Bachelor of Fine Arts Fine Arts with a Major in Painting and Drawing (BFA)
Requirements
Lower-Division General Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | 0-6 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| The Nature of Science | 8 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
Written Communication: Grade of C or better required in both courses and in ENGL 110C before declaring a major in fine arts.
Neither ARTH 121A nor ARTS 122A may be used to satisfy the Human Creativity requirement.
Impact of Technology can be fulfilled in the major with ARTH 435W Modern Architecture.
Upper-Division General Education
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Option A: Approved Minor (minimum 12 hours), second degree, or second major
-
Option B: Interdisciplinary Minor (specifically 12 hours; 3 credit hours may be in the major area of study)
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Option C: An approved certification program, such as Teaching Licensure (hours vary)
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Option D: Two 300/400 upper level courses (6 hours) from outside the College of Arts and Letters or from the Social Science Component within the College of Arts and Letters that are not required by the major.
A student may take a double major, but no more than two courses may be used for both majors. Note that a second major fulfills the upper-division general education requirements.
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation include the following:
- Minimum of 120 credit hours.
- Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
- Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
- Completion of Senior Assessment.
Painting and Drawing Major
The Painting and Drawing major supports the investigation of various methods, forms and histories of painting and drawing in addition to the spaces these modes occupy in the contemporary sphere. Students begin their studies with a thorough grounding in the skills required to successfully engage the traditions and contemporary practices of painting and drawing. Initial coursework provides students strong technical, perceptual and visualization skills through a comprehensive and rigorous Foundations and Studio Core curriculum, gaining material handling competencies of both painting and drawing media. Intermediate coursework includes a review and expansion of these competencies with exploration into the expressive potential of painting and drawing through thematically-driven projects. Advanced coursework provides students the tools to develop individual bodies of work exploring individualized preferred concepts, subject matter, techniques, and media.
Painting and Drawing students are recognized as artists and are treated as such; their individual voices are vital to the learning experience cultivated within the program. Painting and Drawing students generate artworks that position them for success in today’s competitive market. At the conclusion of their studies, painting and drawing students are capable of creating works of personal pursuit that display an understanding of the historical and contemporary contexts of art making. Additionally, students will have obtained a high level of technical facility, knowledge of professional practice standards, as well as an appreciation for the limitless possibilities of their creativity and the multitude of tools at their disposal.
Art History Foundations Core
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 150 | Global Survey of Art History | 3 |
| 200-level Art History (ARTH) Survey Course | 3 | |
| Select one of the following Writing Intensive courses: * | 3 | |
| History of Graphic Design | ||
| Art Criticism | ||
| Research Methods in Art History | ||
| Modern Architecture | ||
| 300-level Art History (ARTH) Elective Course | 3 | |
| 400-level Art History (ARTH) Elective Course | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
Art Studio Foundations Core
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARTS 202 | Two-Dimensional Design and Color Theory | 3 |
| ARTS 203 | Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ARTS 204 | Foundational Concepts in Studio Art | 3 |
| ARTS 231 | Drawing I: Fundamentals of Drawing | 3 |
| ARTS 279 | Digital Basics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
Art Studio Required Coursework
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARTS 211 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 3 |
| ARTS 241 | Painting I | 3 |
| ARTS 261 | Introduction to Sculpture | 3 |
| ARTS 331 | Drawing II | 3 |
| Select one of the following Printmaking courses: | 3 | |
| Print I: Intaglio and Relief | ||
| Print I: Screenprint and Lithography | ||
| Print I: Letterpress and Book Arts | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
Painting and Drawing Major
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Complete lower-division requirements | 38-47 | |
| Complete upper-division requirements (minimum of 6 credit hours) | 6 | |
| Core | ||
| Complete Art History Foundations, Art Studio Foundations, and Art Studio required courses | 45 | |
| Painting and Drawing | ||
| ARTS 341 | Painting II | 3 |
| ARTS 343 | Techniques in Abstraction | 3 |
| ARTS 432 | Figure Drawing Anatomy | 3 |
| ARTS 441 | Advanced Painting and Drawing | 3 |
| ARTS 442 | Painting and Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTS 445 | Hybrid Approaches to Painting and Drawing | 3 |
| ARTS 456 | 2D Seminar | 3 |
| Select two of the following elective courses: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Ceramics | ||
| Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing | ||
or ARTS 392 | Blacksmithing | |
| Print II: The Hybrid Print | ||
or ARTS 352 | Print II: Medium Intensive | |
| Internship ** | ||
| Topics in Studio Art (Painting and/or Drawing) ** | ||
| Figure Drawing/ Composition | ||
| Assemblage | ||
| The Book | ||
| Topics in Studio Art (Painting and/or Drawing) ** | ||
| Tutorial Work in Special Studio Topics ** | ||
| Tutorial Work in Special Studio Topics ** | ||
| ARTS 400 | Senior Show (Capstone Course) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 119-128 | |
- *
C or better required
- **
With painting and drawing faculty approval
Additional Requirements and Information
Admission
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a professional degree that focuses on intensive creative work in the following majors: 3D Media and Material Studies, Graphic Design, Painting and Drawing, and Photography and Print Media. The BFA does not have a freshman entrance portfolio review for admission. Students who are pursuing the BFA degree must consult with the Art Department’s Chief Departmental Advisor before or during their first semester at ODU. Students are expected to begin their art studio foundations coursework in their first year of study.
Continuance
Students seeking continuance into any of the BFA majors must first successfully complete the art studio foundations coursework with a minimum grade of C. Students must then submit a portfolio of their work for evaluation by faculty within the major. The specific submission requirements for each major are listed on the Art Department website. After successfully completing the portfolio review, students will continue upper-level coursework in the major.
