School of Art

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Dean: Dr. Andrew Harris

School of Art

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Fine Arts Building, Room 293
Phone: (415) 338-2176
Fax: (415) 338-6537
Undergraduate Email: sch_art@sfsu.edu
Graduate Email: artgrad@sfsu.edu
Website: http://art.sfsu.edu

Director: Gwen Allen
Graduate Coordinator: Chris Finley

Mission Statement

The School of Art provides students with intellectually informed instruction in the histories and practices of the visual arts and museum studies within the context of a liberal arts university. The guiding principle of its curricula and instruction is the belief that art and its institutions are an important means to interpret human experience, and a fundamental mechanism by which a society evolves, understands, and reflects upon itself. The School of Art supports the university mission to offer instruction that promotes respect for and appreciation of scholarship, freedom, human diversity, and the cultural mosaic of the San Francisco Bay area and beyond, and encourages critical thinking within an inclusive worldview.

The curriculum provides students pathways to engage in personal, philosophical, political, and conceptual questions through art practice, research, and writing. Using a heuristic approach to learning, fueled by curiosity, students are encouraged to understand and challenge normative paradigms, resulting in new forms and ways of thinking. The conceptual exploration of materials, objects, images, texts, actions and events develops transferable skill sets that will enrich students’ lives and prepare them for roles as artists, curators, art historians and creative professionals. The program cultivates visual literacy and critical thinking, and engenders professional conduct (discipline), adaptability, social awareness and social justice, through an understanding of the role of art and its institutions in the human experience. The School of Art offers undergraduate majors and minors in Studio Art and Art History, a minor in Museum Studies, as well as pathways to teaching art. At the graduate level, we offer an M.F.A. in Art and an M.A. in Museum Studies.

Program Scope

The School of Art is committed to offering a fine arts curriculum in a liberal arts context with diverse and vital programs for the study of the visual arts in Northern California. Its programs foster the development of specialized skills, encourage personal creative direction, and promote understanding of the history and cultural traditions that shape artistic expression. The School of Art faculty are dedicated to bridging the practice, theory, and history of art, and to combining traditional and new technologies in a manner that reflects and affects contemporary culture. The Bachelor of Arts in Art program consists of a core and the choice of a concentration in Art History, Studio Art, or Art History, and Studio Art. The area of concentration focuses study in one specialty, but with a degree of breadth sufficient for understanding and awareness in other areas. All courses are designed to provide a broad experiential and conceptual orientation to the visual arts and art history. Advanced courses in the concentrations focus on perceptual skills, conceptual practices, creative expression, and critical thinking. Attention is given to traditions and heritage of the discipline, contemporary issues, and forms, imaginative problem solving, and written English proficiency within the discipline.

The Master of Arts in Art is the only terminal master’s degree in Art History in the San Francisco Bay Area. Coursework emphasizes methodology, history, research, and writing. Students produce a thesis that allows for focused research on a specific topic under the direction of a thesis advisor.

The Master of Fine Arts in Art program emphasizes the development of individual creative direction in the context of contemporary, interdisciplinary art practice. Coursework emphasizes contemporary art, critique, experimentation with forms of expression, and professional presentation of works of art.

The School’s website offers additional information: http://art.sfsu.edu/

Facilities

The Fine Arts Building features specialized studio spaces for Sculpture, Fiber and Material Studies (including a dye laboratory, loom, and surface design studios), Photography (including chemical and digital labs), Painting and Drawing, and Printmaking. Specialized equipment includes large format printers and a laser cutter. The building is also home to the 3,800 square foot Fine Arts Gallery, the Martin Wong Gallery, and the Global Museum. Graduate studio spaces are located in the Fine Arts Building. The School maintains an instructional archive/collection of historic and contemporary prints, drawings, and photographs.

Career Outlook

Opportunities for the graduate with a bachelor’s degree in art vary depending on the student’s initiative and inclinations. Students dedicated to creative expression in art practice, or scholarly research in the history of art, may elect to pursue graduate education. Others may find opportunities for technical or on-the-job training in related fields. A course in exhibition design is offered in the professional environment of the Fine Arts Gallery and provides intense, practical, and theoretical training for gallery and art museum careers. Art and art history students with an interest in working with visual artifacts, and with the diverse professional aspects of presenting art and artists elect courses in this popular area.

Graduate degrees open the door to teaching positions at the college-university level. Students who elect to pursue careers outside the arts may find access to more rewarding cultural life experiences through their visual arts education.

An art minor is offered for students who wish to pursue a secondary interest in art on a structured basis.

Graduate Program in Art

Two graduate programs are offered–Master of Arts with an emphasis in Art History and a Master of Fine Arts in Art. The three-year professional M.F.A. curriculum is an integrated course of study across a spectrum of studio arts and their adjunct fields of theory, history, and criticism. The M.A. prepares students for doctoral studies and careers in galleries, museums, and other community institutions.

Art Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate competence in employing the fundamentals and principles of art in art practice and art history.
Demonstrate an understanding of the traditional canons of art history and revisionist scholarship.
Evaluate and discern quality, meaning, and significance in works of art using the historical, theoretical, and social methods of art history and contemporary art practice.
Distinguish the various contexts in which art is experienced.
Show evidence of curiosity, risk-taking, experimentation, and problem-solving to generate a personally constructed conceptual direction in art practice and research in visual and written work.
Understand the ethical dimensions of artistic practice and art historical scholarship within a global context.

Art

Professor

GWEN ALLEN (2007), Professor of Art; B.A. (1994), Smith College; M.A. (1999), Stanford University; Ph. D (2004), Stanford University.

GAIL DAWSON (2003), Professor of Art; B.A. (1979), M.A. (1988), University of California, Berkeley; B.F.A. (1997), M.F.A. (2000), University of Texas, Austin.

