~ INFORMATION FOR MAJORS AND MINORS ~ Please note that this information was compiled in the Spring of 2007 and there may be some changes in times, offerings, and staff. For the most accurate information, consult your advisor and the Art Department Course Guide. Welcome to the Art Department Art Department Faculty Choosing an Advisor History of Art & Studio Art Course Descriptions [.pdf file] Applied Arts Jewett Galleries Transfer Students & Students Planning to Study Abroad Art History Seminars Application Procedure for Studio Art Important Advice Directions for Election ARTH/ARTS Major & Minor Checklists [.doc file] Architecture ARCH Checklist & Suggested Courses [.doc file] Media Arts and Sciences Classical and Near Eastern Archeology an Independent Major Senior Thesis in Art History & Studio Art Jobs within the Department Welcome To The Art Department Did you know that Wellesley was the first college to offer a course in the history of modern art? For nearly one hundred years, the "Wellesley Method", which combines first-hand observation, historical awareness and familiarity with materials in the study of art, has honed the visual literacy of many prominent women in the arts. The Department of Art now offers a broad range of opportunities for historical research and studio investigation. All students, regardless of major, are encouraged to claim this remarkable visual legacy and to help us shape its future. Located in the Jewett Arts Center and Pendleton West, the Department of Art offers majors in Art History, Studio Art, Architecture, and Media Arts and Sciences. The latter two are interdepartmental programs, but have courses and advisors based in Jewett. Art is closely tied to East Asian Studies, Africana Studies, Computer Science, American Studies, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Latin American Studies, Classics, Women's Studies, and Cinema and Media Studies. The Art Department also takes advantage of the abundance of great works of art in nearby art museums, public institutions and private collections. Wellesley's own Davis Museum and Cultural Center is a central teaching and learning resource for art classes. All potential majors in art history, studio art, architecture, or media arts and sciences are encouraged to begin with the art history survey, ARTH 100 (fall) and/or ARTH 101 (spring) as well as a studio course in drawing or design, or other 100-level courses (ARTS 105 or 109) in the first year. This is particularly important for those intending to study art abroad as a junior, a choice the department encourages for art history majors. These courses serve as a foundation for many at the 200 level. Non-majors are encouraged to explore all levels of the art curriculum, provided they have completed the necessary prerequisites in a given subject area. For the campus community, the department offers special events, such as Jewett gallery exhibitions, guest lectures, film screenings, visiting artist demonstrations, and applied arts workshops. These events are free and open to all. A number of student-run art organizations are active on campus: Flair (art club), Optik (photo club), the Davis Museum Student Advisory Committee (DMSAC), and more. Announcements of upcoming art events and special opportunities for visual arts students are posted on the Art Conference each week. Information about the Art Department may be found on the Art Web page , but potential majors should also pick up a copy of the art department guide available in the art office for more detailed information. Please note that there may be some changes in times, offerings, and staff. [ top ] Choosing an Advisor Students planning to major or minor in art should choose an advisor from among the faculty in the Art Department. The choice of advisor is up to you. Often students choose the faculty member who teaches the special field of most interest to them. In other cases students choose their ARTH 100 or 101 conference teacher or another faculty member with whom they feel comfortable. Developing a strong relationship with a faculty advisor as early as possible is highly recommended. Contact a faculty member directly. If you do not know whom to ask, speak with the Chair of the Art Department (Heping Liu) or the Director of Studio Art (Salem Mekuria), or one of the Co-Directors of Architecture (Phyllis McGibbon or Lara Tohme) for assistance. For Media Arts and Sciences, please contact Judith Black (Art Dept.) or Panagiotis Metaxas (Computer Science). Consult your advisor about your major plans before you get your official major form signed. For further information about any particular course, consult the instructor. [ top ] Transfer Students & Students Planning to Study Abroad Students transferring from other colleges and universities should consult the department Chair about meeting the requirements of the major. The art department encourages students to explore opportunities for study abroad. For further information on study abroad programs, please see your advisor as well as the Office for International Studies. Students planning a year or semester away should consult the department Chair or the Director of the Studio program IN ADVANCE about any courses that they would like to have count towards the minimum major. Applications for approval of courses taken abroad or at institutions other than Wellesley College should be submitted to the department chair only after they have been approved by the Registrar. Include a photocopy of course description. These should be submitted for approval before the course is taken. Forms submitted after a course has been taken or while it is in progress will be signed only under extraordinary circumstances