The school of Fine Arts has a dual responsibility. As the only school of Fine Arts in Montana, it has a primary responsibility through its faculty to provide the finest professional training in Art, Dance, Drama and Music. In addition, it trains serious young people who wish to teach in the fine arts. These two goals are part of a strong professional program, for the faculty of the school feels that the best practitioners make the best teachers and that an honest regard for excellence is best developed through a true involvement in creative experience.
Courses
U=for undergraduate credit only, UG=for undergraduate or graduate credit, G=for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R.
U 265 The Arts in Culture I 3 cr. Prereq., major in art, music, drama, or dance. Interdisciplinary study of the visual arts, music, theater and dance. Includes encounters with significant artistic works, the development of critical and analytical skills, and the examination of various artistic forms of expression in the cultures from which they come. Historic and thematic approaches to the study of artistic developments.
U 266 The Arts in Culture II 3 cr. Prereq., major in art, music, drama, or dance. Continuation of FA 265.
The department seeks to provide and integrated and comprehensive introduction to studio art, including art criticism and theory. Programs aim at providing intensive professional training for students interested in a career in the field of art.
Students may specialize in any of several areas and, with faculty guidance, construct an individual program fitted to particular objectives. Degree concentrations for the B.A./B.F.A., and M.A./M.F.A. degrees are offered in Ceramics, Painting and Drawing, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Art History courses include a Survey of Art of Western Civilization to the present, a variety of upper-division courses, with some special attention given to art from the Renaissance to modern and contemporary movements. Courses in criticism are also included in the program. The curriculum includes courses which prepare students for certification and careers as art teachers in elementary and secondary schools.
The graduate program of the department trains students to become independent, self-directed,
practicing artists. Graduate students are expected to integrate their studio work with their studies
in art history, criticism and course work outside the department.
Special Degree Requirements
Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.
Art majors seeking the B.A. degree must complete 48 credits in art: Art Fundamentals, 9; Art History, 9; Photography, 3; Ceramics, 3; Printmaking 3; Sculpture, 3; Painting, 3; Drawing, 3; Upper-division Studio Courses, 6; Art Criticism, 3. One semester of English composition must be completed with a grade of C or better, and University General Education requirements must be fulfilled as listed previously in the catalog.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts is a professional degree requiring 78 credits in art distributed as follows: Art Fundamentals, 9; Art History, 12; Photography, 3; Ceramics, 3; Printmaking, 3; Sculpture, 3; Painting, 3; Drawing, 6; Art Criticism, 6; Senior Thesis, 6; Upper-division Courses, 6; Area of Concentration, 9; Art Studio Electives, 6. One semester of English composition must be completed with a grade of C or better, and University General Education requirements must be fulfilled as listed previously in the catalog.
A student may elect either the B.A. or the B.F.A. program.
Art 123A, 125A and 135A form a visual fundamentals series. They are prerequisites for all 200-level studio art courses. Studio courses fulfill general education Perspective 1. The 200-level studio art courses. Studio courses fulfill general education Perspective 1. The 200-level painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and drawing courses are introduction to material and processes. These courses follow Art 123A, 125A and 135A and are prerequisite to enrolling in a major area of concentration. Art 203 and 303H are writing courses for general education. Art history survey series 150L and 151L is a prerequisite or corequisite for upper-division art history and criticism courses which fulfill general education requirements for Perspective 2 or 3.
Bachelor of Arts with and Art Education Emphasis
The art education emphasis is designed for the student seeking an endorsement (K-12) in the extended major teach field of art.
A student must meet complete Art 123A, 125A, 135A, 150L, 151L, 215A, 229A, 235, 240a and 307 and on course chosen from Art 231A, 232A, 233A, or 234A. Dance 427, Philosophy 340, three elective credits in Drama and three elective credits in Music also are required.
For an endorsement to teach are (K-12), a student also must gain admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching and meet all the requirements for teacher certification (see the School of Education section the this catalog).
Suggested Course of Study
Programs for the B.A./B.F.A. Degree.