VICTOR DE LA ROSA (2006), Professor of Art; B.A. (1999), San Francisco State University; M.F.A. (2001), University of California, Davis; M.F.A. (2004), Rhode Island School of Design.

LEWIS DeSOTO (1988), Professor of Art; B.A. (1978), University of California, Riverside; M.F.A. (1981), Claremont Graduate School.

JEFFREY DOWNING (2002), Professor of Art; B.A. (1989), M.F.A. (1992), San Francisco State University.

MARK JOHNSON (1994), Professor of Art; B.S. (1975), Yale University; M.A. (1981), San Francisco State University; M.F.A. (1982), University of California, Berkeley.

SANTHI KAVURI-BAUER (2003), Professor of Art; B.A. (1991), Rutgers University; M.A. (1996), Ph.D. (2002), University of California, Los Angeles.

MARIO LAPLANTE (1996), Professor of Art; B.F.A. (1983), Concordia University, Montreal; M.F.A. (1989), University of Wisconsin.

PAULA LEVINE (1999), Professor of Art; B.A. (1970), Elmira College; M.S.W. (1973), New York University; M.F.A. (1988), San Francisco Art Institute.

FRANCISCO PEREZ (1986), Professor of Art; B.F.A. (1972), University of Hartford; M.F.A. (1980), Cranbrook Academy of Art.

Associate Professor

MICHAEL ARCEGA (2013), Associate Professor of Art; B.F.A. (1999), San Francisco Art Institute; M.F.A. (2009), Stanford University.

SUSAN BELAU (2008), Associate Professor of Art; B.A. (1993), University of California, Santa Cruz; MFA (1999), University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

CHRISTOPHER FINLEY (2011), Associate Professor of Art; B.F.A. (1993), Art Center College of Design.

Assistant Professor

LIBBY BLACK (2017), Assistant Professor of Art; B.F.A (1999), The Cleveland Institute of Art; M.F.A. (2001), The California College of the Arts.

ILANA CRISPI (2016), Assistant Professor of Art; B.A. (1999), Brown University; M.F.A. (2006), Mills College.

SEAN MCFARLAND (2018), Assistant Professor of Art; B.S. (2002), Humboldt State University; M.F.A. (2004), California College of the Arts.

Museum Studies

Professor

EDWARD M. LUBY (2002), Professor of Museum Studies; B.A. (1982), University of Rochester; M.A. (1987), Ph.D. (1990), Stony Brook University, New York.

Lecturers

Alper, Bardolph, Caprari, DeVere, Fogarty, Franklin, Jiménez, Kienzle

Art History Courses

Museum Studies Courses

Art

Explanation of Course Descriptions, Symbols, and Terms

ART 210 Introduction to Digital Media Arts (Units: 3)

The fundamentals, principles, and tools for 2D/3D graphics, time-based media, and interactive art. Examination of aesthetics, visual and verbal language, and art historical and current practices in the media. Activity.

ART 222 Introduction to Textile Art (Units: 3)

Studio experiences correlating textile media with basic techniques and processes. Activity. Extra fee required.

ART 231 Introduction to Drawing (Units: 3)

Studio experiences with dry and wet materials. Visual translation of three-dimensional objects to a two-dimensional surface, as well as approaches to copying, abstraction, and pattern using linear, tonal and volumetric indication, and perspective, with attention to composition. Activity. Extra fee required.

ART 235 Introduction to Printmaking (Units: 3)

Studio experiences correlating drawing and printmaking media with basic techniques and processes. Activity. Extra fee required.

Course Attributes:

C1: Arts

ART 240 Introduction to Contemporary Sculpture (Units: 3)

Studio experiences exploring sculptural, theoretical, and visual processes using a variety of materials, methods, and context as a means of investigation. Emphasis on personal creative growth and development. Activity. Extra fee required.

Course Attributes:

C1: Arts

ART 245 Introduction to Ceramics (Units: 3)

Studio experiences correlating clay media with basic techniques and processes. Activity. Extra fee required.

Course Attributes:

C1: Arts

ART 260 Introduction to the Darkroom (Units: 3)

Introduction to black and white film processing, darkroom printing, operation of 35mm film cameras, and photography as a creative medium. 35mm camera with manually adjustable apertures and shutter speeds required. Activity. Extra fee required.

ART 310 Foundations in Digital Media Art (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: A 200-level ART course or consent of the instructor.

Exploration and development of digital media and skills within an interdisciplinary studio art context with an emphasis on concept-driven strategies. Includes 2D and 3D graphics, time-based media (video/sound), and topics such as 3D printing, web development, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, 360-degree video productions, and interactive media. Activity.

ART 330 Foundations in Painting (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; ART 231 or equivalent.

Exploration and development of oil painting practice with an emphasis on translating three dimensions into two using color, value, and mark-making toward representational ends. Traditional and non-traditional approaches to starting, developing, and resolving paintings. How to distinguish and articulate quality and meaning in works of art. Activity. Extra fee required. [Formerly ART 430]

ART 335 Foundations in Printmaking Processes: Drawing the Multiple (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ART 231*.

Overview of traditional printmaking processes that utilize drawing and the hand-made mark. Emphasis on developing students' fluency in materials and connecting printmaking processes and history with contemporary practice. Activity. Extra fee required.

ART 340 Foundations in Contemporary Sculpture: Materials & Concepts (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; a 200-level ART class; or consent of the instructor.

Development of contemporary sculpture material research and conceptual strategies. Emphasis on transferable skills, personal lexicon, and presentation. Emphasis on critiques, discussion, and critical discourse. Activity. Extra fee required. [Formerly ART 540]

ART 345 Foundations in Ceramics (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of the instructor.