and only if special permission has been granted to do this. Studio courses taken elsewhere must be documented afterwards with a portfolio in order to receive credit in the major. Remember that normally no more than three units of transfer credit may be counted towards a mini- mum major. If you have more than a minimum major, you may count more units of transfer credit to- wards completion of your degree. [ top ] Art History Seminars All 300-level seminars in Art History have limited enrollments. You must meet the required prerequi-sites listed in the course catalog in order to register on-line. If you do not have the prerequisites, then permission of the instructor is required, and you should contact the professor directly. Be sure to check the prerequisites for each 300-level seminar in Art History before registering. [ top ] Application Procedure for Studio Art Some Studio Art courses require an application prior to on-line course registration. The studio course application form will be posted, as an attachment, to the First Class Art conference, as well as on the Community and class conferences at least two weeks prior to registration. Open the attachment, and fill out one application for each course you wish to take. Send the completed application, via e-mail to the appropriate professor. Be sure to pay attention to the deadline date listed on the application. You will be notified by email prior to registration if you are accepted into a studio course, and you will be able to register for the class on-line. [ top ] Important Advice 1. All works of art were made by artists who lived in specific times and real places. Students whose high school background does not include a thorough preparation in history should take relevant History courses. All prospective Art majors should look through the catalogue carefully for other history courses relevant to their particular interests, and should look also for courses in the religion, literature, music, and philosophy of the times and places which particularly interest them. Try to re- integrate the art you study into the world in which it was made. 2. By the same reasoning, studio majors are encouraged to take as many art history courses as possible to give a broad context for their own work. Courses especially recommended are those that deal with late 19th and 20th century developments. 3. Foreign languages are necessary for the study of Art History. Scholarly books and articles are rarely translated into English, and art historians need to travel abroad. In general, for Western art, the most important languages are German, French, and Italian; for Asian art, Chinese, and/or Japanese are necessary. Anyone considering graduate work in Art History should bear in mind that most ad- vanced degree programs require students to pass language exams and should begin to prepare for these while still at Wellesley. 4. The Studio requirement for Art History majors should be taken early, in the first, sophomore, or junior years, since 100-level studio courses are not open to seniors without special permission. 5. All art history majors are encouraged to take ARTH 345 Seminar: Methods of Art History in their junior or senior years, especially those considering graduate school. 6. Art Conservation is a career choice for both Studio and History majors that combines art and sci- ence equally. Anyone interested in such a career should consult the department chair about the re- quirements for admission to conservation programs. These include college-level chemistry through organic, and an extensive Studio portfolio, as well as a background in history of art. 7. All majors are urged to take their foundation courses as early as possible in their careers, especially if they plan to go abroad, or choose a thesis project. 100 level courses should be completed in the first two years whenever possible. 8. Teacher Certification. Students interested in obtaining certification to teach Art in the Common- wealth of Massachusetts should consult the Director of Studio Art and the Chair of the Department of Education. 9. Architecture majors are strongly advised to complete an introductory studio course at Wellesley before enrolling in design studios at MIT in the sophomore year. 10. Art History majors should bear in mind that studio art courses are not open to seniors except by permission of the instructor and/or application. [ top ] Directions for Election Note: For the purposes of meeting the “18 units” requirement (Articles of Legislation, Book II, Article I, Section 8, A), art history and studio art are considered separate departments. Courses in studio art are counted as units "outside the department" for art history majors. Courses in art history are counted as courses “outside the department” for studio art majors. History of Art A major in the history of art must elect: A. ARTH 100 and 101. AP credit will not be accepted in fulfillment of this requirement. B. One of the following courses in studio art: ARTS 105, 106, 108, 109, 113, 165, 204, 206. (Bear in mind that 100 level studio courses are not open to seniors.) C. A minimum of six further units in history of art to make a total of nine units, which must include distribution requirements. At least two of these must be 300-level courses. For distribution, a student must elect at least one unit in four of the following six areas of specialization: Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque (seventeenth and eighteenth centuries), Modern (nineteenth and twentieth centuries), non-Western art. Among the four areas elected, one must be either before 1400 AD/CE or outside the tradition of Western art. ARTH 229 may count as Renaissance or