English 
Leave your mark.
Step into the indefinable world of art. A place where you can take a piece of who you are, a dream, a thought, a feeling – or a piece of the world you see around you—and set that expression free through the tip of a pencil, the stroke of a paintbrush, a block of clay or the lens of a camera.
As a Bachelor of Fine Arts major at William Woods University, you will have the opportunity to dive into any discipline of visual art you wish to explore, whether it be drawing, painting, sculpting, photography, or something else. Learn where art has been throughout history and how it’s grown, and discover where you can take it next.
Special opportunities
- Through our diverse curriculum you will have the opportunity to experience all disciplines of art and discover one, or several, you are passionate about
- Gain hands on experience through your coursework as well as the many clubs and organizations on campus
- Get involved with Thriving Artists Group (TAG) and spend time creating and appreciating art with like-minded peers
- Collaborate with writers to add a touch of art and visual beauty to student publication, Hoot Campus Magazine
- Use your art to advocate for a cause you believe in and make a statement by joining groups on campus that are fighting for a greater good, like Multicultural Affairs Club or Students for Social Work
- Work side by side with your professors throughout courses as they assist you in designing and constructing your professional portfolio
- Through the Student Portfolio Program, faculty and professionals in the art field will review your portfolio once a year, offering their feedback and guidance to get you real world ready
Our Fine Arts degree at Work
Pursue an exciting career as a/an:
- Professional artist
- Book illustrator
- Visual effects animator
- Museum curator
- Cartoonist
- Sculptor
- Art critic
- Textile designer
- Storyboard artist
- Art teacher
- And more
The art program was a great experience for me. The classes were small and the professors really cared about the students. This program helped me to grow as an artist.Jennifer Costello, BFA in Studio Art, founder and owner of Arctic Cards, LLC, in St. Louis, Mo.
William Woods enabled me to academically achieve- to gain a higher level of knowledge in fine arts, photography and business administration, which prepared me to excel in the professional world. The Woods taught me how to find balance in weaving academic, athletic and social interests into my life. The relationships I developed with my instructors and staff enabled me to be dedicated to my academics. The intimate class setting was a positive for me because I could ask questions, feel that I added something to the class as an individual and knew that if I needed extra help the instructor was always available to assist me. The knowledge I gained is invaluable. It has enabled me to develop interpersonal relationships with confidence.Maggie Stolzberg, BFA in Studio Art, photographer and owner of Maggie Stolzberg Studios, in St. Louis, Mo. and Boca Raton, Fla.
The Art BFA at William Woods University consists of 122 distinct credit hours for graduation—including 28 core major credits and 33 credits from a concentration of the student’s choosing (Graphic Design, Photography, or Studio Art).
Curriculum
Major Requirements
Core Credits: 28.00 (including 6 Professional Development credits and 6 Art History credits)
| This course introduces students to the fundamentals of studio art through the study of artistic elements, color theory, media, and techniques. Students will build foundation skills, as well as the beginning of a portfolio, through hands-on practice and assignments. The course will include lecture, projects, critique, and gallery/museum visits. They will be prepared to readily translate this knowledge in future studio art and graphic design courses. Required of all art majors. (Lab fee) credits: | Art Foundations | 3 |
| This course offers an introduction to Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Students will learn to use these applications through the creation of content relevant to fields of design, art, marketing, and communications. credits: | Introduction to Adobe Creative Cloud -X | 3 |
| A study of sculpture, painting, architecture, and the minor arts from prehistory to the Renaissance. The main focus is the placement of the art of each period within the society by which it was produced. credits: | Art History: Prehistory to Renaissance -U | 3 |
| A study of sculpture, painting, architecture, and the minor arts from the Renaissance to contemporary times. The main focus is the placement of the art of each period within the society by which it was produced. ART 230 is not required. credits: | Art History: Renaissance to Today-U | 3 |
| Designed to introduce students to the importance, concept, and production of a professional art portfolio. During the course students produce both a conventional and an electronic portfolio of their work in preparation for careers in art and graphic design. Prerequisite: ART103 or ART105 credits: | Professional Practice | 3 |
| This capstone course includes production of independent work which will be exhibited during the Senior Show; participation in planning and mounting the Senior Show; a self-assessment report; and presentation of a Senior portfolio. Should be taken last semester of senior year. credits: | Senior Practicum | 1 |
Professional Development Elective - 6 Credits
| A straightforward, fundamental approach to managing a small firm. Students will organize, interpret data and show the proper procedures in planning, operating, directing, and evaluating a new small business. credits: | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| An application of concepts from the field of marketing of consumer demand in relation to marketing procedures, functions, methods, policies, including issues of marketers from a marketing perspective. credits: | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| This course will focus on both practical and theoretical knowledge about social media. Students will learn about the effects and influence social media has on people, societies, and groups. credits: | Social Media | 3 |
| This course is designed to instruct the student in the proper design and analysis of website development. Students will learn the basics of HTMl, CSS, website portals, content management systems, web hosting and domain name construction. A final project will require the student to maintain a website, host and domain name. Although there is no textbook associated with the class, students will be required to purchase a web hosting package of approximately $70. This will allow the student to develop a website for the class. credits: | Website Development | 3 |
Art History Elective - 6 Credits
| A study of the major fields of art in Western Europe and the United States during the Twentieth Century. credits: | Modern and Contemporary Art | 3 |
| This course serves as an introduction to the history of graphic design from the dawn of writing until today, including the history of typography, printing, advertising, and technique. Students will be introduced to significant developments in the history of design situated within social, cultural, political, and economic contexts. credits: | Graphic Design History | 3 |