Foundations of ceramics including material, technique and applications, historic relevance, and contemporary art. Emphasis placed on process, hand-building construction techniques, experimentation, and context of ceramic works. Activity.

ART 360 Foundations in Photography (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; one 200-level ART course or equivalent.

Digital camera operation, color photography, image processing, workflow, digital image processing, and inkjet printing. Combines technical exercises with conceptual themes in historical and contemporary photography. Digital camera required. Activity. Extra fee required. [Formerly ART 560]

ART 410 Conceptual Art After Conceptual Art (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing or consent of the instructor.

Interdisciplinary study rooted in conceptual practices, methods, and strategies. The primacy of ideas
and processes in studio work. Explore chance, public actions, performance, experiment with language
and text, and more. Studio work influenced by technology, art, culture, and everyday life. Activity. Extra
fee required.

ART 411 Interactive Arts (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of the instructor.

Skills, knowledge, concepts, and aesthetics in designing interactive artworks using basic electronics, microcomputers, and microcontrollers in a fine arts context. Activity. Extra fee required. [Formerly ART 311]

ART 413 Video Art (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; upper-division standing; ART 210; or consent of the instructor.

Introduction to digital video art and sound, including video art production, history, and current practices. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required. [Formerly ART 513]

ART 422 Weaving I: Beginning (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ART 222 or equivalent.

Basic weaving techniques using four harness looms. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units on advisement. Extra fee required.

ART 423 Constructed Surfaces (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art majors and minors; ART 222.

Exploration in relief surface treatments using a variety of approaches incorporating textile-related techniques. Possibilities of raw materials and substrates for adhesion, integration or construction. The conceptual contribution that material selection and working process make. Activity. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

ART 424 Surface Design Studio (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ART 222 or equivalent.

Fundamental surface design techniques on fabric for producing two- and three-dimensional forms with emphasis on the design process and concept development. Studio activities from portfolio samples to larger fine art pieces are explored. May be repeated for a total of 6 units on advisement. Activity. Extra fee required.

ART 431 Intermediate Painting (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; ART 231 or ART 330 or equivalent.

Concepts, techniques, and disciplines of painting. Activity. Extra fee required.

ART 432 Further Explorations in Drawing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; ART 231 or equivalent.

Drawing concepts and media. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required.

ART 433 Figure Drawing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; ART 231 or equivalent.

Figure drawing concepts in varied media. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required.

ART 434 Color Workshop (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and art minors; ART 231 or ART 330 or equivalent.

Color vocabulary and theoretical concepts of color. Fundamental to painting and other disciplines. Pigments, dyes, and inks. Activity. Extra fee required.

ART 435 Intermediate Printmaking Workshop (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: ART 231; either ART 235 or ART 335.

Workshop in printmaking processes. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. Activity. May be repeated when topics vary. Extra fee required. [Formerly ART 436, ART 437, ART 438]

ART 439 Screen Printing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; ART 235 or equivalent.

Screen printing processes that utilizing hand-drawn and photo-emulsion stencils with a focus on printing on paper and the role of screenprints in contemporary art. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter only) [Formerly under ART 536, topic "Silkscreen"]

ART 440 Sculpture and Expanded Practice (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; ART 240 or ART 340 or equivalent.

Further development of transferable skills, personal lexicon, and critical discourse in sculptural practice. Exploration of sculpture within the expanded field of contemporary art, including performance, installation, and social practice. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required.

ART 445 Ceramics on the Wheel (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division Art majors.

Clay and glaze. Form exploration with wheel and hand-building techniques. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 12 units with consent of instructor. Extra fee required.

ART 460 Intermediate Photography (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art majors and minors; ART 260 or ART 360 recommended.

Black and white photochemical and digital processes that reflect evolving contemporary photographic practice. Topics may include, but are not limited, to medium and large format camera operation, complex exposure techniques, studio lighting, analog, and digital printing, image dissemination techniques, and the moving image. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required.

ART 509 Art Professional Service Practicum (Unit: 1)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division Art majors and minors, Art History majors and minors, and Museum Studies minors.

Experience in studio art, art history, and gallery/museum fields for professional experience towards future career development and community involvement. Specific roles and responsibilities may include research assistant, gallery attendant, studio art production assistant. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 3 units. (CR/NCR grading only)

ART 511 Digital Media and Emerging Technologies: Special Areas (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division Art majors and minors or consent of the instructor.

Examination of conceptual and theoretical aspects of digital media and emerging technologies for artists in relation to visual art practice. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. Activity. May be repeated when topics vary. Extra fee required.

ART 514 Experimental and Expanded Practices in Video Art (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art majors and minors; ART 413; or consent of the instructor.

Focus on working with new tools and strategies that expand the video medium. Topics include single and multiple channel format, installation, performance, interactivity, projection, mapping, or mobile formats. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required.

ART 522 Weaving II: Intermediate (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ART 422 or equivalent.

Expands on the technical and creative skills acquired in Weaving I. Intermediate hand weaving and textile concepts using eight-harness floor looms. Exploration of multi-harness weave structures from sampling towards individual art projects. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required.

ART 524 Surface Design III (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ART 424 or equivalent.

Experimental surface design applied to the study of costume. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required.

ART 525 Textiles Studio Process (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art majors or minors; ART 222, two upper-division ART courses; or consent of the instructor.

Advanced studio experience for self-guided studio projects and assignments. Exploration and investigation of technique and mechanics necessary to create fully resolved and in-depth works of art. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

ART 527 Repeat Pattern for Fine Art (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art majors and minors; basic computer skills and familiarity with Photoshop and Illustrator; or consent of the instructor.

