Art and Art Education
School
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
School Dean
Department
Department Chair
The St. Mary's University Art Department is actively engaged in fulfilling the university's mission of educating for the common good and for the enrichment of the community by providing courses and exhibitions that enrich the creative spirit. Courses offered may lead to a Bachelors degree in Art Education, an Art Minor, and that fulfill the goals of the core curriculum of educating the whole person. Art courses may also be chosen as an elective.
Students at St. Mary's take courses in art for many reasons, including to fulfill the Fine Arts requirements of the Core Curriculum, to obtain a minor in art, to obtain a Texas Education Agency-certified second teaching field in elementary or secondary education, or simply as an elective.
In its educational role, the department offers historical, theoretical, and applied classes which explore the varied artistic traditions of the past and present. The three disciplines within the department are combined in a collaborative course that introduces Western civilization's cultural heritage to all undergraduate students.
St. Mary's University is committed to preparing teachers for a future of making a difference in young people's lives. Our elementary and secondary teacher certification programs integrate rigorous academic training and supervised field experience with a well-rounded education, providing students with the tools they need to be effective educators.
The Bachelor in Art Education with an All-Level Teacher Certification (Early Childhood-Grade 12) is designed for the student pursuing her or his interest in the visual arts and who wants to share that interest through teaching. Students will develop studio skills through courses providing experiences in traditional materials and methods as well as electronic digital image making. Through the study of art history students will acquire knowledge of where humankind has been and where it is now as makers and creators in the world. Through the study of art education and in concert with the Teacher Education Department the student will acquire skills needed to work in today's art classroom with knowledge and passion.
AR 1300. Concepts in Visual Art. 3 Semester Hours.
A study of the formal and conceptual aspects of art and art making including: the visual elements, principles of design, art production/media as well an historical perspective through the study major periods and styles of art from the ancient world to contemporary issues as well as the conceptual aspects of what artist do and why. The student will be exposed to a wide variety of art making and themes from throughout history from the painting on cave walls to formal contemporary concerns as well as issues of gender, race, and social issues in public art. While the course is lecture/presentation based the student will also experience several studio assignments designed to augment lecture/presentations, as well as exposure to gallery, and museum visits either virtually, or in person with the intention of using newfound vocabulary established in the course.
AR 1301. Drawing I. 3 Semester Hours.
Designed to develop the student’s understanding of basic skills in drawing through a variety of approaches including: sighting, contour line, gesture drawing, additive/subtractive process, compositional studies, value studies, hatching and grid techniques using a variety of drawing materials to include: pencils, marker link, charcoal, and mix media. Additional fee associated with this course. See fee schedule for details at https://www.stmarytx.edu/admission/financial-aid/tuition/.
AR 1302. Drawing II. 3 Semester Hours.
Continuation of Drawing I. Further investigation of drawing as a developmental process in perceptual and conceptual skills.
Additional fee associated with this course. See fee schedule for details at https://www.stmarytx.edu/admission/financial-aid/tuition/.
AR 1311. Design fundamentals. 3 Semester Hours.
Introduction to the elements and principles of art using line, color, form, texture, and shape with emphasis in two-dimensional design.
Additional fee associated with this course. See fee schedule for details at https://www.stmarytx.edu/admission/financial-aid/tuition/.
AR 1312. Color Theory. 3 Semester Hours.
This course will introduce the student to color as a descriptive and expressive element of art, focusing on color perception and practical application.
AR 2301. Three Dimensional Concepts: An Introduction to Sculpture. 3 Semester Hours.
An introduction to sculptural form: fundamentals of art with emphasis in three dimensional problems including the use of paper, clay, plaster, metal, and wood.
AR 2321. Painting I. 3 Semester Hours.
Techniques, fundamental color theories, and composition. Principal medium is oil or acrylic. Recommended prerequisite: AR 1301 (Drawing I) or AR 1311 (Design Fundamentals).
AR 2361. History of Art: Ancient through Medieval. 3 Semester Hours.
Principal periods in the history of Western art from the paleolithic period to the Gothic. Fall
Additional fee associated with this course. See fee schedule for details at https://www.stmarytx.edu/admission/financial-aid/tuition/.
AR 2362. History of Art: Renaissance to Present. 3 Semester Hours.
Principal periods in the history of Western art from the Renaissance to the present. Spring
Additional fee associated with this course. See fee schedule for details at https://www.stmarytx.edu/admission/financial-aid/tuition/.
AR 3331. Sculpture. 3 Semester Hours.
Structural form using options in clay techniques.
AR 3341. Art Problems. 3 Semester Hours.
Allows option of working in media of student's choice and encourages exploration of individual expression. Art Education majors will work to develop individual professional portfolios in preparation for teaching.
Prerequisite: 9 hours of art and approval of faculty.
AR 3351. Printmaking. 3 Semester Hours.
Exploration and application of basic techniques of printmaking, which includes processes in pro ducing multiples of the original image.
AR 3381. History of Art Applied. 3 Semester Hours.
This course is a survey of painting, sculpture, architecture and other arts from prehistoric times to the modern world. Students will be introduced to the essential elements of visual art and to experiences in creative two and three dimensional media for children. Fall.
AR 3392. Photography. 3 Semester Hours.
The photography course provides an overview of tools and techniques in relations to the history of photography. As the student studies each era in the advances in the art, they will be experiencing what it would be like to be of the first inventors. The course will start by working with primitive photography and eventually move into the possibilities of digital imaging.
AR 4191. Special Topics in Art. 1 Semester Hour.
Independent study or seminar, arranged with staff. Consent of departmental faculty required. May be repeated for up to six hours of credit.
AR 4291. Special Topics in Art. 2 Semester Hours.
Independent study or seminar, arranged with staff. Consent of departmental faculty required. May be repeated for up to six hours of credit.
AR 4322. Painting II. 3 Semester Hours.
Composition, surface quality emphasis, and experimentation in acrylic or oil medium. AR 2321.
AR 4323. Digital Art Studio. 3 Semester Hours.
This course develops fundamental skills in using computer graphic tools and related peripheral devices for creating digital artworks that reference
the traditional look of painting and drawing media. The class will focus on creating original works on the computer that reflect the student’s creative
interests. The student will be encouraged to experiment and explore unique ways of creating artwork using digital applications. Emphasis will be
placed upon using the computer for conceptual and aesthetic problem-solving.
AR 4391. Special Topics in Art. 3 Semester Hours.
Independent study or seminar, arranged with staff. May be repeated for up to six hours of credit.
AR 4691. Special Topics in Art. 6 Semester Hours.
Independent study or seminar, arranged with staff. Consent of departmental faculty required. May be repeated for up to six hours of credit.
James Joffe, M.F.A.
Associate Professor
Brian St. John, M.F.A.
Professor