First-Year Experiences
During their first year in the Department of Visual and Media Arts, majors complete a set of core classes that are tailored to their area of study. No matter what area of study, these courses are essential in the preparation for the advanced courses and emphasize critical inquiry, discipline-specific methods and hands-on experiences.
As students continue in the department, they continue to hone these skills in the development of a personal body of work under the supervision of faculty mentors in the area. The self-direction nurtured early in the program is reinforced throughout your time at GVSU.
Art Education
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Students in Art Education complete five foundation courses. These courses emphasize drawing, design, and problem-solving skills. This shared curriculum provides students with the conceptual, technical, and critical skills necessary for later studio work.
- ART 150 - Foundations: 2D Design and Color
- ART 151 - Foundations: 3D Design
- ART 153 - Foundations: Making and Meaning in Art and Design
- ART 155 - Foundations: Introduction to Drawing I
- ART 157 - Foundations: Introduction to Drawing II
Foundations Program - Information
Art History
Students in Art History complete two survey courses during their first year. These courses provide an overview of the discipline's chronology and methods.
- ART 221 - Survey of Art History I
- ART 222 - Survey of Art History II
Although there is a lot of flexibility in courses the student can take, starting off on the right track will help ensure that they meet all requirements and graduate in a timely fashion. This is especially true if they plan to earn a second major, pursue minors in other fields, or are in the Honors program.
Film and Video Production
Students in Film & Video Production complete two introductory courses. These emphasize a critical study of various modes of film production and a hands-on production experience.
- FVP 123 - Survey of Media Production Modes
- FVP 125 - Media Production I
Central to your success and timely graduation is taking FVP 123 and FVP 125 in the first year. In addition, you will want to take FVP 226 and 227 in the following semester or academic year to have optimum success in the upper-level production courses.
Photography
Students in Photography should complete five courses in their first year. These courses emphasize two-dimensional composition, the basic aesthetics and techniques that underlie photographic communication, and a survey of the origins and development of photography.
- ART 150 - Foundations: 2D Design and Color
- COM 101 - Concepts of Communication
- PHO 170 - Introduction to Photography
- PHO 171 - Darkroom Photography
- PHO 266 - History of Photography I
Studio Art
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Students in Studio Art complete four foundation courses and up to 2 studio courses. These courses emphasize drawing, design, and problem-solving skills. This shared curriculum provides students with the conceptual, technical, and critical skills necessary for later studio work.
- ART 150 - Foundations: 2D Design and Color
- ART 151 - Foundations: 3D Design
- ART 153 - Foundations: Making and Meaning in Art and Design
- ART 155 - Foundations: Introduction to Drawing I
- ART XXX - Studio Course I
- ART XXX - Studio Course II