Course Descriptions 11-12 - NHTI - Concord's Community College

VRTS 112 Survey of Western Art History II 3-0-3This course examines the history of painting sculpture andarchitecture created by Western Europeans from the early14th century through the 19th century (and beyond if timepermits). These works of art will be studied as a way tounderstand the way of life, beliefs and priorities of thesesocieties, as well as contemporary culture. Students will alsocontinue to develop the basic skills and vocabulary necessaryto critique a work of art.VRTS 115 History of Modern Art 3-0-3This course examines the origins and development ofModern Art from the French Revolution in 1789 to theoutbreak of World War II in 1939. Late 20th Century Art,including Postmodernism, and trends in Contemporary Artare introduced. Emphasis is placed on two-dimensional art,sculpture and architecture, and the creative processesemployed by modern artists. Students explore individualworks of art within their cultural and historical context.VRTS 120 Introduction to Oil Painting 2-4-4An introduction to the basic techniques of oil painting,concentrating on the principles of color and light. Using avariety of subject matter, students will explore the problemsof pictorial composition, color theory, oil-related mediumsand techniques.VRTS 121 Introduction to Watercolor 2-4-4This course introduces the student to the basic watercolortechniques and use of materials. It is a sequential program ofstudy, applying the elements and principles of Two-Dimensional design to the watercolor discipline. Students willstudy still life, landscape, and the human form. Referencewill be made to past and contemporary masters of thewatercolor medium. (Prerequisite: FA 101 with a grade of “C”or higher)Special topics courses listed under VRTS 125 Introduction tothe Traditional ArtsCourses under this heading allow students to work withestablished artists to develop skills using tools and methodsused to create functional artwork throughout history.VRTS 125A Woodworking in the Hand Tool Tradition2-4-4This course will focus on the skills and insightsnecessary to find beautifully functional spoons in thetree and to extract them by techniques traditional tothe New England farm shed. Students must attend allof the first six classes, after which no more than twoabsences will be allowed without penalty.VRTS 126 Introduction to Printmaking 2-4-4This course introduces the student to the basic printmakingintaglio and relief techniques and use of materials. It is asequential program of study, applying the elements andprinciples of two-dimensional design to the printmakingdiscipline. The course is designed to give the student indepthexperimentation in creating single and multi-plateprints while encouraging creative ideas and content.Technical areas addressed include color registration, editionprinting, presentation and image development, ink andpaper selection. Reference will be made to past andcontemporary masters of the printmaking medium(Prerequisite: FA 101 with a grade of “C” or higher)VRTS 130 Introduction to Photography 2-4-4This basic photography course is designed to familiarize thestudent with the use and care of photographic equipment, a35mm manual camera, as well as developing and darkroomprinting techniques. The assignments are designed to cover avariety of shooting situations, and the expectation is that thestudent will apply the elements of composition to anddemonstrate proficient technical ability with expressivecontent in the making of pictures. Students should expect toprovide their own 35mm camera.VRTS 133 Introduction to Figural Sculpture 2-4-4This course is an introduction to basic human figuralsculpture, designed to develop the student's understandingof the anatomical structures of the human figure, gesturalforms, constructive methods, and then applying thisknowledge to create unique character and figural sculpturesin traditional sculpting media, such as wire, wax, plaster, andclay. The emphasis in imagery will be: direct live modelobservations, translating 2-D sources into form, developinghand-eye coordination, technical discipline, and evolving apersonal expressive use of materials, technique, and subjectmatter. All projects are designed to combine relatedtechnical, visual, and historical components. (FA 101 or FA104 with a grade of “C” or higher)VRTS 135 Introduction to Ceramics 2-4-4This introduction to ceramics will focus on studio workleading to the completion of five projects. Students will learnthe basics of handbuilding, the potter's wheel, kiln firing,glazing, and surface embellishment. Class time will be madeup of instructor's demonstrations, group critiques, andindividual studio work. Projects will stress the sculpturalpotential of clay with a visit into the aesthetic merit offunctional vessel making. A research project, introducingstudents to the work of contemporary clay artists, willprovide inspiration and direction.VRTS 201 Drawing II 2-4-4This advanced drawing class builds upon the aesthetic,technical, and conceptual foundation established in VRTS 101(Introduction to Drawing). This observational drawing coursewill develop greater technical facility with materials andexplore methods for translating and interpreting one'senvironment onto a drawing. As conceptual options and skillwith materials increase, drawing will become a strongeroutlet for personal and creative expression. Students willexpand their understanding and use of color and work moreextensively from the human figure. The historical foundationof drawing will be explored, as well as contemporary andhistorical trends. (Prerequisite: FA 101)VRTS 210 Life Drawing 2-4-4This advanced drawing class builds upon the aesthetic,technical, and conceptual foundation established inIntroduction to Drawing (VRTS 101) with an emphasis on thehuman form. The student will aim to develop a knowledge ofand a sensitivity to the structure, anatomy, and expressivequalities of the human form in a variety of ways including8/17/2011 NHTI, Concord’s Community College Course Descriptions 2011-2012 58