About the Department

About the Department

Studio and Graphic Art and Design

The Department of Art, Art History, and Design is committed to an undergraduate education that gives students life long skills as professional artists and art scholars. Dominican University is known for its small classes and personal attention given by a dedicated faculty. Through its degree program, The Department of Art, Art History, and Design is able to cultivate a student’s individual growth and development, and instill confidence to realize their vision and goals.

Art requires a balance between theory and practice, as well as formal and conceptual approaches. Fundamental technical skills and visual literacy are acquired through the core curriculum courses of drawing, two and three dimensional design, and color theory. Throughout their studies, equal emphasis is placed on the student’s ability to think deeply and critically about their work, and understand the pertinent issues that inform their concepts.

As a result, students learn how to solve problems with effective, innovative, and diverse solutions. Integral to the Dominican tradition of community and service, the program inspires students to explore the direct relationship between art and social engagement. We offer students knowledge of the local art community, and expose them to the many uses of art in shaping our collective understanding and cultural awareness. Students are also strongly encouraged to discover diverse cultural experiences through studies abroad.
 
Graphic Art and Studio Art majors are provided with several outside opportunities to pursue applicable field experience through internships and other mentoring relationships. Guest speakers, lecture series, and campus gallery exhibits give students direct access to current and diverse perspectives in the art world. The University has over 100 years of experience in offering the very finest in liberal arts and professional education. This imparts an important background in global perspective, cultural diversity, and communication skills from which students gain a comprehensive view of a world where artists can make a significant contribution.

Art History

The Art History program provides an understanding of the visual arts and illuminates the development of world’s cultures. Coursework equips students with training in art history as a humanistic discipline through the visual analysis and interpretation of works of art.

The rich, interdisciplinary Art History curriculum leads to an array of career directions, from museum and gallery work, work in the areas of art appraisal and criticism, and advanced graduate training as professional historians of art.

As a place to study art, the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area offers students an exceptional selection of galleries and museums, including the Asian Museum of Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Museum of Craft and Folk Art, and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

Beginning survey coursework provides basic introductions to chronology, cultural study, and visual analysis of the history of Western and Eastern art. Upper division surveys broaden the scope by focusing on particular periods, such as Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, and Modern and Contemporary Art. Students with special interests and an adequate general background may arrange an individualized interdisciplinary or double major.  Art History Majors also take at least two courses in studio art to gain direct experience with artistic techniques and the creative process.

Advanced students participate in semester-long seminars in methodology and research, as well as the completion of a senior thesis or comprehensive exam. Students planning graduate work in art history are encouraged to learn an international language (e.g., French and/or German).

Internships in art history are encouraged and are arranged to provide students with direct and practical experience, especially in the fields of museum and gallery work. The Bay Area’s museums, galleries, advertising agencies, design firms, and artist studios offer a wealth of internship and employment opportunities.

Minors in art history complete introductory survey courses plus the methodology or research seminars. Two upper division elective art history courses plus one course in studio art complete the minor in art history.

Students may complete an emphasis in Arts Management with a combination of Art History and Business courses.
Art history is excellent preparation for many careers. Art History gives students the analytic and communication skills you will need for an array of other careers.

For program requirements and course descriptions, please follow this link to the course catalog.

Academic Program Information