New Student Registration: Art

Studio Art

• ART 101 – Introduction to Drawing I (3 credits)
• ART 102 - Introduction to Drawing II (3 credits)
• ART 115 – Introduction to Design (3 credits)
• ART 125 – Materials and Methods (3 credits)
• ART 145 – Introduction to Colour (3 credits)

Art History

• ART 141 – History of Art I (3 credits)
• ART 142 – History of Art II (3 credits)

Studio Art

ART 101 and 102 are the foundation course in Studio Art, and a minimum prerequisite for all upper-level studio art courses except ART 211 and 221, for which either ART 101 and 102, or ART 115 is permissible as a prerequisite; ART 346 and 347, for which either ART 101 and 102, or BIOL 202 is permissible as a prerequisite; and ART 222 and 231, for which there is no prerequisite.

ART 125 and 145, when offered, are usually taken by upper-year students, as ART 101 and 102 are recommended prerequisites. However, if these courses are offered, and there is availability, first-year students that are interested may register. This is only advisable for students who have advanced drawing experience.

Students with advanced drawing experience and a portfolio can apply to enrol in advanced drawing and painting courses without the prerequisite of ART 101 and 102. Contact the department chair to discuss this option.

Students intending a Studio Art minor are reminded that ART 101 and 102, as well as ART 141 and 142 are required. Students with advanced drawing experience may, with permission of the chair, be permitted to use 6 credits of advanced studio art in lieu of ART 101 and 102.

Interested students who are unable to register in ART 101, 102, or 115 in first year, due to time conflicts or full sections, should not be concerned, as these courses may be taken in a future year. Such students intending a Studio Art minor should register in ART 141 and 142, and take ART 101 and 102 in second year.

Art History

ART 141 and/or 142 are minimum prerequisites for ART 260, 261, 343, and 344, and are recommended for other upper-year art history courses.  However, other upper-year courses do not require these courses as prerequisites; they simply require second- or third-year status, depending on the level of the course. 

ART 141 and 142 are required for students intending a minor in Art History or a minor in Studio Art.

Art as Pair or Electives

Students who wish to complete an Art pair may complete 12 credits in Art History, 12 credits in Studio Art, or may use a combination of Art History and Studio Art courses to complete the required 12 credits. However, students are reminded that at least 6 credits of a pair must be at the 200-level or above, so should plan their courses accordingly.

Art History courses may be used as electives in any program.

Studio Art courses may be used as electives in any program, other than the Diploma in Engineering.

Bachelor of Arts students who are considering taking HIST 101 and ART 142, ENGL 100, and PHIL 100 may want to explore the option of the Humanities Colloquium, which offers these courses in an integrated, chronologically coordinated way.

Course Descriptions

101 Introduction to Drawing I
This course will introduce students to the art of drawing. Students will become familiar with conventional drawing materials including graphite, charcoal, conté, ink, and pastel. A disciplined daily working practice and routine will develop throughout the course, offering students transferable skills to all their academic pursuits. This course aims to encourage students to engage in further artistic study and life-long learning. ART 102 is strongly recommended as a complementary course. Three credits.

102 Introduction to Drawing II
This course will continue students’ development in drawing based on the foundation of Introduction to Drawing I. Students will explore the use of conventional drawing materials and techniques while learning basic colour theory, advanced study of value and subtractive drawing, figure drawing, and abstract representation. An end-of-term self-directed artwork assignment is a summation of the course’s learning outcomes. Prerequisite: ART 101, or portfolio demonstrating drawing skills. Three credits.

115  Introduction to Design
This course focuses on design principles and elements such as unity, balance, repetition, line, shape, and colour.  The course provides students with a vocabulary and working knowledge of visual communication.  Students develop their visual problem-solving skills and explore their creativity through studio projects and class discussions.  Three credits.

125  Materials and Methods
This course will afford students the opportunity of working in a variety of art media (two-dimensional and possibly three-dimensional) while exploring techniques, presentations, concept and materials.  Projects may include painting, printmaking, sculpture, animation, textiles and more.  Students with some prior knowledge of drawing and/or art experience will benefit most from this course.  Prerequisite: ART 101, 102 recommended. Three credits.

141  Art & Society I: From Caves to Cathedrals
Long before human beings developed written language, we were making works of art.  This introductory survey examines art and architecture within the intellectual and social contexts of their historical production.  It provides a working knowledge of the history of art from prehistory through Classical Greece and Rome, to the great cathedrals of the Medieval period.  Students will begin to develop critical tools for studying visual culture, and achieve a deeper understanding of cultural history.  Three credits.

142  Art & Society II: From Renaissance to Revolution
This section of the art history survey begins with works of art and architecture of the Italian Renaissance, where new ideas (including the notion of genius) had major repercussions for the cultural and artistic history of subsequent periods, including the Baroque, Romanticism, the 20th century, and our contemporary era.  Students will learn new ways of observing and interpreting art, enrich their appreciation of art and architecture, and further deepen their understanding of cultural and intellectual history.  Three credits.

145  Introduction to Colour
This course deals with the vocabulary, nature and physical properties of colour: hue, value and intensity. Studio assignments provide practice in learning colour relationships in unified and contrasting colour schemes. Prerequisite: ART 101, 102 recommended. Three credits.

Please refer to Section 9.4 Art in the Academic Calendar.

Click here to go to the Art department webpage.