Courses in the liberal arts enable one to gain a perspective of self and art in relation to past, present, and future. A liberal arts education allows a broad view and understanding of the world in which an artist must function. In all professions, excellent written and oral communication skills and solid philosophical and moral judgments, as well as a general knowledge in literature, mathematics and the social science are necessary. A Liberal Arts curriculum develops critical reading, research, and writing skills which provide an optimum balance of both scholarly study and creative activity.
Courses Offered in Studio Arts
Introduction to Studio Arts (ART 150)
Open to non-Studio Arts majors only. Exploration of the materials, techniques, and inspiration of the artist in the media of drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and two- and three-dimensional design.
Introduction to Drawing and Printmaking (ART 151)
Open to non-Studio Arts majors only. Development of basic drawing skills in various media and the exploration of printmaking techniques.
Drawing I (ART 153)
An introduction to drawing and the development of visual awareness. Experimentation and exploration of technique developed through a variety of subject matter. Varied media, including pencil, charcoal, ink, and conte.
Drawing II: Figure Drawing (ART 154)
Development of technique and principles used in Drawing I, ART 153, with emphasis placed on working from the figure and anatomy.
Two-Dimensional Design (ART 160)
Examination of the basic elements of two-dimensional design emphasizing the conceptual process and utilizing various media and techniques.
Programming for Creative Applications (ART 182)
Emphasis on programming as an art form and as a tool for creative applications. Introduction to computer programming within the context of art and design. Concepts and skills taught enhance student ability to excel in future courses about Internet, animation, interactive media, and game design. Weekly exercises balance concept and technique to reveal potential of computer as medium and tool.
Visual Arts for the Elementary Teacher (ART 250)
Designed to develop the visual arts for the Liberal Studies student. Emphasizes media, techniques, art history, and studio art fundamentals. Students will complete a teaching portfolio. Participation in the ArtSmart Program is required.
Painting I (ART 257)
Study of basic theoretical methods and techniques as applied to both representation and abstraction. Acrylic paints will be utilized.
Computer Graphics I (ART 260)
Introduction to principles and practices of electronic imaging as they apply to graphics, art, and design.
Three-Dimensional Design (ART 275)
Examination of the basic elements of three-dimensional design emphasizing the conceptual process and utilizing various media.
Ceramic Sculpture (ART 276)
Examination of ceramics as a sculptural medium. Students will explore technical and conceptual processes of ceramics. While clay is the focus, other materials will be utilized.
Ceramics I (ART 278)
Basic techniques of hand building and throwing on the potter’s wheel integrated with aesthetic exploration through various projects.
Photography I (ART 280)
This course focuses on photography as a medium of personal and artistic expression. Students learn camera, darkroom, and presentation fundamentals, as well as basic digital imaging skills.
Introduction to Printmaking (ART 285)
Introduction to the basic printmaking and transfer processes, using monoprinting, linocuts, woodcuts, drypoints, water etchings, and collagraphs. Both black and white and multicolor images will be produced.
Multimedia Survey (ARHS 230)
Critical and historical examination of multimedia arts through research, discussions, and presentations.
Design Concept to Form (ART 302)
Design as a visual problem-solving process is explored. Emphasis is placed on the creative processes of design and the visual presentation of design research, the design concept, and the final design. This will include visualization techniques and book binding.
Experimental Typography (ART 303)
The conceptual aspects of typography as both image and form are explored in print, environmental, and time-based media. Storytelling using typography is emphasized.
Image Making (ART 304)
The creation of original imagery is explored using a combination of digital and analog drawing, collage and montage methods. The communicative potential of the image is emphasized through the interplay of context, connotation, and denotation.
ARTsmart Community Service Program (ART 305)
ARTsmart is the community service program of the Department of Art and Art History. The mission of ARTsmart is to provide underserved youth an education in the visual arts. LMU Art and Art History students work in teams to develop and teach lessons that incorporate formal art issues, art history, visual culture, social justice issues, and standards-based education to students in a neighboring K-8 school. Students from a variety of art disciplines are encouraged to volunteer.