Studio experience exploring pattern repeat principles, mechanics, and creation toward contemporary uses in various disciplines of fine arts and design. Methods of producing repeat pattern, from handmade to computer-aided, are discussed and demonstrated. Activity. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus ABC/NC, CR/NC) [Formerly a topic under ART 523]

ART 529 Textile Futures (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art majors and minors; ART 222, 3 units from ART 422 or ART 424 or ART 624; or consent of the instructor.

Exploration of the intersection of textiles and emergent technologies and processes towards new ways of creating, defining, and experiencing textiles. Students will learn about the current climate of future textiles in practice, concept, and theory and will develop their own project concepts. Activity. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter grade only) [Formerly ART 523, topic "Textile Futures"]

ART 530 Advanced Topics in Painting: The Expanded Field (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art majors and minors; ART 330 or ART 431 or equivalent.

Contemporary approaches and concerns in painting practice. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. Activity. May be repeated when topics vary for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required.

ART 534 Mixed Media Painting (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; one 300-level or 400-level Art course.

Formal, conceptual, and structural aspects of painting using traditional and non-traditional mediums, including water-based mediums, collage, and mechanical reproduction. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required.

ART 535 Artist's Books (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing.

Intensive exploration of the artist book from the perspective of the bookbinder, printmaker, and writer, including the ways in which contemporary artists self-publish. Includes units on the creative process, book structures, and letterpress printing. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter only) [Formerly under ART 536, topic "BookArts"]

ART 536 Advanced Topics in Printmaking (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: ART 335 or ART 435 or another upper-division printmaking course or consent of the instructor.

Investigation of specific printmaking processes, techniques, and different conceptual approaches to the medium. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. Activity. May be repeated when topics vary. Extra fee required.

ART 541 Installation Art (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to Art majors and minors; a 300- or 400-level ART course.

Investigation of personal aesthetic and theoretical issues as they relate to creating sculptural installation works where the whole (context/environment) is more than the sum of parts. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required.

ART 542 Advanced Contemporary Sculpture (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art majors and minors; ART 440; or consent of the instructor.

Sculpture workshop. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required. [Formerly ART 640]

ART 543 Hydrarchy: Nautical Art, Watercraft, and the Art of Resistance (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; a 300- or 400-level ART course; or consent of the instructor.

Focus on generating artworks in a variety of media informed by investigation of broad nautical themes, culture, and myth including cultural diaspora, international trade, and native versus invasive ecosystems. Activity. Extra fee required. [Formerly ART 677]

ART 544 Raku (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Priority enrollment for Art majors; ART 545; or consent of the instructor.

Methods of obtaining basic glazes, advanced slip decoration and design, building and understanding of varied oriental raku kilns, and reduction and oxidation firing. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required.

ART 545 Ceramic Sculpture (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; priority enrollment for Art majors; ART 245.

Problems in ceramics. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 9 units. Extra fee required.

ART 546 Glaze Surfaces (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of the instructor.

Conducting advanced experiments in the production of a clay body. Calculating, executing, and experimenting with various aspects of the glaze potential. Constructing kilns and participating in their firing. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required.

ART 548 Glaze Calculation (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art majors and minors; ART 545; or consent of the instructor.

Understanding and experimenting with raw ceramic materials and their use in the formulation of clays and glazes. Basic kiln designs and firing techniques. Emphasis on the proper, safe handling of materials and effective use of material and process. Activity.

ART 549 Special Topics in Ceramics (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; ART 245 or equivalent.

Ceramics workshops in special areas. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary. Activity. Extra fee required. [Formerly ART 645]

ART 555 The Multiple and Distributed Art (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; a 300-* or 400-level* ART course.

Exploration of materials, methods, and meanings of artworks created as multiples and distributed art. Focus on contemporary applications and implications of the multiple in art, with possible processes including sculpture, found object, photography, traditional printmaking, works on paper, and printed ephemera. Activity. Extra fee required.

ART 556 Art and Social Function (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; a 300- or 400-level ART course.

Interdisciplinary examination of the role of the artist as citizen through the production of artworks focusing on Social Justice. Research, production/preparation, and action exploring the broadening context in which to display, engage, and intervene in social spaces within the gallery walls and beyond. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary. Activity. [Formerly ART 441]

ART 563 Advanced Topics in Photography (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art majors and minors; ART 460; or consent of the instructor.

Examination and exploration of the concepts and implementation of the tools and techniques of photographic and lens-based processes and practices. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 9 units when topics vary. Extra fee required.

ART 600 Studio Process and Professional Practices (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art majors; one 500-level Studio Art course.

Interdisciplinary studio capstone that combines research, writing, art making, seminar, and critique to reflect upon work made in previous studio courses and contextualize it within professional and institutional practices. Instruction and practice in developing and sustaining a studio practice including generating ideas, project management, and completion, understanding process, documentation/presentation strategies, exhibition contexts, writing an artist's statement, speaking about work, and preparation for professional opportunities after graduation. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

ART 619 Exhibition Design (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art majors and minors, Art History majors and minors, Museum Studies minors, or graduate students.

Theory and production of exhibitions, including planning, collecting, preparation, annotation, and criticism. Activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

ART 624 Sculptural Cloth and Fiber (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ART 222 or consent of the instructor.

Exploration of object making and ideas in installation through learning to shape cloth and fiber into forms and structures using a variety of textile-related techniques and approaches. Activity. Extra fee required.

ART 671 Internships in the Visual Arts (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art and Art History majors and minors; GPA of 3.0 or better; a 20th/21st-century Art History course with a grade of B or better.

Internship experience in the arts that include gallery and museum work, studio assistantships, research, etc. (CR/NC grading only) [Formerly ART 570]

ART 685 Projects in the Teaching of Visual Arts (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor; completion of an equivalent course in the subject matter.

