- Our Faculty
- Majoring & Minoring
- Curriculum
- Special Opportunities
- After Southwestern
- Department Home Page
Contact us:
Art and Art History Department
Southwestern University
P.O. Box 770
Georgetown, TX 78627
Chair of Art History
Thomas Noble Howe, Ph.D.
Professor Art and Art History,
512-863-1376
howet@southwestern.edu
Chair of Studio Art
Victoria Star Varner, M.F.A.
Professor of Art,
512-863-1355
varnervs@southwestern.edu
Courses
Below you will find a list of our current or recent offerings. See the course catalog for descriptions and updated information.
Studio Art
-
70-001 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
70-002 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
70-003 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
70-004 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
70-203 DRAWING IA study of the nature of drawing as visual language with an emphasis upon descriptive rendering. (FAP)
-
70-213 DRAWING IIFigure drawing with an emphasis on the enduring historical and aesthetic significance of figurative art. Models will be provided for the study of proportion, structure and articulation of the human body as well as the formal means toward expressive drawing. Non-figurative concepts will be studied th...
-
70-223 DRAWING IIIA course in figure drawing and non-figurative contemporary drawing. The course is an extension of the figurative concepts introduced in Drawing II, with a greater emphasis on understanding the structure of the human body. Other related topics are covered and vary with the interests of the class memb...
-
70-301 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
70-302 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
70-303 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
70-304 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
70-323 PRINTMAKING: INTAGLIOA beginning study of fundamental techniques, history and theory of intaglio prints (etching, aquatint, soft ground, drypoint). Black and white and color. The assignments are designed to explore creative, technical and formal means toward expressive form. (Spring, odd years) (FAP)
-
70-333 PRINTMAKING: LITHOGRAPHYA beginning study of fundamental techniques, history and theory of lithographic prints. Black and white and color. The assignments are designed to explore creative, technical and formal means toward expressive form. (Spring, even years) (FAP)
-
70-403 SCULPTURE: FIGURATIVEA studio course that introduces the study of the methods, materials and tools of sculpture and general concepts of sculptural forms. A significant portion of this course is devoted to the study of figure structure via clay, wax, wood and/or stone. Students are expected to work toward innovation and ...
-
70-413 SCULPTURE: ABSTRACTThe study and manipulation of space, form and construction process available to the contemporary artist. Assignments emphasize an investigation of the expressive qualities of form in space. (Spring) (FAP)
-
70-423 SCULPTURE: STUDIO SEMINARAn examination and discussion of intersections of aesthetic, intellectual and societal issues in contemporary sculpture. Topics develop from the needs and interests of the students relevant to their own artwork. It is expected that the work produced in this course will constitute the portfolio requi...
-
70-463 CERAMICS: HAND-FORMINGA study of various forming methods used in the production of pottery with an emphasis on hand-building. Other topics include: ceramic materials and their use; low-fire and mid-range clay and glaze formulation; decorating techniques; studio procedures; a general survey of the history of pottery; theo...
-
70-473 CERAMICS: WHEEL-FORMINGA study of the various methods used in the production of pottery with an emphasis on wheel-forming techniques. Other topics include: decorating techniques; high-fire clay and glaze formulation; and the history, theory and criticism of pottery with an emphasis on the modern period (c. 1850-1970). (Fa...
-
70-483 CERAMICS: STUDIO SEMINARIn this course, students are encouraged to pursue personal concepts and ideas directed toward the production of a cohesive body of work. In consultation with the instructor, students will develop individual research and creative projects and are expected to be able to work independently. The work pr...
-
70-493 CERAMICS: RAKUVarious pottery forming techniques will be considered including basic hand-building and wheel-forming, firing the kiln, and simple glaze formulation. The aesthetic theory that informs this approach to making pottery will be discussed, and the history of raku will be covered. (Summer) (FAP) (IP)
-
70-503 REPRESENTATIONAL PAINTINGA beginning studio course emphasizing the production of paintings that relate to the history and theory of art in various styles including realism and expressionism. This course takes an historical approach to materials and technique, traditional practices, as well as the use of representational ide...
-
70-513 ABSTRACT PAINTINGA beginning studio course emphasizing the production of paintings that relate to the history and theory of art in various abstract styles. This course takes an historical approach to materials and technique, abstract painting practices, as well as the use of ideas in contemporary abstract art. Stude...
-
70-523 PAINTING: STUDIO SEMINARPrimarily a studio class, the seminar provides an examination of recent developments in contemporary art, as they relate to intellectual, aesthetic and societal trends. Students are encouraged to develop a coherent body of paintings, drawings or prints which explore their own creative interests in c...
-
70-603 COMPUTER IMAGINGA studio art course that introduces the application and integration of three-dimensional modeling software that can be used to create and animate two- and three-dimensional forms. This course will use a variety of modeling software, including Adobe Photoshop, to create artworks. Students are expecte...
