- DR. CHRISTOPHER VANEMAN, dean
Mission Statement
The School of the Arts at Converse University inspires, teaches, and trains artists by fostering communication, creativity and scholarship, and nurtures appreciation for the visual and performing arts.
Core Values
The School of the Arts (SOA) at Converse University values and believes in the Arts as a path to: Passion, Inspiration, Imagination, Discovery, Expression, Transformation, and Joy.
Arts Foundations: Creativity that Works
The faculty in Art and Design, Theatre and Dance, and the Petrie School of Music train students to be working professionals in the arts. All students in the School of the Arts will take the following interdisciplinary courses in collaboration, personal brand development, and professionalization:
Department of Art and Design
- SUSANNE GUNTER, chair
- ANDREW BLANCHARD
- VIVIANNE CAREY
- MARY CARLISLE, assistant chair
- ANDREA ELLIOTT
- MEIRAV GOLDHOUR
- JEROME GOMEZ
- ASHLEY LAZEVNICK
- MICHAEL MASSENGALE
- JENA THOMAS
- LAURA ZEISLER
Mission
The mission of the Department of Art and Design is to provide for our students a dynamic visual art and design education that fosters creativity and scholarship, develops skills and nurtures appreciation of the visual arts.
To best serve our majors the Department of Art and Design has established the following goals:
- To provide a comprehensive curriculum that is built upon a strong foundation in studio art, art history, and current trends within the various fields of study.
- To incorporate critical thinking and creative expression in all areas of study.
- To provide external educational experiences that enrich the overall learning process.
- To promote skill proficiency in the use of innovative equipment and techniques.
- To provide career advisement and guidance for students.
Beyond training the student in the practice of the student's art, the department also fosters professional development through the inclusion of internships, exhibitions, liberal arts study, and membership in professional organizations. This type of preparation, both aesthetic and practical, best serves Converse students as they prepare for careers in the arts.
Degree Programs and Accreditations
Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), the Department of Art and Design offers both the Bachelor of Arts degree and the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. For the BA degree, students may choose a major in art history, art therapy, studio art, or art education. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a content-laden degree in studio art or interior design. Early declaration of a Bachelor of Fine Arts major is required due to the rigorous requirements of the programs. Students with majors in areas other than art may need to consult the Department of Art and Design chair for guidance in a double major or a minor in art history, studio art, or arts administration.
Calculation of GPA for degrees in the Department of Art
The GPA for the Bachelor of Arts with a major of Art Education major is calculated using all required courses for the major. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the major to graduate, but must have at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA to enter the Teacher Education Program.
The GPA for the Bachelor of Arts with an Art History major, Art Therapy major, Studio Art major, BFA Studio Art major, and the BFA Interior Design major is calculated using all required courses for the major. The GPA for the Art History minor and Studio Art minor is calculated using all required courses for the minor. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the major or minor to graduate.
Minors
Minors are offered in art history and studio art, as well as an arts administration minor, which is interdisciplinary between art, music, and theatre. The arts administration minor is highly recommended for all majors in the School of the Arts. It is particularly useful for BA Studio Art, BA Art History, or BFA Studio Art degree majors. Like all art and design minors, arts administration is available to all Converse students. For complete information on the arts administration minor, please refer to the section on Interdisciplinary Minors in this catalog.
All students majoring in the Department of Art and Design must take the Senior Seminar in their respective majors, and all majors except art history must take ART 415: Senior Exhibition during their senior year. These courses are designed to assist seniors in developing career preparation skills and in preparation for their senior graduation exhibitions.
The General Education Program is a requirement for all degrees. The requirements listed below are approved for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts in the School of the Arts.
ENG 101 |
3 hours |
Language and Culture |
9 hours |
MTH 108 or higher |
3 hours |
One course designated as Quantitative reasoning |
3–4 hours |
Health and Wellness |
2 hours |
Activity course |
1–2 hours |
Humanities |
6 hours |
Literature |
3 hours |
Fine Arts |
6 hours
|
CTW 100: Interdisciplinary Foundations I |
1 hours |
CTW 200: Interdisciplinary Foundations II |
2 hour |
(CTW 100 and CTW 200 are required and satisfy 3 hours of Fine Arts GEP credit) |
|
Natural Science |
7–8 hours |
Social Science |
6 hours |
Total |
49–52 hours |
The Bachelor of Arts Degree Program
Students in the Bachelor of Arts degree program have the option of majors in art history, studio art, art education, or art therapy.