academic catalogue

2023-2024 Catalogue

Visual Studies

Visual studies is an interdisciplinary approach to art history that can incorporate philosophy, psychology, literary studies, communication, and art and design to gain a deeper understanding of our histories and cultures of seeing and how the visual experience constructs power, cultural beliefs, and values. This minor is appropriate for students who are interested in art history and culture studies, curatorial/museum studies, art theory, art therapy, and film studies.

The Visual Studies minor involves lecture/discussion, hands on and fieldwork, photography, and a wide range of electives providing the student the opportunity to craft the minor to fit their individual interests and engage in the interdisciplinary and analytical nature of Visual Studies in line with the educational goals of the liberal and fine arts.

The student learning outcomes for the minor in Visual Studies are:

I. Develop an awareness of major stylistic and aesthetic developments in areas of visual culture and art history around the world;
II. Formally analyze a visual image from art or visual media using cultural, political, or aesthetic lenses;
III. Articulate how interdisciplinary approaches to visual studies shape our understanding of art, artifacts, and visual culture, or social impact.

Minor Requirements: A minor in Visual Studies requires 21 hours of course work from the following:

Core Requirements (12 hrs)
ARH 126: The Critical Eye
ART 275: Digital Photography
ARH 220: Visual and Curatorial studies
ARH 354: Issues in Contemporary Art

Electives (9 hrs)
At least one course at 300 level (only one additional ARH can be chosen)
ARH 230: Art History II: 16th to 20th Century
ARH 396: Special Topics

ART 106 Understanding Images
ART 110: Art/Design from Nature
ART 225: Graphic Design
ART 260: Introduction to Jewelry
ART 280: Video
ART 345 Web Design

COM 214: Relational Communication
COM 215 Introduction to Media Studies
COM 216: Intercultural Communication
COM 305: Mediating Genders
HUM 250: Technology & Society

ENG 111: Analyzing Literature
ENG 161: Creative Writing
ENG 210: Introduction to Literary Criticism
ENG 221: Readings in Race, Class, and Gender.
ENG 300: Literature and Film
ENG 302: Digital Culture

PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy
PHI 210: Readings in Philosophy
PHI 223: Ethics
PHI 309: From Modern to Postmodern
PHI 355: Seminar in Gender and Philosophy

PSY 101: General Psychology
PSY 201: Psychology of Human Sexuality
PSY 203: Social Psychology ( PSY 101 pre req)
PSY 301: Psychology of Gender ( PSY 101 or WST 200 pre req)
PSY 310: Cognitive Psychology ( PSY 101 pre req)
PSY 365: Community Psychology ( PSY 365 pre req)

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Calendar of Events

Wesleyan College is privileged to steward many arts and cultural events and share them with the community. Most are free and open to the public. Wesleyan art galleries are open M-F 1-5PM and on Wesleyan Market Saturdays from 10AM-2PM.

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