This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. 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.
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 201 | Painting From Observation | 4 |
| PAPR 231 | Drawing from Observation | 4 |
| PAPR 290 | Concepts and Issues | 2 |
| PAPR 390 | Junior Seminar | 2 |
| PAPR 402 | Senior Degree Project | 4 |
| PAPR 490 | Senior Seminar | 2 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| PAPR 211 | Print Media I | 4 |
| PAPR 301 | Painting Strategies (whichever is not taken as an elective) | 4 |
| or PAPR 311 | Print Media II | |
| PAPR 304 | Paint Practice and Theory | 4 |
| or PAPR 314 | Print Practice and Theory | |
| • Major electives | ||
| PAPR 300- to 400-level courses in painting, printmaking or drawing | 12 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| Art Foundation Program | ||
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 132 | Surface Research | 3 |
| ARTF 133 | Space Research | 3 |
| ARTF 134 | Time Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 139 | Project Studio | 2 |
| or ARTF 138 | Project Seminar | |
| ARTH 103 & ARTH 104 | Survey of Art I and Survey of Art II | 6 |
| Additional requirements | ||
| UNIV 101 | Introduction to the University | 1 |
| ARTH electives | 9 | |
| Studio electives (outside PAPR) 1 | 8 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 11 | |
| Total Hours | 121 | |
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 311 | Print Media II | 4 |
| PAPR 315 | Printmaking, Intermediate (Etching) | 4 |
| PAPR 317 | Printmaking, Intermediate (Lithography) | 4 |
| PAPR 319 | Printmaking, Intermediate (Screenprinting) | 4 |
| Advanced painting electives | ||
| PAPR 301 | Painting Strategies | 4 |
| PAPR 401 | Painting Investigations | 4 |
| Advanced drawing electives | ||
| PAPR 331 | Experiments in Drawing | 4 |
| PAPR 431 | Drawing and the Model | 4 |
| Advanced printmaking electives | ||
| PAPR 409 | Large Format Digital Printing | 4 |
| PAPR 415 | Printmaking, Advanced (Etching) | 4 |
| PAPR 417 | Printmaking, Advanced (Lithography) | 4 |
| PAPR 419 | Printmaking, 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 semester | Hours | |
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 132 | Surface Research | 3 |
| ARTF 139 or ARTF 138 | Project Studio or Project Seminar | 1 |
| ARTH 103 | Survey of Art I | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | Introduction to the University | 1 |
UNIV 111  Play 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 or ARTF 138 | Project Studio or Project Seminar | 1 |
| ARTH 104 | Survey of Art II | 3 |
| UNIV 112 Play 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 or PAPR 311 | Painting Strategies or Print Media II | 4 |
| ARTH elective | 6 | |
| Open electives | 4 | |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| PAPR 304 or PAPR 314 | 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.