Teaching experiences in art and art history through assigned instructional projects as classroom aides. Training in teaching principles including supervised classroom teaching activities. (Students may earn a maximum of 4 units toward the baccalaureate degree for any course(s) numbered 685 regardless of discipline.)

ART 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; consent of the instructor, advisor, and college dean.

Independent study of some aspect of the field not covered by regular courses under the supervision of a faculty member selected by the student. May be repeated for a total of 4 units with consent of the instructor, adviser, and department chair. Students may not enroll in more than 3 units during any one semester.

ART 704 Interdisciplinary Critique Seminar (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to M.F.A. Art students or consent of the instructor and graduate major adviser.

Intensive critical investigation of selected aspects of the visual arts. May be repeated for a total of 18 units.

ART 706 MFA Writing and Research Seminar (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to M.F.A. Art students or consent of the instructor.

Provides instruction, support, and experience in research and writing for M.F.A. students. Focuses on developing writing as an activity that complements and feeds artistic practice by looking at historical and contemporary models of artists' writing. Facilitates the development of professional artist research statements and the completion of the M.F.A. thesis report. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

ART 709 Studio Research and Practice Seminar (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to M.F.A. Art students or consent of the instructor.

Sustained, in-depth investigation of specific areas, themes, and theories within art practice and curatorial practice. Primary research may include travel for one-time events, fieldwork, exhibitions, direct community involvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. May be repeated for a total of 18 units.

ART 750 Seminar in Teaching Art Practice (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: M.F.A. Art students or consent of the instructor.

Development of teaching and related career preparation skills, philosophies, and curriculum planning in art practice fields. Strongly recommended for teaching assistants in ART 850. May be taken by advanced undergraduates preparing for college-level teaching careers in art.

ART 780 Art Processes and Practices: Visiting Artists and Scholars (Units: 2)

Prerequisite: Restricted to M.F.A. Art students with the consent of the instructor.

Introduction to and exploration of specific approaches and processes in individual art practice, including tutorials, writing, discussion, and material research. May be repeated for a total of 12 units. Activity. (CR/NC grading only)

ART 789 Professional Practices for Visual Artists (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to M.F.A. Art students.

Deepen the understanding of the practical tools employed by professional contemporary artists, including but not limited to grant writing, work fabrication, exhibition design, daily practice, and professional identity in relation to each student's individual practice. (Plus-minus ABC/NC)

ART 850 Directed Experience in Public Roles for Artists (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to M.F.A. Art student; consent of the supervising instructor and graduate major adviser.

Supervised directed experiences and seminar in the teaching of art and/or internship in other public roles that artists occupy. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

ART 882 Tutorial in Studio (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to M.F.A. Art students or consent of the instructor; consent of the instructor and graduate major adviser.

Critical direction on a one-to-one basis. Intended to develop a student's individual vision and capabilities as a professional artist. May be repeated for a total of 15 units.

ART 890 Creative Work Research (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: ART 704, ARTH 700, ARTH 705; consent of student's major adviser; must be taken in the semester before acceptance in ART 894.

Development of creative research in the art area with direct application to the creative work project. (CR/NC grading only)

ART 894 Creative Work Project (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: ART 890; consent of the instructor; approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) for the Master of Fine Arts and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before enrollment.

May not be repeated unless completed previously for an M.A. at SF State or with the approval of the department chair. (CR/NC/RP grading only)

ART 897 Research Projects in Art (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in the Art M.A. program; ARTH 700, ART 704, ARTH 705, and consent of graduate major adviser.

Development of a problem of major interest to a student with direct application of methods of research, research findings, and production to creative activity in the art area. (Plus-minus letter grade, CR/NC, RP)

ART 898 Master's Thesis (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: ARTH 700, ARTH 701, ARTH 702, ARTH 703, consent of instructor, and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies before registration.

One semester paper demonstrating art historical theory, methods, and research. (CR/NC, RP grading only)

ART 899 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisites: Classified graduate standing; consent of the instructor.

Independent study of some aspect of the field related to the student's final thesis or project under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for a total of 6 units with consent of the instructor. (CR/NC grading only)

Art History

Explanation of Course Descriptions, Symbols, and Terms

ARTH 201 Western Art History I (Units: 3)

Conceptual and technical relationship of visual culture to the social, political, and economic life of the Ancient Greek, Ancient Roman, Byzantine, Early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Southern Baroque periods. [Formerly ART 201]

Course Attributes:

C1: Arts

ARTH 202 Western Art History II (Units: 3)

Conceptual and technical relationship of visual culture to the social, political, and economic life of the Northern Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, Romantic, Impressionist, and Modernist periods. [Formerly ART 202]

Course Attributes:

C1: Arts

ARTH 205 Asian Art History (Units: 3)

Conceptual and technical relationship of visual form to values in the art of China, Korea, Japan, India, Tibet, and South-East Asia.
(This course is offered as ARTH 205 [Formerly ART 205] and HUM 205. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

C1: Arts
Global Perspectives

ARTH 303 The Artist in the 20th-21st Centuries: Cultures in Collision - Cultures in Fusion (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of the instructor.

A multicultural and multiethnic overview of selected topics in 20th-21st century art. Examines artists who have moved out of their own cultural frameworks to create alternative expressions. [Formerly ART 303]

ARTH 306 Modern and Contemporary Art in a Global Context: 1945-Present (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art and Art History majors and minors and M.F.A. Art students; sophomore standing or above; or consent of the instructor; ARTH 202 or equivalent recommended.

A survey of major movements and themes in art internationally since 1945. [Formerly ART 306 and ART 506]

ARTH 400GW Writing About Art - GWAR (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art and Art History majors; GE Area A2; or consent of the instructor.

