Major in Fine Arts

The Fine Arts Program at USF is dedicated to providing students with both traditional and modern skills as they address established and contemporary concepts in a studio setting under the guidance and mentorship of professional artists. Our intimate class settings balance group interaction and one-on-one instruction with exposure to galleries, museums, and events in the Bay Area. The curriculum is designed to challenge young artists' imagination and creativity while providing them with the techniques and tools they will need to realize their career goals.

The focus is an integration of the progressive and "back to basics": use of environmentally safe, responsible practices and materials, and the acquisition of auxiliary practical skills such as grant writing and collaboration--with other students as well as with community-based organizations.

Course offerings include in-depth study in diverse painting and drawing media, sculpture in wood, ceramics, fiber and mixed media, indoor and outdoor installation, a variety of printmaking techniques, mural, stained glass, and a senior portfolio class. The forward-thinking full year sequence, Arts Outreach: The Artist as Citizen, exposes students to new paradigms for the artist through community-based work. Fine Arts coursework is augmented by visiting artists, field trips, and interdisciplinary study within the university.

The Fine Arts Curriculum includes

• Studio Systems (introduction to materials and practices of studio art)
• Drawing
• Painting--various genres
• Sculpture
• Printmaking
• Stained Glass
• Installation/Public Art
• Art History in a variety of contexts (Women in Art, Asian Art, African Art, and others)
• Many one-time offerings on special topics

Requirements for the Major

The Major in Fine Arts Requires 48 units, as follows:

Required Core Courses (40 units)

• VA - 101 Survey of Western Art History 1
• VA - 102 Survey of Western Art History 2
• VA - 120 Art Fundamentals
• VA - 130 Drawing 1
• VA - 155 Visual Communication
• VA - 220 Painting 1
• VA - 230 Sculpture 1
• VA - 280 Digital Photography 1
• VA - 470 Fine Arts Senior Studio
• VA - 488 Art Outreach: Artist as Citizen B

Electives (8 units)

• VA - 235 Color Theory
• VA - 240 Printmaking 1
• VA - 250 Stained Glass 1
• VA - 305 Modern and Contemporary Art
• VA - 310 Drawing 2
• VA - 320 Painting 2
• VA - 330 Sculpture 2
• VA - 340 Printmaking 2
• VA - 360 Mural Painting
• VA - 370 Installation/Public Art
• VA - 420 Art and Business
• VA - 390 Special Topics

Learning Goals for the Major in Fine Arts

• Students will gain solid historical knowledge of the objects of art and principal artists of all major periods, and their associated theories, analysis and criticism. This includes a broad understanding of the cultural diversity of art movements from prehistoric times through contemporary culture, both locally and globally.
• Students will gain an understanding of basic visual principles, concepts, media, and formats in the various fine art disciplines, and the ability to apply them to meet a specific objective. This includes an ability to think critically and propose creative solutions to aesthetic problems.
• Students will gain a deep appreciation and knowledge of how to use their skills to work with diverse communities both locally and globally to create social change. This includes the acquisition of professional skills that will serve them as post-graduate students, professional practitioners, educators, and community leaders.
• Students will gain knowledge and skills in the use of basic tools, technologies, and processes sufficient to conduct advanced research or project work. This includes the mastery of bibliographic research and understanding of the digital tools and processes necessary to develop that research.