Nov 28, 2024  
2017-2018 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Artisanry Major


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BFA degree-120 credits

The Artisanry program seeks to develop highly creative artists and designers who have a strong sense of their own originality and vision, as well as sensitivity to the cultural and environmental demands of contemporary society. Graduates become craft artists with interests ranging from object making to public art or social/environmental problem solving. They also become teachers, design consultants, and owners of design/build businesses.

A BFA in Artisanry is earned through specialization in Ceramics, Textile Design/Fiber Arts, or Jewelry/Metals. In addition to intensive training within a specific discipline, students are encouraged to cross boundaries, and pursue their project goals through integrated media projects. Artisanry’s curriculum emphasizes material exploration and disciplined technique, bonded with a sophisticated aesthetic. The program emphasizes that studio practice exists in a strong alliance with history and theory.

Designated Courses

Each Artisanry Option has a list of designated courses which require a grade of C or better. Students who receive lower than a C must repeat the course.     

Student Reviews

Halfway through the junior year all Ceramic, Jewelry/Metals and Textile Design/Fiber Arts third-year majors participate in a review. The review provides students the opportunity to discuss their work and personal goals privately with the primary faculty who assess student progress. Faculty evaluate each student’s creative direction and technical skills, identifying strengths and weaknesses before the senior year.

 Students will be evaluated during their senior year at a mid-year review, at which time students discuss their senior thesis and professional objectives.

 Remedial coursework may be recommended at either the junior or senior review.

 

Foundation Studio Arts Program


Required of All Majors (except Art History and Music)

Foundation Studio Arts is a rigorous program designed to promote creativity, to develop technical and conceptual skills, and to provide an essential awareness of our visual culture. Its drawing, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and digital courses serve as prerequisites-requisites for all 200 or higher-level courses in Art, Artisanry, Visual Design and Art Education programs. Its art history component, Introduction to the Study of Art, serve as a prerequisite for higher-level Art History Program study that is demanded by each of the studio art departments.

Except where transferred or advance placement examination credits are accepted in lieu of requirements, first-year students may expect to take five courses, totaling 15 credits, in each of their two first-year semesters. The exception being Art Education majors due to of licensure requirements and increased credit load.

The successful completion of the Foundation Studio Arts program is a required of all candidates for a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

 

Ceramics Option


Ceramics at UMass Dartmouth encompasses both traditional and non-traditional work and encourages both sculptural and functional approaches. A variety of clay techniques and forming processes is taught, including hand-building, wheel-throwing and slip-casting. Ceramics students learn how to use clay and glaze materials, to build and fire kilns, and to utilize the history of their craft. The Ceramics faculty encourages in its students individual exploration and professional goals.

Non-Studio Electives

All university academic courses qualify as non-studio electives. Not included are courses such as applied music or studio classes.

Free Electives

All university courses (including Studios and Studio Electives) may be used as Free Electives.

*Designated Courses

Students in this program must complete the course(s) indicated with a grade of C or better; if a C- or lower is received, the course must be retaken. For details, see the “Student Reviews” section at the top of this page.

Requirements


Art History


  • ARH - Art History Elective (300/400 level) - Credits: 6

University Studies/Distribution


  • ENL - English Literature Elective - Credits: 3
  • MTH - Mathematics Elective - Credits: 3
  • Science Electives, 3 credits from each area (The Natural World and The Engaged Community) - Credits: 6
  • The Social World, 3 credits from each area (Human Questions and Contexts, The Nature of US Society, and the The Nature of the Global Society) - Credits: 9
  • One non-studio elective - Credits: 3

Free Electives


  • Two courses at any level - Credits: 6

Major Studios


*The following are designated courses:

Additional Requirements and Support Studios


  • ATR 200 level Artisanry Studio requirements - Credits: 6
    (textiles, metals, wood) *designated courses
  • FIA 221 - Introductory Drawing: Figure I - Credits: 3
  • FIA 200-Level Drawing II - Credits: 3
    (consult advisor on selection)
  • Studio Elective Credits: 3

*The following ATR courses are designated courses.