Introduction to basic art historical methodologies with an emphasis on formal analysis and formal description of works of art. (ABC/NC grade only) [Formerly ART 400GW]

Course Attributes:

Graduation Writing Assessment

ARTH 401 Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

Survey of Greek material culture (art, architecture, city planning, etc.) from the Bronze Age to the second century CE.
(This course is offered as CLAR 420 and ARTH 401 [Formerly ART 401]. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

ARTH 402 Art and Archaeology of Ancient Rome (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of the instructor.

Survey of Roman material culture (art, architecture, city planning, etc.) from the foundation of Rome to the reign of Justinian.
(This course is offered as CLAR 425 and ARTH 402 [Formerly ART 402]. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

ARTH 403 Queer Art History (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ARTH 201 or ARTH 202 recommended.

Case studies of primarily Western art. Homophobia, censorship, reconstructing gay and lesbian history, major artists, visual codes, eroticism, lesbian feminism, families and communities, racial diversity, AIDS, and other issues.
(This course is offered as ARTH 403 [Formerly ART 403] and SXS 405. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

ARTH 404 Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranean Bronze Age (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: CLAR 250 or equivalent; or consent of the instructor. Not open to students who have completed CLAR 850.

Introduction to the archaeology, architecture, art, society, and scripts of Mediterranean cultures during the Bronze Age with special emphasis on the Minoans and Mycenaeans.
(This course is offered as CLAR 550 and ARTH 404. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

ARTH 405 Art, Literature, and Power in the Renaissance (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ARTH 201 or ARTH 202 recommended.

European Renaissance and Baroque art and literature, related to power structures affecting all aspects of culture and society.
(This course is offered as ARTH 405 [Formerly ART 405] and HUM 405. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

ARTH 406 Renaissance Art (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art and Art History majors and minors and M.F.A. Art students; upper-division standing; or consent of the instructor; ARTH 201 or equivalent recommended.

Painting, sculpture, and architecture of the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries in Italy and Northern Europe. [Formerly ART 406]

ARTH 407 Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or consent of the instructor.

Ancient Egyptian civilization from Pre-dynastic through Ptolemaic times: art, archaeology, literature, and religion with research use of Sutro Egyptian Collection.
(This course is offered as CLAR 500 and ARTH 407. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities

ARTH 408 Etruscan Art and Archaeology (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of the instructor.

Examination of the material culture of the Etruscans in its historical context from the Late Bronze Age until the early 1st century CE.
(This course is offered as CLAR 555 and ARTH 408. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

ARTH 409 Greek Vase Painting (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: CLAR 250 or CLAR 420 or CLAR 425 or consent of the instructor.

Introduction to ancient Greek vase painting.
(This course is offered as CLAR 530 and ARTH 409. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

ARTH 410 Greek Sculpture (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of the instructor.

Development of Greek sculpture from the late 8th century through the 2nd century BCE. Emphasis on stylistic analysis, formal development, and interpretation of both free-standing figures and programmatic architectural sculpture as social and political documents.
(This course is offered as CLAR 531 and ARTH 410. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

ARTH 417 The Art and Architecture of Islam (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of the instructor.

Case study examination of the tradition and practices of Islamic art and architecture, artistic developments from the seventh century to the present, and regional variations in Africa, Asia, and Europe. [Formerly ART 417 and ART 504]

ARTH 418 Art History: Ancient to 19th Century - Special Areas (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art and Art History majors and minors and M.F.A. Art students; upper-division standing; or consent of the instructor; ARTH 201 or equivalent recommended.

Investigation of specific themes, periods, styles, geographical areas, and media in art history from the Ancient period through the 19th century. Topics to be specified in the class schedule. May be repeated when topics vary. [Formerly ART 418]

ARTH 419 Art History: 20th and 21st Century - Special Areas (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art and Art History majors and minors and M.F.A. Art students; upper-division standing; ARTH 202 or equivalent recommended; or consent of the instructor.

Investigation of specific themes, periods, styles, geographical areas, and media in art history during the Modern and Contemporary periods. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary. [Formerly ART 419]

ARTH 421 Art History: Global Perspectives - Special Areas (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art and Art History majors and minors and M.F.A. Art students; upper-division standing; or consent of the instructor; ARTH 205 or equivalent recommended.

Investigation of specific themes, periods, styles, geographical areas, and media in art history with an emphasis on global practices and perspectives emerging in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and their diasporas. Topics to be specified in the class schedule. May be repeated when topics vary. [Formerly ART 421]

ARTH 516 Advanced Topics in Art History (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Art and Art History majors and minors and M.F.A. Art students; one 300- or 400-level Art History course*; or consent of the instructor.

Investigation of advanced topics in art history. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary. [Formerly ART 516]

ARTH 602 Art History Seminar (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Art and Art History majors and minors and M.F.A. Art students; one upper-division Art History course; or consent of the instructor.

Advanced seminar on specific topics, themes, and research methods in Art History. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary. (ABC/NC grading; CR/NC allowed) [Formerly ART 602]

ARTH 700 Contemporary Art History: Practice, Theory, and Criticism (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Art students; recommended in the first semester of graduate studies.

Seminar in contemporary art history, theory, and criticism as they apply to the creative artist. (Plus-minus letter grade only) [Formerly ART 700]

ARTH 701 Art History: Images and Meaning (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Graduate standing; ARTH 602 and ARTH 700; or consent of the instructor.

Advanced research seminar in Art History. Historical area studies, iconography, and textual analysis. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. [Formerly ART 701]

ARTH 702 Graduate Art History Methods (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Art students.

