Visual Art, BA

The Visual Art major at Seattle University combines fundamentals of design, color theory and art history with a range of courses designed to foster creativity across multiple mediums. 2-dimensional arts are the focus of the program, with foundational and advanced courses in painting, drawing, printmaking and ceramic sculpture.

Painting and drawing courses are divided into three levels. Introductory courses examine the broad possibilities of the medium, and familiarize students with materials, techniques and theories. Students then delve more deeply into the technical aspects of their work in intermediate courses, gaining expertise and fluency. Advanced and specialized courses encourage students to explore their own unique artistic voice; students build a body of work using open-ended assignments and applying philosophical and theoretical concepts.

Seattle University’s Visual Arts faculty are practicing artists, whose work in painting, drawing, sculpture, installation and book-arts is exhibited both regionally and internationally.

Requirements

In order to earn the bachelor of arts with a major in visual art, students must complete a minimum of 180 quarter credits, with a cumulative and a major/program grade point average of 2.00 including the following:

I. Core Curriculum Requirements

ENGL 110 - College Writing: Inquiry and Argument 5
PHIL 110 - Introduction to Philosophy and Critical Thinking 5
HIST 120 - Origins of Western Civilization 5
ENGL 120 - Introduction to Literature 5
MATH 107 or MATH 110 or above 5
Lab Science 5
PHIL 220 - Philosophy of the Human Person 5
Social Science I 5
Social Science II (different discipline from Social Science I) 5
Theology and Religious Studies Phase II (200-299 ) 5
Ethics (upper division) 5
Theology and Religious Studies Phase III (300-399 ) 5
Interdisciplinary 3 to 5*
Senior Synthesis (ART 490 required) 5**

*An Art interdisciplinary core course may count simultaneouls as both a core interdisciplinary course and a major elective.

**Included in major GPA.

II. College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

Modern Language 115, 125, 135, or equivalent (15)

NOTE:

All students with a major in the College of Arts and Sciences must demonstrate competency in a language other than English through the 135 level. This competency is ordinarily achieved by successful completion of the three-course sequence: 115, 125, and 135. Because these courses are a college requirement, no course in the sequence may be taken on a pass/fail, correspondence, or audit basis. Placement into other than the beginning course of the sequence is achieved by acceptable performance on the Modern Language Competency Examination. See the Modern Languages Department for details on the examinations. Courses used to satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences modern language requirement may not be used to fulfill visual arts major requirements.

Choose one of the following two courses:

III. Major Requirements

55 credits in visual art, including:

ART 100 - Design and Color 5
ART 120 - Drawing I 5
ART 211 - Survey of Western Art I: Prehistoric through Medieval 5
ART 212 - Survey of Western Art II: Renaissance through Modern 5
ART 220 - Drawing II 5
ART 240 - Painting I 5
ART 250 - Sculpture I 5
ART Electives at the 300-400 level (see course descriptions ) 15

Choose one of the following two courses:

NOTE:

Visual art majors must also take ART 490 Senior Synthesis which satisfies the core senior synthesis requirement.

Faculty will review the student portfolio upon completion of sophomore year, or equivalent, to determine eligibility to continue in the visual art major.

Departmental Honors

Art History, Interdisciplinary Arts, Theatre or Visual Art Major with Departmental Honors