First-year Course of Study for Art Practice Majors
Studio Courses
Surface, Space, and Time
These courses meet three times a week — two regular studio sessions and a shorter collaboratively taught lab called coLAB. The once a week coLAB brings together a cohort to meet artists, provide common skill-building workshops, do creative activities, go on field trips, and have advising sessions.
Toolkit Courses
Digital Tools, Ideation, and Visual Literacy
These courses will give students hands-on experience with a variety of digital tools and idea-developing methods. Courses meet once a week.
Plan to take one 5-credit Studio and one 2-credit Toolkit each term.
Course Number | Course Title | Course Description | Credits |
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ART 101 | Surface | Exploration of surface as a concept, as a material, and as a process. | 5 credits |
ART 102 | Space | Learn to select materials to enhance meaning, improve collaborative skills, and understand space as it relates to art-making. | 5 credits |
ART 103 | Time | Explore time-based art and processes through video and sound editing, performance, and public practice projects. | 5 credits |
ART 104 | Digital Tools | Create, manipulate, edit, and share digital materials. Intro to Adobe Photoshop, smartphone as a creative tool, and using a blog to document work. | 2 credits |
ART 105 | Ideation | Introduction to creative research, idea generation, fruitful exploration, acts of notice, methods for developing ideas, and communicating what you discover. | 2 credits |
ART 106 | Intro to Visual Literacy | Learn to critically view and interpret global visual culture, from ancient to contemporary. Builds a strong foundation for future courses in art history, art, and design. | 2 credits |
Additional First-year Courses
In addition to your six Core courses, Art Practice majors will also take the following courses.
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
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ART 131 | Intro to Drawing | 4 credits |
ARH 204 or 205 | Art History: The Ancient World or Art History: The Medieval World | 4 credits |
University Studies
Freshman students pursuing a BFA in Art Practice will also take courses in PSU’s celebrated College of University Studies. You will take one 5-credit Freshman Inquiry (FRINQ) each term of your first year. If you are a transfer student or coming into the university with sophomore-level courses, you will take Sophomore Inquiry (SINQ) or Junior Clusters.