-
70-613 FILM PHOTOGRAPHYAn introduction to the history, theory and basic processes of black and white film photography. Assignments emphasize the development of compositional and critical skills in producing an expressive image. Single Lens Reflex camera with manual aperture required. (FAP)
-
70-623 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHYA study of a variety of digital photographic techniques for both black and white and color. Assignments emphasize the development of compositional and critical skills in producing an expressive image. Technical skills covered include refinement of exposure, post-image capture processing, compression...
-
70-643 COMPUTER ANIMATIONA studio art course that emphasizes artistic and aesthetic creativity in using computer animation and modeling techniques as a form of visual expression. The history and theory of animation, varieties of narrative, visual animated expressions and types of animation software will be covered. Students...
-
70-703 ARCHITECTURAL STUDIO I: INTRODUCTION TO DRAFTING AND PROGRAMMATIC DESIGNIntroduction to fundamentals of architectural drafting (drawing plans, sections, elevations, mechanical perspective, rendering) and principles of design (design to a program, formal systems). Material is presented in terms of one long and one or two short projects. Students who wish to complete a mi...
-
70-713 ARCHITECTURAL STUDIO II: HISTORICAL DESIGNFive or six short design projects in the formal vocabularies of Neo-Classicism, Baroque, Gothic, and early Modern. Prerequisite: Art 70-703 or ability to draw plans, sections and elevations. Studio II and Studio III can be taken in either order. Students who wish to complete a minor in Architecture ...
-
70-723 ARCHITECTURAL STUDIO III: MODERN STRUCTURESEmpirical and intuitive introduction to construction and structures with four to six design projects in different media. Prerequisite: Art 70-703 or ability to draw plans and sections. Studio II and Studio III can be taken in either order. Students who wish to complete a minor in Architecture and De...
-
70-753 DESIGN IAn introduction to the history, theory and practice of design. This course deals with the analysis of visual perception directed toward understanding the expressive nature of creative design. The objective of this course is to encourage visual awareness and to promote the development of various skil...
-
70-763 DESIGN IIRefinement and elaboration of the basic design concepts and skills presented in Design I. Professional standards for documentation and presentation will be stressed. Students who wish to complete a minor in Architecture and Design should register for this course under the 69- number. Prerequisite: A...
-
70-901 TUTORIAL70-941, 942, 943, 944 INTERNSHIP. Internships related to specific fields of study. Must be taken Pass/D/F.
-
70-902 TUTORIAL70-941, 942, 943, 944 INTERNSHIP. Internships related to specific fields of study. Must be taken Pass/D/F.
-
70-903 TUTORIAL70-941, 942, 943, 944 INTERNSHIP. Internships related to specific fields of study. Must be taken Pass/D/F.
-
70-904 TUTORIAL70-941, 942, 943, 944 INTERNSHIP. Internships related to specific fields of study. Must be taken Pass/D/F.
-
70-951 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN STUDIO ARTMay be repeated with a change of topic. At the invitation of the instructor.
-
70-952 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN STUDIO ARTMay be repeated with a change of topic. At the invitation of the instructor.
-
70-953 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN STUDIO ARTMay be repeated with a change of topic. At the invitation of the instructor.
-
70-954 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN STUDIO ARTMay be repeated with a change of topic. At the invitation of the instructor.
-
70-983 HONORS/ SENIOR RESEARCH IN STUDIO ARTIntended for honors work. At least six semester hours of work over two semesters (beginning spring junior year or fall senior year) on a single project. At the invitation of the instructor and approval of the studio art faculty.
-
70-984 HONORS/ SENIOR RESEARCH IN STUDIO ARTIntended for honors work. At least six semester hours of work over two semesters (beginning spring junior year or fall senior year) on a single project. At the invitation of the instructor and approval of the studio art faculty.
-
70-985 HONORS/ SENIOR RESEARCH IN STUDIO ARTIntended for honors work. At least six semester hours of work over two semesters (beginning spring junior year or fall senior year) on a single project. At the invitation of the instructor and approval of the studio art faculty.
-
70-986 HONORS/ SENIOR RESEARCH IN STUDIO ARTIntended for honors work. At least six semester hours of work over two semesters (beginning spring junior year or fall senior year) on a single project. At the invitation of the instructor and approval of the studio art faculty.
Art History
-
71-001 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
71-002 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
71-003 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
71-004 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
71-103 INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF ART: IMAGE, OBJECT, TEXTThe course offers a broad but selective look at art and artifacts made in various cultures and periods, particularly the Western world from antiquity onwards. The course will move chronologically through these eras, but will simultaneously address key themes in the history of art, including the powe...
-
71-123 INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF ART: ASIAN ARTAn introductory survey of the arts of India, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, China, Korea and Japan. Organized chronologically by country, the course also examines cross-cultural thematic issues, particularly Buddhism. It encompasses ancient India and the origins of Buddhist art and traces the expansi...