Visual Thinking (ART 350)
This course promotes concept development and creative thinking. Visual problem solving and projects will be based on a concern for how each person examines and explores, ultimately interprets and recreates the world around them.
Experiencing Art and Social Justice (ART 355)
This course is divided into two components: studio arts and service learning. In the studio arts component, students will create art to explore the relationship between art and social justice. Studio projects include mixed media sculpture, painting, and installation. The students participate in the ARTsmart service-learning program, developing and teaching lessons that emphasize the use of art to incite social change. ARTsmart service time is incorporated into the class hours.
Painting II (ART 356)
A continuation of theoretical methods and techniques used in Painting I, ART 257. Emphasis is on color, materials, and individual concept development. A variety of media will be utilized.
Painting III (ART 358)
A continuation of Painting II, ART 356. Emphasis is on color, materials, and individual concept development. May be repeated for degree credit with consent of instructor.
Graphic Design I (ART 360)
An introduction to the basic principles of visual design as they are applied to communication problems involving a message and an audience. Students develop conceptual and problem solving skills to create graphic form for a range of content.
Creative Direction (ART 362)
The application of design principles and advertising concepts in the development of conceptual campaigns involving a message and an audience.
3D Digital Toolbox (ART 363)
Survey of concepts and processes utilized in the production of artworks with 3D digital software applications. Study of computer techniques integrating digital processing into the creative process.
Digital Illustration (ART 364)
The integration of illustration practices, design principles, and conceptual problem solving procedures in the creation of illustrations for editorial designs, book jackets, and advertising. Illustrations are computer assisted or computer generated in black and white and in color.
Illustration (ART 365)
The integration of illustration practices, design principles, and conceptual problem-solving procedures in the creation of illustrations for editorial designs, book jackets, and advertising art. Illustrations are conceived of by conventional means.
Multimedia Computer Arts (ART 366)
Explorations of interactive computer multimedia technologies with emphasis on the development of personal artistic expression. May be repeated twice for degree credit.
Online Computer Arts (ART 367)
An emphasis on a working expertise in graphics, art, design, and aesthetics as they apply to interactive web authoring. This course will also utilize interactive linkages to a larger virtual arts community.
Typography I (ART 368)
An introduction to the fundamentals of typography. Emphasis is on developing typographic literacy in terms of history, type classification, nomenclature, letterform anatomy, hierarchy, visual structure, as well as how type works as a compositional element in textual communication.
Information Design (ART 369)
A practical introduction to the preparation of graphic design for printing. Both the technological and aesthetic challenges of getting ink onto paper are explored through communication design projects.
Beginning Wheel Throwing (ART 370)
Introduction to throwing, glazing, and firing at several temperature levels with the aim of developing skills to enhance the student’s artistic voice in the contemporary clay context.
Advanced Wheel Throwing (ART 371)
Advanced work with wheel thrown forms with the aim of developing a thematic body of creative work in clay.
Jewelry I (ART 372)
A basic jewelry course with an emphasis on creative design and various techniques including fabrication, soldering, forging, wax working, and casting. Also includes bezel stone setting.
Jewelry II (ART 373)
Advanced jewelry making with an emphasis on creative design and exploration of various techniques such as fabrication, casting, rolling mill texturing, hydraulic press forming, enameling processes, and the setting of faceted stones. Also an introduction to larger scale, sculptural design.
Motion Graphics (ART 374)
Advanced multimedia-oriented design concepts of the “on-screen” motion graphics and interactive presentations of images, text, motion, and sound.
Figure Sculpture (ART 375)
Modeling of the human figure with an emphasis on anatomy, leading to the extension of the figure as image.
Sculpture Workshop (ART 376)
Advanced exploration of sculptural problems, techniques, and concepts using a variety ofmaterials.
Drawing and Clay (ART 378)
Emphasis on the surface treatment of ceramic work incorporating drawing, painting, and printmaking techniques.
