2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Art

The California Lutheran University art curriculum provides a foundation in the studio arts and art history which encourages students to develop their own vision as creative artists and voices for its history and contemporary critique. With an emphasis on individualized attention and creative motivation, faculty members combine a broad range of academic and art disciplines with real-world experiences, philosophies and attitudes.

Interested students have a chance to participate in Cal Lutheran-sponsored travel to a variety of international locations. Each student is also given the option to take art and/or art history classes one or two semesters in a Study Abroad program in countries such as Italy or England. Likewise, Cal Lutheran’s diverse art collections give students access to a variety of art objects from various countries. These collections include the La Boyteaux Collection of New Guinea Art, the Lou Grubb Collection of American Indian Art and Paintings, the Rev. Patty Hundley Photographic Archive and a collection of Philippine Island ethnic artwork.

Art majors may opt for the standard art major curricula or designate their preference with a concentration in design. The design specialty requires an advanced computer graphics course. Sophisticated graphics programs utilizing up-to-date software are available to Cal Lutheran students to increase their creative skills and prepare them for the professional work of design. In addition, other design courses are cross-listed with the Theatre Arts Department, and digital arts classes are available in the Multimedia major.

The majority of students choosing the design emphasis move into careers associated with advertising agencies, computer graphics, freelance photography, design studios and book design. Students can also prepare for careers in the motion picture and television industries, theater and animation by creating work especially targeted for their desired goals.

Art history students find Cal Lutheran a perfect area to explore museums and architectural works. Nearby are the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, the Pacific-Asia Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (L.A.), Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Armand Hammer Museum, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and others.

Students interested in a fine arts studio practice are provided a foundation of techniques and interaction with various materials which involve traditional and contemporary studio methods. The ultimate goal is for students to develop their own individual style and body of work while having an awareness of related historical and contemporary art concepts.

All art major seniors are required to take a Capstone course which focuses on the practical and philosophical aspects of being an artist or working in a field related to the arts. This class is designed to assist students in “real world” participation in the arts following graduation. A working knowledge of archival matting/framing, writing an artist statement and preparing a portfolio are included. All of the steps needed to curate and install an art exhibition are covered, culminating in a collaboratively produced retrospective of the senior art majors’ best work displayed in the William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art.

The Visual Arts Department works with the School of Education to serve the needs of students planning careers in teaching. Credential programs, as well as opportunities to practice art instruction, are available. A Multimedia major is also available.

Internships at museums, galleries, companies or organizations are encouraged and earn up to four credits.

Bachelor of Arts in Art

42 credits minimum, 24 credits upper division.

ART 111History of Art4
or ART 112 History of Art
ART 160Drawing3
ART 165Life Drawing3
ART 236Digital Photography3
ART 270Beginning Painting3
ART 280Design3
ART 320Sculpture3
ART 380Digital Art3
ART 410Modern Art4
ART 418Interdisciplinary Arts - Capstone3
ART 440Senior Show1
ART 472Life Painting3
Art Elective Credits (at least 2 Upper Division)
ART 105American Art4
ART 175Introduction to Watercolor3
ART 330Printmaking3
ART 341Visual Arts in Education3
ART 342Art and Psychology3
ART 350Ceramics I3
ART 351Ceramics II3
ART 383Typography for Designers3
ART 412Christian Art in the Middle Ages4
ART 414Philosophy of Art4
ART 420Sculpture3
ART 430Printmaking3
ART 435Adv Photography Intro Journalism3
ART 445Comiccomm: Globalism, Zeitgeist & Art4
ART 480Advanced Digital Art3
FILM 208Beginning Cinema Production4
MULT 358Visual Effects/Motion Graphics/Animation4
MULT 462Digital Illustration4
MULT 465Maxon Cinema 4D 3D Animation4
MULT 470High Definition Digital Cinema I4
TA 368Scenic Design for Stage and Media4

Bachelor of Arts with Concentration in Design

44 credits minimum, 26 credits upper division.

