Course Offerings

Visual Arts History

Introductory Courses

Visual Arts History 101 - Introduction to The Visual Arts Fall, spring
Fundamental, introductory course in art history and visual culture. Emphasis is on the acquisition of basic visual skills and an understanding of the major periods in the history of art. Exposure to works of art through the collections of The Worcester Art Museum is an integral part of the course. One unit.

Visual Arts History 102 - Survey of Art: Renaissance to Modern Art Fall, spring
A cultural history of the major periods of western art since 1300: Renaissance, Baroque, Modern Art. Emphasis is on developments in painting, sculpture and architecture during these periods. Social and historical factors that influenced the art are also given attention. One unit.

Visual Arts History 104 - Introduction to Islamic Art Annually
An introductory course exploring the art and architecture dating from the inception of Islam in seventh-century Arabia through the 16th and 17th centuries in Safavid Iran, Mughal India, and the territories ruled by the Ottoman Turks. The religious,and social,cultural,and political significance of Islamic art is analyzed. One unit.

Visual Arts History 105 - Art of Africa and Americas Alternate Years
An introductory course exploring the art of Africa and the Americas. Art is considered within its cultural context ( e.g., Benin, Yoruba, Maya, Aztec, Hopi) and within the larger contexts of imperialism, western and non-western ideologies, and practices of collection and exhibition. Deeper questions about the nature and function of art across cultures provide the focus for discussion.

Visual Arts History 111 - Survey of the History of Architecture Annually
This course will address the built environment in Europe and the Mediterranean from Antiquity to the mid-19th century. Emphasis will be on the economic and political motivations and ethical consequences of intervention of human decisions in the natural landscape. Who benefits; who loses? Throughout, we will also study the buildings of Holy Cross and the College's close neighbors to observe choices of buildning styles and the transformatin of land. This is an introductory couse suitable for students of all years and majors. One unit.

Visual Arts History 199 - Introductory topics in Art History Annually
Topics courses explore various topics in the discipline and the subject and format vary from year to year.Taught by all professors. One unit.

Criticism and Themes

Visual Arts History 136 - Narrative in Art and Film Alternate Years
Introductory course to narrative structures in both film and the visual arts. Students view a wide variety of films: comedy, silent and drama, from foreign as well as American directors. Film theory is included. One unit. 

Intermediate Courses

Most intermediate courses presume Introduction to The Visual Arts or Survey of Art.This requirement may also be fulfilled, pending the discretion of the instructor, by experience acquired by personal study. Intermediate courses are divided into two types of inquiry: Historical Periods and Criticism and Themes.

Historical Periods

Visual Arts History 204 - Medieval Art Fall
Deals with art from the fourth century and the era of Constantine, to the age of the great cathedrals in the 13th century. Architecture, manuscript illumination, stained glass, and sculpture are included. Receives both Arts and Religion Distribution requirements. One unit.

Visual Arts History 205 - Global Commerce in 15th-Century Italy Annually
Early modern Italy was a commercial hub for the western world, with trade networks radiating across the Mediterranean into Europe,Africa,and Asia.We will consider how conditions in this flourishing economic crossroads favored the development of the unprecedented artistic culture of the early Renaissance.One unit.

Visual Arts History 206 - Art & Antiquity in 16-Century Italy Annually
From "the rediscovery of classical antiquity" in Rome and the outpouring of artistic energy known as the High Renaissance, we will move outward to investigate the role of art and architecture in shaping the political and cultural realignments that defined this critical turning point in European history. One unit.

Visual Arts History 207 - Art, Science, & Power in the 17th-Century (formerly Baroque Art) Annually
This course explores the explosive artistic creativity of seventeenth-century Europe as a process shaped by complex political and economic dynamics as well as by scientific discoveries.We will consider how the genre of Baroque art was tied to the incipient scientific revolution, as well as the constant need to reinforce rulership, status, and authority. One unit.

Visual Arts History 209 - 19th-Century Art Fall
Concentrates on the 19th century with emphasis on French developments, Neo-classicism, Romanticism,Realism, Impressionism, and Post Impressionism. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. One unit.

Visual Arts History 210 - 20th-Century Art Spring
Beginning with the development of Expressionism and Abstraction just before World War I, this course traces the development of modern ideas in painting and sculpture up to the present day. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. One unit.

