Art (BFA)

The Art BFA is devoted to the development of concepts, knowledge and skills in the visual arts within a broad university curriculum of liberal arts orientation.The BFA is professional degree that prepares students to become successful studio artists. The course of study gives students the opportunity to concentrate on intensive work in several areas of art and art history, sustained by a program of general studies. Students choose a primary and secondary area of specialization for more intensive study. Studio specializations are offered in ceramics, drawing, installation, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. 

Current Catalog Year
2024-2025
Degree
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Major / Total Credits
67 / 120
Locations
Mankato
Accreditation
NASAD
National Association of Schools of Art and Design

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Program Requirements

Required General Education

Introduction to art history from prehistoric and ancient cultures through the Middle Ages. Includes representative examples and styles of art and architecture of Western (Europe and the Near East) and non-Western cultures (China, India, Japan, Southeast Asia, Africa, Mesoamerica, South America, North America, Australia).

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Lecture-based survey of the Art and Architecture of both Western and non-Western countries from the thirteenth through twentieth centuries.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

The courses count toward General Education Goal Areas 6 and/or 8.

Major Common Core

For art, art history and art education majors.

Prerequisites: none

Introduction to concept and processes related to the visual and physical organization of three-dimensional form and space.

Prerequisites: none

Introduction to traditional drawing techniques and concepts.

Prerequisites: none

Required of all B.F.A. majors before taking 4XX advanced studio specialization sequence to continue in program.

Prerequisites: ART 104

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 Post-modern issues and trends.

Prerequisites: ART 261 or consent

Portfolio Review is taken the same semester as the second Intermediate Studio I: Primary Concentration course (300-level), before taking Advanced Studio Courses. Students should consult with their advisor to select the appropriate semester for their Portfolio Review.

Major Restricted Electives

Foundation Courses - Select six (6) courses from at least five (5) areas for a total of 18 credits.

Graphic Design Area - Choose 0 - 6 Credit(s).

This graphic design course is an introduction to digital media technology as a creative tool for the development of visual expression. The course is taught using the Mac OS and explores vector and bitmap image making.

Prerequisites: none

This course explores the basic principles of graphic design. Emphasis is placed on developing an awareness and effective use of type, image, and symbol. Students focus on the design process as a way to develop and refine design solutions.

Prerequisites: ART 202

Drawing Area - Choose 0 - 6 Credit(s).

Continued exploration of drawing techniques and concepts.

Prerequisites: ART 110

Experience in drawing from the human figure.

Prerequisites: ART 110

Mixed Media Area - Choose 0 - 3 Credit(s).

Multimedia art exploration is a problem solving art studio experience involving the use of a variety of traditional and non-traditional art materials.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06

Painting Area - Choose 0 - 6 Credit(s).

Beginning experience with oil and/or acrylic paint. Emphasis upon technical and conceptual development.

Prerequisites: ART 100 or ART 101, ART 110 or consent

Introduction to basic techniques in watercolor.

Prerequisites: ART 100 or ART 101, ART 110 or consent

Ceramics Area - Choose 0 - 6 Credit(s).

An introduction to basic wheel throwing techniques exploring the potential of clay as a creative and expressive material.

Prerequisites: none

An introduction to basic sculptural hand building techniques exploring the nature of clay as a creative-expressive medium.

Prerequisites: none

Printmaking Area - Choose 0 - 6 Credit(s).

Introduction to silkscreen and lithography printmaking processes including silkscreen, monotype, and plate lithography.

Prerequisites: none

Introduction to intaglio and relief printmaking processes including collagraph, etching, relief carving, and engraving.

Prerequisites: none

Photography Area - Choose 0 - 3 Credit(s).

Introduction to the techniques and expressive potential of both digital and darkroom photography. Topics include basic camera controls, lighting, composition, editing, and fine art printing in the digital lab and darkroom. A digital camera with manual controls of aperture and shutter speed is required for part of the semester (a film camera will be provided).

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06

Sculpture Area - Choose 0 - 3 Credit(s).

Exploration of the visual and physical organization of three-dimensional form and space through problems employing various media and processes.

Prerequisites: ART 103 or consent

Installation Area - Choose 0 - 3 Credit(s).

This studio course familiarizes students with the basic concerns of installation art, including relationship to site and audience. A variety of materials and approaches will be explored. Environmental impact, health, and safety will be addressed. In addition to studio work, historical and contemporary examples will be discussed to provide context and encourage awareness of the disciplines past and present potential.

Prerequisites: ART 103 or consent

Intermediate Courses

Intermediate Studio I: Primary Concentration - Choose 6 Credit(s). Students must take two intermediate-level studio courses within their secondary studio area. The studio areas are: ceramics, drawing, installation, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. All intermediate-level studio courses must be at the 300 level.

