Department of Visual and Performing Arts
Faculty
Department Coordinator: Mr. Rodrecas Davis
Visual Arts Faculty
Professor: Ms. Donna McGee
Associate Professor: Mr. Rodrecas Davis
Assistant Professor: Mr. Larry Holston
Performing Arts Faculty
Professor: Dr. King Godwin
Assistant Professors: Mrs. Mary Crook and Mr. Karl Norman
Instructors: Mr. Paul Bolin, Mr. David Kaul, and Ms. Diane Maroney-Grigsby
Overview
The Department of Visual and Performing Arts promotes expertise in undergraduate training
in the performance arts of theatre, theatre production, dance, visual art, and digital
art. The department prepares students to become well-rounded scholars, artists, leaders,
and service providers in all aspects of the diverse disciplines of the department.
It strives to create an environment that nurtures creative vision and allows exploration
of individual artistic expression. The program stresses education in the arts for
the student whose goal is post-graduate professional study and/or a career in the
visual and performing arts disciplines.
Departmental faculty members pride themselves on fulfilling tenets of creativity and
exploration as they endeavor to prepare students for professions in the visual and
performing arts. The Visual and Performing Arts Department echoes the sentiment of
Dr. Floyd L. Sandle, “We create artists, not entertainers!” It is upon this foundation
that faculty members help students use their talents for the good of all humankind
and society. The department believes that an appreciation of the arts is an integral
part of a creative, enlightened, productive, and responsive citizen. While promoting
an appreciation for the formal aspects of the arts, the Visual and Performing Arts
Department contributes to the cultural environment of the university and the surrounding
community by offering courses, exhibitions, performances, lectures, theatrical productions,
and other experiences that enhance the quality of life for all persons. The department
is dedicated to the support and promotion of the arts within the university, as well
as the community, region, and nation.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a major in Visual and Performing Arts is awarded
to those students who successfully complete 41 hours of general education course requirements,
37 hours of core courses, and 40 hours in a concentration area. Students must meet
the requirements of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts and the College of
Arts and Sciences, and all other University requirements. Only grades of “C” or higher
are acceptable in major courses.
The Department of Visual and Performing Arts offers the following concentrations:
- The Dance concentration provides a curriculum developing a strong foundation in dance composition, choreography
and movement. A diverse selection of dance techniques and basics are explored inclusive
of modern, ballet, jazz and tap.
- The Theatre concentration provides a curriculum developing a strong foundation for any theatre specialization
and encompassing areas including acting, directing, playwriting, and arts management.
In addition, students must satisfactorily complete the comprehensive exam and successfully
direct a one-act play as part of their capstone requirements for graduation.
- The Visual Arts-Digital concentration provides a curriculum stressing a strong foundation in drawing and design with experience
in using computer assisted illustration and digital art applications. Students must
present a senior exhibition as a cumulative experience during their final semester.
- The Visual Arts-Studio concentration provides a curriculum stressing a strong foundation in drawing and design with experience
in painting, ceramics, and printmaking. Students must present a senior exhibition
as a cumulative experience during their final semester.
A minor program in Dance is also offered by the department. A minimum of 28 hours
is required.
Additionally, the department offers an interdisciplinary course in the University’s
General Education Program.
Admission to the Program
Visual Arts
Students who desire to pursue a concentration in digital or studio art must submit
10 samples of their works, slides, or photographs for review by the department faculty.
Work samples should include at least two still lives, two portraits, and two landscapes. Acceptance
into the program is dependent on the quality of the works submitted. Prospective majors
who do not has samples of their work may enroll in art classes for one semester with
an undecided designation as a major. At the end of that semester the student may be
accepted into the program based on works produced during the semester. Students are
notified in writing of their acceptance into the program.
Performing Arts
Students are required to audition and/or submit their portfolios for admittance in
the program.
