Art (ARTS)

A graduate seminar devoted to professional practices, in a contemporary context, for artistic production and academic pedagogy in Studio Art. Professional practices covered may include but are not limited to development of artist statements, teaching philosophy statements, curriculum vitae, websites, and application dossiers for galleries, grants, and residencies along with the investigation into non-profit organizations, the role of the arts in civic economic development, and curatorial practices for a range of arts institutions from artist-run to museums. This course receives one hour of credit per semester. The course may be repeated three times for credit .

An interdisciplinary graduate seminar in Studio Art devoted to the critique of artistic production in a contemporary cultural context. This course consists of structured peer-centered critiques. Students will become adept in both the language of critique and critique structures. Works are examined in an interdisciplinary context allowing students to comprehend their work through multiple perspectives while also providing opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration. This course receives one hour of credit per semester. The course may be repeated three times for credit.

Current trends and approaches in art with emphasis on contemporary processes and techniques in studio work. May be repeated when topics vary. Offered on sufficient demand.

Individual study and direction in ceramics.

Individual study and direction in drawing.

Individual study and direction in graphic design.

Individual study and direction in painting.

Individual study and direction in photography.

Individual study and direction in printmaking.

Individual study and direction in sculpture covering a wide range of interdisciplinary approaches.

An interdisciplinary fine art graduate seminar devoted to the analysis of artistic production in a contemporary cultural context, consisting of peer-centered critiques. Students will become adept in both the language and structures of critique. In addition to graduate level artistic production, students will conduct research and present scholarly articles relevant to their work for class discussion. Works are examined in an interdisciplinary context allowing students to comprehend their studio practice through multiple perspectives and opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Various thematic discussions and projects pertaining to studio work under the guidance of a studio faculty member, and possible guest lecturers and artists.

The course will cover key developments in the evolution of art historiography, aesthetic theory and methods. Students will be engaged in discussions related to the practice of art history from an historiographical perspective and will conduct verbal and written analyses in connection with primary and secondary sources derived from canonical scholarship. The course will include discussion of theoretical and methodological texts from antiquity and the Middle Ages, to the early Modern period, the Enlightenment, the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, to postmodernity and the contemporary era. These analyses will consider notions of aesthetics, historiography, deconstruction, authorship, various modes of identity formation, and globalization. Students will become proficient in a wide range of aesthetic, historiographical, theoretical, and methodological practices related to fine arts disciplines. 

Study in specific areas of art history and aesthetics. May be repeated when topics vary.

This course entails a faculty-led research project as related to selected Studio Art and Design topics, focused on reading and writing. Students will conduct research utilizing relevant archival material and databases along with direct contact with contemporary artists, art historians, critics, curators, and other cultural professionals as appropriate. Students can enroll in this course in any semester within the MFA program with the approval of the graduate student's thesis committee. The course is offered during any semester upon request by the student and with the consent of the instructor. 

This course concentrates on research and writing in creative scholarship as related to the Candidate's discipline, concentration area(s), and research. The MFA Candidate is responsible for a written Thesis that provides textual support for their Exhibition or Project, executed under the MFA Project course. Candidates can enroll with the approval of the Thesis Committee. A specific syllabus for the Candidate's chosen discipline and concentration(s) will be provided to them under this course. This syllabus is a binding contract between Professor and the MFA Candidate. It is the Candidate's responsibility to thoroughly read and understand all rules, expectations and guidelines.

A carefully planned special study on an academic topic not offered as part of the regular graduate curriculum. Directed Individual Study (DIS) is a tutorial, directed and evaluated by a member of the graduate art faculty. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students who have demonstrated both academic ability and the capacity for independent work. Complete applications must be filed and approved by a committee of the graduate art faculty and the Dean of Liberal Arts in advance of registration.

Practical training in instruction for MFA graduate students under the declared Graphic Design discipline. This course is designed for graduate students to assist an assigned program faculty mentor and their undergraduate students. As a practicum course, the graduate student will spend the majority of their time in the classroom when class is in session. The graduate student, in the role of lead instructor, is expected to deliver course content and lectures designed by the program faculty mentor and to assist undergraduate course students in obtaining course learning objectives. 

This course concentrates on creation and execution in creative scholarship as related to the MFA Candidate's discipline, concentration area(s), and research. Candidates can enroll with approval of their Thesis Committee. A specific syllabus for the Candidate's chosen discipline and concentration(s) will be provided to them under this course.

Study of the functions of galleries and museums: curating, preparation, grantsmanship, crating, documentation, and publicity. Visits to galleries and museums will be made around South Texas as well as Houston.