Prerequisites: none

Intermediate Studio I: Secondary Concentration - Choose 6 Credit(s). Students must take two intermediate-level studio courses within their secondary studio area. The studio areas are: ceramics, drawing, graphic design, installation, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. All intermediate-level studio courses must be at the 300 level.

Prerequisites: none

Advanced Drawing and Art/Design History - Choose 12 Credit(s).

Advanced Drawing - Choose 3 - 6 Credit(s). Courses may not be repeated if taken as a Foundation Course.

Continued exploration of drawing techniques and concepts.

Prerequisites: ART 110

Experience in drawing from the human figure.

Prerequisites: ART 110

This course encourages experimental approaches that build on drawing skills developed in ART 110 and ART 210. Formal and conceptual issues will be addressed as students pursue individualized subject matter. Course may be repeated.

Prerequisites: ART 210

Continued in-depth exploration of drawing techniques and concepts. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: ART 310

Advanced Art/Design History - Choose 6 - 9 Credit(s).

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.

Prerequisites: ART 260 or consent

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.

Prerequisites: ART 261 or consent

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.

Prerequisites: ART 260 or consent

Origins and development of Northern and Italian Renaissance art and architecture as an expression of historical, cultural and religious issues.

Prerequisites: ART 261 or consent

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.

Prerequisites: ART 392, ART 406

The study of art museum history, theory and practice, including ethics, collecting, and display. Alongside these studies, students will conceive and realize an exhibition in order to further develop knowledge of and experience in the field.

Prerequisites: ART 260, ART 261

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.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Survey of Graphic Design, Industrial Design and Architecture from historical and theoretical perspectives. Design issues examined from formal and contextual points of view, using analysis strategies that consider style, composition, historical context, functional/propagandistic significance and communicative ability.

Prerequisites: none

Historical survey of the art and architecture of China, India, Korea and Japan from pre-history to the 20th century.

Prerequisites: ART 260, ART 261 or consent

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Investigation of developments in sacred and secular art and architecture in various regions of the world, exploring themes such as nation-building, modernization vs. tradition, post colonialism among others, since the 19th century.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Advanced Studio - Students must take courses within their primary studio area. The studio areas are: ceramics, drawing, installation, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. All advanced-level studio courses must be at the 400 level.

Advanced Studio: Primary Concentration - Choose 21 Credit(s).

Prerequisites: none

Capstone - Students are required to participate in an exhibit the semester they intend to graduate. The course includes the planning, installation, and de-installation of a group exhibition.

Senior Exhibit - Choose 1 Credit(s).

A required course in all art major degree programs. Students plan and present art work in an exhibition. Can not be taken same semester as student teaching.

Prerequisites: Consent

Degree Plan

First Year

Fall - 15 Credits

For art, art history and art education majors.

Prerequisites: none

Introduction to traditional drawing techniques and concepts.

Prerequisites: none

Introduction to art history from prehistoric and ancient cultures through the Middle Ages. Includes representative examples and styles of art and architecture of Western (Europe and the Near East) and non-Western cultures (China, India, Japan, Southeast Asia, Africa, Mesoamerica, South America, North America, Australia).

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Spring - 15 Credits

Introduction to concept and processes related to the visual and physical organization of three-dimensional form and space.

Prerequisites: none

Lecture-based survey of the Art and Architecture of both Western and non-Western countries from the thirteenth through twentieth centuries.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Second Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Spring - 16 Credits

Third Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Required of all B.F.A. majors before taking 4XX advanced studio specialization sequence to continue in program.

Prerequisites: ART 104

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 Post-modern issues and trends.

Prerequisites: ART 261 or consent

Spring - 15 Credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Spring - 13 Credits

A required course in all art major degree programs. Students plan and present art work in an exhibition. Can not be taken same semester as student teaching.

Prerequisites: none

Transfer Pathways

A Transfer Pathway is a partnership between the Minnesota community colleges and Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Pathway suggests a plan for students with a specific associate degree to complete the last two years for a designated bachelor’s degree.

Students who are transferring to Minnesota State Mankato from a Minnesota community college should meet with an advisor in your college advising office to ensure the Pathway is an appropriate option for completing your degree.

More information on Transfer Pathways is available at https://mnsu.edu/pathways/about/

Third Year

Fall - 15 Credits

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 Post-modern issues and trends.

Prerequisites: ART 261 or consent

Spring - 15 Credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Spring - 15 Credits

A required course in all art major degree programs. Students plan and present art work in an exhibition. Can not be taken same semester as student teaching.

Prerequisites: none

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