Overview
The Department of Art & Art History offers undergraduate study centered on the intersection between studio practice, the humanities, and the liberal arts. Under the tutelage of highly regarded artists and art historians, our talented students engage in art historical research and/or a range of studio art practices.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Foundation Courses | ||
| ART 101 | Introduction to Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 104 | Intro to 3D Design | 3 |
| ART 109 | Introduction to Electronic Media | 3 |
| Art History Courses | ||
| ARH 131 | Survey of Western Art I | 3 |
| ARH 132 | Survey of Western Art II | 3 |
| ARH 343 | Modern Art | 3 |
| or ARH 344 | Contemporary Art | |
| History of Graphic Design (required for Graphic Design/ Multimedia majors.) | ||
| History of Photography (required for Photography majors.) | ||
| ARH Electives | 6 | |
| Art Studio Electives | ||
| Select 12 credit hours to be taken in the Department outside of area of specialization. | 12 | |
| Areas of Concentration | ||
| Primary concentrations | ||
| Select six courses from the sequence: | 18 | |
Painting | ||
Printmaking | ||
Graphic Design/Multimedia | ||
Photography/Digital Imaging | ||
Ceramics | ||
Sculpture | ||
| Secondary concentrations | ||
| Select six courses from the sequence: | 18 | |
Painting | ||
Printmaking | ||
Graphic Design/Multimedia | ||
Photography/Digital Imaging | ||
Ceramics | ||
Sculpture | ||
| Portfolio Review * | ||
| BFA Exhibition ** | ||
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Written Communication Skills: | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | 3 |
| or WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | |
| Quantitative Skills: | ||
| MTH 113 | Finite Mathematics 1 | 3 |
| Areas of Knowledge: | ||
| Arts & Humanities Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major) | ||
| People and Society Cognate | 9 | |
| STEM Cognate | 9 | |
| Additional Required Courses | ||
| UMX 100 | The University of Miami Experience | 0 |
| Electives and/or Writing Courses | 21 | |
| ARH 207 | History of Photography | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |
- 1
MTH 113 or appropriate level Math course.
- *
BFA Exhibition
Unless otherwise instructed, each BFA candidate will take part in an exhibition of work screened and approved by a faculty member from their area of specialization, accomplished as an art major at the University of Miami, in the Fall or Spring semester of the senior year. The BFA exhibitions are held in the College Gallery.
At the time the candidates BFA exhibition is hung, a formal critique will be arranged between the student and the art faculty.
- **
BFA Minor in Art History
All BFA studio majors automatically minor in art history. A minor outside the department is not required.
Maximum Credits in Studio Areas
A BFA student is limited to a maximum of 21 credit hours in any one studio area – Painting, Printmaking, Graphic Design/Multimedia, Photo/Digital, Ceramics, and Sculpture.
Minimum Major GPA
Students must maintain at least a 3.0 average in their major.
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ART 101 | Introduction to Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 109 | Introduction to Electronic Media | 3 |
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| MTH 113 | Finite Mathematics 1 | 3 |
| UMX 100 | The University of Miami Experience | 0 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 104 | Intro to 3D Design | 3 |
| ARH 131 | Survey of Western Art I | 3 |
| WRS 106 or ENG 106 | First-Year Writing II or Writing About Literature and Culture | 3 |
| ART - Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ARH 132 | Survey of Western Art II | 3 |
| ART - Studio Primary | 3 | |
| ART - Studio Secondary | 3 | |
| ART - Studio Elective | 3 | |
| People and Society Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARH 343 or 344 | Modern Art or Contemporary Art | 3 |
| ART - Studio Primary | 3 | |
| ART - Studio Secondary | 3 | |
| STEM Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Writing | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART - Studio Primary | 3 | |
| ART - Studio Secondary | 3 | |
| ART - Studio Elective | 3 | |
| ARH Elective | 3 | |
| People and Society Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART - Studio Primary | 3 | |
| ART - Studio Secondary | 3 | |
| ART - Studio Elective | 3 | |
| STEM Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Writing | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART - Studio Primary | 3 | |
| ART - Studio Secondary | 3 | |
| ARH Elective | 3 | |
| People and Society Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Writing Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART - Studio Primary | 3 | |
| ART - Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Elective or Writing | 3 | |
| Elective or Writing | 3 | |
| STEM Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 1
MTH 113 or appropriate level Math course.
Mission
The Art Department is dedicated to the promotion of excellence in the visual arts by encouraging originality, discovery, creativity, and critical inquiry. The department provides an educationally diverse environment where students can acquire the critical perspectives, historical knowledge, and technical skills that will prepare them for a variety of professional careers in the arts. The BFA program, as opposed to the BA-Studio program, requires twice as many credits in the major and fewer general education requirements, allowing the students to focus more on their study of fine arts; the emphasis in the BFA is to work in-depth on a primary and secondary studio major, with some electives, whereas the BA stresses trying a variety of media. BFA students usually either continue with their studies or find arts-related employment after graduation.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate knowledge on the relationship between materials and concepts, apply this knowledge in a variety art media and processes, and be able to problem solve in visual arts. They will acquire skills in a primary and secondary studio major which will constitute their portfolio, to be exhibited at the end of their final semester.
- Students will demonstrate proficient written and communication skills.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of traditional and contemporary aesthetic positions, and working knowledge of the history of art from the pre-historic period to the present. BFA students minor in Art History, as opposed to BA students who only take the two beginning surveys plus an elective, so the expectation for BFA students is higher; should they go on to graduate work, a thorough knowledge of Art History will be necessary.