Visual Arts History 240 - Modern Architecture Alternate years
Exploration of the major movements and architects of American modernism of the 20th century. Strong emphasis on critical reading, class discussion, and preparation of research projects and/or models. One unit.

Criticism and Themes

Visual Arts History 230, 231 - Architectural Studies 2 Every third year
These courses examine the history of architecture from pre-history to the present.Focus is on major monuments and developments in the history of architectural styles, building technology and urban planning. Both courses question the relationship between social, political and economic history and the internal progress of architecture as a phenomenon independent of historical context. Strong emphasis on critical reading, class discussions and preparation of one major research paper. One unit.

Visual Arts History 299 - Topics in Art History Annually
Special topics in art history, architecture and criticism are offered regularly by all professors. Responds to special interests evidenced by students, outgrowths of topics addressed in an intermediate course, or research interests of the faculty. Often interdisciplinary in nature and sometimes offered without prerequisites. Examples of recent Special Topics are: "Catholic Collecting: Catholic Reflection Outreach," "Art and Contemplative Practice," "Life and Death in 14th-Century Art," "Louis Kahn," "Contemporary Art and Architecture." One unit.

Advanced Courses

Visual Arts History 301 - Concentration Seminar Fall
Designed for majors, this course provides a critical examination of issues and methods in the literature of the history of art. Students also complete a capstone project concentrating on the collection of the Worcester Art Museum or other important sites. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. One unit.

Visual Arts History 420 - Tutorials Annually
Tutorials relate to all areas covered by Visual Arts History 200 courses. One unit each semester.

Visual Arts Studio

Introductory Courses

Visual Arts Studio 101 - Fundamentals of Drawing  Fall, spring
Formerly titled 2D Fundamentals. An exciting introduction to studio art through an exploration of drawing media. Slide talks, class critiques and discussions, and museum visits insure the beginning student of a solid introduction to the creative process. Taught by the studio staff and a prerequisite for all intermediate courses. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 102 - 3-D Fundamentals    Fall, spring
For students who are interested in an introduction to the physical world of sculptural art. Students explore the basic tools, processes and approaches to 3-Dimensional art through wood, clay, wire, cloth and found objects. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 105 - Digital Art Studio 1    Fall, spring

A hands-on introduction to digital art-making processes on Macintosh computers. Generate and manipulate images and files within an artistic context. Think creatively, work digitally and examine the potential of digital art making as a new form of art. In addition to class projects and critiques in the media lab, students discuss contemporary artist who use the computer in their work. Prerequisite: One previous studio art course. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 199 - Introductory Topics in Studio Art Annually
Introductory Topics in Studio Art are offered by all professors. These courses explore special techniques or concepts outside the current course offerings. Recent courses have included "Painting and Photography: An Introduction," and "Introduction to Sculpture Projects." One unit.

Intermediate Courses

Visual Arts Studio 200 - Painting 1 Fall, spring
An introduction to the principles, methods, and materials of oil painting in both historical and contemporary contexts. Emphasis placed on developing an understanding of form and space in pictorial compositions,strengthening perceptual abilities, and increasing knowledge of the use of color as it pertains to painting.Supplemental readings and field trips provide further connection and investigations of the history and process of Painting. Prerequisite: 2D Fundamentals or previous drawing course. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 201 - Painting 2 Alternate years
A continuation and expansion of the skills acquired in Painting 1. Students are introduced to a wider range of experimental painting methods using oil based media, and will be working in large as well as small scale formats.The context of painting in contemporary art will be heavily emphasized in this course.Prerequisite:Painting I. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 204 - Digital Art Studio 2 Spring
An explanatory approach to the next level of using digital processes as a fine art medium. Building upon the skills learned in Digital Art Studio 1, students will examine the impact of digital processes on art and artists,research the work of artists who use digital process to produce art, and create computer-based artworks in formats ranging from large format digital prints to web-based art and digital objects. Pre-requisite: Digital Art Studio 1 or permission. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 205 — New Media   
Alternate Years
New Media radically explores diverse and contemporary methods of digital production and output (includ- ing but not limited to computer graphics, computer animation, Internet art, and interactive technologies, on platforms ranging from computer monitors to projections, video game consoles to portable electronic devices), raising issues regarding the nature of the physical art object, the expanding role of emerging digital processes in artistic production, and the role new media art plays in the production and dissemination of contemporary artistic practice. Pre-requisite: Digital Art Studio 1. One Unit.

