Submitted to: ARCC
Submitted by: Department of Fine and Performing Arts
Date: Nov 20, 2014
GENERAL OVERVIEW:
The department of Fine and Performing Arts undertook a strategic planning exercise from December 2013 through to October 2014. The planning process involved the review of several relevant documents, such as our most recent UPRAC review, PPP and enrolment data, Nipissing’s Strategic Plan, among others. The department also consulted with students from all levels of the program.
The proposed changes will:
- Provide greater flexibility, choice, and multiple pathways to support individualized, student-centred learning;
- Ease progression through the program;
- Encourage disciplinary breadth and provide opportunities for specialized/advanced level study in each studio concentration;
- Foster discipline specific and interdisciplinary inquiry;
- Foster technical facility and writing skills in fine art;
- Increase/strengthen contemporary offerings;
- Provide critical theory before 4th year;
- Introduce digital media/technology;
- Provide professional practice and experiential learning opportunities;
- Improve enrolment and retention.
Our department recognizes the current financial pressures faced by the university. Most of the proposed changes are simple course modifications. We will also delete severalexisting courses to make room for new courses, which we expect will make our program more competitive and help us attract new students to Nipissing. We intend to offer a similar number of credits as currently offered, so the changes will not increase the cost of delivering the program.
We anticipate some impact on existing students, mostly those who are at the third and fourth years of the program. We have plans to address these issues, and will work closely with academic advising to identify cases where individual and/or global petitions will be required. Given the feedback we received from our students and their overwhelming support for the changes being proposed, we expect that most students will choose to follow the new degree requirements.
Some of our art history courses are currently cross-listed with other departments such as GESJ, CLAS, and NATI. We are in the process of contacting those departments and should have confirmation of their support before these motions are received by ARCC. We have also been in touch with Robert Hemmings from the Arts and Culture program in Muskoka. That program is also undergoing significant revision this year. We expect that our changes will easily adapt to their new program requirements.
The department unanimously approved the following changes by electronic vote on October 21st 2014.
Course Modifications
RATIONALE – Motions 1-86:
The following course modifications represent a rebrandingof our existing courses. These changes will also improve the selection of course offerings for our students. For example, we currently offer two sections each of Painting I and Painting II per year, for a total of 12 credits. We will retitle these courses to remove the implied sequencing, transforming them into true standalone courses, and will instead offer three distinct 2000 level painting courses, for a total of 9cr. This change will reduce the total number of credits offered in painting, allowing us to broaden our studio offerings in other areas, such as sculpture and digital media. At the same time, students will now have three 3cr courses to choose from in painting, rather than two. These changes will provide a more substantial program that should be more attractive to prospective students.
We are also moving a few courses from one level of the program to another. This will allow us to offer all of our studio concentrations (e.g. painting, printmaking, etc.) at both the introductory and intermediate levels of the program.
Motion #1:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course description for Art History I be changed from
This survey course, that examines the major movements and artists in art and architecture from Prehistory to the Renaissance, emphasizes how social, religious, political and economic forces give shape to art and artistic practices. Introduces the language of art history used to evaluate the critique works of art through visual analysis. Topics include spirituality, the afterlife, art and propaganda, and patronage.
To
This course explores the history of art and visual representations from pre-history to the thirteenth century. In particular, the course focuses on the relationship between cultural objects and historical context in order to help students develop a greater understanding of the role of art in society and the field of Art History and Visual Studies. Additionally, the class will help students to develop writing skills in relation to art and visual methodologies.
Motion #2:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course description for Art History II be changed from
This course continues the investigation of major movements, canonical figures and thematic issues in the history of art from the fifteenth through to the twentieth century. Focuses upon the continuing development of the skills of analysis and interpretation of works of art within their socio-historical context, recognizing that artworks are not produced in isolation, but stand as both aesthetic and cultural artifacts and forces.
To
This course explores the history of art and visual representations from the fourteenth century onwards. In particular, the course focuses on the relationship between cultural objects and historical context in order to help students develop a greater understanding of the role of art in society and the field of Art History and Visual Studies. Additionally, the class will help students to develop writing skills in relation to art and visual methodologies.
Motion #3:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the prerequisite for FAVA 1207 Art History II be changed from “FAVA 1206 Art History I” to “no prerequisite”.
Motion #4:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course description for Art Fundamentals I be changed from
How and why is art made? Why does contemporary art seem hard to understand? What tools and materials are used? How do you judge whether or not a work of art is successful? In this introductory studio-based course students will explore both traditional and non-traditional concepts of art, learn to use a range of materials, study the elements and principles of two and three-dimensional design and critique their own works and those of their peers.
To
In this course, students will engage in studio-based activities that will build understanding of the formal elements of 2-D and 3-D art forms and the fundamentals of art. The course focuses on core concepts, such as space, form, content, principles of design within a context of current studio practices. Students will gain experience with concept development, as well as critical and creative problem solving.
Motion #5:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course title for Art Fundamentals I be changed to Studio Foundations.
Motion #6:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course description for Art Fundamentals II be changed from
How do artists develop the ideas and the skills that drive their work? How do artists navigate between personal and collective meaning? Through extended studio projects and classroom exercises, students will develop greater competence in expanding upon personal source material in the preparation of their own works.
To
This course introduces students to contemporary studio practice, issues and theory. Emphasis will be placed on the development of content in artwork, idea generation, and critical and creative thinking. A range of approaches and practices will be explored, guided by the premise that content leads form.
Motion #7:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the prerequisite for Art Fundamentals II be changed from “FAVA 1206 Art Fundamentals I” to “no prerequisite”.
Motion #8:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course title for Art Fundamentals II be changed to Contemporary Studio Practice.
