News

Information About Class Schedules and Registration
To facilitate student planning for the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters, the Department of Art has created a link to the complete class schedule. After clicking “University Links” in the menu at the left, go to “Class Schedule” and then indicate the term (either Fall 2008 or Spring 2009) and subject (Art).

The on-line Class Schedule includes basic information such as the 5-digit class numbers, enrollment limits, number of available seats (this number will be updated regularly as students add or drop classes), meeting days and times, classroom locations, and names of instructors. Early in the registration period, only the names of full-time faculty are indicated (generally the names of part-time instructors, or “staff,” are not listed on the website until a few weeks before the start of the term). Not included in the Class Schedule are the code numbers designating courses with lab fees, General Education status, or enrollment restrictions. For this information, see the catalog descriptions and the entries posted on the University’s website (My Sac State). Concise course descriptions, including information about prerequisites, can be found in both the on-line and printed catalog.

ART 195 and all courses ending with the number nine (ART 119, 129, 139, etc.) are independent projects for which students must register by petition after meeting with a member of the full-time Art faculty (petition forms are available in the Art Department and at this website under “Forms”). In the class schedule, their meeting day and time are listed as “TBA,” because students meet individually with their instructors. Both ART 195 and ART 199 may be taken for 1, 2, or 3 units, depending on the scope of the project selected.

A printed version of the Fall 2008 class schedule also is posted on the bulletin board in the corridor immediately outside the Art Department office, Kadema 185.

NEW CURRICULA, COURSES, AND INSTRUCTORS IN 2008
With the 2008-2009 academic year, new curricula are being introduced in both Art Education and Studio Art. Students with catalog rights from 2008-10 and later will be following a new program if they choose to specialize in either of these areas; students with catalog rights from previous years—such as transfer students who began their college education before Fall 2008—have the option of following the new programs, or they may follow the ones applicable for their catalog year instead (see the explanation of “Catalog Rights” in the University catalog). There also has been a small change in the degree requirements for the Art History concentration, with the recent introduction of a seminar requirement effective with the 2008-10 catalog.

Students following the 2008-10 catalog who choose to specialize in either Studio Art or Art Education have the opportunity to refine their artistic skills in specific media by taking additional courses (to make this possible, the number of units in the Art major has been raised from 48 to 60 in these two areas).

For specific information about the current degree requirements in any of the three areas—Art Education, Art History, or Studio Art—you may consult either the on-line catalog (accessible from the Art Department website: see “University Links”) or the printed catalog (on sale at the Hornet Bookstore on campus). One-page summaries of the degree requirements also are available from the Art Department and on the Art Department website (both for the 2008-10 catalog and for previous catalog years). These concise check-lists are very useful for planning the major and should be discussed with an Art faculty advisor.

Some new or revised Art courses also are being introduced this Fall.

ART 88 (Beginning Sculpture): Formerly called “Sculpture,” this course is now part of a three-course sequence, followed by ART 182 (Intermediate Sculpture, a new course: see below) and ART 183 (Advanced Sculpture: a revised course: see below). All three courses are being offered in the Fall.

ART 113B (Asian Art and Mythology) provides an introduction to the most important deities of the great religions of Asia through art and architecture.  It will introduce the rituals by which they are worshiped, invoked, and propitiated, and most importantly, the great cycles of stories that have evolved around them. The myths and stories of Hinduism and Buddhism will be examined through their depiction in art, along with those of Jainism, Taoism, and Shinto. Both ART 113B and ART 117A (Art of Southeast Asia) will be taught by a guest professor this Fall, John Listopad.

ART 147 (Video Art): Offered for the first time in Fall 2008, this new course is cross-listed as COMS 157 and is being taught this year by a member of the Communication Studies faculty, Professor Jenny Stark. ART 147/COMS 157 covers the creation and analysis of video artwork; including techniques of video production, post-production manipulation and critique, within the context of art and communication. The techniques and theory of producing and editing video will serve as a foundation for the pursuit of individual, creative projects.

ART 148 (Barrio Art for Ethnic Groups): This service-learning course has been reinstated for the Fall 2008 semester (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00-7:50 pm). Taught by Xico Gonzalez, ART 148 provides a multicultural experience for students who expect to work in a multicultural educational environment. This course involves personal contact with community members in the oldest community of Sacramento, “Barrio Centro” (midtown). Barrio Art for Ethnic Groups offers various opportunities for the student to experience art in both a traditional and nontraditional classroom setting. As in past semesters, ART 148 will have five components: Anciano Program, Children's Program, La Raza Galería Posada, Azteca Danzantes, and the Mural Project. Orientation for the five program options is done at Sacramento State using representatives from each component, lectures, and video or slide presentations (Kadema 145). After the classroom component is over (in three weeks), the students go to their designated off-campus sites for their assignments. For more information about this and other service learning courses at Sacramento State, go to the website of the Community Engagement Center http://www.csus.edu/cec/.

ART 182 (Intermediate Sculpture): Scheduled for the first time in Fall 2008, this course offers intermediate-level explorations with traditional and non-traditional processes of sculpture, three-dimensional form and spatial relationships. Students will expect to explore concept based learning through visual problem solving while accumulating in depth techniques and skills in a variety of sculpture materials. Includes study of historical and contemporary examples of sculpture and other relevant forms of art. Its prerequisite is ART 70 or ART 88 (or an equivalent course).

ART 183 (Advanced Sculpture): With the creation of ART 182, this course has been revised to meet the needs of students who are prepared to undertake advanced study in modeling and construction in a range of traditional and contemporary materials. A fee course, ART 183 may be taken twice for credit. Its prerequisite is ART 88 or an equivalent course.

ART 283 (Graduate Sculpture): Offered for the first time in Fall 2008, this course covers special problems in sculpture, mixed media, installation art, site specific art, performance art, public art or other. Students will engage in self-directed projects while participating in sculpture studio forum critiques.