Craft and Material Studies, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)

Special requirements

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Craft and Material Studies requires a minimum of 120 credits, including 47 in the major. A minimum of 45 of the 120 credits must be 300- and/or 400-level courses. To be admitted into the major, students must successfully complete Art Foundation requirements. Students become affiliated with a major department after the departmental portfolio reviews in the spring semester of the Art Foundation year. At that time the student applies to the department of his or her choice. Department acceptance is competitive and is based on individual student performance and potential in their chosen area. To enroll in an advanced-level craft course, majors must have earned a minimum grade of C in all courses prerequisite for that course.

The Department of Craft and Material Studies offers a professionally oriented program that leads to a Bachelor of Fine Arts with focus areas in ceramics, fiberwork/fabric design, glassworking, metalsmithing/jewelry or woodworking/furniture design. Within these areas of specialization, courses are designed to assist students in developing concepts, personal direction, and the necessary skills and technical competencies to enable them to pursue a professional career or graduate study. In addition to the areas of study, students have the opportunity for a diverse education in the liberal arts and humanities. Students are encouraged to select courses in other schools in the university that will add to their general knowledge. A student may elect a minor area of study in any department or program offering a minor. The minor can be used to fulfill career objectives or to investigate a discipline of secondary interest.

Career opportunities for craft majors include setting up an independent studio or gallery, restoration or repair work, teaching or participating in the Artist-in-Residence programs in the public schools, and consulting and designing for industry.

Degree requirements for Craft and Material Studies, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)

Learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:

An understanding of aesthetic and multicultural issues: The students will demonstrate an understanding and proficiency in craft, design, art and issues.
An understanding of the contemporary field of craft: Students will demonstrate and understand the symbolic relationship and potential impact of contemporary craft and art on culture. Students will be able to contextualize individual artistic research within art history and contemporary art.
Utilize critique skills: The students will be able to use knowledge gained from critique to improve creative work. The students will demonstrate proficiency in critiquing peers’ creative work. The students will be able to demonstrate critical thinking about their own work and that of others.
Technical development and proficiency: The students will demonstrate proficiency of basic, intermediate and advanced craft techniques within their specific field media.
Professional practice: The students will demonstrate an understanding of the career demands of a contemporary craft artist, and how to pursue a career through multiple paths.
Become skilled maker: The students will be able to develop comprehensive and unique portfolios. Students will be able to develop and articulate their own ideas — conceptual and formal — via conversation, presentation skills and writing.
Independent reflection: The students will develop an understanding in their ability to interpret their individual motivation in their artwork and studio practice. Students will be able to maintain a self-motivated and self-directed mode of research/studio practice.

General Education requirements	Credits
University Core Education Curriculum (minimum 21 credits)
UNIV 111 Focused Inquiry I	3
UNIV 112 Focused Inquiry II	3
UNIV 200 Writing and Rhetoric	3
Approved humanities/fine arts	3
Approved natural/physical sciences	3-4
Approved quantitative literacy	3-4
Approved social/behavioral sciences	3-4

Additional School of the Arts requirement (9 credits)

ENGL 215 Textual Analysis	3
General Education electives: (Select 6 credits from approved University Core courses.)	6

Collateral requirements (33 credits)
Art Foundation requirements
ARTF 131 Drawing Studio	3
ARTF 132 Surface Research	3
ARTF 133 Space Research	3
ARTF 134 Time Studio	3
ARTF 139 Project	2
Art History Foundation year requirements
ARTH 103 Survey of Western Art I	3
ARTH 104 Survey of Western Art II	3
ARTH elective: (Select 6 credit hours from: ARTH 145-599)	6
ARTH non-Western topic: (Select 3 credit hours from list below)	3
Other arts requirement: (Select 4 credit hours from PAPR 205-491 and/or SCPT 211-491)	4

Major requirements (49 credits)
CRAF 282 Sophomore Seminar	3
CRAF 382 Junior Seminar	3
CRAF 480 Senior Studio/Critique Course	4
CRAF 482 Senior seminar (capstone)	3
Basic craft (Complete 12 credit hours from list below)	12
Advanced craft (Complete 24 credit hours from list below)	24

Open electives (8 credits)	8

Total minimum requirement	120

Electives

Art history non-Western: select 3 credits
ARTH 145, 146, 207, 245, 301, 335, 342, 345, 347, 350, 358, 440, 449-452, 454, 549, 552, 554

Basic craft: select 12 credits
CRAF 211, 221, 240, 251, 252, 261, 262

Advanced craft: select 24 credits
CRAF 301, 302, 320, 321, 322, 341, 342, 351, 352, 353, 361,362, 363, 364, 369, 401, 402, 421, 422, 441, 442, 446, 447, 451, 452, 461, 462, 463, 464, 491, 492, 493, 494, 591

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