Fine Arts – Art Option
The Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.) offers the first two years of concentrated study in studio courses for students planning to transfer to a visual arts, theatre, or music baccalaureate program. As a fine arts major, the student may choose to concentrate in either theater, art or music.
SEMESTER I
Short Title : Art Fundamentals: Two Dimensions
Course Code : ART-145
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description :
A studio course to explore two-dimensional concepts and develop visual thinking in relation to various fine arts areas such as drawing and painting. Open to non-art majors as an elective. Required of art majors.
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Art History: Ancient to Renaissance
Course Code : ART-123
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description :
Examines developments in painting, sculpture and architecture from prehistory to the High Renaissance in Western art. Significant periods emphasized through slides and films. Field trips required.
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Drawing
Course Code : ART-109
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description :
A workshop and lecture course exploring media, concepts and techniques of drawing. Skill in representing objects, landscape, human and imaginative form is approached through practice and the examination of the works of previous and present day artists. Individual criticism aimed at personal growth of artistic ability and insight. Outside assignments to be reviewed by instructor. Field trips required.
- Credit : 3
OR
Short Title : Figure Drawing
Course Code : ART-110
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description :
Practice combining nature and the imagination is directed toward exploring form and developing the basic techniques of drawing the undraped figure. Field trips required.
- Credit : 3
Short Title : English Composition I
Course Code : ENG-121
Department Description : English
Course Description :
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.
Prerequisites :
A passing score on the College Placement Test; or a grade of "C" or better in ENG-010 and RDG-011 (RDG-011 can be a co-requisite; or a grade of "C" or better in ESL-097 and ESL-098.
Co requisites :
RDG-011 may be taken as a co-requisite if not previously completed with a grade of "C" or better.
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
Short Title : GE Social Science Elective
Course Code : GE SS
Department Description : GE Social Science Elective
- Credit : 3
Choose three credits from courses designated in the course descriptions as GE SS.
SEMESTER 2
Short Title : Art Fundamentals: Three Dimensions
Course Code : ART-146
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description :
A studio course to explore three-dimensional design concepts and develop visual thinking in relation to various fine arts areas such as sculpture and ceramics. Mixed media - the interaction of two-and-three-dimensional concepts - is explored. Open to non-art majors as an elective. Required of art majors.
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Art History: Renaissance to Modern
Course Code : ART-124
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description :
Examines developments in painting, sculpture and architecture from the High Renaissance to the twentieth century in Western art. Significant artists and their contributions to techniques. Field trips required.
- Credit : 3
Short Title : English Composition II
Course Code : ENG-122
Department Description : English
Course Description : Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing argument synthesis essays. Students engage in formal written argumentation based on extensive reading and analysis of complex texts. Through the research process, students will locate, analyze, and synthesize scholarly sources to advance their own informed positions on relevant issues in the composition of a formal research paper.
Prerequisites :
A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
Short Title : GE Mathematics or Science Elective
Course Code : GE MathSci
Department Description : General Education
- Credit : 3
Choose one 3-credit Mathematics or Science course designated in the course descriptions as General Education MST (GE MST).
Short Title : GE Humanities Elective
Course Code : HUM-EL2
Department Description : Humanities
- Credit : 3
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).
SEMESTER 3
Short Title : Art Portfolio Workshop
Course Code : ART-148
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description :
Student art work is developed and expanded into a coherent portfolio. The course focuses on the preparation of a body of work for presentation in a professional manner and for effective transfer to senior institutions. Issues of quality, range of style and techniques, and methods of representing work in a critical setting are addressed. Field trip required.
Prerequisites :
One or more three-credit studio art courses or written permission of the department chairperson
- Credit : 1
Short Title : Art Elective
Course Code : ART-EL1
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
- Credit : 3
Select an Art Elective from the following:
ART-221 - Painting: Traditional
ART-222 - Painting: Contemporary
ART-223 - Sculpture: Traditional
ART-224 - Sculpture: Contemporary
Short Title : History of Western Civilization I
Course Code : HIS-121
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : The historical development of Western civilization from ancient times to approximately 1715 A.D. Emphasis is on the social, economic, political and cultural forces that helped to shape the West, beginning with the early Mediterranean civilizations and following through to the subsequent rise of European civilization.