Graduate seminar in Art History research methods. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. [Formerly ART 702]

ARTH 703 Art History Research Applications (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Art students; ARTH 700 or ARTH 701; or consent of the instructor.

Develop professional skills in problem formulation, visual, and textual analysis and art historical argument. [Formerly ART 703]

ARTH 705 Contemporary Art (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Art students; ARTH 700 and 6 units of Art History including ARTH 306 or equivalent completed within the last five years.

Focus on the research of both the visual theories and the accomplishments of the post-WWII period and the changing attitudes and styles that form contemporary traditions. [Formerly ART 705]

Museum Studies

Explanation of Course Descriptions, Symbols, and Terms

M S 201 Introduction to the History and Development of Museums (Units: 3)

Introduction to basic theory and organization of museums including the history of museum development, the role of museums in society, museums as places of preservation and education, and the relationship between museums and the communities they serve. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

M S 202 Introduction to Museum Exhibits (Units: 3)

Examination of basics of museum exhibits, including key elements of how exhibits are planned and developed, their purpose, how they are connected to public programming, and the role of visitors. Contains an exhibit viewing component. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

Course Attributes:

C1: Arts

M S 310 Introduction to Museum Education Methods and Community Engagement (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; M S 201 and M S 202 with grades of C or better.

Introduction to the important role museums play in society including preservation and education. Main content themes include the history of the paradigm shift from collecting institutions to public educational institutions; public programs serving diverse audiences; object-based learning; museum-school services; community outreach; visitor studies; and assessment. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

M S 681 Preparation for Museum Practicum (Units: 2)

Prerequisites: Upper-division Museum Studies minors; M S 201 and M S 202 with grades of C or better.

Preparation with lecture for museum practicum in selected functions in SF State's Global Museum (Plus-minus letter grade only).

M S 682 Capstone Practicum (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Upper-division Museum Studies minors and M S 681* with a grade of C or better.

Practicum at a pre-approved, off-campus museum site in museum collections management and registration, exhibition design, interpretation, gallery preparation and installation, education and public programming, and gallery management or administration under the supervision of a professional museum employee and SF State instructor. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

M S 683 Collections Stewardship Practicum (Unit: 1)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Museum Studies minors; M S 201 and M S 202 with grades of C or better; concurrent enrollment in M S 681. May not be taken concurrently with M S 684.

Work on collections and archives-related tasks in the Global Museum, including collections handling, inventory and photo documentation, pest management, and collections moves. Activity.

M S 684 Educational Programming and Interpretation Practicum (Unit: 1)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Museum Studies minors; M S 201 and M S 202 with grades of C or better; concurrent enrollment in M S 681. May not be taken concurrently with M S 683.

Work on educational programming and interpretation tasks in the Global Museum, including engagement specialist training, school field trips, tours, and the development and implementation of museum exhibition interpretation. Activity.

M S 700 History and Organization of Museums (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Museum Studies students and/or consent of the instructor.

Major museology facets, including analysis of diverse museums, career options, ethics, laws, funding, and literature. Museum operation and community-museum relationships through on-site observations, interviews, and research.

M S 701 Museum Theory and Practice (Units: 2)

Prerequisites: Upper-division or graduate standing; M S 700; or consent of the instructor.

Exploration of recent theory in museum studies, focusing on the theoretical approaches supplying insight into developing useful strategies in museum practice. Analysis of the museum's function, management, and place in society, including research on practice, history, and outlook.

M S 702 Writing for the Museum Profession (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Museum Studies students or consent of the instructor.

Examination of three major areas of writing for the museum profession: communication with visitors; technical writing for interpretation, outreach, programming, and documentation; and writing in an academic context. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

M S 705 San Francisco Bay Area Museums: Behind the Scenes (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Museum Studies students, declared upper-division Museum Studies minors, or consent of the instructor.

Study of San Francisco Bay Area museums: their history, organization, collections stewardship, exhibits, public programs, and mission. Includes structured "behind-the-scenes" tours of local museums.

M S 707 Perspectives on Museums: A Professional Forum (Unit: 1)

Prerequisite: Upper-division or graduate Museum Studies students or consent of the instructor.

Guest speakers from the museum community to provide graduate students with perspectives and discussion on current practices and trends in the museum workplace. May be repeated for a total of 3 units.

M S 708 Museums: Global Operations (Unit: 1)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Examination of museum efforts to incorporate global perspectives into their activities. Topics include analyses of international partnerships and globally-focused museum activities, the challenges of such work, and basic resources on international museum efforts.

M S 710 Museum Education and Public Outreach (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the instructor.

Overview and evaluation of educational services in museums including the planning and implementation of educational programs and establishing a liaison with public schools. Designed for graduate students, museum professionals, and public school teachers. (Plus-minus letter grade only) [CSL may be available]

M S 715 Interpretation in Museums and Heritage Organizations (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of the instructor.

Analysis of the methods and styles of interpretation of museum collections and heritage facilities (e.g., historic sites, historic houses, landmarks, open-air facilities). Development and improvement of interpretive programs.

M S 720 Museum Curatorship and Collecting (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Museum Studies students.

Analysis of the duties of museum curators, including academic research, collections documentation, collections development, donor cultivation, ethical collection practices, exhibition concept development, and the curator's position within the institution and community. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

M S 730 Museum Exhibition Development (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

Theory and practical experience in the development and installation of exhibitions in museums and related exhibition spaces in libraries or similar institutions, including collaborations between such entities. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

M S 740 Museum Conservation and Restoration (Unit: 1)

Prerequisite: Graduate Museum Studies students.

Theory and practice in museum conservation and restoration, using the Sutro Egyptian and permanent collections. Analysis of museum artifacts.

