The Division of Visual Arts provides interdisciplinary training in studio art as a part of a liberal education and as preparation for graduate study and professional work. To graduate as a major in visual arts, a student will have been recommended by the faculty committee reviewing portfolios of students seeking entry into the major and will have completed a total of 47 credits comprised of the foundations curriculum, visual arts studio courses including R3901-R3902-Senior Project I and II, R3921-R3922-Visiting Critic I and II, the undergraduate colloquium R4601 or R4710 and related courses.
It is strongly recommended that students apply for the major in the spring of their sophomore year or the autumn of their junior year by submitting a portfolio of work completed within the division for review by a committee of Visual Arts Division faculty. In exceptional cases, arrangements for a special review toward the end of the junior year may be made with the director of undergraduate studies.
Visual Arts Course Descriptions
DEPARTMENTAL
OFFICE
310 Dodge; (212)
854-4065
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/arts/visual_arts
DIRECTOR OF
UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
Thomas Roma
310 Dodge; (212) 854-5045
tr82@columbia.edu
FACULTY
Professors
Gregory Amenoff
Jon Kessler
Thomas Roma
Rirkrit Tiravanija
Kara Walker
Associate Professors
Tomas Vu Daniel
Assistant Professors
Dana Hoey
Gareth James (chair)
Blake Rayne
Paula Wilson
Undergraduate Adjunct
Professors
Eric Chan
Pier
Consagra
Heather Schatz
David True
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN VISUAL ARTS
Foundations curriculum: 12-13 credits within the division in the following courses:
Visual arts studio courses: 23 credits within the division in the following courses:
The undergraduate colloquium: R4601 or R4710 (3 credits)
Related courses: an additional 9 credits of related courses.
All candidates for the visual arts degree must complete the first 24 credits of degree requirements within the division, distributed as required. No more than 12 credits from any other degree granting institution will be counted as credit toward the major. A letter requesting that credit be granted for coursework outside Columbia University should be addressed to the chair of the division. The chair will evaluate each request and issue a decision. A written reply from the chair granting the request must have been received by the student prior to undertaking any course work outside the division intended to count toward the major.
Majors in visual arts must apply in writing for entry into the Senior Project. They may apply by November 15 or April 15 preceding the semester for which they seek entry into the Senior Project. Their requests and a portfolio representing the work they have completed within the division will be evaluated by a faculty committee. The director of undergraduate studies and a faculty committee will evaluate the work and performance completed in Senior Thesis I to continue in Senior Thesis II. A final evaluation of the full work will be conducted by a faculty committee at the conclusion of Senior Thesis II.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A CONCENTRATION IN VISUAL ARTS
Program of study: The completion of the visual arts foundations curriculum, 12 additional credits in visual arts studio courses, and 9 credits in associated and related courses are required for a concentration in visual arts. The undergraduate colloquium is strongly advised. Application into the Senior Project must be made with the approval of the chair or Department Representative. The Senior Project comprises Senior Thesis I and II and Visiting Critic I and II (see Requirements for a Major in Visual Arts). The selection of elective courses must be made in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A COMBINED MAJOR IN ART HISTORY AND VISUAL ARTS
Program of study: Students are required to take seven 3-credit courses in art history as well as Art History V3895, the introductory colloquium. Coursework must entail coverage of at least four of the five following areas: ancient, medieval, Renaissance-Baroque, modern, or non-Western. Students must also complete the visual arts foundations curriculum (see Requirements for a Major in Visual Arts) and 9 credits in visual arts studio courses. In the senior year, the student must undertake either a seminar in the Art History Department or the Senior Project with the approval of the director of undergraduate studies. R4101 may be taken as the terminal course in lieu of Senior Project I for combined majors.
Upon consultation with the advisor, up to two of the 3-credit courses in art history or the visual arts may be substituted by a specifically related course in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. A seminar in art history may also be substituted for up to two of the 3-credit art history courses.
The combined major requires fulfillment of sixteen or seventeen courses. It is recommended that students interested in this major begin work toward the requirements in their sophomore year.
REGISTRATION
There is no longer any early registration for visual arts courses. To enroll in a visual arts course students must attend the first two days of classes and obtain the instructor’s permission. Then students may register online.
Prerequisites and Registration Procedures
If you would like to take Basic Drawing, Sculpture Fundamentals, Intaglio I, Silkscreen I, Photo I, you must attend class on the first two days, enrollment is not determined until after the first two days of classes. Students who do not hold priority status (priority is given to majors, dual majors, concentrators, and seniors) may not be able to stay in the class. The instructor will use the priority system to determine final enrollment during the first two days of classes. Because of the enrollment procedure, attendance during the fist week of classes is mandatory. If a student does not show up for both of the first two classes, they will not be admitted into the class.
All level-2 and advanced classes in any medium require the prior level class.
All painting classes require Basic Drawing as a prerequisite. If you feel you can pass out of Basic Drawing you must bring visual evidence to the first day of Painting I. The professor will review the material and tell you if you will be waived from taking Basic Drawing. Please note that we strongly suggest everyone interested in our painting classes take Basic Drawing regardless of their skill level. Painting II/III has Painting I as a prerequisite. It is extremely unlikely that you will pass out of Painting I.
Photo I is the prerequisite for all advanced photo classes.
Sculpture Fundamentals is a prerequisite for all sculpture classes.
Printmaking classes at the first level have no prerequisites. All advanced levels of printmaking require the first level of that print medium.
In order to take Advanced Printmaking you must have had at least one print class, preferably two.
Priority goes to declared Visual Arts majors, concentrators and dual majors.
Independent studies are generally given only after someone has exhausted the sequence in their particular medium. Independent studies are granted totally at the discretion of the faculty with whom you wish to work.
COURSES OF INSTRUCTION (for a detailed description of each course, see the Visual Arts Course Descriptions)