Total credits: 120


Jewelry/Metals Option


At UMass Dartmouth, Jewelry/Metals offers a comprehensive and diverse understanding of the technical and aesthetic potential of metal. Earlier studies feature skills for metal fabrication, construction, forming and surface treatment; while later, more advanced studies explore such techniques as forging, casting, stonesetting, chasing/repousée, holloware, enameling, and die-forming. As students gain technical skills, they are encouraged to grow in expressive ability and to strive toward professionalism.

Non-Studio Electives

All university academic courses qualify as non-studio electives. Not included are courses such as applied music or studio classes.

Free Electives

All university courses (including Studios and Studio Electives) may be used as Free Electives.

*Designated Courses

Students in this program must complete the course(s) indicated with a grade of C or better; if a C- or lower is received, the course must be retaken. For details, see the “Student Reviews” section at the top of this page.

Requirements


Art History


  • ARH Art History Elective (300/400 level) - Credits: 6

University Studies/Distribution


  • ENL English Literature Elective - Credits: 3
  • MTH Mathematics Elective - Credits: 3
  • Science Electives, 3 credits in each area (The Natural World and The Engaged Community) - Credits: 6
  • The Social World, 3 credits from each area (Human Questions and Contexts, The Nature of US Society, and The Nature of the Global Society) - Credits: 9

Non-Studio Electives


  • One course at any level - Credits: 3

Additional Requirements and Support Studios


  • ATR 200 level Artisanry Studio requirements - Credits: 6
    (textiles, ceramics, wood) *designated courses
  • Open Studio Elective - Credits: 6
  • FIA 221 - Introductory Drawing: Figure I - Credits: 3
  • FIA 200-Level Drawing II - Credits: 3
    (consult advisor on selection)

*The following ATR courses are designated courses.

Free Electives


  • Three courses at any level - Credits: 9

Total credits: 120


Textile Design/Fiber Arts Option


Textile Design/Fiber Arts encompasses woven, constructed, printed and dyed textiles; focusing on the function and purpose of cloth in traditional and non-traditional applications.

Students explore a variety of textile surface design techniques: resist and immersion dyeing, screen printing, weaving on multi-harness floor looms, knitting, felt-making, basket forms, embroidery and machine-sewn structures. Simultaneously, computer design skills are introduced, connecting to portfolio development for the textile design industry.

Students are encouraged to study worldwide textile history as a primary source for design and project development. Project assignments include resist-dyed or hand-printed yardages, unique garment constructions, rugs, expressive wall hangings and sculptural forms. Projects in other courses are in sample form, suitable for portfolio presentation, including computer-aided design collections for home furnishings, apparel and fashion, decorative papers or other segments of design where repeat pattern is emphasized.

Internships with industry design studios, production artists, costume shops, museums or in textile conservation areas are encouraged.

Graduation requirements in Textile Design/Fiber Arts are two-fold: development of thesis work for exhibition in the annual Artisanry senior exhibition, and a formal portfolio review conducted by a visiting professional designer. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be well-prepared for many professions, including designing for aspects of industry production and personal production as a studio textile artist.

Non-Studio Electives

All university academic courses qualify as non-studio electives. Not included are courses such as applied music or studio classes.

Free Electives

Any university course (including Studios and Studio Electives) may be used as Free Elective.

*Designated Courses

Students in this program must complete the courses indicated with a grade of C or better; if a C- or lower is received, the course must be retaken.

Requirements


Art History


  • ARH Art History elective (300/400 level) - Credits: 6

University Studies/Distribution


  • ENL English Literature elective - Credits: 3
  • MTH Mathematics elective - Credits: 3
  • Science electives, 3 credits in each area (The Natural World and The Engaged Community) - Credits: 6
  • The Social World, 3 credits in each area (Human Questions and Contexts, The Nature of US Society, and The Nature of Global Society) - Credits: 9

Non-Studio Electives


  • One course at any level - Credits: 3

Free Electives


  • One course at any level - Credits: 3

Additional Requirements and Support Studios


  • ATR 200 level Artisanry Studio requirements - Credits: 6
    (ceramics, metals, wood) *designated courses
  • FIA 221 - Introductory Drawing: Figure I - Credits: 3
  • FIA 200-Level Drawing II - Credits: 3
    (Nature, Object, or Figure)
  • Open Studio Elective - Credits: 3

*The following ATR courses are designated courses:

Total credits: 120


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