Visual Arts Studio 207 - Life Drawing   Fall
Students work from the nude model each session. Emphasis is on a structural understanding of the figure and on expressive approach to drawing. Work in a range of media including charcoal, oil stick, acrylic paint and wash. In addition to classwork, work on independent, personal projects in drawing. Students with no previous experience may wish to take 2D Fundamentals first. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 210 - Printmaking 1 Alternate years
Printmaking is another form of drawing, with its own range of marks, textures and surfaces. This course introduces relief and intaglio printing. Starts with monotype, the painterly print, followed by etchings on copper plates. Students encouraged to explore printmaking as expressive medium. This course ends with an exchange of editioned prints between members of the class. Prerequisite: Any drawing course or Fundamentals of Drawing. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 213 - Book Projects Spring
Explores the tradition of handmade artists' books and more recent experimental book forms. How do im¬ages work together in a sequence? What kind of narrative can be created by blinding images and text into a book form? What are the possible physical forms for the book? In addition to making conventional and experimental books in the print studio, students make a digital book in the Millard Media Lab. Through readings and discussions,this course examines the emergence of the "artists'book"in the 1960's and the work of contemporary artists. Prerequisites: 2D Fundamentals or any drawing course. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 220 - Sculpture 1 Spring
Sculpture 1 explores the elements of 3-Dimensional expression in projects of varied media. Students are exposed to sculptural issues via slide presentations on past and present works in sculpture. Class critiques allows student to refine both concepts and expression to create a personal synthesis. Prerequisite: 3D Fundamentals or permission from instructor. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 222 — Intermediate Drawing Spring
This course continues to build basic drawing skills and fosters the development of an individual drawing style. The content of Intermediate Drawing includes drawing from models, drawing in color, and other drawing forms such as collage and sequential drawing. Students are encouraged to explore new content in their work. Course includes readings, sketchbook work, and a visit to an exhibition. Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Drawing and Life Drawing, or by permission. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 230 - Photography 1 Fall, spring
For students with a serious interest in the creative use of black and white photography. Teaches exposure controls, camera operation, and rudimentary film developing and printing. Continuous work and advance¬ment is achieved through creative photography assignments and criticism. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 231 - Photography 2 Spring
A more advanced course in the fundamentals of creative photography. Introduces principles of optics, cameras, lighting, films, photographic chemistry, and materials. Visits to museums and galleries in the Boston and Worcester are required. Continuous work and advancement through creative assignments in photo¬graphing, processing, printing and criticism. Prerequisite: Photography I. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 299 - Special topics in Studio Art Annually
Special Topics in Studio Art are offered by all professors.These courses study special techniques or concepts outside the present course offerings, which respond to particular issues in current art. Recent Special Topics courses have included "Installation Art,""Photo Projects,""Digital Imaging in Studio Art"and "The Figure:Represented and Revealed." Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Drawing or 3D Fundamentals. One unit.

Advanced Courses

Visual Arts Studio 300 - Studio Concentration Seminar 1 Fall
Focuses on developing a "subject" or idea that can serve as the basis for a concise body of artwork reflecting the studio major's individual viewpoint and distinct aesthetic voice. In creating this body of work, students are challenged to take risks and experience both the discovery and failure that is the basis of the creative process. Each student has an individual space in Millard Art Center for intensive work. Students may work in any combination of media that serves their ideas. Critiques, trips, readings and discussion address the pro¬cess of developing a body of work as well as issues of professionalism as an artist. Student work is evaluated at the end of fall semester for admission into the Studio Concentration Seminar II. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 301 - Studio Concentration Seminar 2 Spring
The second semester of the Studio Concentration Seminar focuses on completing a cohesive body of work for the Senior Exhibition in the Cantor Art Gallery. In addition to producing and selecting work for the exhibition, students develop their artist's statements. Involvement in all aspects of mounting a professional exhibition including presentation of work, publicity, installation of the show and presentation of work to the College community. Prerequisite: Studio Concentration Seminar I and Permission of the instructor. One unit.

Visual Arts Studio 440 - Tutorials Annually
Tutorials relate to all areas covered by Visual Arts Studio 200 courses. One unit.

The final authority on College and departmental policy, including faculty and course information, is the College Catalog. Please consult the Catalog for more information.