Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
MAJOR AND MINOR DESCRIPTIONS BY DEPARTMENT
STUDIO ARTS
The practice of art is among the oldest and most fundamental forms of human expression. The Department of Studio Arts provides the opportunity for students to explore the visual arts through foundation courses and through upper-level courses in painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, and graphic design. Studio activities are designed to intensify students’ visual perception of the formal and expressive means of art, to develop understanding of a variety of technical processes, and to encourage insight into the significance of making art today. Course offerings of the department address the following goals:
- Provide a degree program for art majors who desire a liberal education and want to prepare for graduate art school or pursue a career in an art-related field;
- Provide a related area in studio arts for majors in other departments by taking the four foundation courses or by completing 12 credits in a specified studio area;
- Facilitate development of art-making skills and concepts through the foundation courses for all undergraduate students, while satisfying the Dietrich School creative expression requirement; and
- Provide a 15-credit minor in studio arts.
The Department of Studio Arts sponsors an annual student exhibition and a biannual faculty exhibition in the University of Pittsburgh Art Gallery. The University’s Frick Fine Arts Library is one of the finest available. Also in close proximity is The Carnegie, with its museum and library providing access for research and study. For more information on the major, the minor, and the Department of Studio Arts, see http://www.studioarts.pitt.edu/.
Major Requirements
Majors must complete a minimum of 36 credits in studio arts (SA) courses and 12 credits in history of art and architecture (HA&A) courses, distributed as follows:
- Level-one courses (required for all majors)
- SA 0110 Foundation Design
- SA 0120 Foundation Painting
- SA 0130 Foundation Drawing
- SA 0140 Foundation Sculpture
- Level-two courses (required for all majors)
- SA 1230 Drawing
- SA 1240 Sculpture
- SA 1250 Painting
- SA 1260 Printmaking-Etching
- SA 1270 Digital Imaging
- Level- three (electives for majors)
- Nine credits selected from SA 1330–1900 (Check the department Web site for the titles of courses in these levels.)
- Four HAA courses (13 credits), to include HAA 0010 Introduction to Art, HAA 0030 Introduction to Modern Art, and one writing intensive (W) course.
Studio arts majors must also adhere to these rules and requirements:
- Students must attain at least a 2.00 GPA in the major.
- Students may take none of their 36 credit SA major courses on the S/NC grade option or audit basis. Credit by exam is generally not available.
- Students should take one of the HAA courses required for the major as a W course.
- Students who earn a 3.50 GPA in the major and an overall 3.25 GPA receive departmental honors.
- Corequirements in HAA automatically fulfill the Dietrich School required 12-credit related area.
- Seniors are expected to exhibit their work in the Annual Student Exhibition at the University of Pittsburgh Art Gallery.
- In addition to required courses, focus in a particular medium is possible through directed study. Internships are also available in art-related fields.
- Majors may take special workshops and courses when offered, but only if they have fulfilled the prerequisites, or by departmental permission. The department recommends that a student take no more than two studio arts courses in one term.
Courses for Non-Studio Arts Majors
All level-one core courses are open to non-art majors. Non-art majors may take level-two courses but must complete the prerequisites for the specific courses. A related area in studio arts requires 12 credits. A student may elect one of the following options: 12 credits in level-one foundation courses or 12 credits within a specific field with prerequisites. Nonmajors may take special workshops and advanced courses when offered, but only if they have fulfilled the prerequisites, or by departmental permission.
Minor Requirements
The studio arts minor requires the completion of 15 credits, including the following:
- Four foundation courses
- SA 0110 Foundation Design
- SA 0120 Foundation Painting
- SA 0130 Foundation Drawing
- SA 0140 Foundation Sculpture
- Any level History of Art and Architecture course
The department recommends completing SA 0110 Foundation Design and SA 0130 Foundation Drawing before enrolling in SA 0120 Foundation Painting.