Credits in parentheses are additional requirements for the B.F.A.
| First Year | A | S |
| Art 123A.-125A--Art Fundamentals | 3 | 3 |
| Art 150L-151L--Art of Western Civilization | 3 | 3 |
| Art 135A--Three-Dimensional Fundamentals | - | 3 |
| Art 240A--Painting I | 3 | - |
| Art 235--Sculpture I | - | 3 |
| *Enex 101--English Composition | 3 | - |
| General Education courses | 3-6 | 3-6 |
| 15-18 | 15-18 |
*Semester of enrollment depends on beginning letter of student's last name.
Second Year
| Art 203--Introduction to art criticism | 3 | - |
| Art 299A--Ceramics I | 3 | - |
| Art 215A--Photography I | - | 3 |
| Art 233--Drawing I | 3 | - |
| Art 231A or 232A or 233A--Beginning Printmaking | - | 3 |
| Elective & General Education | 6-9 | 9-12 |
| 15-18 | 15-18 |
Third Year
| Art History (300-level) 3 (3) | 3 | (3) |
| Studio II courses 3 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Art 303H or 403H-Art Criticism | (3) | - |
| Art 323--Drawing II 3 - | 3 | - |
| General Education 3-6 9-12 | 3-6 | 9-12 |
| 15-18 | 15-17 |
Fourth Year
| Area of concentration-B.F.A. (6) (3) | (6) | (3) |
| Advanced studio art courses (300-400-level) (3) (3) | (3) | (3) |
| Senior thesis (3) (3) | (3) | (3) |
| Elective & General Education 7-9 6-9 | 7-9 | 6-9 |
| 19-21 | 15-18 |
Requirements for a Minor
Art History/Criticism
To earn a minor in art history/criticism the student must complete at least 24 credits to include the following; Art 123A, 150L, 151L, 203; 9 credits from 300-level art history courses; 3 credits from Art 303H, 403H, 405H, or 450.
Art Studio
To earn a minor in art studio the student must complete at least 27 credits to include the following: Art 123A, 125A, 135A; 150L, 151L; 9 credits from art 215A, 229A, 231A, 232A, 233A, 234A, 235, 240A, 323; and 3 credits in 300-level studio courses.
Courses
U=for undergraduate credit only, Ug-for undergraduate or graduate credit, G=for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R.
Studio Courses
U 123A Drawing Fundamentals 3 cr. An introduction to the studio practice and theory of art. Exploration of drawing media and techniques including the use of illusionistic space, design and abstraction.
U 125A Color and Design 3 cr. Prereq. Or coreq., Art 123A. An exploration of the basic elements and principles of design, including the use of color. Emphasis is an solving specific design problems through conceptualization and technique.
U 129 Ceramics for Non-Majors 3 cr. A general introduction to art using clay as a basic material for building use of clay and glazes. Less specialized than Ceramics I for art majors. Credit not allowed toward a B.A., B.F.A., or minor in art.
U 135A Three-Dimensional Fundamentals 3 cr. Basic three-dimensional course for both general education and beginning art students. Information gained in this class is prerequisite to beginning sculpture and beginning ceramics. Emphasis placed on conceptualization and formal development of the 3-D object in the areas of value, mass, scale, texture, space and color.
U 140 Painting for Non-Majors 3 cr.A general introduction to various painting media and techniques. Credit not allowed toward a B.A., B.F.A., or minor in Art.
U 195 special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 215A Photography I 3 cr. Prereq., Art form space, color, scale, composition and various materials, with emphasis on linking content with appropriate expression.
U 223 Drawing I 3 cr. Prereq., Art 123, 125, and art major. Exploration of form, space, color, scale, composition and various materials, with emphasis on linking content with appropriate expression.
U 229A Ceramics I 3 cr. Prereq., Art 135A. 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.
U 231A Printmaking I: Etching/Lithography 3cr. (R-9) Prereq., Art 123A. Offered alternate years. Introduction to basic techniques of metal engraving and etching, or lithography.
U 232A Printmaking I: Wood Relief 3 cr. (R-9) Prereq., Art 123A. Offered alternate years. Introduction to basic techniques of wood cutting and wood engraving.
U 233A Printmaking I: Collagraphy 3 cr. (R-9) Prereq., Art 123A. Offered alternate years. Introduction to basic collagraph techniques.