| This course will include a survey of photography’s multiple histories: as an art form, method of communication, and record of history. The course will start with the emergence of the medium in the 19th century and end with an investigation of the processes and distribution of photography today. Throughout the course, students will explore the intersection of photography and culture. credits: | Photography History | 3 |
| This course is designed for deeper research into a particular area within the history of art, based on faculty and student interest. Such courses may include: Indigenous Arts of the Americas, British Painting, American Architecture and History of Art Criticism. Prerequisite: ART230 or ART231 credits: | Art History Special Topics | 3 |
Concentrations
Media Area: Graphic Design - 33 Credits
Required Credits: 33.00
| A basic study of drawing techniques and concepts. (Lab fee) credits: | Drawing I -X | 3 |
| Fundamentals of Graphic Design sets the framework for the graphic design concentration. This course introduces students to the graphic design profession, including fundamentals of publication design, digital illustration, packaging design, and animation. Students will also enhance conceptual and technical skills as required in the field. (lab fee) Prerequisite: ART 103 (or ART105) and ART140 credits: | Fundamentals of Graphic Design | 3 |
| Explores the use of graphic design in a variety of publishing situations. Students are required to apply their design skill and knowledge in the production of sophisticated printed pieces. Students are expected to develop an advanced level of ability in computer assisted design. Students also begin production on their formal professional portfolio. (Lab fee) Prerequisite: ART 202 credits: | Publication Design | 3 |
| This course offers graphic design students extensive experience with various methods of digital illustration. Students will also gain insight into terminology, tools, technique, career prospects, and industry practices. In addition to practical applications, students will utilize drawing and digital skills to create works that are meaningful and intentional. The course will also provide students with extensive knowledge in various types of illustration, including editorial, conceptual, and comic. The course will culminate with students submitting a curated portfolio of work intended for future submission to an illustration agency of their choosing. Prerequisite: ART110 and ART140 credits: | Digital Illustration | 3 |
| This course explores the use of graphic design from a three-dimensional perspective. Upon course completion, students will be able to identify key elements of packaging composition, production, and output. Also discussed are best practices to marketing research, target audiences, and how user experience (UX) can impact the packaging design process. Prerequisite: ART103 (or ART105), ART140, and ART202 credits: | Packaging Design | 3 |
| This course offers students extensive experience in technique and with programs used to create animated works. Various animation processes are covered, including motion graphics, stop motion, and computer generated animation. Students obtain an understanding of the history of animation and industry practices related to career prospects in the field. Prerequisites: ART110, ART140 and ART346 credits: | Animation | 3 |
credits: | Any ART course not currently applied towards major requirements | 0 |
Media Area: Art Photography - 33 Credits
Required Credits: 33.00
| Fundamentals of Graphic Design sets the framework for the graphic design concentration. This course introduces students to the graphic design profession, including fundamentals of publication design, digital illustration, packaging design, and animation. Students will also enhance conceptual and technical skills as required in the field. (lab fee) Prerequisite: ART 103 (or ART105) and ART140 credits: | Fundamentals of Graphic Design | 3 |
| This course introduces students to creative photography as a method of visual communication. While experimenting with manual camera controls through both film and digital processes, students explore methods of imaginative and meaningful image-making. Additionally, students develop skills in composition, sequencing, and preparing files for print.manipulation. (Lab fee) credits: | Introduction to Photography -X | 3 |
| This course explores the process of balancing artificial and natural light to create images. Students will develop an understanding of the art and application of light to photography and will explore light placement, modification, and post-production editing techniques. Studio projects place an emphasis on the effective use of light to support project concepts. Prerequisite: ART 140 and ART256 credits: | Photographic Lighting and Editing | 3 |
| This course is an advanced studio that examines a variety of techniques including cyanotypes, image transfers, scans, and innovation alternatives to traditional photography. Students will push the boundaries of what makes a photograph through experimentation with image-making, scanning, and printing techniques. The course will include field trips, technical demonstrations, studio work, and critiques. Prerequisite: ART256 credits: | Experimental Photography | 3 |
| This course places an emphasis on the nature of contemporary photography as a method of visual communication. Students will work through the photographic process including developing concepts, conducting research, image-making, post production, printing, and sequencing. The course will also provide knowledge relevant to photo book publications, photojournalism, and mixed media applications in photography Prerequisite: ART140 and ART256 credits: | Narrative Photography | 3 |
| This course allows students the opportunity to create a skillful in-depth photography portfolio. Student-led research, creative studio, and critique will emphasize the process involved in generating a cohesive portfolio of work based upon a theme or concept. At the end of the course, students will submit a curated portfolio of work to at least one juried photography exhibition opportunity. Prerequisite: ART140, ART256, and ART326 credits: | Photographic Portfolio | 3 |
credits: | Any ART course not currently applied towards major requirements | 0 |
Media Area: Studio Art - 33 Credits
Required Credits: 33.00
| A hands-on exploration of 3 dimensional media, materials, theory, and concepts. (Lab fee) credits: | Sculpture I | 3 |
| A basic study of drawing techniques and concepts. (Lab fee) credits: | Drawing I -X | 3 |
| Introduction to basic painting media, techniques, and theory through the use of still life, landscape, and the figure. (Lab fee) Prerequisite: ART110 credits: | Painting I | 3 |
| Introduction to media and technique. Hand building, throwing and glazing will be covered. (Lab fee) credits: | Ceramics I -X | 3 |
| This course introduces students to creative photography as a method of visual communication. While experimenting with manual camera controls through both film and digital processes, students explore methods of imaginative and meaningful image-making. Additionally, students develop skills in composition, sequencing, and preparing files for print.manipulation. (Lab fee) credits: | Introduction to Photography -X | 3 |
| An introduction to figure drawing with continued exploration. (Lab fee) Prerequisite: ART110 credits: | Drawing II | 3 |
credits: | Any ART course not currently applied towards major requirements | 0 |