Baroque. Normally, ARTH 233, 235, and 345 may not be used to meet this distribution requirement. If approved by the department chair or department tutor, courses elected at other institutions may be used to meet the distribution requirement. Courses from two-year colleges will not be credited to the major. Although the department does not encourage over-specialization, by careful choice of related courses a student may plan a field of concentration emphasizing one period or area. Students interested in such a plan should consult the department as early as possible. Art majors are also encouraged to take courses in the language, culture, and history of the areas associated with their specific fields of interest. Graduate Study For students considering graduate study in the history of art, ARTH 345 is strongly recommended. Graduate programs in the history of Western art require students to pass exams in French and German. Graduate programs in the history of Asian art require Chinese and/or Japanese. Art Conservation Students interested in graduate study in the field of art conservation should consult with the department chair regarding requirements for entrance into conservation programs. Ordinarily college-level chemistry through organic should be elected, and a strong studio art background is required. 360/370 Honors Thesis For further information, please consult the end of the Course Guide for Senior Thesis in Art History. History of Art Minimum Major Only one cross-listed course may be counted toward the minimum major. No more than one unit of 350 credit may be counted towards the minimum major. Ordinarily, no more than three units of transfer credit (one studio, two art history) may be counted toward the minimum major. History of Art Minor A history of art minor must elect a minimum of six units: A. ARTH 100 and 101 B. Four additional units above the 100-level with at least two at the 300-level; maximum one unit of 350. Of the four units above the 100-level, three shall, in the opinion of the studentÂ’s faculty advisor, represent a coherent and integrated field of interest. The fourth unit shall, in the case of students whose primary field is Western European or American art, be a course in non-Western or Ancient art. In the case of students whose primary field of interest is ancient or non-Western art, the fourth unit shall be Western European or American art. Four units for credit in art history must be taken in the art department, and only one cross-listed course may be counted towards the minor. Interdepartmental Majors The attention of students is called to the interdepartmental majors in architecture, in classical and Near Eastern archaeology, in Medieval/Renaissance studies, and in American studies. Studio Art Major A studio art major must elect a minimum of eleven units: A. ARTH 100 and 101. There is no exemption from this requirement by Advanced Placement, or by IB, or by an exemption examination. B. One additional art history course in Twentieth Century or Contemporary Art. C. ARTS 105. D. Any two of the following: ARTS 106, 108, 109, 113, or 165. E. Five additional studio courses must be taken above the 100 level. At least two of these studio courses must be at the 300 level. Some 300 level studio art courses may be repeated for credit in the major. Studio Art Minor A studio art minor must elect a minimum of six units: A. ARTS 105 B. One unit of either ARTS 106, 108, 109 or 165 C. Four additional units in studio art, one of which is at the 300 level (250s and 350s excluded). Prospective studio art majors and minors are strongly encouraged to elect 100-level art courses (including ARTH 100 and 101) during their first two years at Wellesley in order to establish a solid visual foundation and a broad understanding of the field. Studio art majors intending to study abroad should make a special effort to complete all 100-level requirements for the major prior to leaving campus during the junior year. Normally, no more than three units of transfer credit (two in studio art, one in art history) may be applied towards the minimum requirements of the major or minor. Students interested in pursuing graduate or professional work in the studio arts should elect additional course work in art history and cultural studies as well as studio art whenever possible, especially in courses that address twentieth-century art and visual culture. Since contemporary art often addresses interdisciplinary issues, students are encouraged to discuss the breadth of their overall course selections (including non-art courses) with their studio art advisor. All prospective majors and minors should obtain a copy of the art department course guide from the art office for a more comprehensive discussion of the major as well as special opportunities within the arts at Wellesley. In tandem with the Davis Museum and Cultural Center, the art department offers numerous opportunities for students to deepen their experiential knowledge of the arts though special exhibitions, visiting artist lectures and projects, work-study positions and internships. Studio art majors and minors are strongly encouraged to exhibit their work, and to gain practical experience organizing exhibitions and installing art, in the Jewett Arts Center student galleries and Collins Cafe, and other venues on campus. Each year a number of professional artists visit the campus and studio art students are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities for interaction. 