This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2023-2024 VCU Bulletin. This edition includes all programs
and courses approved by the publication deadline; however we may receive notification of additional program
approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available
in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Ryan Patton, Ph.D.
Associate professor and chair
The Department of Art Education supports instruction in art that encourages the construction of meaning. Faculty and students are actively involved with the art world, education and local and global communities through art-based service-learning, visual culture studies, critical thinking, exhibition, assessment, curriculum, critical theory and emerging digital technologies (virtual and interactive).
The department emphasizes interdisciplinary connections throughout the School of the Arts and the university as a whole. Through their own research and instruction, art teacher candidates engage their students and themselves in traditional and nontraditional forms of inquiry to contribute to the continuing growth and strength of the profession.
ARTE 222. Rethinking Popular, Visual and Media Culture. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online). 3 credits. Learning to rethink the consumption and production of popular, visual and media texts. This course provokes investigations of cultural texts (visual art, digital media, performance and sites of popular culture) and their relationship to the sociocultural constructions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, class, etc., as well as the intersections of privilege and oppression in contemporary life.
ARTE 250. Computer Technology in Art Education. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. For art education majors only. The use of computer as a tool for creating electronic imagery, as a filtering mechanism for traditional media and to develop teaching materials for the pre-K through 12th-grade classroom. The course includes an introduction to presentation technology, digital imaging and Web page design. Ethical and copyright issues related to new technologies will be addressed.
ARTE 301. Art for Elementary Teachers. 3 Hours.
Continuous courses; 1 lecture, 1 seminar and 2 studio hours. 3-3 credits. Prerequisite: completion of ARTE 301 to enroll in ARTE 302. The nature of art and its function in the lives of individuals and society is considered in addition to materials and methods for guiding the visual expression of children.
ARTE 302. Art for Elementary Teachers. 3 Hours.
Continuous courses; 1 lecture, 1 seminar and 2 studio hours. 3-3 credits. Prerequisite: completion of ARTE 301 to enroll in ARTE 302. The nature of art and its function in the lives of individuals and society is considered in addition to materials and methods for guiding the visual expression of children.
ARTE 310. Foundations of Art Education. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. For art education majors only or by approval of the department chair. An examination of art education within the curricular structure of educational programs and the developmental growth of children. Students will explore the historical, philosophical and sociological foundations of art in education, including art education's development and current roles.
ARTE 311. Art Education Curriculum and Instructional Procedures. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: ARTE 310. For art education majors only. A study of the principles of learning, instruction and curriculum in art education programs. Students will develop teaching competencies through micro-teaching experiences, analysis of instructional methods and writing units of study.
ARTE 380. Justice and Equity in the Visual Arts and Education. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Through lectures and discussion, students will engage with the history and current state of education and the arts. The course addresses intersectional approaches to studying the arts; contemporary and historical structures; and concepts that affect artists, art-making and education.
ARTE 401. Art Education Elementary Materials and Practicum. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture and 3 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisites: UNIV 200 or HONR 200, admission to the art teacher preparation program and completion of ARTE 311. For art education majors only or by the approval of the department chair. A preparatory experience with observation and participation in art programs in elementary grades prior to student teaching. This course explores art materials, techniques and teaching methods suitable for this level; and analyzes evaluation strategies appropriate for art.
ARTE 402. Art Education Secondary Materials and Practicum. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture and 3 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisites: admission to the art teacher preparation program and completion of ARTE 311. For art education majors only or by approval of department chair. A preparatory experience with observation and participation in art programs in middle school, secondary school and nontraditional settings prior to student teaching. This course explores art materials and techniques suitable for these levels, examines developmental performance levels and analyzes evaluation methods appropriate for art. Writing intensive.
ARTE 404. Clinical Internship Seminar. 1 Hour.
Semester course; 1 seminar hour. 1 credit. Corequisites: TEDU 485 and 486. For art education majors only. Capstone experience. A seminar concurrent with clinical internship (student teaching) that gives students an opportunity to discuss and evaluate their progress in teaching assignments and other related activities.
ARTE 405. Methods and Field Experience in Art Education. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 1 lecture and 6 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: ARTE 311. Corequisite: ARTE 406. Enrollment is restricted to art education majors who have been admitted to the art teacher preparation program or by approval of department chair. A preparatory experience with observation and participation in art programs in elementary school, middle school and/or secondary school settings prior to student teaching. This course explores teaching techniques suitable for these levels, examines developmental performance levels and analyzes evaluation methods appropriate for art. Writing intensive.
ARTE 406. Materials and Management in Art Education. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: ARTE 311. Corequisite: ARTE 405. Enrollment is restricted to art education majors who have been admitted to the art teacher preparation program or by approval of department chair. This course is designed to assist educators in becoming effective managers of learning spaces and art materials. Emphasis on application of classroom/activity management, motivational and instructional theories, and the development and use of art materials for the K-12 classroom, museum and community settings. Models of classroom and activity management are explored with techniques to develop personal management plans. An emphasis will be placed on determining art materials and forms of student production predicated on learning modes and instructional styles to evaluate the effectiveness of the art lesson.
ARTE 407. Photography in Art Education. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 1 lecture and 2 studio hours. 3 credits. A general introduction to the technical, theoretical and historical issues related to photography. Taught as a seminar and workshop teaching both digital and traditional camera functions, photographic terms, concepts, history, technique and alternative processes applicable to K-12 education.
ARTE 408. Two-dimensional Art Experiences. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 1 seminar and 4 studio hours. 3 credits. Open to art education majors only. Students will explore the two-dimensional traditional and emerging media that are relevant to teaching. The focus will be contemporary methods and conceptual approaches to visual meaning-making.
ARTE 409. Three-dimensional Art Experiences. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 1 seminar and 4 studio hours. 3 credits. Open to art education majors only. Students will explore the three-dimensional traditional and emerging media that are relevant to teaching. The focus will be contemporary methods and conceptual approaches to visual meaning-making.
ARTE 450. Art for the Exceptional Student. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: ARTE 311. For art education majors only. A study of the unique characteristics of exceptional students as related to involvement in the arts. The course examines disabled, aged, gifted, talented and other exceptional learners, and may include practicum and field experiences.
ARTE 491. Special Topics. 3 Hours.
Semester course; variable hours. Variable credit. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credits with different content. A seminar and/or workshop offered on a variety of art education issues not included in the regular curriculum. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.
ARTE 492. Independent Study. 1-6 Hours.
Semester course; variable hours. 1-6 credits per semester. May be repeated for a maximum total of 6 credits. Prerequisites: consent of department chair and instructor. Offered to art education majors only. This course will be limited to those few students who have demonstrated an exceptional level of ability and intense commitment to a particular area.
ARTE 493. Internship. 1-6 Hours.
Semester course; variable hours. 1-6 credits. May be repeated for a maximum total of 6 credits. Consent of department chair required. Offered to art education majors only. This service-learning course is designed to encourage students to seek internships with organizations that lead to research in art education and deepen engagement with diverse communities. Students must secure departmental approval for internships the semester prior to registration. International internships must register with the Education Abroad office.
ARTE 494. International Field Experience. 1-6 Hours.
Semester course; variable hours. 1-6 credits. Education Abroad application and consent of instructor required. Open to all students. This course is designed to facilitate student interactions with arts organizations in international settings that lead to research in art education and deepen engagement with diverse communities.