Projects
(R-9) Offered autumn or spring. Prereq., ARTZ 105A, 284A, 384. Further exploration of photographic theory, criticism, technique and expression as an art form.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 486 - Advanced Research- Photography
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Pre-req., consent of instructor.  Investigation of photography with emphasis on student proposals, including specific technical and conceptual aspects.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 491 - Special Topics
(R-12) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
 1 To 6 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 492 - Independent Study
(R-24) Offered intermittently.  Prereq. Consent of instructor. Advanced studio techniques with emphasis on student initiated projects.
 2 To 6 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 498 - Internship
(R-12) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instructor. Special internships under direction of department faculty allowing students practical experience in a chosen area.
 1 To 12 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C 12 Total Credits Required

Upper Division Art History

Rule: 6 Credits in Upper Division (300-400 Level) Courses are Required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ARTH 333H - Architectural History I
Offered autumn. Same as THTR 335H. Prereqs., ARTH 200H or 201H. Knowledge and understanding of architectural styles, designs and choices of the built environment from prehistory megalithic architecture to the start of the modern age.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 391 - Special Topics
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
1 To 6 Credits
Show Description ARTH 402H - Greek Art & Architecture
Offered intermittently. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H or consent of instructor. Same as LS 340H and MCLG 360H. Ancient Greek works of art and architecture, related to and explained by contemporary ideas and values of Greek society.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 407 - Roman and Early Christian Art
Offered intermittently. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H or consent of instructor.  Same as LS 341H and MCLG 361H. A survey of the various media used in Roman art; the social political, and economic contexts in which the media were developed; and the transition (technical, iconographic, and contextual) to the art of the Early Christian period.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 425 - Art of the Renaissance
Offered intermittently. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H or consent of instructor.  Exploration of the arts of 1450-1600 in western Europe. Focus on themes such as the recovery of the classical past, development of scientific naturalism and linear perspective, and the evolution of major art forms architecture, urbanism, religious altarpieces and devotional images, fresco and oil paintings, monumental sculpture, etc.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 430 - 19th Century Art
Offered autumn. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H or consent of instructor. Exploration of major themes in European art from 1800 to 1900. Focus on major cultural and intellectual trends such as Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism and early Modernism.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 433H - Acient American Art
Offered intermittently. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H or consent of instructor.  Development of major ceremonial and urban centers throughout the Americas before the coming of Europeans. Analysis of how the visual arts articulate ancient world views or cosmologies in relation to nature. Focus on various strategies of reading the structure and meaning encoded in the layout of cities, stone sculpture, wall murals, ceramics, precious metals, and textiles.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 434H - Latin American Art
Offered intermittently. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H or consent of instructor.  Same as NAS 368H. Exploration of themes in the development of Latin American art from the colonial period to the present including Renaissance ideals in the “New World”, syncretism of European, African, and indigenous roots, the Black Legend, and the advent of such movements as Academism, Modernism, Social Realism, Magic Realism and Post-Modernism.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 435Y - Art of the United States
Offered intermittently. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H or consent of instructor. American painting, sculpture and architecture from 19th century to the present.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 436 - The History of Women in Art
Offered intermittently. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H or consent of instructor.  A survey of major women artists in context of social history and aesthetics from ancient to modern times. Analysis of feminism and works by contemporary women artists in film and video.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 440 - 20th Century Art
Offered spring. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H or consent of instructor.  Exploration of major themes in the development of art of the 20th century. Focus on major cultural and intellectual trends of the Modern and Post-Modern ages.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 450 - Renaissance Theory & Criticism
Offered intermittently. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H or consent of instructor.  An exploration of the writings of major thinkers of the 14th-16th centuries, including theoretical treatises, works of literature, contracts, and personal diaries.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 458 - Adv Research in Art History
(R-9) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H, a 300-level art history course and consent of instructor.  Advanced research in art history topics agreed upon by student and instructor.
 2 To 6 Credits
Show Description ARTH 459 - Advanced Research Art Crit
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H or consent of instructor. Advanced Research in Art Criticism.
 3 To 6 Credits
Show Description ARTH 464 - African Art
Offered intermittently. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H or consent of instructor.  Broad investigation of the visual arts of Africa; historical civilizations, including Egypt, and colonial and post-colonial societies; methodologies for study of non-western societies; “Primitivism;” and the importance of African Art for the development of western art.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 465 - Spanish Art
Offered intermittently. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H or consent of instructor.  Exploration of the history of Spanish art from the cave paintings to the 21th century. Focus on Spanish art and aesthetics and Spain’s cultural identity through the visual arts.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 491 - Special Topics
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
1 To 6 Credits
Show Description ARTH 494 - Sem Art Hist & Crit
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., ARTH 200H or 201H, a 300-level art history course and consent of instructor. Upper-division seminar in varying topics of art history and criticism.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTH 498 - Internship
(R-12) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instructor. Special internships under direction of department faculty allowing students practical experience in a chosen area.
1 To 6 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C 6 Total Credits Required