-
71-233 HISTORY OF THE ART OF CHINAA survey of Chinese art from the Neolithic period (ca. 6000-2000 BCE) through the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), focusing on all the visual arts, their cultural history and their political, social and religious contexts. Organized chronologically, the course encompasses art from the Neolithic through the...
-
71-243 HISTORY OF THE ART OF JAPANA survey of Japanese art from the Jomon period (10,500-300 BCE) into the Edo period (1615-1868), focusing on all the visual arts, their cultural history and their political, social, religious contexts. Organized chronologically, the course traces the visual arts beginning with the earliest artistic ...
-
71-253 ANCIENT CHINESE ART AND CULTURE: NEOLITHIC THROUGH TANGAncient Chinese art and culture encompasses all the visual arts from the Neolithic Period (ca. 6000-2000 BCE) through the end of the Tang dynasty (61-907). Organized chronologically, the course encompasses ceramics and jades from the four main Neolithic cultures, the bronze and ceramic production of...
-
71-263 CHINESE PAINTING: THE COURT, POLITICS AND THE LITERATIEncompasses Chinese painting from the Neolithic period (ca. 5000 BCE) and ending with the rise of the literati tradition in the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368). Organized chronologically, the course addresses the major subjects and themes in Chinese painting taking into account the artists' involvement in ...
-
71-273 CHINESE PAINTING: PERSONAL EXPRESSION, ORTHODOXY AND ECCENTRICITYEncompasses Chinese painting from the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) through 17th and 18th centuries of the Qing dynasty. Includes a consideration of the rise of the literati tradition and how it evolved in the Yuan under Mongol control. Organized chronologically, the course examines the contributions of ...
-
71-301 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
71-302 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
71-303 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
71-304 SPECIAL PROJECTSMay be repeated with a change in topic.
-
71-313 PRE-COLUMBIAN ARTExamines the artistic traditions and cultural history of ancient Mesoamerica (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras) from BC 1500 to AD 1600. (FAL) (IP) 71-393 MODERN LATIN AMERICAN ART. This course addresses major topics in the history of Latin American art from 1821 to the present. (FAL)
-
71-443 HELLENISTIC ART A survey of the expansion of the expressive range of Greek "classical" art (fifth and fourth centuries BC.) and its dispersion throughout the cosmopolitan Mediterranean of the Hellenistic period (c. 330-30 B.C.). It focuses especially on the process by which the social elite and artistic professionals of the Late Roman Republic and early Empire (c. 300 B.C.-c. A.D. 79) created Imperial Roman art by ad...
-
71-543 ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ARTAn in-depth survey of Italian art and culture from the beginning of the 14th century to the end of the 16th century. (FAL)
-
71-553 BAROQUE ARTA survey of European art and its cultural and intellectual context from c. 1600 to the mid 18th century. (FAL)
-
71-613 REVOLUTION, ROMANTICISM, REALISMEncompasses the visual arts produced in Europe and the United States between 1780 and 1860. Includes a consideration of David and Neo-Classicism; Romanticism in England, Germany, and France; native and colonial American art; and international Realism. Organized according to chronological development...
-
71-623 MODERNISM AND MODERNITYEncompasses the visual arts produced primarily in Europe and the United States between 1860 and 1945. Includes a consideration of urban planning in Paris, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, worlds' fairs, Symbolism, Art Nouveau, Cubism, Expressionism, the Russian Constructivists, Bauhaus, Dada, Surr...
-
71-633 ART SINCE 1945Encompasses the visual arts produced primarily in Europe and the United States between 1945 and the present. Includes a consideration of modernism and Abstract Expressionism, art informel, Post-painterly abstraction, Pop art, Happenings and performance art, environmental art, Minimalism, Conceptuali...
-
71-643 GENDER AND ARTA study of the ways in which gender and sexuality are intricately involved in the making, reception and criticism of art. Includes a consideration of how the art historical canon is generated, often excluding female producers of art, and an examination of the ways in which art represents both femini...
-
71-653 HISTORY AND THEORY OF PHOTOGRAPHYA study of photography from its inception in the mid-19th century to the present. The course will provide an overview of major figures and movements in photography organized both chronologically and thematically. Close attention will be paid to fundamental theoretical issues relevant to the practice...
-
71-663 THE LANDSCAPE: REPRESENTING "NATURE" This course will consider different ways in which European and American culture has represented the natural environment. Areas to be addressed include the history of landscape painting, landscape architecture, urban planning and park development, gender and the landscape, nature photography, and t...
