Studio Art Major
Major Requirements
Studio Art involves the integration of traditional disciplines and methods with contemporary practices and the study of the history of art and visual culture.
The major in Studio Art includes a minimum of 11.5 credits:
Studio Courses
Complete at least five one-credit courses and one Short Term course designated with the (AVC: Studio) attribute; not including AVC 350.
One of these courses must be a 300-level course, ideally in the medium in which the student plans to complete their thesis.
Studio majors must take at least one studio course in their junior year, but are encouraged to take two or more. The preponderance of studio major requirements should be completed prior to beginning a studio thesis. Studio majors are encouraged to complete at least two related courses in one medium before their senior year. Students may take some courses for a second time, referenced in the College Catalog as courses that may be repeated for credit.
History and Criticism
Complete three courses designated with the (AVC: History and Criticism) attribute.
These courses must be distributed across a variety of cultures and time periods and include one course in recent art and visual culture. One of these courses may be a Short Term course.
Visual Meaning
Complete the following course:
- AVC 350 Visual Meaning: Process, Material, Format
Senior Thesis
Complete the following courses:
The senior thesis must be undertaken in consecutive semesters during the senior year.
Senior Project Description
The [W3] Requirement: Though in most disciplines, the senior thesis fulfills the third-level [W3] writing requirement for General Education, the senior thesis for the studio track in Art and Visual Culture does not fulfill this requirement. Majors in the studio track fulfill their [W3] requirement by completing a [W2] course in any department or program during their senior year, which may include one of the three art history and criticism courses required for the studio major. Most studio majors who double major fulfill the [W3] requirement by completing the senior thesis in the second major.
Courses Taken Outside of Bates
Off-Campus Study: Studio majors intending to study off-campus must consult with the department well in advance. In most cases, the department advises students who wish to study abroad to do so for only one semester. Students usually apply one studio course and one course in the history of art and visual culture taken abroad toward the major requirements. Studio courses taken abroad in fulfillment of major requirements should correspond to the studio curriculum offered at Bates.
Pass/Fail
Pass/Fail grading may not be elected for studio courses applied toward the major.
Restricted Declarations
Bates Default: Students who have declared this major/minor may declare any other major, minor, or general education concentration (GEC).
Other Considerations
Students who have declared the Studio Art major and the History and Criticism of Art and Visual Culture minor may apply up to two history and criticism courses to both programs.