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Three-Dimensional Design develops a fundamental understanding of a variety of techniques, processes, and styles in three-dimensional media. Students will be challenged to become thoughtful of formal and conceptual concerns in art, while investigating the technical aspects of three-dimensional design. Students will gain practical experience by using various materials as well as by employing compositional and conceptual theories to create sculptures. (Fall 20222023) Core: CA
VACA 141 Foundations of Design (4 SH)
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An overview of important factual and conceptual elements of visual art and history spanning over thirty thousand years. The course covers aesthetic objects separately as works of art and examines religious, social, political, and philosophical concepts in historical and cultural contexts. (Fall 20222024) Core: WI
VACA 323 Printmaking and Watercolor (4 SH)
Relief printmaking is an ancient form favored by contemporary artists in which images are printed on paper from wood and other materials. Screen printing is a newer process in which ink is forced through fabric onto paper and other materials. These processes are used to develop rich, colorful prints with an emphasis on visual ideas and technique. An introduction to watercolor covers a variety of techniques including washes, wet-in-wet, wet-on-dry, mono-types, pen-and-ink with color tinting. Students will also have opportunity for skill development following demonstrations with guided and independent practice. When the weather is especially lovely, we'll move the classroom outside and enjoy painting en plein air. (Fall 20222024) Core: CA
VACA 332 Intermediate Ceramics (2 SH)
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Explores the intersection of photography and environmental conservation. Topics include aesthetic responses to the natural world, visual documentation of ecosystems, conservation advocacy and the relationship between human communities and the natural world. Students work in small groups on a semester-long documentation/storytelling project in conjunction with a partner organization. Prerequisite: VACA 151. (Fall 20222024) Core: CL
VACA 364 Motion Graphics/After Effects (2 SH)
Explores the art and communication of merging video, the graphic arts and text into messages with multiple layers of meaning and artistic interest. Students will become adept at compositing; moving video, still images, text and line art. Layered Photoshop files will be animated into finished video. The primary forms studied for this class will be opening and closing logos, advertising, visual music and short form 2-D animated storytelling. Students should schedule this class in the same semester at taking one of the Visual Storytelling classes. Prerequisites: VACA 151 or equivalent and VACA 262 or faculty approval. (Fall 2023Spring 2025)
VACA 367 Hybrid Storytelling (4 SH)
Using photography, audio creation and video production as building blocks, students will construct narrative presentations. These narratives will be constructed for multiple distribution methods including: print, epubs, online magazines, and mixed-media forms. Students will also consider possible feedback and interaction methods like blogging and other social media. Students will study storytelling, narrative construction, research and interview techniques, the history of photographic journalism, technical skills and the expanding uses of the image. Students will practice this form while paying attention to the technical, aesthetic, philosophic and ethical issues involved. This course should be taken in the junior or senior year as a lead-in to VACA 481 Senior Thesis. Prerequisite: VACA 151. (Fall 2023Spring 2025) Core: CL
VACA 381 Cinema and Visual Theory (2 SH)
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This course uses a thematic approach to the history and appreciation of art outside the Western mainstream. Art is presented as illustrative, laying the foundation for understanding the context and aesthetics of art from non-Western perspectives. (Spring 20232024)
VACA 397 Elementary School Art Methods (2-3 SH)
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A study of the aims and philosophy of art education at the secondary school level. Secondary School Art Methods will include advanced studies of curriculum and lesson design and integration; classroom organization and management techniques; delivery of art courses as electives; teaching art history, aesthetics, and evaluation; teaching art production appropriate to the adolescent; and the function of art in the schools and community. Students will understand contemporary issues in art education by examining research history and philosophy of art education. The relationships between developments in education as a whole and art education will be explored as well as adolescent creative learning styles and development. A 20-hour practicum in a secondary art setting is a component of the course. Admission to teacher education may be a prerequisite. (Fall 20222025) Core: CL
VACA 432 Advanced Ceramics I (2 SH)
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