College of Arts & Humanities
Department of Art
136 Nelson Hall
Phone: 507-389-6412
The graduate art faculty, diverse in educational and professional experience, shares the objective of quality education in a stimulating and creative environment. Small classes ensure personalized instruction from a faculty committed to excellence in their various studio and academic specialties. Graduates from the program are placed not only in education and business but often pursue additional work toward advanced degrees. The flexibility acquired by art graduate students as they develop their ideas and skills is attractive to potential employers.
The serious student with appropriate undergraduate art credentials may select courses in various specialized areas leading to a Master of Arts degree. Successful applicants must have a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75/4.0 for the last two undergraduate years for the degree. A portfolio must be submitted and approved with the application for full admission. Applications are considered for each term and summer session. A comprehensive oral examination is required for the MA degree. Program options are flexible to accommodate specific needs or objectives in art education or in the studio areas of ceramics, drawing, fiber design, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking or sculpture. An attractive feature of the studio curriculum, for example, is the creative thesis option, which includes a brochure and exhibition.
Students enjoy the advantages of excellent facilities, including the Conkling Art Gallery, a versatile, contemporary space providing exhibitions in all media from local, regional and national artists and collections. Student exhibitions, along with gallery openings, lectures and workshops, contribute significantly to a feeling of community among students, faculty and gallery patrons. In addition to the department's own slide collection, the Memorial Library provides a number of resources for art students. A vigorous art community in the Mankato, southern Minnesota and Minneapolis-St. Paul areas offers valuable off-campus stimulation and exhibition opportunities.
Admission
Candidates must complete departmental admission requirements as well as the requirements specified by the College of Graduate Studies and Research. An undergraduate major in art or its equivalent is required to pursue a graduate degree.
Student Work
The department may request the retention of at least one student work from the creative thesis exhibition for its permanent instructional and exhibition collection and the right to use photographs of students and their work. Additionally, the department cannot insure student work, material and equipment or take responsibility for its loss or damage.
P/N Grading
Students from other fields may elect graduate courses in art for P/N grading if prerequisites have been fulfilled or special consent is given by the instructor. Art majors are required to take art courses under the regular letter grade system except as indicated under general Graduate College requirements.
Studio Course Costs
Notations showing the costs of individual courses are included in the semester course schedules. In some cases, student fees are charged for materials used. Verifying such information with the individual instructor is suggested.
Art MA
(Discipline-based)
(Thesis Plan only - 30 credits)
The Art MA degree is offered as a studio arts emphasis only.
Required Core (6 credits)
- ART 601 – Introduction To Research (3)
- ART 699 – Thesis (3)
Required Art History (3-6 credits)
Choose any 500 level Art History courses (3-6 credits)
Required Art Studio (15-18 credits)
Choose any 5/600 level Art Studio courses (15-18 credits)
Required Related (non-art) Electives (2-8 credits)
Choose any 5/600 level related elective courses (2-8 credits)
Required Thesis or Alternate Plan Paper
- ART 699 Thesis (3-6)
- ART 694 Alternate Plan Paper (1-2)
Course Descriptions
500 (3) Graphic Design
Advanced level graphic design and communication problem solving. May be repeated. (F,S)
Pre: consent
501 (3) Advanced Graphic Design
Advanced level graphic design and graphic communication problems. (F,S)
Pre: Art 401, Art 402, and Art 403 or consent
502 (3) Interactive Graphic Design
Advanced study of motion,m sound, and interactivity in design. Students build on existing skills to create conceptualy and technically advanced works of digital communication. (F,S)
Pre: Art 402 or concent
510 (3) Drawing Workshop
Continued in-depth exploration of drawing techniques and concepts. (F,S)
Pre: Art 410 or consent
512 (3) Life Drawing
Advanced experience in drawing from the human figure. (F,S)
Pre: Art 412 or consent
513 (3) Scandinavian Art
Overview of representative examples of the history of Scandinavian art from pre-Viking to modern times, concentrating on elements typical of each country or period and on developments that were particularly influential in the broader history of Western art.
516 (3) Art of Africa, The Americas and the South Pacific
Introduction to the art and architecture of indigenous peoples. Examination of representative works of art and major styles and cultures of preliterate societies in Africa, the Americas, Oceania, and of Pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas.
517 (3) Medieval Art and Architecture
Introduction to art and architecture of Western Europe, the Byzantine Empire, and the Islamic world, from the second to the fifteenth centuries. Examination of representative works of art and major styles of Christian, Jewish, and Islamic cultures, including the Romanesque and Gothic periods.
519 (3) Gender in Art
Historical survey of the representation of gender with comparison of the artistic efforts of males and females and examination of art used to present gender-based issues including homosexuality, feminism, censorship and pornography.
521 (2) Art Methods Elementary School
Art expression related to child growth, development and teaching strategies. Emphasis on two-dimensional projects. (Required for student teaching and certification.) (F,S)
524 (3) Art for the Exceptional Child
Theory and practice of teaching mentally challenged, physically handicapped and other exceptionals.
Pre: Art 421 or Consent
526 (3) Art Methods Secondary School
The characteristics and evaluation of junior and senior high art expression: the status, curricula and strategies of teaching. (Required for student teaching)
Pre: Art 421 or Consent
528 (3) Teaching Art History & Appreciation
Application of instruction in art history and appreciation to elementary and secondary schools.