Upper Division Art Criticism

Rule: The following course is required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ARTH 350 - Contemp Art and Art Criticism
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ARTH 250L or consent of instructor. Survey of artists, art works, critics and theories from 1960's to the present. Introduction to major art movements and ideas of the Post-Modern era. Special emphasis given to firsthand experiences with art at local venues and direct engagement with contemporary art criticism published in newspapers, journals, magazines, and other media.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C 3 Total Credits Required

18 Additional Upper Division (300-400 Level) Credits

Rule: May Be In Any Subject- Student's Choice Of Courses

Note: Any 300-400 level courses may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Minimum Required Grade: C
18 Total Credits Required

Art Education Licensure Requirements

Rule: The Art Education Licensure is earned through taking classes in both the School of Art and the Phyllis J. Washingon College of Education and Human Sciences. Students complete their BA or BFA in Art in conjunction with courses required from the College of Education. A student must be accepted into the College of Education.

Note: Montana Teaching Certification in Art K-12 requires a BA or BFA in Art with a specialization in Art Education, which extends beyond the 120-credit limit, or an MA in Curriculum and Instruction with the required undergraduate credits for teacher certification in art. Students earning a BA or a BFA in Art must also take ARTZ 402 Teaching Art 1 -- K-12 , ARTZ 403 Teaching Art II -- K-12 as well as THTR 239 or DANC 497. In addition student are required to take 35 credits of EDU classes as well as HHP 233 Health Issues for Children & Adolescents, and a Native American Studies Course. Please see the College of Education and Human Sciences degree builder for more details.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ARTZ 402 - Teaching Art I-- K-12
Offered autumn. Prereq., ARTZ 105A, 106A, 108A; ARTH 200H, 201H;and junior standing. Preparation for art specialists to include history and current trends in curriculum development, teaching procedures, child growth and development in art, resources, evaluation, advocacy and directed teaching experiences in school setting.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 403 - Teaching Art II-- K-12
Offered spring. Prereq., ARTZ 105A, 106A, 108A, and 402. Continuation and practical application of ARTZ 402.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C 6 Total Credits Required

Senior Thesis Capstone

Rule: All courses are required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ARTZ 494 - Seminar- Professional Prctices
Offered autumn. Prereq., senior status. Required of all graduating B.F.A. students. Introduction to professional practices and standards in the visual arts, including presentation, portfolio development, career and exhibition opportunities, arts advocacy and graduate school.
 3 Credits
Show Description ARTZ 499 - Senior Thesis/Capstone
Offered spring. Prereq., senior status, ARTZ 494, and successful passage of B.F.A. review. Required of B.F.A. students. Focus on completion of artwork and preparation for the required spring B.F.A. exhibition.  Further exploration of professional practices topics and career opportunities. 
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C 6 Total Credits Required