360/370 Honors Thesis Project Seniors who qualify for honors and have completed all 100-level requirements in the major may propose a senior thesis project for honors. If approved by the studio faculty as a whole, this year-long project culminates in a spring exhibition. A student interested in thesis work should discuss her ideas with a potential thesis advisor and take at least some advanced work in her proposed media concentration before the senior year. A list of requirements for honors eligibility is available from the director of studio art. A proposal must be written and accepted. Contact the department in the spring semester prior to the proposed honors year for deadlines and information. At the end the Course Guide there is more detailed information on doing a thesis in Studio Art. History of Art / Studio Art Double Major In the case of a double major in art history and studio art, a student must elect ARTH 100-101, as well as 8 units of art history and 8 units of studio art, for a total of 18 units. A minimum of two courses must be taken at the 300 level in each major. At least one course must consider art made before 1500, one must address the history of modern or contemporary art, and one must be outside the tradition of western art. AP Policy Students may not receive credit for AP courses in studio art, nor will they be able to waive prerequisites such as ARTS 105, 108, or 109 based on a high grade from the AP exam. However, they may present a portfolio of work to the director of studio art for assessment and placement, and that portfolio may include work completed through an AP course. Teacher Certification Students interested in obtaining certification to teach art in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts should consult the director of studio art and the chair of the Department of Education. [ top ] Jobs within the Department ART LIBRARY, Jewett Art Center Art Library Circulation Assistant: Circulation Desk functions: check in/out materials; collect fines; renew loans; use on-line catalog proficiently; assist patrons with general reference questions; answer telephone; explain Library policies; direct patrons to locations and persons. We need someone very responsible since students work evenings and weekends in the absence of the regular library staff. First-years welcome. CONTACT: Jeanne Hablanian VISUAL RESOURSES/SLIDE LIBRARY Student Assistants (first-years welcome to apply) Brief Job Description: The student employee would be required to work 9.5 hours each week. This time may include showing slides for 1-2 art history courses each semester as well as for special events. The remainder of the 9.5 hours would be spent performing office duties, which include binding and labeling slides, scanning, typing labels and occasionally filing. Office Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and scheduling will be arranged on an individual basis. Required skills/experience: The student employee must be punctual, responsible, meticulous and able to work independently. Previous knowledge of art history is helpful, but not necessary. The employee will be trained in showing slides and office duties. Approximate number of hours/week required: 9.5 (with some flexibility) Start-End Dates: 1st day of classes until last day of final exams (full academic year) CONTACT: Maggie DeVries STUDIO ASSISTANTS Assist studio faculty whenever asked, including studio upkeep, still life maintenance, and facilitating loans of lights, mirrors, and portable easels. Assistants also maintain inventory and monitor sales and distribution of art supplies. Required skills/experience: The student employee must be punctual, responsible, and able to work independently and under the direction of studio faculty. Only those students who have taken or are taking at least one studio art course will be considered, and must have the recommendation of a studio faculty member for the position. Start-End Dates: full academic year CONTACT: Director of Studio Art, Salem Mekuria or Lisa Priest, Administrative Assistant . DIGITAL ARTS ASSISTANTS Brief job Description (2 positions): The students will assist the online, curricular and technical components of the media arts classes in a variety of capacities. Design, programming and maintenance of the media arts website; preparation and addition of visual resources, student works, special events and class files to the media arts website and class blogs. Weekly review and maintenance of equipment, and additional lab support. Required skills/experience: Special knowledge of media technologies. Approximate number of hours/week required: 10 CONTACT: Dave Olsen JEWETT GALLERY ASSISTANT Assists Professor and and Gallery Director in Gallery duties. Two or more gallery assistants work directly with the Professor to install and de-install exhibitions in Jewett Gallery, Jewett Corridors, the Sculpture Gallery and Pendleton. CONTACT: TBA PRINTMAKING ASSISTANT Assists Professor Phyllis McGibbon, in Printmaking. Two print studio assistants work directly with the Professor to address the complex needs of the print studio. Both print assistants put some hours towards other areas of the PNW studio needs- one helps with the PNW Cage, and the other assists the staff member in Sculpture. CONTACT: Phyllis McGibbon PHOTO/VIDEO ASSISTANTS Support Specialist for Photography and Video Students help to maintain inventory of photography and video equipment, maintain darkroom, video editing facilities and oversee activities in the photo, video, and media labs. Other duties as directed. CONTACT: Jim Turbert STUDENT MODELS If you are interested in doing clothed and unclothed modeling for various studio classes during the year (no experience is necessary). CONTACT: Lisa Priest, Model Coordinator Art Dept. ADDITIONAL ART-RELATED JOBS Davis Museum (Dennis McFadden); Davis guards (Richard Peterson), and JAC Guard desk (Campus Police) [ top ]