Academics & Areas of Study

Academics and Areas of Study

The Art and Art History Program offers a Bachelor of Arts – Major in Art (B.A. in Art) with concentrations in Art History, Graphic Design, and Studio and Digital Art. In addition to completing general education courses grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, B.A. in Art majors complete a Foundation Core. The following are foundation courses required before majors specialize in one of the three concentrations:

ARTS A102 Digital Foundations
ARTS A103 Foundations in 2D Design
ARTS A104 Foundations in 3D Design
ARTS A111 Drawing I
ARTH A105 History of Western Art I: Prehistory to 1400
ARTH A106 History of Western Art II: 1400 to the Present

Art History Concentration, B.A. in Art

In addition to developing and honing skills in analysis, criticism, research, and theory, B.A. in Art majors in the Art History concentration gain a broad knowledge of the history of art and architecture, focusing specifically on cultural context. We offer an extensive range of courses across cultures and chronological periods. Courses offered in the program include introductory Western and Non-Western surveys to more specialized topics. The following upper-level courses are taught on rotation: Aesthetic Principles and Universal Themes; Art in Film; Baroque Art and Architecture; Film Theory and Criticism; Greek Art and Architecture; History of American Art I and II; History of Animation; History of Film; History of Modern Art and Architecture; History of Photography; History of Twentieth Century Art; History of Western Art I and II; Immersive Studies in Western Culture; Medieval Art; New Media Writing and Theory; Renaissance Art and Architecture; and Topics in Non-Western Art and Architecture.

Students in the Art History concentration also receive hands-on career training by completing ARTH A401 Art History Theory and Methods and an Art History Practicum (ARTH A403) in one of the following areas: Gallery Practicum, Learning Teaching Assistant Practicum, or Research Practicum. Before graduating, students complete ARTH A499 Art History Capstone, producing an individualized research project—e.g., an undergraduate conference paper, publishable article, curated exhibition, exhibition catalogue, or a combination thereof. Graduates with the Art History concentration may continue to graduate school for more advanced training and career preparation.

Career Tracks:

Archaeologist (with graduate degree)
Archivist
Art Authentication Specialist
Art Economist
Art Historian/Critic
Art Insurance Adjustor
Art Law (with graduate law degree)
Art Restorer
Art Teacher, Museum Educator, Program and Education Coordinator
Arts Administration
Auction House Appraisers, Art/Antique Dealer
Auctioneer
Audio-Visual and Multimedia Collections Specialists
Collection Specialist
Conservation Scientist/Specialist (with graduate degree)
Curator
Exhibition Designer/Manager
Gallery Manager/Owner
Museum and Gallery Professional
Non-Profit Sector Administration
Photo Archivist
Publishing/Publisher
Subject Area Librarian
Visual Resource Manager

Additional Resources:

Bachelor of Arts Major in Art Degree Map

Academic Advisement Worksheet (Art History Concentration)

Four-Year Curriculum Map (Art History Concentration)

Michael Fowler Advising

Graphic Design Concentration, B.A. in Art

B.A. in Art majors in the Graphic Design concentration receive in-depth, hands-on training, building upon 2D, 3D, and digital design principles covered in the Foundation Core. In introductory and intermediate courses in graphic design, students develop and hone formal and conceptual design skills with client-based assignments. Advanced level courses also cover branding/marketing, editorial design, front-end web development, illustration, motion graphic design, package design, typography (historical, experimental, and standard), and UX/ UI design. Students have access to digital and analog studios and industry standard software platforms.

Students in the Graphic Design concentration also receive hands-on career training by completing a directed internship (ARTS A549) and a capstone project (ARTS A499). Recent students have interned at Allison South Marketing, C Berkshire Designs, Innovative Solutions, Howell Printing Company, Wier / Stewart Branding, Marketing, and Websites, Kruhu Branding and Design Studio, TranterGrey Media, Vetrya, and the Aiken Center for the Arts. Our alumni have gone onto successful careers at Aiken Technical College, Condé Nast, Hampton Talmadge Associates, Husqvarna, Innovative Solutions, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, NBS Inc., among other regional and national companies listed in our selected internships and employment section. Graduates with the Graphic Design concentration may continue to graduate school for more advanced training and career preparation.

Career Tracks:

Advertising and Marketing
Brand Manager
Educator
Fashion Designer
Front End Developer/Website Designer
Graphic Designer
Industrial Designer
Interior Designer
Museum and Gallery Professionals
New Media Designer
Non-Profit Sector (Design and Marketing)
Print Production
Product Designer
Set Designer
System Designer
UI/UX Designer

Additional Resources:

Bachelor of Arts Major in Art Degree Map

Academic Advisement Worksheet (Graphic Design Concentration)

Four-Year Curriculum Map (Graphic Design Concentration)

Art Studio

Studio and Digital Art Concentration, B.A. in Art

B.A. in Art majors in the Studio and Digital Art concentration receive in-depth, hands-on training, building upon 2D, 3D, and digital design principles covered in the Foundation Core. Our upper-level curriculum includes analog and digital courses with special attention paid to career preparation using industry standards, equipment, and software. Students in the Studio and Digital Art concentration also receive hands-on career training by completing an optional directed internship (ARTS A549) and a mandatory capstone project (ARTS A499). Before graduating, students participate in the B.A. in Art Capstone Exhibition in the Etherredge Center Galleries, finalize portfolios (traditional and digital), and prepare job application materials. Tailored coursework is available to students interested in teaching in primary and secondary schools—as is a plan for obtaining teaching certification and licensing.

Our alumni have gone onto successful careers at Health South Corporation, Pixar, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, the Savannah River Site (SRS), and other regional and national companies listed in our selected internships and employment section. Graduates with the Studio and Digital Art concentration are also employed in private and public-school systems in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Graduates with the Studio and Digital Art concentration may continue to graduate school for more advanced training and career preparation.