Motion #9:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course description for Modern Art and Design History I be changed from
A comprehensive survey of the major arts and design movements in Europe and North America from the nineteenth to the early twentieth century. Explores the development of art and design theory and practice in the context of the rapid changes taking place in the social and political environment of modern life. The impact of revolution, industrialization and urbanization upon art and design will be examined as well as the development of new technologies and methods.
To
This course explores art and design practices during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In particular, this course will examine these practices in relation to the rapid changes of social and political life that characterize modernity, such as urbanization, industrialization, technological innovation, global capitalism, and colonialism.
Motion #10:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the prerequisite for Modern Art and Design History I be changed from “FAVA 1207” to “either FAVA 1206 or FAVA 1207”.
Motion #11:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course title for Modern Art and Design History I be changed to Modern Art and Design.
Motion #12:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course description for Modern Art and Design History II be changed from
Focuses on the movements and themes that dominate art and design and the artists whose individual expression redefined artistic traditions in the twentieth century. Examines artists and their work within their political, social and theoretical context.
To
This course focuses on modern artworks or art movements that have brought about cultural change, social reform, or political action in different historical periods and geopolitical contexts.
Motion #13:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the prerequisite for Modern Art and Design History II be changed from “FAVA 1207” to “either FAVA 1206 or FAVA 1207”.
Motion #14:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course title for Modern Art and Design History II be changed to Modern Art History and Social Movements.
Motion #15:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course description for Canadian Art History I be changed from
This art and design history course explores various themes selected from Canadian visual cultural history from 1500 to 1900 and examines problems of changing values in society. The contributions of both indigenous and immigrant groups will be included.
To
This course focuses on art and cultural production through the lens of the formation of Canada pre-1900. In particular, this course aims to use art and cultural objects to question the idea of “Canada” in relation to a variety of topics that may include histories of Euro-settler-Indigenous contact, colonial expansion, immigration, nation-building, and the installation of liberalism.
Motion #16:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the prerequisite for Canadian Art History I be changed from “FAVA 1207” to “either FAVA 1206 or FAVA 1207”.
Motion #17:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course code for Canadian Art History I be changed from “FAVA 3376” to “FAVA 2276”.
Motion #18:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course title for Canadian Art History I be changed to Visualizing Canada Pre-1900.
Motion #19:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that FAVA 3376 be listed as an antirequisite for FAVA 2276 Visualizing Canada Pre-1900.
Motion #20:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course description for Canadian Art History II be changed from
This art and design history course is a continuation of FAVA 3376 and explores various themes selected from Canadian visual cultural history from 1900 to present and examines problems of changing values in society. The contributions of both indigenous and immigrant groups will be included.
To
This course examines art and cultural production in Canada during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The course explores the category of Canadian art in relation to the socio-political context of the modern and contemporary periods that may include the histories of Indigenous representation and self-representation, multiculturalism, regionalism, feminism, queer sexualities, and international war.
Motion #21:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the prerequisite for Canadian Art History II be changed from “FAVA 1207” to “either FAVA 1206 or FAVA 1207”.
Motion #22:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course code for Canadian Art History II be changed from “FAVA 3377” to “FAVA 2277”.
Motion #23:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course title for Canadian Art History II be changed to Art and Culture in Modern and Contemporary Canada.
Motion #24:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that FAVA 3377 be listed as an antirequisite for FAVA 2277 Art and Culture in Modern and Contemporary Canada.
Motion #25:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course description for Drawing I be changed from
This studio-based course is designed to strengthen students' understanding and practice of the fundamentals of drawing. Emphasis will be placed on observational drawing, the development of perceptual skills and technical facility.
To
This studio-based course strengthens students’ understanding and practice of the fundamentals of drawing. Emphasis will be placed on observational drawing, the development of perceptual skills, and technical facility. This course also serves as an introduction to the materials, processes and concepts within the discipline of drawing.
Motion #26:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course title for Drawing I be changed to Observational Drawing.
Motion #27:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course description for Drawing II be changed from
This studio-based course is designed to continue building students' understanding and practice of drawing from Drawling I. While observational drawing, the development of perceptual skills, and technical facility will continue to be a focus, this course also promotes the exploration of drawing as a conceptual tool and expressive medium.
To
In this studio-based course, students will explore the expressive potential of drawing and will critically and creatively engage with the practice of drawing. Emphasis will be placed on how materials, process, value, mark-making, and composition are integral to developing the visual communication and content of a drawing. This course will also serve as an introduction to the materials, processes, and concepts within the discipline of drawing.
Motion #28:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course title for Drawing II be changed to Expressive Drawing.
Motion #29:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course description for FAVA 2026 Painting I be changed from
This studio-based course will address the practical and theoretical concerns of painting. Emphasis will be placed on the fundamentals of easel painting, the theory and chemistry of paint, colour mixing, the use of various tools, and paint application. Students will explore traditional techniques such as underpinning, glazing, and impasto.
To
This studio-based course introduces students to a selection of methods and materials in use from the Renaissance period onwards. Students will become familiar with paint media and develop their understanding of colour mixing. A variety of methods will be covered, including alla prima, underpainting, and glazing.
Motion #30:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course title for FAVA 2026 Painting I be changed to Painting: Historical Methods and Materials.
Motion #31:
That ARCC recommend to the Arts and Science Executive that the course description for FAVA 2027 Painting II be changed from
This studio-based course will build upon knowledge gained in Painting I. Additional paint media and techniques will be introduced. Students will further develop their technical facility, and will explore ideas and concepts related to painted image.
To
This studio-based course introduces students to a variety of painting strategies using primarily unconventional and contemporary painting techniques and materials. Coursework may include some or all of the following: image transfer and projection, digitally generated and/or manipulated images, collage, built surfaces, and installation.