U 234A Printmaking I: Silkscreening 3 cr. (R-9) Prereq., Art 123A, 125A. Introduction to silkscreening techniques.
U 235 Sculpture I 3 cr. Prereq., Art 135A. Introduction to basic technical skills in the areas of woodworking, welding, and casting. Problem-solving in the areas of concept, aesthetics, materials and process; studio safety. Issues of content and formal criticism as it relates to personal expression.
U 238A Watercolor 3 cr. Prereq., Art 123A, 125A. Introductory course emphasizing techniques in wash drawing, transparent and opaque application of watercolor medium.
U 240A Painting I 3 cr. Prereq., Art 123A, 125A and 233A. Acrylic and/or oil painting emphasizing composition, the practical application of color theory, and the unification of pictorial elements in a two-dimensional format.
U 295 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-12) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
UG 315 Photography II 3 cr. (R-12) Prereq., Art 215A, 125A and 233A. Continued work in drawing with a wide variety of media.
UG 323 Drawing II 3 cr. (R-12) Prereq., Art 123A, 125A and 233A. Continued work in drawing with a wide variety of media.
UG 329 Ceramics II 3 cr. (R-12) Prereq., Art 125A and 229. 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.
UG 333 Printmaking II 3 cr. (R-12) Prereq., 6 credits from Art 231A, 232A, 233A, 234A. Continued work in Lithography, silk screen, and combination of etching/collagraph and relief/ intaglio.
UG 335 Sculpture II 3 cr. (R-12) Prereq., Art 135A and 235. Focus on kinetics, light, and electronic media. Technical investigation paralleled by students' development in personal expression. Works of Tinguely, Rickey, Calder, Di Suvero and Oppenheim provide a context.
UG 340 Painting II 3 cr. (R-12) Prereq., Art 240A. Continued exploration of painting with primary emphasis on conceptual experimentation and personal expression. Studio, lectures and group critiques.
UG 390 Supervised Internship Variable cr. (R-12) Special internships under direction of the department allowing students practical experience in a chosen area.
UG 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-12) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
UG 415 Independent Study in Photography 2-6 cr. (R-12) Prereq., Art 215A, 315, consent of instr. Individual advance photographic techniques.
UG 423 Independent Study in Drawing 2-6 cr. (R-12) Prereq., Art 123A, 125A, 23, consent of instructor. Individual advanced drawing techniques.
UG 427 Independent Study in Crafts/Design 2-6 cr. (R-12) Prereq., Art 135A, consent of instructor. Individual research in specific craft techniques.
UG 429 Independent Study in Ceramics 2-6 cr. (R-12) Prereq., Art 125A, 229A, 329, consent of instructor. Continued exploration of ceramic technology. Individualized approach with student initiative in determining projects. Students mix clay and fire their own work.
UG 433 Independent Study in Printmaking 2-6 cr. (R-12) Prereq., 6 credits in Art 333, consent of instructor. Independent projects in printmaking.
UG 435 Independent Study in Sculpture 2-6 cr. (R-12) Prereq., Art 135A, 235, 335, consent of instructor. Individual advance techniques in sculpture.
UG 440 Independent Study in Painting 2-6 cr. (R-12) Prereq., Art 123A, 125A, 135A, 240A, 340 and consent of instructor. Independent projects in painting.
UG 490 Supervised Internship Variable cr. (R-12 Prereq., consent of instructor. Special internships under direction of the department allowing students practical experience in a chosen area.
UG 494 Professional Practices Seminar 3 cr. Prereq., senior or graduate status. Professional practices and exhibition preparation, includes portfolio and resume preparation, career and grand opportunities, establishment of gallery affiliation. Required of all graduating B.F.A. students.
UG 495 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 499 Senior Thesis 3 cr. Prereq., senior status and Art 494. Exhibition of professional practices. Required of B.F.A. students. Spring semester student will work with instructor in major area in preparation for the B.F.A. Exhibit.
G 523 Graduate Studio/Drawing 2-12 cr. (R-24) Prereq., one semester of Art 323 or consent of instructor. Advanced work in drawing.
G 525 Graduate Studio/Design 2-6 cr. (R-12) Prereq., consent of instructor. Advanced work in design.