ART 112History of Art4
ART 160Drawing3
ART 236Digital Photography3
ART 270Beginning Painting3
ART 280Design3
ART 320Sculpture3
ART 380Digital Art3
ART 385Advertising Art I3
ART 410Modern Art4
ART 418Interdisciplinary Arts - Capstone3
ART 435Adv Photography Intro Journalism3
ART 440Senior Show1
ART 480Advanced Digital Art3
ART 4813
Art Elective Credits1
ART 105American Art4
ART 175Introduction to Watercolor3
ART 270Beginning Painting3
ART 330Printmaking3
ART 341Visual Arts in Education3
ART 342Art and Psychology3
ART 350Ceramics I3
ART 351Ceramics II3
ART 412Christian Art in the Middle Ages4
ART 420Sculpture3
ART 430Printmaking3
ART 445Comiccomm: Globalism, Zeitgeist & Art4
ART 472Life Painting3
FILM 208Beginning Cinema Production4
MULT 336Developing Internet Content I4
MULT 462Digital Illustration4
MULT 463Graphic Design Multimedia Integration4
MULT 358Visual Effects/Motion Graphics/Animation4
MULT 465Maxon Cinema 4D 3D Animation4
MULT 470High Definition Digital Cinema I4
TA 167Design & Production for Stage & Media4
TA 365Makeup Design for Stage and Media2
TA 342History of Theatre and Drama I4
TA 366 (Advanced)2
TA 368Scenic Design for Stage and Media (Advanced)4
TA 369Costume Design for Stage and Media4

Minor in Art

18 credits minimum, 9 credits upper division.  Students interested in teaching art should refer to the Chair of the Art Department for information about the art subject matter program. (see Education)

ART 111History of Art4
or ART 112 History of Art
ART 160Drawing3
ART 280Design3
Upper Division Art Elective Credits9
Total Hours19

Minor in Art History

20 credits minimum, (of these, 8 credits must be upper division). 

Required Courses
ART 111History of Art4
or ART 112 History of Art
ART 410Modern Art4
Electives - 3 courses
ART 105American Art4
ART 112History of Art4
or ART 111 History of Art
ART 160Drawing3
ART 412Christian Art in the Middle Ages4

Courses

Lower Division

ART 105. American Art. (4).

This course surveys the history of American art from the first European colonies to World War II. Students consider notions of American identity and nationhood, by examining key works of painting, sculpture, textiles, and architecture, and placing these works in the proper historical, political, social, and cultural contexts. Students gain an understanding of the diverse peoples, traditions, and events that informed American culture and continue to shape notions of nationhood. In this course, art serves as a 'window' into American life, culture, and diversity. What does it mean to be an 'American' today? We begin to answer this question by reflecting upon our past expressions.

ART 111/112. History of Art. (4,4).

111: From prehistoric and ancient civilizations to the Renaissance. 112: From the Renaissance to contemporary.

ART 160. Drawing. (3).

An introduction to the fundamentals of line, shape, form, value and pictorial space and their use in aesthetic expression and the communication of ideas.

ART 165. Life Drawing. (3).

A study of the presentation of the human form through graphic representations, with an emphasis on the structure, form and anatomy of the model. Prerequisite: ART 160.

ART 175. Introduction to Watercolor. (3).

An introduction to watercolor, painting including value and color theory, and the place of watercolor in the art world.

ART 236. Digital Photography. (3).

An introduction to digital photography. A fine arts approach to the use of the digital camera, including its potential for creating art, and methods for adjusting and enhancing images on the computer.

ART 270. Beginning Painting. (3).

An introduction to various media and techniques of painting. Students experiment with visual elements and their use in the expression and communication of ideas, with emphasis on the creative approach.

ART 280. Design. (3).

An introductory study in the visual elements and principles of design and unity of expression. Includes creative exploration in two- and three-dimensional composition.

ART 282. Selected Topics. (3).

ART 282C. ST: CORE. (1-4).

Select Topic approved to satisfy a core requirement.

ART 3ST. Selected Topics. (1-4).

ART 4ST. Selected Topics. (4).

Upper Division

ART 320. Sculpture. (3).

Students are introduced to three-dimensional concepts and design through hands-on experience with various materials, such as clay, plaster and stone, using a variety of tools and sculpturing techniques. Course includes study and critical analysis of major sculptors.

