Art & Art History
AT KALAMAZOO COLLEGE
Putting Art into the Liberal Arts
Knowing both the practice and the history of art is a source of lifelong
inspiration. The study of art is distinct from most other disciplines because
it develops a visual acuity as precise as that of a scientist for observing
the natural world, and ability that provides tools for problem solving throughout
life. Our world increasingly requires response to a visual stimulus, and
students trained to create and evaluate images report that observational
skills gained from the study of art apply to fields as diverse as biology,
occupational therapy, and law. This visual awareness is enhanced by opportunities
for off-campus internships and individual projects. The art and art history
department prepares graduates well for further schooling in specialized
areas of art and architecture. Kalamazoo College art majors have entered
fields such as teaching, advertising, publishing, and museum administration.
Both studio art and art history majors develop a broad range of abilities.
Studio art courses encourage independence while working on projects and
develop the ability to evaluate personal work and that of others. Students
discover creative solutions that can be applied to a variety of problems.
Art history courses demonstrate how the art of a culture is affected by
its society and history, as well as how individual artists develop their
own styles by responding to the work of others. All art majors at Kalamazoo
College learn to enhance theirs skills in visual analysis through discussion
and writing, while contemplating the many world issues that are part of
a liberal arts education.
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Billie Fischer
Associate Professor |
Art History |
337.7006 |
email |
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Thomas Rice
Professor, Department Chair |
Drawing, Painting,
Printmaking |
337.7005 |
email |
website
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Richard Koenig
Associate Professor |
Photography, History of Photo,
Visual Fundamentals, Digital Art |
337.7003 |
email |
website
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Sarah Lindley,
Associate Professor |
Ceramics, Sculpture |
337.7004 |
email |
website
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Dhera Strauss,
Instructor |
Documentary Video |
337.7138 |
email |
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Kevin Brady,
Visiting Assistant Professor |
Drawing, Digital Art,
Visual Fundamentals |
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email
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website
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Carol Kennedy,
Fine Arts Coordinator |
Reservations
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337.7047 |
email |
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DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION
Art Majors
A student majoring in Art at Kalamazoo College will take 10 units in both Studio and History of Art but will have several options: a major in Studio Art, a major in History of Art, or the Combined Curriculum (Art/Art History Major).
Each art major will take a basic core of 3 units and an additional 7 units, some of which are electives, in order to create a program that best fits the student's interests and future plans. The Career Development quarters, Study Abroad program, and Senior Individualized Project can all be important parts of an Art major. Art history taken during Study Abroad may count as an elective for a History of Art major but does not substitute for one of the required courses in any art major. A SIP in Art is not required for an Art major but is recommended. It does not count as part of the 10 units required for the Studio major.
The 3 required core courses for all Art and Art History majors are the following:
- Art 100 (Introduction to Visual Fundamentals: 2-D Design)
- Art 105 (Basic Drawing)
- Art 145 (Introduction to History of Art II)
Studio Art Major
In addition to the 3 core courses, a student specializing in Studio Art is required to take:
- Art 150 (Introduction to Art History III) or Art 224 (20th Century Art)
- Art 203 (Figure Drawing)
- Art 135 (Sculpture)
- Art 450 (Advanced Studio)
- Three other studio courses
Elective courses in Studio Art include the following: 102 (3-D Design); 110 (Digital Art); 216, 316, 416 (Photography I, II, III); 220, 320, 420 (Ceramics I, II, III); 228, 328, 428 (Painting, I, II, III); 233, 333 (Printmaking I, II); 235, 335, 435 (Sculpture, I, II, III); 240 (Watercolor I); 101 (Documentary Video). The introductory courses in Photography, Digital, Ceramics, and Sculpture have no prerequisites.
Most Studio courses above level 100 are offered as open studios. Most students in the painting class, for example, will be enrolled in Painting I, but there will also be several in Painting II and III, who will be doing more advanced work.
A Studio SIP (1 unit) is advanced work in which the student has a strong background (permission is given by the SIP supervisor in that area); the art is then exhibited in the Gallery. The SIP does not count towards the 10 units required for a Studio Art major.
History of Art Major
In addition to the 3 core courses, a student specializing in Art History is required to take the following:
- Art 140 (Introduction to History of Art I)
- Art 150 (Introduction to History of Art III)
- Art/Cla 208 (Greek Art and Archaeology), Art/Cla 209 (Roman Art and Archaeology), or Art 210 (Medieval)
- Art 221 (Renaissance Art I), Art 222 (Renaissance Art II), or Art 260 (Baroque)
- Art 223 (19th Century) or Art 224 (20th Century)
- Two other units.
Electives may be chosen from among these courses, History of Photography, and other, occasional offerings, as well as courses taken during study abroad. One of the required 10 units may be the SIP, usually an extensive research paper or an internship in a museum and written project. For students planning graduate school in art history, reading ability in French and/or German will be required. Other languages are useful.
Art/Art History Major (Combined Curriculum): A student interested in a more
equal combination of courses in Studio Art and History of Art will take
the 3 core courses, Art 150 or 224, and 6 other units, to be determined
by the student and advisor.
Art Minors
A student minoring in art at Kalamazoo College will take 6 art courses,
focusing either on Studio Art or History of Art. (There is no Combined Curriculum
minor.)
Studio Art Minor: The following courses are required: Art 100 (Visual Fundamentals)
or Art 105 (Basic Drawing); Art 150 (Introduction to History of Art III)
or Art 224 (20th Century Art History); and 4 other Studio art units, for
a total of 6 (in some cases, 1 of these may be a studio SIP unit, with the
permission of the Department).
History of Art Minor: The following courses are required: Art 105 (Basic
Drawing) or Art 100 (Visual Fundamentals); Art 140 (Introduction to History
of Art I), Art/Cla 208 (Greek Art and Archaeology), Art/Cla 209 (Roman Art
and Archaeology), or Art 210 (Medieval); Art 145 (Introduction to History
of Art II) or Art 150 (Introduction to History of Art III); and 3 other
art history units (in some cases, 1 of these may be an art history SIP unit,
with the permission of the Department).
Other information
Study Abroad: An art history course taken during Study Abroad may count
as an elective for the History of Art major or minor or the combined curriculum
major, but it will not substitute for a required course for any of the Art
Department majors or minors .
Art SIPs for non-majors: It may be possible for a student not majoring in
art to do an art SIP, if the student has an extensive background in the
SIP field (at least two courses) and Department permission. Other art courses
are strongly advised and may be required. For example, someone doing a photography
SIP may be advised to take Visual Fundamentals, Basic Drawing, and/or Introduction
to History of Art III or 20th-Century Art.
Education certification: A studio art major or minor may earn certification
for secondary school teaching by following the Education curriculum. Student
teaching for one quarter is the student's Senior Individualized Project.
Tedrow-Little-Tyler Grant: The Art Department has a grant intended to provide
some modest financial support for students doing art SIPs, either in the
form of art supplies or living expenses during an internship. Application
is made to the Department Chair.
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