Art Theory and Practice (ARTT)

ARTT 2371. Foundations of Art Education.

This course introduces foundational theories and practices of art teaching and learning. It examines philosophical, historical, and developmental perspectives on artistic learning to establish a broad understanding of how art education is conceptualized. Students engage in inquiry-based analysis of learning theories, assessment approaches, technology, and current topics in the field, and apply these ideas to foundational curriculum design and pedagogical strategies for early childhood through grade 12 (EC–12) art education. Prerequisite: ART 1301 and ART 1303 and ARTS 1301 and ARTS 1302 with a grade of "C" or better.

ARTT 2372. Electronic Media in Art and Art Education.

This course examines theories, practices, and creative processes involving electronic media and tools in art and art education. Students work with digital and analog electronic processes to create original artworks while exploring how these technologies support learning in early childhood through grade 12 (EC–12) art contexts. Through studio practice and structured inquiry, students analyze how electronic media influence artistic production, instructional design, and the role of technology in art education. The course emphasizes developing adaptable skills that can be applied across classroom and community settings, preparing students for upper-level art education coursework. Corequisite: ARTT 2371 with a grade of "C" or better.

ARTT 3370. Teaching Elementary Art for Non-Art Education Majors.

This course introduces theories and practices of children’s art learning for non-art education majors. Students examine how art making relates to children’s critical thinking, learning and making in elementary education contexts. Through studio work, analysis of artworks, and art education frameworks, students apply artistic processes to the design of developmentally appropriate learning experiences for elementary learners. Students study practical strategies for integrating art making into classroom instruction across subject areas.

ARTT 3372. Art Education with Children.

This course examines methods and practices for teaching art in elementary schools. Students analyze children’s artistic development and major art education frameworks to examine how children learn through art making, and how theories of learning inform instructional decisions. Through lesson design and inquiry-based analysis of instructional examples, students evaluate approaches to planning, instruction, and assessment in elementary art education. The course emphasizes practice-based decision making, lesson planning preparation, and professional communication as foundations for effective art teaching. Prerequisites: ARTT 2372 with a grade of "C" or better.

ARTT 3373. Art Education in Adolescence.

This course analyzes the theories and practices of adolescent art learning in secondary settings. Students examine artmaking processes, learning environments, adolescent and artistic development, instructional methods, standards, objectives, and assessment. Students engage in inquiry‑based study of these concepts and apply them to curriculum planning, instructional strategies, and classroom considerations appropriate for grades 6–12. They also evaluate professional practices relevant to teaching responsibilities and consider how these concepts shape planning and instruction in secondary art settings. Prerequisite: ARTT 2371 with a grade of "C" or better.

ARTT 4375. Pedagogy of Art Criticism, History & Aesthetics.

This course introduces pedagogical approaches to teaching art criticism, art history, and aesthetics in school, museum, and community settings. Students learn methods for teaching art criticism and thematic approaches to art history. They also engage aesthetic philosophies as frameworks for interpreting and discussing art and visual culture. They apply these disciplinary approaches to the design of learning experiences that foster analytical engagement and critical thinking. Through research, discussion, and applied work, students examine instructional strategies and consider how these disciplines support comprehensive learning in art education. Prerequisites: ARTT 3372 or ARTT 3373 either with a grade of "C" or better.

ARTT 4376. Special Problems in Art Education.

This course provides art education majors with an opportunity for individualized, faculty-supervised study in art theory and practice. It emphasizes the development of a student-defined area of inquiry in art education that addresses topics not covered in existing coursework and may be theoretical, practice-based, or integrative in focus. Students work collaboratively with a faculty supervisor to design a course of study that includes research, critical inquiry, and, when appropriate, a practical or field-based component situated within educational contexts. Students synthesize research, practice, and reflection to demonstrate advanced learning in art education. Repeatable for credit.

ARTT 4377. Professional Practices for Art Educators.

This course prepares art education majors for professional practice in early childhood through grade 12 art education (EC–12). It emphasizes curriculum design, completion of a comprehensive teaching portfolio, and examination of the role of technology in contemporary art teaching and learning. Students engage in structured learning activities and assignments that integrate and reflect on content knowledge developed across prior art education coursework, studio art, and field experiences. Students use reflective analysis to articulate a teaching philosophy and to revise and extend curriculum materials for their professional teaching portfolio. They demonstrate alignment with standards and requirements associated with career preparation for the profession of art education. Prerequisite: ARTT 4378 with a grade of "B" or better; and ARTT 3372 and ARTT 3373 both with grades of "C" or better; and admittance into Educator Preparation Program (EPP).

ARTT 4378. Emergent Issues & Advanced Topics in Art Education.

This course engages art education majors in advanced inquiry into emergent issues and selected topics in the field of art education. It emphasizes focused study of theoretical, pedagogical, and applied perspectives on issues in art education, situated within contemporary educational contexts. Students engage in structured learning activities and assignments that involve research, critical reading and writing, discussion, and analysis of disciplinary perspectives related to the semester’s rotating topic. Students analyze research and course materials, evaluate perspectives, and synthesize ideas to develop and communicate informed positions on complex or emerging issues in art education. Prerequisite: ARTT 3373 and ARTT 3372 either with a grade of "C" or better.

ARTT 5371. Research Foundations, Art Education Theories and Practices.

This course examines foundational and contemporary theories and practices in art education through research‑supported perspectives. Students engage with historical and current scholarship on artistic development, learning theories, and pedagogical approaches to analyze how art learning is conceptualized within the field. Through research‑based inquiry, students extend their understanding of course topics by applying theoretical perspectives to the introductory design of learning experiences and considering research-informed implications for teaching and learning in art education across varied contexts.

ARTT 5372. Research and Practice in Electronic Media in Art Education.

This course examines theories, practices, and creative processes involving electronic media and tools in art and art education. Students engage with digital and/or analog electronic processes to create original work and to explore how these technologies support learning in K–12 art contexts. Through studio work, critical reading, and sustained research inquiry, students analyze how electronic media shape artistic production, instructional design, and the role of technology in art education. Students develop an independent research project that focuses on digital learning in art education. Prerequisite: ARTT 5371 with a grade with a "C" or better.

ARTT 5376. Research and Practice in Art Education with Children.

This course examines theories, research, and practices related to teaching and learning in elementary art education. Students analyze children’s artistic development and major art education frameworks to examine how children learn through art making and how theories of learning inform instructional decisions. Through lesson design, studio inquiry, critical reading, and sustained research investigation, students evaluate the relationship between learning, teaching, and instructional design in elementary art contexts. The course culminates in an independent research project focused on a specific question related to childhood art education and professional practice. Prerequisite: ARTT 5371 with a grade of a "C" or better.

ARTT 5377. Research in Art Education for Adolescents and Adults.

This course examines scholarly perspectives on art theory and practice related to adolescent and adult learners. Students analyze foundational and current literature, examine conceptual frameworks, and consider how research informs understandings of art learning across these age groups. Through research‑based inquiry, students extend their engagement with course topics by exploring how theoretical perspectives shape art learning and evaluating implications for art education practice in today’s varied secondary and adult educational contexts.