-
71-703 WORLD ARCHITECTURE: A COMPARATIVE CULTURAL HISTORY A survey of several major architectural traditions from prehistory to the present (including prehistory and tribal, Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China and Japan, Pre-Columbian America, Bronze Age Mediterranean, Greece, Rome, Early Christian and Byzantine, Islam, European Medieval, European Renaissance/Baroque and Euro-American Modern)The survey spends about one week on each "culture" and (as far as evidence permits) presents the same sequence of material and questions, starting from consideration of the physical environment and spatial activities of different cultures, and proceeding to cultural concepts (religion, social power)...
-
71-713 MODERN ARCHITECTURE This is a survey of Western (Euro-American) architecture, and its cultural, intellectual and technical context, from c1750 through the present. It is presented as a recurring crisis in the search for aesthetic and cultural formal systems in the context of a culture committed to dynamic self transformation. Material considers the context of social history, intellectual history, and history of technology. It is also ...
-
71-803 SEMINAR IN SPECIAL PROBLEMSA research seminar in various topics. Primarily for majors but open to non-majors who fulfill prerequisites. Prerequisites: Art 71-103 and six additional hours of art history or permission of instructor. Open to juniors or seniors only. May be repeated with change of topic. (Every semester, with dif...
-
71-901 TUTORIAL
-
71-902 TUTORIAL
-
71-903 TUTORIAL
-
71-904 TUTORIAL
-
71-941 INTERNSHIPInternships related to specific fields of study. Must be taken Pass/D/F.
-
71-942 INTERNSHIPInternships related to specific fields of study. Must be taken Pass/D/F.
-
71-943 INTERNSHIPInternships related to specific fields of study. Must be taken Pass/D/F.
-
71-944 INTERNSHIPInternships related to specific fields of study. Must be taken Pass/D/F.
-
71-951 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN ART HISTORYMay be repeated with a change of topic. At the invitation of the instructor.
-
71-952 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN ART HISTORYMay be repeated with a change of topic. At the invitation of the instructor.
-
71-953 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN ART HISTORYMay be repeated with a change of topic. At the invitation of the instructor.
-
71-954 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN ART HISTORYMay be repeated with a change of topic. At the invitation of the instructor.
-
71-983 SENIOR HONORS RESEARCH IN ART HISTORYAt least six hours of work over two semesters (beginning spring junior year or fall senior year) on a single project. At the invitation of the instructor and approval of the art history faculty.
-
71-984 SENIOR HONORS RESEARCH IN ART HISTORYAt least six hours of work over two semesters (beginning spring junior year or fall senior year) on a single project. At the invitation of the instructor and approval of the art history faculty.
-
71-985 SENIOR HONORS RESEARCH IN ART HISTORYAt least six hours of work over two semesters (beginning spring junior year or fall senior year) on a single project. At the invitation of the instructor and approval of the art history faculty.
Architecture & Design
-
69-001 SELECTED TOPICSMay be repeated with change in topic.
-
69-002 SELECTED TOPICSMay be repeated with change in topic.
-
69-003 SELECTED TOPICSMay be repeated with change in topic.
-
69-004 SELECTED TOPICSMay be repeated with change in topic.
-
69-301 SELECTED TOPICSMay be repeated with change in topic.
-
69-302 SELECTED TOPICSMay be repeated with change in topic.
-
69-303 SELECTED TOPICSMay be repeated with change in topic.
-
69-304 SELECTED TOPICSMay be repeated with change in topic.
-
69-703 ARCHITECTURAL STUDIO I: INTRODUCTION TO DRAFTING AND PROGRAMMATIC DESIGNSee Art 70-703. (Fall) (FAP)
-
69-713 ARCHITECTURAL STUDIO II: HISTORICAL DESIGNPrerequisite: Art 69-703 or Art 70-703, or ability to draw plans, sections and elevations. See Art 70-713. (Spring, even years) (FAP)
-
69-723 ARCHITECTURAL STUDIO III: MODERN STRUCTURESPrerequisite: Art 69-703 or Art 70-703, or ability to draw plans and sections. See Art 70-723. (Spring, odd years) (FAP)
-
69-753 DESIGN ISee Art 70-753. (Fall) (FAP)
-
69-763 DESIGN IIPrerequisite: Art 69-753 or Art 70-753. See Art 70-763. (Spring) (FAP)
-
69-901 TUTORIAL
-
69-902 TUTORIAL
-
69-903 TUTORIAL
-
69-904 TUTORIAL
-
69-941 ACADEMIC INTERNSHIPMust be taken Pass/D/F.
-
69-942 ACADEMIC INTERNSHIPMust be taken Pass/D/F.
-
69-943 ACADEMIC INTERNSHIPMust be taken Pass/D/F.
-
69-944 ACADEMIC INTERNSHIPMust be taken Pass/D/F.
-
69-951 INDEPENDENT STUDY
-
69-952 INDEPENDENT STUDY
-
69-953 INDEPENDENT STUDY
-
69-954 INDEPENDENT STUDY