ART 330. Printmaking. (3).

An introduction to various methods of intaglio and relief processes in fine printmaking. Pictorial concern and technique are stressed. Prerequisite: ART 160 or consent of instructor.

ART 341. Visual Arts in Education. (3).

A study of the visual arts in education. Theories and philosophies of art and its objectives in the classroom with correlated studio activities and creative experiences that explore various media and appropriate techniques. Both elementary and secondary school curricula in art are included.

ART 342. Art and Psychology. (3).

This course is offered in the Art and Psychology departments for those students who are interested in the synergy between art and psychology. It satisfies the CORE 21 Participatory Art requirement. It is especially relevant for students with majors in art or psychology or both who are interested in an MFT/ATR (registered art therapist) graduate program. For all others, the course provides an overview of art history, design, production and aesthetics with an emphasis on psychological theories and current neuroscience research. Child development and family systems are addressed in relation to therapeutic uses of art. Visual thinking and creativity are explored and utilized in the production of self-expressive art works.

ART 350. Ceramics I. (3).

An introduction to ceramics that emphasizes development of technique in wheel throwing and includes basic clay and glaze technology and the application of glazes. Students progress at their own speed with specific instruction given toward their individual development.

ART 351. Ceramics II. (3).

Stress is placed on wheel throwing, including the making of varied forms: covered ware, sculpted and decorated pieces plus added slab and coil work. Students are allowed an individual creative approach to further their development in form and surface decoration. Includes advanced technology in higher firing clays and glazes. Prerequisite: ART 350 Ceramics I or equivalent experience and/or consent of instructor.

ART 370. Intermediate Painting. (3).

Introduces the creative use of color based on an understanding of visual structural elements. Prerequisite: ART 270.

ART 380. Digital Art. (3).

This course serves as an introduction to digital art as a medium for artistic expression, as well as to the technical and theoretical aspects of the emerging field of digital fine art.

ART 383. Typography for Designers. (3).

This class concentrates on the basics of typography, including the history and development of typography. Students will explore the correct use of typographic elements to properly typeset a variety of document types, including a multiple page publication. The use of typography as an expressive and creative component of effective design is also covered. Students should develop a basic foundation for understanding the expectations of professional typography, layout and the role typography plays in creating successful design for print and electronic mediums.

ART 385. Advertising Art I. (3).

In Art 385, Students learn the design techniques, employ visual strategies and find creative solutions to produce commercial imaging. Students undergo intensive and in-depth experience utilizing Adobe Photoshop, major applications of this course. Students are introduced to, and gain "fluency" with, numerous creative tools, and all the aesthetic possibilities implied. Students undergo a series of creative, visual challenges grounded in basic design principles, to help build, and then master, the multiple skills needed to produce a variety of advertising materials including (but not limited to) page layouts, logos, magazine spreads, CD covers, pamphlets, books, business cards, and letterheads. For anyone wishing to develop the basic skill set necessary to compete in the advertising industry -- this course is essential. No pre-requisite.

ART 410. Modern Art. (4).

This art history course on modern art surveys major artists and key developments in Europe and the United States, 1850s-1940s. Pre-requisite ART 112 or consent of the instructor.

ART 411. Early Christian Art. (4).

Investigates the first thousand years of Christian art, which represent a transition between Greco-Roman, Jewish and Byzantine monuments. The origins of style and subjects and their transformation into Christian vehicles of great sophistication are treated from many viewpoints - theological, literary, liturgical, iconographic, perceptual and stylistic. Prerequisite: REL 100.

ART 412. Christian Art in the Middle Ages. (4).

Students survey the religious art of the Middle Ages - primarily Christian, but also some early Jewish and Islamic developments - identifying significant works of architecture, sculpture, and painting, while exploring Christian concepts and beliefs, liturgy and worship. Students consider art in relation to cultural needs, examining works in historical, religious social, economic, and political contexts. Students become familiar with visual forms, styles, narratives, and symbols of Christian art, as well as with broader, unifying themes shared by different cultures. The course content covers twelve centuries and geographically spans the Western edges of Europe to the Middle East. We also pay attention to instances of cultural exchange (the circulation of ideas, art forms, and artists through Europe and the Middle East). (cross-listed with REL 412).