G 529 Graduate Studio/Ceramics 3-6 cr. (R-18) Prereq. consent of instructor. Advanced work in ceramics.
G 533 Graduate Studio/Printmaking 2-12 cr. (R-24) Prereq., consent of instr. Advanced work in printmaking.
G 535 Graduate Studio/Sculpture 2-6 cr. (R-18) Prereq., one semester of Art 335 or consent of instructor. Advanced work in sculpture.
G 540 Graduate Studio/Painting 3-6 cr. (R-18) Prereq., graduate status and consent of instructor. Advanced work in painting.
G 580 Graduate Teaching Assistant Practicum 2 cr. Prereq., graduate standing. Preparation to teach Art 123A.
G 594 Seminar Variable cr. (R-6)
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
G 596 Independent Study 2-6 cr. (R-18) Prereq., consent of instr.
G 597 Research 2-6 cr. (R-24)
G 598 Internship 2-6 cr. (R-12) Prereq., consent of instr.
G 699 Thesis and Terminal Project Variable cr. (R-12)
Art History
U 100L Art Appreciation 3 cr. An introduction to the visual arts exploring various approaches to understanding art. Art history and terminology, techniques and media, motivating factors behind the creative act.
U 150L Art of Western Civilization: Ancient to Medieval Art 3 cr. Survey of history of visual art from antiquity through the European Middle Ages.
U 151L Art of Western Civilization : Renaissance to Modern Art 3 cr. Survey of history of visual art from the Renaissance to the modern period in Europe and America.
UG 367H Art of the Ancient Americas 3 cr. Prereq., consent of instr. Same as NAS 367H. Artistic development of major ceremonial and urban center throughout the Americas before the coming of Europeans. Analysis of how the visual arts articulate an ancient would view or cosmology 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.
UG 368H Latin American Art 3 cr. Prereq., Art 151L. Same as NAS 368H. Offered alternate years. Exploration of themes in the development of Latin American art from the colonial period to the present such as the application of Renaissance ideals in the "New World", syncretism of European, African, and indigenous roots, the Black Legend, the Anglo vs. Latin debate, and the advent of such movements as Academism, Modernism, Social Realism, and Magic Realism.
UG 380H Ancient Greek Civilization and Culture 3 cr. Same as FLLG 360H and LS 340H. Offered alternate years. Slide/lecture course. Ancient Greek works of art and architecture, related to and explained by contemporary ideas and values of Greek society.
UG 381L Roman, Early Christian and Byzantine Art 3 cr. Same as FLLG 361L and LS 341L. Offered alternate years. A survey of developing styles in painting, mosaic and building, with attention to philosophic and religious content and its influence of later ages. Slide lectures.
UG 384 Art of the Renaissance 3 cr. Prereq., Art 150L, 151L. Offered alternate years. Exploration of the visual component of the historical period of 1450-1600 in western Europe. Focus on such themes as the recovery of the classical past, development of artistic convenstions such as scientific naturalism and linear perspective, and the evolution of major art forms such as architecture and urbanism, religious alterpieces and devotional images, fesco and oil paintings, monumental sculpture, etc.
UG 386 European Art of the 19th and 20th Centruies 3 cr. Prereq., Art 150L, 151L. Offered alternate years in the autumn semester. A survey of the visual arts in Europe from 1800 to World War II including the primary movements of Neoclassicism, Realism, Impressionism as well as the advent of Modernism and radical movements that posited novel ways of represcenting the known world.
UG 389L American Art 1860 to the Present 3 cr. Prereq., consent of instr. Offered alternate years. American painting, sculpture and architecture from the Civil War to the present.
UG 405H Women Artists and Art History 3 cr. Prereq., consent of instr. A survey of major women artists in context of social history and aesthetics from medieval to modern times. Analysis of feminism and works by several 19th and 20th century artists. Women artists in film and video.
UG 450 Advanced Research in Art History 2-6 cr. (R-6) Prereq., Art 150L-151L, a 300-level art history course and/or consent of instr. Advanced research in art history topics agreed wupon by student and instructor.
UG 451 Seminar in Art History and Criticism 3 cr. (R-9) Prereq., Art 150L-151L, a 300-level art history course and/or consent of instr. Upper-division seminar in varying topics of art history and criticism.
