College Catalog: 2010-2011

The Visual Arts Major offers a multidisciplinary education in the arts with advanced study in one specialization. Students may choose courses in art history, art and technology, 3-D modeling and animation, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture and video. Advanced specialization is available in art history, art and technology, drawing, painting, photography and sculpture.

The major begins with the core program of five courses: art and technology, drawing, sculpture, photography, and painting. Students then take art history courses and a range of studio courses leading to study in their area of specialization. After 20 credits of advanced, specialized study, Seniors take Advanced Thesis Exhibition, which focuses on personal work, culminating in their Thesis Exhibition. Art History concentrations will take Advanced Research Projects. Visual Arts students also enjoy wide opportunities to earn college credit as interns, working with artists or art organizations. In addition, courses with field work components are offered as an opportunity for experiential learning in specific areas of student interest. Ramapo students have consistently developed quality portfolios which have enabled them to advance their studies in graduate school, enter the professional art world, and work in art-related fields. Many of our students enter teaching and participate in the certification program.

The Visual Arts are taught within a liberal arts context that makes the study and practice of art relevant to non-majors as well as majors. The study of art not only increases self-confidence in expression and enhances aesthetic satisfaction, but also reveals the social, political and ideological concerns of the culture that produces it. The art history curriculum, in particular, develops this understanding, allowing the student to make essential connections among the world, the work of art, the artist, and the viewer. In addition, The College Galleries, directed by Sydney Jenkins, are an important teaching experiential component of the major, bringing nationally recognized artists and curators to the college.

Members of the Visual Arts faculty are all nationally or internationally recognized active professionals who bring the understanding and immediacy of such experience to students. Students enjoy an intimate, intensive, creative atmosphere and have greater opportunities for close work with faculty than is usually the case in schools with large art departments.

Students with academic and career interests outside the designated areas of specialization may elect to design a Contemporary Arts contract major to help fulfill their goals. Visual Arts faculty can provide information regarding offerings in the areas of Art Therapy, Arts Management, and related art activities contained within the Arts in Community contract major.

Students completing this program receive a B.A. degree.

The Visual Arts Teaching Certification program, certifying students to teach grades K through 12, involves a combined course of study in Teacher Certification together with the Fine Arts/Visual Arts Major. Students should refer to the guidelines for the Teacher Certification Program description in this Catalog and seek faculty advisement. Students can also elect to obtain certification in Elementary Education through the Fine Arts Visual Arts major.

The Visual Arts program is housed in the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts and the Sculpture Studio. The Berrie Center houses spacious, well-equipped art studios where students can study the conventional media of painting, and drawing, as well as digital media, video, and photography. The new sculpture studio, built as a separate structure, provides facilities for metal casting, welding, and fabrication, as well as space for the traditional techniques of modeling and carving. The Ramapo College Art Galleries emphasize exhibitions of contemporary art in all media and provide opportunities for student learning in gallery and museum practice.

1. Transfer students who have 48 or more credits accepted at the time of transfer are waived from the courses marked with a (W) below.  Waivers only apply to General Education Requirements NOT School Core or Major Requirements.
2. Double counting between General Education, School Core, and Major may be possible.  Check with your advisor to see if any apply.
3. Students are required to finish all 200 level Visual Arts distributative requirements by the end of the sophomore year (Sculpture, Art & Tech, Digital Photography, and Drawing/Painting).

Note: A 2.0 GPA in the major is required for graduation.

Director of Art Galleries: Sydney Jenkins
General Education Requirements
Graduation Requirements
The Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts
Ramapo College Galleries
School of Contemporary Arts Website
Faculty Profiles