Course Descriptions

College Catalog

Visual Communication Design Courses

Below is a list of Visual Communication Design courses offered by Stevenson University. To earn a degree in Visual Communication Design, students must also complete coursework in other areas. To view a complete listing of all course requirements for the Visual Communication Design degree, please see the University catalog.

ART 105
Art History Survey
An exploration of the highlights of painting, sculpture, and architecture from the earliest human artistic production through the ages to the present. Three credits. Satisfies Core Curriculum Fine Art Requirement for non-VCART majors. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 110
Fundamentals of Design I
Provides a foundation in visual thinking, focusing on concepts and their use as opposed to mastery of a particular medium. Introduces the process of designing and varied problem-solving methods. Investigates the basic elements and principles that are the vocabulary of the designer and how these are put together into a language. Combines lecture, discussion, slide presentation, demonstration, and critique with hands-on project work. Includes studio and lecture. Three credits. Open to VCART and non-VCART majors. Satisfies Core Curriculum Fine Art Requirement for non-VCART majors. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 113
Fundamentals of Design II
Further develops the skills and abilities needed to be a successful designer in the twenty-first century. Includes discussion of practice, theory, and understanding of conceptual ideas and traditional formal ideas, as well as the methods and materials. Planned, yet open-ended projects will bring students to understand that being a designer is a process of discovery. Combines lecture, discussion, slide presentations, demonstration, and critique with hands-on project work. Includes studio and lecture. Prerequisite: ART 110. Spring semester. Three credits. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 116
Drawing I
Basic drawing problems stressing a variety of techniques with emphasis on observation, organization, and eye and hand coordination. Students work in various media. Includes studio and lecture. Fall semester. Three credits. Open to VCART and non-VCART majors. Satisfies Core Curriculum Fine Art Requirement for non-VCART majors. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 117
Drawing II
A course for students with college-level drawing experience. Emphasis is on personal expression through a knowledge of structure and design. Expands drawing experience by using a variety of materials and approaches, from traditional to experimental. Includes still life, interiors, landscape, portraits, and the live model. Prerequisite: ART 116. Includes studio and lecture. Spring semester. Three credits. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 215
Painting I
A development of techniques and approaches to painting. Emphasis is placed on developing an awareness and control of the media as well as an understanding of the freedom and motion that are present in art. Students work from a variety of subject matters in a creative way with stress on sound design principles. Prerequisite: ART 116.Includes studio and lecture. Fall semester. Three credits. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 216
Painting II
A course for students with college-level painting experience. Expands knowledge of the use of paint, color mixing, and composition. Initial emphasis is on painting what one sees, i.e., the still life, the landscape, or the model. Prerequisite: ART 215 or permission of the instructor. Includes studio and lecture. Spring semester. Three credits. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 217
Figure Drawing
A course for students with college-level drawing experience, who are interested in a focused study of the human form through observational drawing from live models. Prerequisite: ART 116. Includes studio and lecture. Three credits. Satisfies second drawing course OR Focused Elective requirement for VCART majors. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 219
Printmaking
A basic course in printmaking techniques. Relief, intaglio, and planographic processes are introduced. Students are encouraged to combine techniques to create more complex images. Prerequisites: ART 110 and ART 116. Includes studio and lecture. Spring semester. Three credits. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 241
Creative Development in Young Children
Focuses on the nature of artistic and creative development in early childhood. Topics include the nature of creativity, theories of development in the arts, developmental sequence in music, visual arts, dramatic play, and exemplary arts education programs for young children. Includes field experience. Prerequisite: PSY 206. Spring semester. Three credits. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 242
Creative Development in Elementary Education
The purpose of this course is to set forth a foundation for students to understand and nurture the creative development and the creative process. Students will have opportunities to practice integrating the arts into education. Throughout this course, students are encouraged to develop their own creativity and divergent thinking. Prerequisite: PSY 206. Spring semester. Three credits. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 250
Alternative Processes
Students will explore and practice visual languages that are highly connected to the worlds of fine art alternative process technologies in photography, printmaking and painting. This course includes the study of media innovations and digital imaging applications. Topics will vary semester to semester. Prerequisites: ART 140: Basic Photography; and ART 219: Printmaking; IS 124: Intro To Computer Graphics. Two hours lecture, two hours studio each week. Fall, Spring, and May semesters. Three credits. (21 Nov 2006)

ART 305
Topics in Art History
Topics for this course change. (Check each semester's Schedule of Classes for the specific topic offered.) Topics may be Renaissance, Early 20th Century, Modern, or Contemporary Art. Analysis of a defined historical period or stylistic development in art. Three credits. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 365
Independent Art Studio
Provides an opportunity for motivated students to explore a self-initiated fine art or VCD project within the structure of a classroom environment. Students will submit a written proposal to the Art Department Chair & faculty member teaching this course that describes the intended project to be completed over the semester. Project content may be fine art or VCD or a combination of the two; it is also possible that a group project may be the focus of the students' course work (i.e. a mural or exhibition). Prerequisites: Art 140, Art 215, Art 219, Art 221. Rotates through all semesters. Includes lecture and studio. Three credits. Satisfies Focused Elective requirement for VCART majors. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 390
Visual Communication Design Internship I
Visual Communication Design Internship is a two-part course. Part One is a classroom seminar where students research internship opportunities, organize and write resumes, outline internship goals and objectives and practice interviewing skills; Part Two is an on-site internship or Co-op experience that includes a daily journal, self evaluation, site evaluation and on-site visit from Internship Coordinator. Students may be mentored by students enrolled in ART 490. Students receive credit after both parts are completed. Prerequisites: ART 206 and Art 220. One hour lecture each week and a 120-hour Internship or Co-op experience. Three credits. Satisfies Focused Elective requirement for VCART majors. (10 Nov 2006)

ART 490
Visual Communication Design Internship II
ART 490 builds upon a student's ART 390 internship experience. This second VCD internship is an opportunity for the VCD student to further explore their design interests in a professional setting. Students will secure a second internship before enrolling in the course. Once the internship or Co-op opportunity is secured, a meeting with the Internship Coordinator is required. ART 490 the Internship Coordinator is required. ART 490 students mentor Art 390 students through presentations and research assistance. presentations and research assistance. Professional Practice topics will also be explored in this class (i.e. Self-promotion and developing a five-year business plan; Writing project proposals and pricing for Print, Motion Media, Illustration, and Photography projects; Contracts and client negotiations; Requests for Quote (RFQ) and Print management; Intellectual property and self employment tax law). Prerequisite: ART 390. A 120- hour Internship or Co-op experience. Three credits. Co-op experience. Three credits.

ART 540
Forensic Photography
This course will explore the basic concepts and skills of photography including the use and operation of SLR and Digital cameras, the fundamentals of proper lighting, film selection, picture composition, film processing and printing. These skills will be developed as they pertain to photographing a crime scene and specific areas of a crime scene, such as fingerprints, blood splatters, firearms, burn marks, victims, and tire tracks. Spring semester. Prerequisite: FSCI 500. Three credits. This course is restricted to students enrolled in the graduate program or by permission of the Chemistry Department Chair. (10 Nov 2006)