Studio Art BA and Minor Program Specifics

Here we provide information on course requirements, course descriptions and an Academic Rhode Map for each program, a semester-by-semester plan to help you toward graduation in four years.

Course Requirements  

Course Descriptions  

Ceramics Rhode Map

Digital Media Rhode Map

Graphic Design Rhode Map

Metalsmithing & Jewelry Rhode Map

Painting Rhode Map

Printmaking Rhode Map

Photography Rhode Map​

Sculpture Rhode Map

1. Completion of a Plan of Study approved by assigned advisor. 
2. Completion of a Declaration of Major Form, indicating studio concentration. 
3. Successful portfolio review in ART 101 and 104 resulting in a minimum grade of C. 
4. A portfolio review demonstrating minimum grade equivalency is required for program credit for studio art courses taken at another institution or credit for advanced placement courses. 

Note:  For information on transferring credit for courses taken at another institution or credit for advanced placement art courses, see Art Transfer Students or obtain guidelines in the main office of ALEX AND ANI Hall. 

Retention Requirements 

1. A minimum grade of C+ in all courses in the concentration. 
2. Retention in the program requires completion of all studio foundations courses, with a positive portfolio review resulting in a minimum grade of C in each course. 

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Demonstrate visual literacy, including competency with the nonverbal languages of art and design. 
• Generate visual, verbal and written responses to visual phenomena and organize their perceptions and conceptualizations both rationally and intuitively. 
• Identify and solve problems within a variety of physical, technological, social and cultural contexts. 
• Demonstrate competency in a number of art or design techniques. 
• Discuss major achievements in the history of art/design, including the works and intentions of leading artists/designers in the past and present. 
• Understand and evaluate contemporary thinking about art or design. 
• Make valid assessments of the quality and effectiveness of design projects and works of art, especially their own. 

In what ways is writing important to your profession? 

The Art Department offers three separate undergraduate majors: art education, art history and studio art. Across these areas, students will learn to write clearly and analytically about works of art, whether they are made by the students themselves or by other artists. 

If you are pursuing the studio art major (B.A. or B.F.A.), you must be able to write clear and interesting artist statements, job applications, and grant and commission proposals. 

If you are pursuing the art history major, especially if you are interested in graduate studies, you must be able to write research papers. Jobs in museums and galleries require the ability to write clearly and concisely, including descriptions of artworks, business letters and grant applications. 

If you are pursuing the art education major, you must be able to write lesson plans and other kinds of documents specific to the education field.  

Which courses are designated as satisfying the Writing in the Discipline (WID) requirement by your department? Why these courses? 

Two courses satisfy the WID requirement for all three majors in the Art Department: Art 231: Prehistoric to Renaissance Art and Art 232: Renaissance to Modern Art. If you are an art studio major, area-specific writing in upper-level studio classes complements the writing in art history. If you are an art education major, you will write in numerous upper-level courses, as well. 

What forms or genres of writing will you learn and practice in your WID courses? Why these genres? 

The genres of writing students in the Art Department learn to write vary by major. In Art 231 and 232 students write descriptions, analyses and comparisons of individual artworks – these are the most basic components of writing in art and must be mastered to develop either as an artist, art educator or art historian. 

In advanced and upper level courses, art students write research papers and responses to art historical scholarship, learning to integrate the ideas of other writers into their work and to deepen their understanding of artworks and art movements. 

What kinds of teaching practices will you encounter in your WID courses? 

You will encounter many different kinds of teaching practices, including scaffolded writing projects, peer review, in-class writing, writing-to-learn exercises and discussions of and lectures on writing and writing assignments. 

When you have satisfied your WID requirement, you should be able to: 

Write interpretive descriptions and comparisons of artworks, thesis papers based on artworks, research papers, artist statements, cover letters and project proposals.​​ 

Declaring a minor allows you to explore other areas of interest and make interdisciplinary connections. Minor areas at RIC complement and reinforce all major areas of study. By declaring a minor, you can set yourself apart as a candidate for job, internship and volunteer opportunities.

Minor in Art  

A strong foundation is essential to understanding the basic concepts you will use in your study of art. Therefore, you will begin your course of study by completing seven courses in drawing, two-dimensional design, three-dimensional design and digital media during your first four semesters. Learn more about the foundations program, and see examples of student work on the foundations page.

Foundations in Art