Aissa H. Deebi, Ph.D.
Associate professor and director

Student learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:

PLO 1 – Technical skill: Students will achieve proficiency of tools, techniques and materials used in their media area. Students are expected to achieve technical proficiency in painting and printmaking and possess the skill to translate their creative ideas through studio practice.

PLO 2 – Creativity: Students should develop the capacity to combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways. Students should be able to think, react and work in an imaginary way characterized by a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, problem solving, risk taking and the embracing of contradictions. Students are expected to develop personal voices as artists based on an awareness of social, historical and critical issues.

PLO 3 – Critical and conceptual thinking: Students should demonstrate comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts and practices before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion. Students have the ability to think critically and to articulate their ideas via conversation, public speaking and writing.

PLO 4 – Professional practice: Students should possess the professional skills required by contemporary artists and those working within the eld of creative practices. Student should be well versed the [sic] necessary skills to promote their work, document their work and liaise with other professionals. Students comprehend the potential impact of contemporary art on culture.

Special requirements

  • Studio courses are designed to be taken in the following sequence: 200 level (basic), 300 level (intermediate) and 400 level (advanced). Instructors may ask students to withdraw from a course if they lack the appropriate background of knowledge and experience.

Degree requirements for Painting and Printmaking, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)

Course Title Hours
General education
Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser.30
Major requirements
• Major core requirements
PAPR 201Painting From Observation4
PAPR 231Drawing from Observation4
PAPR 290Concepts and Issues2
PAPR 390Junior Seminar2
PAPR 402Senior Degree Project4
PAPR 490Senior Seminar2
• Additional major requirements
PAPR 211Print Media I4
PAPR 301Painting Strategies (whichever is not taken as an elective)4
or PAPR 311 Print Media II
PAPR 304Paint Practice and Theory4
or PAPR 314 Print Practice and Theory
• Major electives
PAPR 300- to 400-level courses in painting, printmaking or drawing12
Ancillary requirements
Art Foundation Program
ARTF 131Drawing Studio3
ARTF 132Surface Research3
ARTF 133Space Research3
ARTF 134Time Studio3
ARTF 139Project Studio2
or ARTF 138 Project Seminar
ARTH 103
ARTH 104
Survey of Art I
and Survey of Art II
6
Additional requirements
UNIV 101Introduction to the University1
ARTH electives9
Studio electives (outside PAPR) 18
Open electives
Select any course.11
Total Hours121
1

Studio courses outside painting and printmaking include: CRAF, SCPT, KINE, PHTO or GDES.

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 121.

Electives

Course Title Hours
Intermediate printmaking electives
PAPR 311Print Media II4
PAPR 315Printmaking, Intermediate (Etching)4
PAPR 317Printmaking, Intermediate (Lithography)4
PAPR 319Printmaking, Intermediate (Screenprinting)4
Advanced painting electives
PAPR 301Painting Strategies4
PAPR 401Painting Investigations4
Advanced drawing electives
PAPR 331Experiments in Drawing4
PAPR 431Drawing and the Model4
Advanced printmaking electives
PAPR 409Large Format Digital Printing4
PAPR 415Printmaking, Advanced (Etching)4
PAPR 417Printmaking, Advanced (Lithography)4
PAPR 419Printmaking, Advanced (Screenprinting)4

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Freshman year
Fall semesterHours
ARTF 131 Drawing Studio 3
ARTF 132 Surface Research 3
ARTF 139
Project Studio
or Project Seminar
1
ARTH 103 Survey of Art I 3
UNIV 101 Introduction to the University 1
UNIV 111 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry I Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 17
Spring semester
ARTF 133 Space Research 3
ARTF 134 Time Studio 3
ARTF 139
Project Studio
or Project Seminar
1
ARTH 104 Survey of Art II 3
UNIV 112 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry II Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Sophomore year
Fall semester
PAPR 201 Painting From Observation 4
PAPR 231 Drawing from Observation 4
PAPR 290 Concepts and Issues 2
UNIV 200 Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Spring semester
PAPR 211 Print Media I 4
General education course 3
General education course 3
Open elective 4
 Term Hours: 14
Junior year
Fall semester
PAPR 301
Painting Strategies
or Print Media II
4
ARTH elective 6
Open electives 4
 Term Hours: 14
Spring semester
PAPR 304
Paint Practice and Theory
or Print Practice and Theory
4
PAPR 390 Junior Seminar 2
PAPR 300- or 400-level course 4
Studio elective (outside PAPR) 4
 Term Hours: 14
Senior year
Fall semester
ARTH elective 3
PAPR 300- or 400-level courses 4
General education course 3
Open elective 3
Studio elective (outside PAPR) 4
 Term Hours: 17
Spring semester
PAPR 402 Senior Degree Project 4
PAPR 490 Senior Seminar 2
PAPR 300- or 400-level course 4
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 13
 Total Hours: 121

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 121.