B.A. in Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Plan
General Education Courses
| Biology 103 |
3 |
| Biology 104 |
3 |
| Theatre 100 |
3 |
| Humanities Courses |
9 |
| English 101 & 102 |
6 |
| Science 105 OR Chemistry 101 |
3 |
| First Year Experience 101 & 102 |
2 |
| Mathematics 131 |
3 |
| Mathematics 132 OR 137 |
3 |
| Social Science Courses |
6 |
| General Education Testing |
0 |
Digital Art Concentration
| Theatre 100 |
3 |
| Theatre 201 |
1 |
| Theatre 203 |
3 |
| Theatre 211 |
3 |
| Theatre 212 |
3 |
| Theatre 307 |
3 |
| Theatre 309 |
3 |
| Theatre 318 |
3 |
| Art 101 |
3 |
| Art 102 |
3 |
| Art 103 |
3 |
| Art 104 |
3 |
| Art 207 |
3 |
| Art 215 |
3 |
| Art 216 |
3 |
| Art 217 |
3 |
| Art 319 |
3 |
| Art 322 |
3 |
| Art 323 |
3 |
| Art 327 |
3 |
| Art 407 |
3 |
| Art 409 |
3 |
| Art 412 |
3 |
| Art 422 |
3 |
| Art 423 |
3 |
| Art Elective |
3 |
Studio Art Concentration
| Theatre 100 |
3 |
| Theatre 201 |
1 |
| Theatre 203 |
3 |
| Theatre 211 |
3 |
| Theatre 212 |
3 |
| Theatre 307 |
3 |
| Theatre 309 |
3 |
| Theatre 318 |
3 |
| Art 101 |
3 |
| Art 102 |
3 |
| Art 103 |
3 |
| Art 104 |
3 |
| Art 207 |
3 |
| Art 215 |
3 |
| Art 216 |
3 |
| Art 217 |
3 |
| Art 309 |
3 |
| Art 310 |
3 |
| Art 319 or Art 407 |
3 |
| Art 322 |
3 |
| Art 324 or 325 |
3 |
| Art 326 |
3 |
| Art 409 |
3 |
| Art 412 |
3 |
| Art 422 |
3 |
| Art 424 or 425 |
3 |
Minor in Art
| Art 101 |
3 |
| Art 102 |
3 |
| Art 103 |
3 |
| Art 104 |
3 |
| Art 207 |
3 |
| Art 326 |
3 |
| Art History Elective |
3 |
| Art 300+ level |
3 |
Dance Concentration
| Art 104 |
3 |
| Art 322 |
3 |
| Art 412 |
3 |
| Theatre 100 |
3 |
| Theatre 103 |
3 |
| Theatre 105 |
3 |
| Theatre 106 |
3 |
| Theatre 107 |
3 |
| Theatre 108 |
3 |
| Theatre 110 |
3 |
| Theatre 201 |
3 |
| Theatre 203 |
3 |
| Theatre 205 |
3 |
| Theatre 206 |
3 |
| Theatre 211 |
3 |
| Theatre 212 |
3 |
| Theatre 307 |
3 |
| Theatre 308 |
3 |
| Theatre 309 |
3 |
| Theatre 312 |
3 |
| Theatre 313 |
3 |
| Theatre 314 |
3 |
| Theatre 315 |
3 |
| Theatre 316 |
3 |
| Theatre 318 |
3 |
| Theatre 430* |
3 |
| Theatre 435 |
3 |
*Independent Study I, II, III
(May be taken up to 3 times @ 3hrs)
Minor in Dance
| Theatre 103 |
3 |
| Theatre 105 |
3 |
| Theatre 106 |
3 |
| Theatre 107 |
3 |
| Theatre 108 |
3 |
| Theatre 110 |
3 |
| Theatre 205 |
3 |
| Theatre 206 |
3 |
| Theatre 313 |
3 |
| Theatre 315 |
3 |
Theatre Concentration
| Art 104 |
3 |
| Art 322 |
3 |
| Art 412 |
3 |
| Theatre 100 |
3 |
| Theatre 201 |
1 |
| Theatre 203 |
3 |
| Theatre 204 |
3 |
| Theatre 205 |
3 |
| Theatre 211 |
3 |
| Theatre 212 |
3 |
| Theatre 307 |
3 |
| Theatre 308 |
3 |
| Theatre 309 |
3 |
| Theatre 311 |
3 |
| Theatre 312 |
3 |
| Theatre 314 |
3 |
| Theatre 316 |
3 |
| Theatre 318 |
3 |
| Theatre 319 |
3 |
| Theatre 402 |
3 |
| Theatre 404 |
3 |
| Theatre 406 |
3 |
| Theatre 408 |
3 |
| Theatre 422 |
3 |
| Theatre 434 |
3 |
| Theatre 435 |
3 |
| Theatre 436 |
3 |
| Elective |
6 |
Theatre Minor
A minor in Theatre Arts requires 18 credit hours. The following core courses are required
and 2 courses from the listing below.
Core course required for minor:
| Theatre 100 |
3 |
| Theatre 203 |
3 |
| Theatre 312 |
3 |
| Theatre 318 |
3 |
Students should select two (2) courses from the following:
| Theatre 211 |
3 |
| Theatre 308 |
3 |
| Theatre 311 |
3 |
| Theatre 307 |
3 |
| Theatre 406 |
3 |
| Theatre 430 |
3 |
| Theatre 434 |
3 |
