Art, major

Owned by Jenni Piper
Last updated: Mar 12, 2024 by Rachel Herr
2 min read

Contact: Cyndi Gusler
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Semester Hours: 50
Core Intensives: Fulfills 2 WI/CI and TI. May fulfill CE.

Senior Exhibits and Productions: VACA seniors in this major complete a significant production or exhibit. This senior exhibit/production represents a culminating event—a chance to synthesize their learning experience in an outstanding body of work, to celebrate the accomplishments of a successful undergraduate career, and to showcase their best work for the broader community. As such, this requires significant teamwork and collaboration with student colleagues and faculty, along with substantial preparation of the work for presentation during the semester of graduation. Marketing majors complete the capstone course MKTG 410 Strategic Marketing Management.

Sophomore Review:  Sophomore Reviews are required for Art, and Digital Media, Photography and Design majors. Visual And Communication Arts faculty will conduct a portfolio review after students have been at EMU for three semesters. Transfer students (who have completed the equivalent of at least three semesters in a similar major elsewhere) will usually complete the review process after one semester at EMU. The VACA program director may approve exceptions to the timeline. The chair will also approve an appropriate timeline for EMU students who change majors or for students who transfer in from a non-related program.

Students who do not pass the portfolio review will need to drop the major. They may continue to take VACA classes but will not have priority for course enrollment. Only VACA majors may enroll in VACA 481 Junior/Senior Thesis and Exhibition, internships, and independent studies.

Students who do not pass the review may re-apply to the major by requesting a new portfolio review after one year. 

Required Courses (50 SH)

  • VACA 121 Drawing I (4)

  • *VACA 131 Three-Dimensional Design (4) 

  • VACA 143 Foundations of Design I: 2-D (2)

  • VACA 144 Foundations of Design II: Digital (2) 

  • VACA 151 Photography I (2) 

  • VACA 222 Painting I (4) 

  • VACA 232 Ceramics I (4) 

  • VACA 252 Photography II (4)

  • *VACA 283 Art History-Western (4) 

  • VACA 332 Ceramics II (2) 

  • VACA 382 Contemporary Art (2) 

  • *VACA 384 Art History-World (2) 

  • VACA 432 Ceramics III (2)

  • *VACA 434 Drawing II (2) 

  • *VACA 435 Painting II (2) 

  • VACA 450 Junior/Senior Portfolio and Vocation (2)

  • VACA 481 Junior/Senior Thesis and Exhibition (2) 

  • Choose one course:

    • *VACA 323 Printmaking and Watercolor (4) 

    • *VACA 335 Installation and Experimental Media (4) 

Recommended Courses

  • VACA 142 Graphic Design I (2) 

  • *VACA 242 Graphic Design II (2)

  • *VACA 243 Graphic Design III (2)

  • VACA 168 Digital Media I: Video Production (4)

  • VACA 442 Ceramics IV (2)

  • VACA 491 Internship (1-4)

* indicates the course is offered in alternate years