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
Short Title : Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Course Code : SPE-121
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description : Introduction to the theory and practice of public address; the study of representative public addresses and the preparation and delivery of short speeches.
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
Short Title : Art Elective
Course Code : ART-EL1
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Computer Applications and Systems
Course Code : CSC-105
Department Description : Business and Computer Science
Course Description :
This course defines computers and computer applications and their use in business, industry and government. Students completing this course will be computer fluent. Students will understand the capabilities and limitations of computers and know how to use them. In addition, students will understand computers and their ethical, legal and societal implications. Topics include the history of computers, hardware devices, software programs, terminology, privacy of information, ethical behavior and the influence of computers on people and society. Hands-on experience includes: using a Windows operating system, a word processor, designing and implementing spreadsheets and producing presentations. This course is recommended for anyone who will be involved with computers and the use of computer application software.
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
SEMESTER 4
Short Title : Art Studio Seminar
Course Code : ART-149
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description :
Art studio issues are addressed as they relate to the artist in contemporary society. The motivations, relevance and the nature of art-making in American and global culture are investigated. The creation of subject matter for artistic expression that is personally meaningful is placed in a larger aesthetic context. The conceptual links among all the visual arts are explored. Field trip required.
Prerequisites :
One or more three-credit studio art courses or written permission of the department chairperson and Counseling and Career Services Office
- Credit : 1
Short Title : Art Elective
Course Code : ART-EL1
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
- Credit : 3
Short Title : GE Diversity Elective
Course Code : DVR-EL1
Department Description : History and Social Science
- Credit : 3
Short Title : History of Western Civilization II
Course Code : HIS-122
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : Europe and the world since 1715. Emphasis is on the emerging nation-state political system, the Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century, and intellectual history of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the rise of totalitarianism in the twentieth century and the world balance of power since 1914.
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
OR
Short Title : Art History: Modern and Contemporary
Course Code : ART-125
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description :
Examines developments in painting, sculpture and architecture in Western Art since the Industrial Revolution to the present day via major styles, movements and significant artists. Field trips required.
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Art Elective
Course Code : ART-EL1
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Physical Educ Elective
Course Code : PED-EL1
Department Description : History and Social Sciences
- Credit : 1
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Program will be able to:
- Define the basic art elements and apply these fundamentals to demonstrate strong foundational knowledge of Fine Arts techniques and materials.
- Recognize works of art from various historical periods and styles and identify the artists that produced them.
- Critique works of art demonstrating critical and visual thinking skills and synthesize and implement this information in individual artistic production.
- Synthesize art historical influences and personal experience in the creation of work of art and develop awareness of the roles of tradition and experimentation in artmaking.
- Produce a portfolio of artwork in preparation for transfer to a four-year BFA program in a university or art school setting.
Contact Information
Contact Name: Annie Hogan, department chair
Contact Phone: 732.906.2589
Contact Email: ahogan@middlesexcc.edu
Department Web:https://www.middlesexcc.edu/vpma/
Frequently Asked Questions
What will students learn if they study Fine Arts?
Fine arts will provide a strong foundation in the creative field of choice as well as a well-rounded education with a generous range of liberal arts courses required by baccalaureate fine arts programs. Students create a body of work or enhance skills in a chosen field in ways that will assist them in being accepted into a competitive fine arts program at a four-year institution.
Are there any requirements that must be satisfied before taking courses in the major?
Algebra I is a prerequisite for all majors. Algebra I competency may be verified with a passing score on the College’s placement test or completion of the appropriate course.
How long will it take to complete this degree?
Once students complete developmental coursework (if needed), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. They can shorten the amount of time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.
Transfer Information
Our students transfer to 4-year colleges and universities around the globe. We’ve had students transfer to every state, including Alaska and Hawaii.
The Statewide Transfer Agreement for New Jersey ensures that students who earn an A.A. or A.S. degree at a community college will have those credits fully transferable to a New Jersey public four-year institution, will have completed half of the credits required for a basic four-year degree and will have completed all lower division general education requirements. In addition, articulation agreements are being worked out with institutions granting baccalaureate degrees to facilitate the transfer process. Students should discuss the transfer process with an advisor.
Are you interested in transferring to a school in New Jersey? You can use the tools at NJTransfer.org to see which of your MCC courses will transfer to a specific college.