Transfer Requirements
For the BA degree in visual studies, students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Old Dominion University. These 30 credits must include a minimum of 21 studio credit hours that include 12 credit hours at the 300/400 levels.
For the BA degree in art history, students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Old Dominion University, which must include a minimum of 12 credit hours at the 300/400 levels.
A minimum of 36 credit hours in studio art (with 12 minimum at the 300/400 levels) from Old Dominion University is required for all BFA majors except art education.
For the BFA with majors in art education, 33 credit hours in studio art and 12 credits hours in art history are required along with 15 credit hours in art education. The 15 credit hour core curriculum in art education must be completed at ODU, unless transferred from a CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) and approved by the program director. Art history and 200-level studio credits may be transferable, with approval from the Art Department chief departmental advisor. Transferable course requirements pertaining to licensure that come from the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies professional education coursework must be approved through the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies if they do not meet the already pre-approved transferable courses.
For a minor in either art history, studio arts or studio art photography, transfer students must complete two elective courses in art history at the 300/400 level at Old Dominion University.
Before registering for classes, transfer students who enroll in the BFA (all majors) or the BA in visual studies must submit a portfolio of work for review by the Art Department chief departmental advisor who will determine which transferable courses will meet equivalent requirements in the major. Transfer students for the BFA with majors in art education must also be approved by the art education program director who will determine which transferable art education and professional courses will meet equivalent requirements in the major and those that must still be completed for licensure. Appointments for transfer portfolio evaluations must be made prior to registration for classes.
Degree Program Guide
The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years. It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition 1 | 3 |
| Language and Culture I (May be waived; See requirement details) | 0-3 | |
| ARTS 202 | Two-Dimensional Design and Color Theory | 3 |
| ARTS 204 | Foundational Concepts in Studio Art | 3 |
| ARTS 231 | Drawing I: Fundamentals of Drawing | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective or Language and Culture II (May be waived; See requirement details) | 1-3 | |
| ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C |
Writing, Rhetoric, and Research 1 or Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics |
3 |
| ARTS 203 | Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ARTS 279 | Digital Basics | 3 |
| ARTS 331 | Drawing II | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 13-15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| The Nature of Science I | 4 | |
| Mathematical Skills | 3 | |
| ARTH 150 | Global Survey of Art History | 3 |
| ARTS 241 | Painting I | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Print I: Intaglio and Relief | ||
| Print I: Screenprint and Lithography | ||
| Print I: Letterpress and Book Arts | ||
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| The Nature of Science II | 4 | |
| ARTH 200-level Survey course | 3 | |
| ARTS 211 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 3 |
| ARTS 261 | Introduction to Sculpture | 3 |
| ARTS 341 | Painting II | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Voice and Diction | ||
| Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| History of Graphic Design | ||
| Art Criticism | ||
| Research Methods in Art History | ||
| Modern Architecture | ||
| ARTS 432 | Figure Drawing Anatomy | 3 |
| ARTS 445 | Hybrid Approaches to Painting and Drawing | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARTS 343 | Techniques in Abstraction | 3 |
| ARTH 300-level elective course | 3 | |
| ARTS 2XX/3XX/4XX elective course | 3 | |
| Human Creativity (May not use ARTH 121A or ARTS 122A) | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| ARTS 441 | Advanced Painting and Drawing | 3 |
| ARTS 456 | 2D Seminar | 3 |
| ARTH 400-level elective course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Option D Course | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Literature | ||
| American Writers, American Experiences | ||
| Introduction to World Literatures and Cultures | ||
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARTS 442 | Painting and Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTS 400 | Senior Show | 3 |
| Impact of Technology (May be fulfilled in the major with ARTH 435W) | 0-3 | |
| ARTS 3XX/4XX-level elective course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Option D Course* | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-128 | |
- 1
Grade of C or better required
Linked Bachelor's in Art, Visual Studies and Fine Arts and MA in Humanities
The linked bachelor's programs in art history, visual studies and fine arts and the MA in humanities make it possible for exceptional students to count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both an undergraduate and graduate degree. Students must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree). Please refer to the Humanities section of this Catalog for additional information on the linked programs.
BA or BS to MBA (Master of Business Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MBA or BS/MBA program is an early entry to the MBA program of study. The early-entry program is designed for well qualified non-business undergraduate ODU students to start their MBA program prior to completing their undergraduate degree. Well qualified non-business undergraduate students may take MBA-level courses as early as three semesters prior to graduation and count up to 12 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree. Students participating in the early-entry program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree). Early-entry program students should carefully consider their undergraduate degree program requirements when planning their course of study. Students in the early-entry program work in close consultation with the MBA Program Office and should refer to information in the Strome College of Business section in the graduate catalog to develop an individualized plan of study based on the required coursework.
BA or BS to MPA (Master of Public Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MPA or BS/MPA program provides qualified Old Dominion University undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in public administration while taking credits in the MPA program as an undergraduate student. The program is designed for highly motivated students with the desire to immediately continue their education after the bachelor's degree. The program is especially relevant to individuals seeking to work (or currently working) in the public or non-profit sectors, but is suitable for students from any undergraduate major. Graduate courses may be taken during the fall and spring semester of the student's senior undergraduate year. Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree and can meet upper-level General Education requirements. After receiving the undergraduate degree, a student will continue with the MPA program, taking MPA courses until completing the required 39 credit hours. Students in the linked program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).
Requirements for admission to the graduate program can be found in the School of Public Service section of the Graduate Catalog. For additional information, please contact the School of Public Service in the Strome College of Business.