ART 414. Philosophy of Art. (4).

The study of the aesthetic experience and the work of art. Includes various theories and their expression, function and criticism. (cross-listed with PHIL 414).

ART 418. Interdisciplinary Arts - Capstone. (3).

For all art major seniors, this course focuses on the practical, philosophical, and personal aspects of being an artist or working in a field related to the arts. Useful knowledge such as archival matting/framing, packing, mailing, and documenting artwork will be covered. Students will write an artist statement, crucial when applying for graduate school or accompanying your portfolio in job searches, grant and exhibit proposals, or publishing your work on-line, etc. Emphasis on pre-preparation for the senior art exhibit (scheduled spring semester) including gallery layout design, art announcement design, exhibit posters, mailing lists, etc. - special attention to gathering a strong portfolio of individual work, especially a body of artwork connected by theme, technique, subject, or concept.

ART 420. Sculpture. (3).

Advanced exploration of sculpture as reflected in the human figure, from basic skeletal structure to finished form. Use of plaster body casts and other sculptural techniques reinforce hands-on learning. Course includes study and critical analysis of major sculptors' work on the human form. Prerequisite: Art 321.

ART 425. Arts Management and Museology. (4).

This is a cross-disciplinary course merging Management, Art and Museum Studies to give students an insider view of the art world. By the end of the term students will have mastered multiple business models and will have executed an art exhibition from start to finish, including all aspects of curation, marketing and writing. Junior standing required. Cross-listed with BUS-425.

ART 430. Printmaking. (3).

Experimental techniques in fine printmaking with an introduction to color. Prerequisite: Art 331 or consent of instructor.

ART 435. Adv Photography Intro Journalism. (3).

ART 435 is an upper division digital photography class covering news, commercial and fine art photojournalism. In this class, students learn techniques required for using the camera as a reporting and illustrating tool for print and online media. Types of events include hard news, sports, editorial, as well as using the camera for fine art documentary and narrative photography. Pre-requisite: ART 236.

ART 440. Senior Show. (1).

This one unit course is required for senior level art majors. It prepares students for, and guides them through, a senior art exhibition. Together, classmates plan, design, implement and install this exhibition. Prerequisites: Capstone ART 418 and art majors only.

ART 445. Comiccomm: Globalism, Zeitgeist & Art. (4).

ComicComm: Globalism, Zeitgeist and the Art of Visual Communication covers the development of comic books/graphic novels from the earliest forms of sequential art through 19th century European, Japanese and Asain comics. The course then concentrates on 20th-21st century comics, bandes dessinees, and manga. The courses looks at the ways in which comics embody or challenge the ideologies of the culture in which they originate and how they respond to real-world controversies and disasters. It tracks cultural hybridism in comic art, the effects of participatory fan culture on the industry and issues of race, religion and philosophy as addressed by genre. Students write and illustrate their own comics: mastering the visual language of comics and manga; drawing figures and settings; and framing action and narrative in sequential format. Students' work may be fictional, biographical or documentary. The work is drawn and manipulated on iPads provided by the Library.

ART 450. Ceramics III. (3).

Further emphasis on individual development of the ceramist, including hands-on involvement in developing clay bodies and empirical glaze formulations and an introduction to kiln firing. Prerequisites: ART 351 - Ceramics II, or equivalent and consent of instructor. Recommended: ART 160 and/or Art 280.

ART 472. Life Painting. (3).

Painting from the figure in the environment, with emphasis on individual expression. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

ART 480. Advanced Digital Art. (3).

This course explores a variety of applications and third party software filters to increase artistic expression in the field of digital fine art. Students explore special effects and digital engraving, including drypoint, mezzotint and cross-hatching. Prerequisite: ART 380.

ART 490. Independent Study. (1-4).

ART 492. Internship. (1-4).

ART 496. Directed Research. (1-3).

Faculty

Associate professor

Michael Pearce

Professor

Christine Sellin

Lecturer

Terry Spehar-Fahey

Assistant professor

Brian Stethem