Department of Art and Art History

Department Website

The department offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in art history, graphic design or graphic design with K-12 education certification, studio art or studio art with K-12 art education certification. The department’s curriculum encompasses artmaking as an aesthetic expression of intellectual vision, and contextual study and research into the exceptional range of aesthetic expression throughout history. Majors and non-majors can develop their knowledge and understanding of the history and practice of the visual arts. Minors in art history, graphic design and studio art are also available.

The study of art history, by its nature, is an interdisciplinary endeavor, encompassing diverse areas of the humanities. It draws upon political, economic, social, religious and intellectual history as well as aspects of the natural sciences. Through emphasis on analysis and scholarly criticism, the art history curriculum provides an excellent foundation in the visual arts of both western and non-western cultures. Critical thinking and writing are cornerstones of the art history program, with the aim that students acquire a sense of the various methodologies and theoretical issues that characterize the discipline itself.

Studio art is an academic discipline that embraces both visual communication and expression of an intellectual vision. Students gain a solid grounding in aesthetic and critical theory, develop technical skills in a variety of artistic media, and expand their abilities to conceptualize and communicate their own vision through aesthetic means. Majors in studio art may specialize in drawing, new media, painting or photography.

Graphic design uses problem-solving skills to organize typography and image to create visual representations of ideas and messages. The graphic design major covers design theory, design history, materials and processes, as well as graphic design studio/professional industry standards and practices.

Studies in art, art history and graphic design require a high level of critical thinking and intellectual inquiry, as well as social, cultural, aesthetic and ideological exploration. Our goal as a department is to produce articulate, knowledgeable graduates, whose highly developed communication skills and creative problem solving abilities give them confidence, insight and skills to further their careers. Our majors go on in the field both through further study in graduate school, and in careers as artists, arts administrators in museums and the public sector, art conservationists, teachers, and in the wide range of careers which value the creative problem-solving abilities gained in the study and practice of art.

Departmental Honors in Art History

Graduating seniors who have completed 20 credits of art history at Oakland University with a GPA of 3.65 or higher in art history courses will be considered for departmental honors. Art history faculty will review the student’s AH 4998 and AH 4999 capstone work and vote on whether to award honors.

Departmental Honors in Graphic Design

Graduating seniors who have completed 20 credits of graphic design at Oakland University with a GPA of 3.65 or higher in graphic design courses will be considered for departmental honors. Design faculty will review the student’s DES 4999 work and vote on whether to award honors.

Departmental Honors in Studio Art

Graduating seniors who have completed 20 credits of studio art at Oakland University with a GPA of 3.65 or higher in studio art courses will be considered for departmental honors. Studio art faculty will review the student’s ART 4999 work and vote on whether to award honors.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Non Degree

Teacher Education

Courses

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