Pre: Art 260, 261, 421 or consent
529 (1) Graduate Art Education Seminar
This course focuses on professional development and graduate research in art education. Topics include thesis, APP, and capstone project proposal writing, curriculum development, teaching with technology, developing a philosophy of education, professional conferences, and creating a teaching portfolio. (F)
Pre: consent of advisor
530 (3) Fibers
Advanced fabrication of textiles using loom and off loom techniques. (F,S)
Pre: Art 430 or consent
ART 534 (3) Arts Administration
Theoretical and practical aspects of administering arts organizations. Examines the management, budgeting, marketing and administration of arts programs and organizations in the postmodern era.
540 (3) Painting
First course in introductory graduate painting in oil and/or acrylics. May be taken by non-majors. (F,S)
Pre: consent
545 (3) Watercolor
Advanced experience in watercolor. (F,S)
Pre: consent
550 (3) Graduate Ceramics I
An advanced course which emphasizes individual research in technical, aesthetic and conceptual considerations. (F,S)
Pre: Art 450 or consent
560 (3) Ancient Art
Introduction to the art and architecture of the ancient era in its historical and cultural frameworks. Examination of representative works of art and major styles of ancient Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Aegean, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman cultures.
562 (3) Renaissance Art
Origins and development of Northern and Italian Renaissance art and architecture as an expression of historical, cultural and religious issues.
563 (3) Mannerism to Romanticism
Historical survey of art, architecture and urban planning in Europe and America from the late sixteenth to mid-nineteenth century: Mannerism, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism and Romanticism.
566 (3) Realism to Postmodernism
Historical survey of art, architecture and urban planning in Europe and America from the mid-nineteenth century to the present: Realism, Impressionism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Op Art, Pop Art, and Postmodern issues and trends. (F)
567 (3) Art of the Islamic World
Historical survey of art and architectural developments from Islam's origins through the twentieth century. Course focuses on contextualizing monuments, paintings, and other arts from various regions around the world.
568 (3) Design: History and Theory
Survey of Graphic Design, Industrial Design and Architecture from historical and theoretical perspectives. Design issues examined from formal and contextual point of view, using analysis strategies that consider style, composition, historical context, functional/propagandistic significance and communicative ability.
569 (3) Asian Art
Historical survey of the art and architecture of China, India, Korea and Japan from pre-history to the 19th century.
570 (3) Printmaking: Advanced Studio
Continued investigation of advanced print making techniques and concepts. (F,S)
Pre: Art 470 or consent
575 (3) Photography
Expanding technical knowledge and visual awareness while building a portfolio in selected areas. (F,S)
Pre: consent
580 (3) Sculpture
Continuing development of a strongly personal means of aesthetic expression in three dimensions. (F,S)
Pre: Art 480 or consent
590 (1-6) Workshop
In depth investigation of a selected topic. (F,S)
592 (1-6) Art History Seminar
Specific problems in art emphasizing both individual research and contributions to the seminar group on advanced, in-depth topics.
Pre: consent
594 (3) Topics
Lecture/discussion/studio course on a selected area of discourse relating to the study of Art History, Art Criticism, Art Education or Art Studio. May focus on a specific artist, style period, cultural group or technical or methodological problem.
600 (3) Graphic Design
Advanced level graphic design and communication problem solving. May be repeated. (F,S)
Pre: consent
601 (3) Introduction to Research in Art
Introduction to the modes of research appropriate to art including creative research studies and investigative thesis research.
Pre: consent
602 (3) Interactive Graphic Design
605 (1-9) Graduate Art Studio
Graduate level course for all studio specializations. May be repeated.
Pre: one 500 level course in the studio specialization.
610 (1-9) Drawing
Continued exploration of drawing techniques and concepts at the graduate level. May be repeated. (F,S)
Pre: Art 510 or consent
630 (1-9) Fibers
Advanced graduate level textile fabrication. Should produce a consistent body of work. May be repeated. (F,S)
Pre: Art 530 or consent
640 (1-9) Painting
Graduate painting, emphasizing development of individual vision. May be repeated. (F,S)
Pre: Art 540 or consent
645 (1-9) Watercolor
Independent creative development. May be repeated.
Pre: Art 545 or consent (F,S)
650 (1-9) Graduate Ceramics II
A graduate course emphasizing further development and refinement of a body of work in preparation for a thesis and examination. May be repeated. (F,S)
Pre: Art 550 or consent
670 (1-9) Printmaking: Advanced Studio
Graduate level printmaking. May be repeated. (F,S)
Pre: Art 570 or consent
675 (1-9) Photography
Refinement of technical skills, seeing, and critical abilities while producing a significant body of work. May be repeated. (F,S)
Pre: Art 575 or consent
677 (1-9) Individual Study
Creative and technical problems or research in selected area. All students must file a special form in department office at time of registration. (F,S)
Pre: consent
680 (1-9) Sculpture
Continuing development of a strongly personal means of aesthetic expression in three dimensions. May be repeated. (F,S)
Pre: Art 580 or consent
692 (1-6) Art History Grad Seminar
Specific problems in art emphasizing both individual research and contributions to the seminar group on advanced, in-depth topics appropriate for graduate students.
Pre: consent
694 (1-2) Alternate Plan Paper
Alternate plan paper in lieu of thesis, done in cooperation with major professor. (Credit is "incomplete" until final approval by student's graduate committee.) (F,S)
Pre: consent
697 (1-12) Internship
Field experience in professional setting relating to the specialization: graphic design, museum or arts administration, etc. (F,S)
Pre: consent
699 (3-6) Thesis
Required of all candidates for the Master of Science or Master of Arts degrees. May be creative project or brochure exhibition option. (Credit is "incomplete" until final approval by student's graduate committee.) (F,S)
Pre: consent