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Q.I think I want to major in Studio Art. What courses should I take?
A. If possible, students should take the First-Year Seminar that is offered from the department, and take Drawing I or Design.
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Q. I think I want to major in Art History. What courses should I take?
A. If possible, students should take the First-Year Seminar that is offered through our department, and take History of Western Art I in their fall semester.
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Q. What course can I take to help me decide if I want to major in Studio Art?
A.You should take an introductory art class, such as Drawing I or Design. Both of these courses introduce you to fundamentals of art. You might also contact Steven Pearson in the Studio department: spearson@mcdaniel.edu.
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Q. What courses can I take to help me decide if I want to major in Art History?
A.You should think about taking History of Western Art I and II, which will also fulfill your Heritage Sequence requirement, which is one of your Basic Liberal Arts Requirements (we affectionately call them BLARS). This two-semester sequence class is also required for the major – both studio and art history – so you’re getting two birds with the single proverbial stone!
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Q. Which courses can I take in the department if I have another major?
A.Take any elective! Give it a whirl! We always encourage non-majors to come to our classes, especially in art history.
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Q. What kinds of jobs do graduates who majored in Art or Art History have?
A. Our graduates are now working in Graphic Design firms, attending graduate programs in Studio Art, Medical Illustration, Art History, or Museum Studies, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools throughout the United States. Students majoring in art may plan their programs for graduate study in studio art, graphic design, art history, or for public school teaching.
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Q. Do I have to have a Portfolio Review to be allowed to major in Studio Art?
A. No, you don't need a portfolio review. We welcome students of all levels of talent.
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Q. Does this department sponsor any special programs or internships?
A.The Department offers a range of experiences, including the opportunity to view monthly shows in our own Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, where students can meet local, regional, and national artists. Art and Art History majors may also participate in special projects, including the creation of painted murals or outdoor sculpture pieces. Other opportunities include internships in Graphic Design or in Museum Studies working with our own collection of Ancient and Native American art. Field trips to galleries in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and New York City broaden the horizons of students.
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Q. Can I major in Art or Art History and still study abroad?
A. All members of the Art and Art History Department STRONGLY encourage you to study abroad! It is quite easy to do in the arts, as there are many programs that will allow you to take art history and studio electives while you study in another country. Italy is always a popular choice, as is France, Germany and Greece. We in the department will work with you to find electives that will fit and count towards the major. We also sponsor trips abroad during January Term, and in the past have offered trips to Italy, France and other artistic destinations.
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Q. Do I need any special computer equipment for courses in graphic design?
A. In the graphic design field, Macs reign supreme. Here at McDaniel, to give students the best possible training in the field, we have a state of the art Mac Lab where all computer graphics and web design classes are held. While the software for Macs are also available for PCs, it would help if you had a Mac since that is the preferred computer for use by experts in the field.
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Q. What are the major requirements in…
A. Studio Art: Nine Studio Art courses, History of Western Art I and II and ART 4465 Capstone Experience (1 hr.), which is the creation of a body of work and preparation of a Senior Show. Art History: History of Western Art I and II, six additional Art History courses, including a special topics course and a non-western art history course, Western Civilizations I and II, Ancient and Medieval Philosophy or Modern Philosophy. If you want to pursue art history at the graduate level, we strongly suggest you have 1 to 2 years in either French or German. We also have specialized tracks in the major for graphic design, combination Art and Art History, and Medical Illustration. You should check your catalogue for the specifics of these tracks. Also, we have two Dual Majors: Art/Communication and History/Art History. You can find the information on these programs in the Dual Majors section of the cataloge.
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Q. How can I major in Art and complete a minor in education?
A. The requirements for a minor in education are clearly laid out in the cataloge. It takes much advance planning, and it is a good idea to have an advisor in the Art and Art History Department, as well as from the Education Department.
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Q. What are the minor requirements for Studio Art?
A. For a minor in Studio Art, we require five studio courses of your choosing. (20 credit hours) For a minor in Art History, we require History of Western Art I and II and three additional upper-level courses in Art History. (20 hours).
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