G 550 Graduate Studies/Art History 2-6 cr. (R-12) Prereq., consent of instr. Research in art history and art theories.
Art Criticism
U 203 Introduction to Art criticism 3 cr. Prereq., Art 150L-151L. Introduction to a range of methods and philosophies in art criticism, such as formalism, social history, structuralism, etc.
UG 303H Topics in Art Criticism and the Social History of Art 3 cr. (R-6) Prereq., Art 203 or consent of instr. Same as LS 345. Analysis of visual arts in their social contest. Topics include printmaking and the multiple image, art in early Celtic-Germanic and Northwestern Indian traditions and varieties of modern ideologies in art, i.e., Liberal, communist, fascist, etc.
UG 403H Critical Theories in the Visual Arts 3 cr. Prereq., Art 151L, 389L, consent of instr. Seminar on the history of art criticism as particular type of discourse about art. Contemporary theories of Modernism (including Formalism, Abstraction, Marxism, and Social Realism) and Postmodernism (including deconstruction, Revisionism, and feminism).
UG 452 Independent Study in Art criticism 2-6 cr. (R-6) Prereq., consent of instr.
G 501 Graduate Critiques Seminar 1 cr. (R-4) Weekly meetings to critique graduate student work with graduate students and faculty. Required each semester.
Art Education
UG 307 Teaching Art K-12 for Art Majors 4 cr. Prereq., Art 123A, 125A, 135A, 150L, 151L 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.
UG 308 Teaching Art K-12 for Art Majors 2 cr. Prereq., Art 123A, 125A, 135A, and 307. Continuation and practical application of Art 307.
UG 314 Elementary School Art 3 cr. Prereq., Art 123A. Visual art teaching methods for elementary school teachers, philosophical foundation, curriculum components, visual scanning, media management, evaluation resources and guided teaching experiences in a school setting.
Summer Arts Education Institute
(Offered through School of Fine Arts)
G 581 Arts Education Institute 1 cr. (R-4) Same as Dram, Mus 581. Offered summers. Open forum with national and regional speakers, panels, and symposia to promote discussion, understanding, and direction on significant national issues in the arts and arts education.
G 582 Arts Education Seminar I 1-2 cr. (R-4) Prereq., Art 581. Same as Dram, Mus 582. Offered summers. Topics vary.
G 583 Arts Education Seminar II 1-2 cr. (R-4) Prereq., Art 582. Same as Dram, Mus 583. Continuation of Art 582.
.G 584 Arts Education Seminar III 1-2 cr. (R-4) Prereq., Art 583. Same as Dram, Mus 584. Continuation of Art 583.
G 585 Arts Education Seminar IV 1-2 cr. (R-4) Prereq., Art 584. Same as Dram, Mus 585. Continuation of Art 584
G 586 Arts Education Seminar V 1-2 cr. (R-8) Same as Dram, Mus 586. Continuation and synthesis of preceding seminars.
G 587 Arts Education Practicum 1 cr. (R-4) Same as Dram, Mus 587. Offered summers. The active application of concepts and theories presented during the Arts Education Institute and the arts education seminars within a small group setting.
G 588 Arts Education Apprenticeship 1 cr. (R-4) Same as Dram, Mus 588. Exploration of art forms to develop new artistic and communicative perceptions and awareness.
G 589 Arts Education Field Project 1 cr. (R-4) Same as Dram, Mus 589, creative/research activities.
Faculty
Professors
Marilyn Bruya, M.F.A., Bard College, 1986
James G. Todd M.F.A., The University of Montana, 1970
Associate Professors
Stephen T. Connell, M.A. California State University, Long Beach, 1969
David James, M.F.A., university of Arizona, 1984
Elizabeth Lo, M.F.A., The University of Montana, 1974
Thomas Rippon, M.F.A., School of the Art institute of Chicago, 1979 (Chair)
Assistant Professors
James Bailey, M.F.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Mary Ann Bonjorni, M.F.A., University of California, Santa Barbara, 1986
H. Rafael Chacon, Ph.D., University of Chicago
Martin Fromm, M.F.A., University of Idaho, 1993
Barbara Tilton, M.F.A., Vermont College of Norwick