Department of Art, Design, and Communication
You want a school that helps you develop and refine your artistic talent?  91¿´Æ¬'s Department of Art, Design, and Communication provides the individualized instruction you need to secure a rewarding career in the creative field. Our coursework provides a hands-on, studio approach to art in our state-of-the-art labs and facilities.
You’ll learn from a dynamic faculty who are working artists themselves, currently exhibiting in the field. They will teach you artistic processes; methods of creative problem solving; the diversity of art materials, media and approaches; the importance of design; and the role of art history. Studio space is always available here, unlike large schools where space may be limited.
With a 14-1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 20 students, you’re never just a number at 91¿´Æ¬. In fact, many upper level courses average 10 or fewer students. We keep our classes small so you can get individualized attention from professors to ensure your success in class and beyond.'
Art Students at 91¿´Æ¬ University are encouraged to pursue individual goals. Students are challenged to develop their creative potential through the varied experiences and disciplines of the art field. Art department sponsored field trips, art. art education, and art therapy clubs, slide lectures, workshops, and exhibitions provide enrichment for students.
The curriculum is designed to expose students to a wide range of skills, capabilities, and knowledge in order to compete in their field. The liberal arts curriculum— in combination with major programs —help them think critically, develop values, and comprehend the richness of the world around them.
In order for all art students to understand the discipline of art, a foundation year has been developed to codify knowledge, introduce expectations, and hone skills. This foundation year consists of four courses: Drawing I, 2-Dimensional Design, 3-Dimensional Design, and Computer Design Basics. This common beginning allows for more effective critiques, a broad-based, understanding of the field of art, and the creation of a framework for a student to begin to explore art in their chosen area.
Sophomore review allows student to reflect on their work created in the first two years at 91¿´Æ¬. Students create a display of their portfolio of work, an artist statement of intent, and present their academic record in the courses they have taken to date. A student must have a 2.5 major GPA and successfully complete their sophomore review in order to remain as an Art major. During the review, student’s individual goals and issues are discussed with the faculty review panel. Students are provided feedback to reinforce their strengths and properly address concerns.
After successfully completing the foundation year coursework and entry-level classes, Students can choose from a variety of upper level courses. Exemplary courses include Figure Drawing, Wheel Thrown or Sculptural Ceramics, Oil Painting, Intermediate or Color Photography, and advanced Graphic Design, Art Therapy or Art Education offerings.
No matter which major you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to get hands-on experience right away through internships and other experiences. Art education majors have more than 100 hours of observing and teaching art as part of their coursework before student teaching. Art therapy majors conceptualize problems and solutions with actual clients by creating art, utilizing story and narrative, creating research journals, and role playing and game integration to promote the value of non-verbal expression.
Graphic design majors work with real nonprofits, including the Erie Small Business Development Center, Community Resources for Independence (CRI), and Dafmark Dance Theatre Academy and will graduate with a fully-prepared portfolio to use in interviews. Art Therapy, Art Education, and Studio Art majors present their work at a Senior Art Thesis exhibition held in the Cummings Art Gallery on campus.
- ACCT 101: Principles of Accounting (Three credits)
- MGMT 120: Principles of Management (Three credits)
- MKTG 162: Principles of Marketing (Three credits)
- DANC 200: Introduction to Arts Administration (Three credits)
- DANC 475: Arts Management Internship (Three credits)
- ART 128: Graphic Design Basics (Three credits)
- COM 240: Digital Video Production (Three credits)
- COM 260: Introduction to Social Media (Three credits)
- ART 321: Introduction to Website Design (Three credits)
- COM 312: Communication & Social Responsibility (Three credits)
- COM 314: Global Communications (Three credits)
- COM 330: Web & Social Media Analytics & Strategies (Three credits) Requires COM 260 to be taken previously or concurrently.
- Art 100: Drawing I (Three credits)
- Art 122 or 123: Art History (Three credits)
- Art 125: Two-Dimensional Design (Three credits)
- Art 126: Three-Dimensional Design (Three credits)
- Basic Level Two-Dimensional Studio (Three credits)
- Basic Level Three-Dimensional Studio (Three credits)
- Art Electives (Two) (Three credits)
- ART 122: Ancient to Medieval Art History (Three credits)
- ART 123: Renaissance to 20th Century Art History (Three credits)
- ART 128: Basic Computer Design (Three credits)
- ART 223: History of Modern Art (Three credits)
- ART 224: History of Photography (Three credits)
- ART 230: Graphic Design History (Three credits)
- ID 220: History of Interior Design (Three credits)
- ID 221: History of Architecture (Three credits)
- ARTH 125: Art Therapy I (Three credits)
- ARTH 225: Art Therapy II (Three credits)
- ARTH 325: Art Therapy III (Three credits)
- PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology (Three credits)
- Three approved electives (Three credits)
- COM 101: Communication in Society (Three credits) Mass Media
- COM 102: Interpersonal Communication (Three credits)
- COM 260: Introduction to Social Media (Three credits)
- Students must take three additional courses within the Communication Department, two of which must be 300-level or higher.
- ARTH 125: Introduction to Expressive Therapies (Three credits)
- PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology (Three credits)
- One developmental psychology course (Three credits):
- PSYC 241: Developmental Psychology: Childhood,
- PSYC 242: Developmental Psychology: Adolescence, or
- PSYC 142: Lifespan Development
- Abnormal Psychology (Three credits)
- COM 210: Mindful Communication (Three credits), ARTH 275: Group Practices (Three credits), or SOC 204: Diversity in Society (Three credits)
- And a least two courses in creative fields or modalities with prefixes ART, ARTH, THEA, DANC, MUS (Six credits) (At least one should be a 200-level or higher)
- ART 128: Basic Computer Design (Three credits)
- ART 220: Typographic Foundations (Three credits)
- ART 221: Digital Imagery (Three credits)
- Four approved Art and Graphic Design electives
- ART 106: Photography I
- ART 128: Basic Computer Design
- ART 206: Intermediate Photography
- ART 223: History of Modern Art
- ART 224: History of Photography
- ART 305: Digital Photography
- ART 306: Color Photography
- ART 400: Individualized Studio I
- ART 128: Graphic Design Basics (Three credits)
- COM 260: Introduction to Social Media (Three credits)
- ART 221: Digital Imagery (Three credits)
- ART 321: Introduction to Website Design (Three credits)
- ART 225: Computer Illustration Technology (Three credits)
- ART 325: Intermediate Website Design (Three credits)
- ART 326: Advanced Website Design (Three credits)
OR - COM 202: Contemporary Media Literacy (Three credits)
- COM 240: Digital Media Production I (Three credits)
- COM 330: Social Media Management (Three credits)
- THEA 110: Acting I (Three credits)
- THEA 245: Script Analysis: From Page to Stage (Three credits)
- THEA 290: Topics in Theatre History (Three credits)
- THEA 401: Practicum (Three credits)
Consists of 21 credits as follows:
Two electives of the following, at least one 300-level course.
Required Courses
Course Choices (Nine credits)
Minors (unless permitted by the department chair) are not able to take COM 390: Professional Development or COM 473/475: Internship.
Students who are majors may pursue the Minor Electives Cluster in Website Design in the Art Department. In contrast, Graphic Design majors may pursue the Minor Electives Cluster in Communication.
Required Courses
Minor Electives Cluster
Choose two: If courses in the minor cluster are required for your major, please take the opposite cluster.
Heather Denning, M.A., LPAT, ATR-BC, ATCS, LSW
Chair, Department of Art, Design, and Communication
Director of Art Therapy
Office: Zurn 121A
Meet the Faculty
Art