Photography II (ART 380)
Exploration of advanced concepts of photography as applied to the further development of personal expression. Students learn medium and large format photography, studio lighting, and some digital imaging.
Digital Photography (ART 382)
An emphasis on a working expertise in digital imaging, technologies utilizing Adobe Photoshop for image creation, manipulation, with input and output to various media.
Advanced Multimedia (ART 383)
Advanced investigation in one or more areas of multimedia production based upon research, mentorship, and practical experience that culminates in a final project.
Relief Printmaking (ART 385)
Exploration of relief printing, photo-etching, and monotype processes. Graphic image making will be pursued through multiprintings. Personal visual development, technical skill, and conceptual development will be emphasized.
Etching Printmaking (ART 386)
Process using etching, aquatint, and other incising techniques on metal plates. Emphasis on black and white images with an introduction to multicolor printing.
Silkscreen Printmaking (ART 387)
Introduction to the use of serigraphy to create posters and fine art prints. Handcut, handpainted, and photographic techniques will be used. The emphasis is on the development of personal expression in the creation of multicolor prints.
Screen Printing (ART 388)
Introduction to the use of silkscreening to communicate a message. Basic screening techniques will be used, including using handcut, photographic, and computer-generated images. Water-based textile and plastisol inks will be used. Emphasis will be on producing multicolor prints on T-shirts and posters.
Professional Practices in Graphic Design (ART 396)
An examination of the career possibilities within the creative landscape of contemporary design. The design internship and portfolio development are emphasized. Participation in the LMU AIGA student chapter is recommended.
Professional Practices in Fine Arts (ART 397)
Examination of the current state of the studio arts and various career options through research, discussions, and guest speakers. Includes development and presentation of a professional portfolio and resume.
Drawing III: Formal Issues (ART 453)
This course explores traditional and contemporary issues in drawing. Using a variety of media, content, space, color, value, and form are examined.
Drawing IV: Figure Composition (ART 454)
This course promotes concept development and psychological possibilities inherent in the human form. Using a variety of media, it explores anatomical structure and imaginative composition.
Methods in Teaching Secondary Art (ART 455)
This methodology seminar is designed to provide opportunities for prospective secondary art educators to critically examine the theoretical, historical, psychological, sociological, and practical applications of art education. Projects will involve the development, implementation, and assessment of a successful and socially responsible art education curriculum. Students will compile course material into a professional teaching resource portfolio.
Graphic Design II (ART 460)
Graphic Design II builds on the fundamental design principles introduced in ART 360, Graphic Design I. Portfolio-oriented projects cover the gamut of print to electronic media.
Typography II (ART 468)
Typography II extends the fundamental concepts introduced in ART 368, Typography I. Projects emphasize the application of typographic principles to multiple levels of text in both print and electronic media.
Ceramics Workshop (ART 478)
Design problems with ceramic materials incorporating wheel-thrown and hand building techniques. Development of a personal style in addition to advanced firing techniques.
Color Photography (ART 480)
Exploration of general color principles and lab procedures with an emphasis on developing a long-term personal project. Students learn color printing, medium format photography, and digital imaging.
Advanced Printmaking (ART 485)
Continuation and more advanced work in relief, etching, or silkscreen techniques.
Senior Design Thesis (ART 490)
The Senior Thesis in Design provides the opportunity to explore design as a liberal arts activity through focused studies around the design disciplines, or the application of design to a specific subject or area of interest. Students independently address topic areas within a creative design project resulting in a body of work (aside from the professional portfolio). The topic(s) should address one or more of the following issues: the societal impact of design; design as a process for innovation; the historic and contemporary contexts of design; design as an experiential medium.
Multimedia Internship (ART 494)
Professional experience in multimedia.
Advanced Studio Studies (ART 495)
Pre-professional directed study in studio art.
Senior Thesis in Fine Arts (ART 497)
This course continues for Fine Arts emphasis students the professional development experience of ART 397, Senior Seminar. The curriculum includes all aspects of exhibition design, promotion, and artwork presentation.