Courses

Search for courses listed in this bulletin. To find a semester course schedule (including instructors, meeting times and locations), go to mynmu.nmu.edu.

AD 220 Intermediate Drawing/Painting 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter
  • Prerequisites: AD 120.

Development of techniques and skills related to all aspects of spatial illusions. Emphasis is placed on the importance of drawing as a basis for visual growth. Techniques for developing personal style and content are introduced.  

AD 222 Ceramics: Wheel Forms 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter

Development of the traditional skills of throwing, along with glazing and firing procedures. Supporting information is derived from historical and contemporary wheel-thrown forms.

AD 223 Metalsmithing 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter

Development of skills and knowledge of basic blacksmithing in the production of utilitarian and non-utilitarian forged objects. Beginning through advanced techniques of forging hot steel are covered.

AD 224 Woodworking: Joinery, Boxes, and Cabinets 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall

Introduction to the joinery techniques used in creating functional solid wood and plywood cabinetry. Emphasis is placed on the design and construction of doors, drawers, cabinets, and the use of both store-bought and handmade hardware. 
 

AD 230 History of World Art: Ancient to Medieval 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall

An introduction to world art from prehistory to 1400. The course introduces issues of artistic structure, meaning, context, technique and style in relation to specific artistic traditions. Its content includes visual arts of Africa, the Americas, Asia and the West from prehistory through the Gothic period.

AD 234 Computer Art: Motion 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter
  • Prerequisites: AD 134 or instructor permission.

Development of concepts and practices of computer art with an emphasis on keyframe and procedural animation methods. 

AD 240 History of World Art: Renaissance to Modern 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter

An introduction to world art from 1400 to the present. The course introduces issues of structure, meaning, context, technique and style in art in relation to specific artistic traditions. Content includes the visual arts of Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Pacific and the West from the Renaissance through Postmodernism.

AD 248 Introduction to Art Education 4 cr.
  • Offered: Offered every third semester. Consult with adviser for which semester course will be offered.
  • Prerequisites: AD 101, AD 270, a minimum grade point average of 2.70 in the department and admission to a teacher education program. Students must have a portfolio review of previous work.

An introduction to art education and concepts of knowledge, values and skills with different media in the art classroom. Emphasis is placed on comprehensive art education, audiovisual productions, planning and organizing of an art room and writing lesson plans. A “B” or higher must be earned to take AD 302.

AD 265 Art and Architecture of Japan 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall semester of odd-numbered years
Survey of the visual arts and architecture of Japan from prehistory to the present. Includes consideration of the core values that are expressed through Japanese art.
AD 270 Concepts and Culture 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter
  • Prerequisites: AD 101, AD 110 or AD 240 or AD 355, and sophomore standing.

This course engages in the direct experiential understanding and development of ideas and intentions within art and design. The emphasis is on understanding the relationship of art/design and its maker to culture at-large as a method of contextualizing a student’s current and future work. The comparative study of cultural products, visual representation, and visual conditioning, both historically and in contemporary society, will be discussed.

AD 280 History of Photography 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall

A study of the photographic medium as a means of political, technological, philosophical and creative endeavors from the invention of the daguerreotype to digital imaging. The history will be presented within the context of the development of genres demonstrating the reciprocal effect of the medium with society.

AD 281 History and Culture of Animation 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall

An introduction to the historical development of world animation from early optical devices for illusion of motions to the latest computer animated movies. While the history and culture of 2D animation is featured, stop-motion animation, 3D animation, and experimental animation (19th-21st centuries) are discussed as well.

AD 285 History of Graphic Expression 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall

Chronological exploration of the history of graphic design and illustration from the era of the illuminated manuscript to the present. Emphasis is given to graphic expression in modern society from the mid-19th century on. Digital design and illustration are included.

AD 295 Special Topics in Art and Design 1-4 cr.
  • Offered: On demand
  • Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore standing.

A course providing art and design experiences not emphasized in regular course offerings.

Notes:

May be repeated if topic differs.

AD 298 Directed Study 1-4 cr.
  • Offered: On demand
  • Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore standing and instructor's permission.
A course arranged by contract with the instructor of a particular studio area.
AD 299 Associate Research 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter
  • Prerequisites: Open to associate degree candidates only.
Individual study with an instructor of a particular studio concentration exploring and using techniques, materials and processes. It must be taken at the hours for regularly presented studio classes in the concentration.
AD 300 Art and Ideas in Asian Civilizations 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter, odd numbered years
  • Prerequisites: EN 211 with a grade of "C" or better and junior standing.

Engages the formative ideas and artistic traditions of India, China and Japan. Considers the intersection of social forms, intellectual patterns, religious beliefs and aesthetic expressions within each cultural tradition.

AD 302 Media and Methodology for Art Education 4 cr.
  • Offered: Offered every third semester. Consult with adviser for which semester course will be offered.
  • Prerequisites: Admission into pre-methods phase of the School of Education, Leadership and Public Service, ED 201, ED 231, ED 301 and AD 248. AD 248 with a minimum grade of “B” and a minimum GPA of 2.7 in the department.

To explore a variety of media used in the art classroom and to gain knowledge, values and skills in writing comprehensive art education lessons. To implement lesson plans in the schools/museums for practical application.

AD 303 Individual Art Review 2 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter
  • Graded: S/U
  • Prerequisites: AD 101 and 270 with C- minimum grade; completion or concurrent enrollment in 2D Studio, 3D Studio, and Digital Studio Foundation courses with C- minimum grade; completion or concurrent enrollment in selected 300-level studio concentration; permission of the instructor of the studio concentration. Students must attain a “B-” (2.70) average in their concentration to enroll.

In this course students will develop resumes, statements of intent, and portfolio presentations to be reviewed and evaluated by a small panel of faculty. Emphasis is placed on evidence of technical mastery, control of composition and design, and the successful development of ideas and concepts within the portfolio.

Notes:

Although this course may be repeated, students receiving either two “U” grades or who withdraw twice from the course will not be allowed to continue in the program.

AD 310 Art for the Elementary Classroom Teacher 2 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter
  • Prerequisites: Admission to teacher education.

A survey of a variety of teaching strategies to implement concepts of knowledge, values and skills in the art classroom. Emphasis is placed on design, creativity, visual structures, child development, artists, art criticism, aesthetics, lesson planning, and art production using a variety of media.  

AD 311A Human-Centered Design: Materials and Processes 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall, odd numbered years
  • Prerequisites: AD 211 or instructor permission.

This course is an exploration and application of materials, manufacturing processes, and techniques used in the production of products. Emphasis placed on the relationship materials, efficiency, sustainability and the user.

AD 311B Human Centered Design: Human Factors and Semantics 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall, even numbered years
  • Prerequisites: AD 211 or instructor permission.

This course explores the value of human factors in regard to physical and psychological realm as well as the social implications of design within culture as language through semantic principles.

AD 312A Digital Cinema: Nonfiction Forms 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall, odd numbered years
  • Prerequisites: AD 212 or instructor permission.

Continued development of digital video and audio production skills and knowledge emphasizing nonfiction video production.