M S 760 Preservation of Natural History and Cultural Collections (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or senior standing with the consent of the instructor.

Analysis of major types of natural history specimens, their properties, potential hazards facing them, and appropriate conservation techniques.

M S 780 Cultural Heritage Preservation (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division or graduate standing.

Archaeological and architectural conservation: history of U.S. legislation and implementation, international organizations, major national and international projects, philosophy of preservation strategies, conservation ethic.

M S 790 Archives Management and Preservation (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or senior standing with the consent of the instructor.

History, principles, methodologies, and practical administration of non-electronic archives (original documents, maps, photographic materials, manuscripts, diaries, albums, government records); practical, hands-on experience with preservation methods. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

M S 791 Integrated Pest Management in Heritage Facilities (Unit: 1)

Prerequisite: Graduate Museum Studies students or consent of the instructor.

Development of plans to prevent pest infestations in museums and related heritage facilities. Overview of current methods of chemical and non-chemical methods of control, the legacy of past chemical practices in museums, and OSHA regulations for employee safety.

M S 792 Museum Security Systems (Unit: 1)

Prerequisite: Graduate Museum Studies students or current museum employees.

Analysis and implementation of institutional procedures and new technology for theft prevention and mitigation in museums.

M S 793 Museum Facilities Management (Unit: 1)

Prerequisite: Museum Studies students or consent of the instructor.

Analysis of building and grounds issues; risk management; emergency/disaster preparedness; fire suppression technology; HVAC systems; new construction materials.

M S 794 Museum Collections Management and Registration (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate Museum Studies students.

Tasks performed by museum registrars: documentation of collections, loan procedures, collections storage, museum security, disaster preparedness, traveling exhibitions and customs, insurance, and development of collections management policies.

M S 795 NAGPRA for Museum Registrars and Curators (Units: 2)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the instructor.

For museum registrars and curators, analysis of legal compliance and practical implementation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

M S 800 Museum Management, Law, and Ethics (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Museum Studies students or consent of the instructor.

Legal issues of concern to museum professionals and artists; laws governing the acquisition of art objects, authentication, taxes, liability, censorship, artists' rights, copyright, museum organization, and labor relations. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

M S 810 Museums in the Digital Age (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of the instructor.

Use and role of digital media and information technology in museums. Development of practical and theoretical skill set for the management of digital assets for exhibit development, education, public relations and marketing, collections preservation, and digitally-mediated outreach.

M S 811 Digital Preservation for Museums and Cultural Heritage Institutions (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Museum Studies students or consent of the instructor.

Survey and applied practicum of digital technologies used in museums and cultural heritage institutions. Exploration of the relationship between computation and the humanities; and issues facing cultural institutions in the 21st century, such as open-source programs, the organization and preservation of existing collections, and real-world examples in the field of digital cultural management. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

M S 823 Curation and Cinema (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Cinema and Museum Studies students.

Examination of curatorial practice and the role of curators in contemporary culture; the relation between moving images and contemporary art practices; projection, display and exhibition of time-based media in and beyond film events and art institutions. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
(This course is offered as CINE 823 and M S 823. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

M S 830 Museum Governance (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of the instructor.

Analysis of governance in museums, including trusteeship, board issues, roles of director and senior management, governance conflicts, mission statements, use of advisory committees and support groups, collections issues, planning, and recent controversies. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

M S 840 Museums and Cultural Property (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of the instructor.

Examination of legal and ethical issues concerning cultural property in museums: museum acquisition policies; international art/antiquities trade; auction houses; WWII-era looting; repatriation; ownership dispute resolution; relationships with descendant communities. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

M S 845 Art Law (Units: 2)

Prerequisite: Graduate Museum Studies students or consent of the instructor.

Artists' expressive, economic, and moral rights; intellectual property issues; title and theft; art merchants and authenticity; museum acquisitions; IRS regulations pertaining to museums contracts and documentation in museums.

M S 850 Museum Volunteer Management and Membership (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of the instructor.

Development and management of volunteer and membership programs for museums and heritage organizations. Volunteer recruitment/retention, sound practices for producing and managing membership programs, and training and daily volunteer operations in the museum and heritage environment.

M S 860 Fundraising in Museums (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Museum Studies students or consent of the instructor.

Examination of fundraising in museums, budget building, budget cycle, legal and tax issues of fundraising, as well as specific fundraising methods (gifts, planned giving, bequests, endowments, e-commerce, grants, contracts). (Plus-minus letter grade only)

M S 865 Museums Beyond ADA: Universal Access & Museopathy (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the instructor.

Strategies for successful incorporation of universal access and universal design principles to museum operations. The latest research on new uses for museum collections to improve health and social engagement (museopathy), for visitors and confined populations with Alzheimer's, autism, cancer, sensory loss.

M S 870 Museum Audiences, Visitors, and Communities (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the instructor.

Analysis of museum visitors (visitor studies) and non-visitors (audience research) in the context of museum communities. Methodology and applications of visitor/audience research to improve museum operations and exhibitions.

M S 875 Public Relations and Marketing for Museums (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the instructor.

Development of and best practices in strategic marketing, earned income operations, and public relations for museums and heritage organizations.

M S 880 Museum Internship (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Graduate Museum Studies students and M S 700.

Practicum in collections management, exhibition design, fundraising management, publishing, curation, educational programming, conservation under the supervision of a professional museum employee and SF State instructor. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

M S 885 Professional Conferences and Workshops (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

Attendance, participation, and evaluation at professional conferences, workshops, or short courses offered by museums, professional associations, or other recognized institutions. Prior approval by the Museum Studies Program is mandatory. May be repeated for a total of 3 units. (CR/NC grading only)

M S 888 Project Management for Museums (Units: 1-2)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Museum Studies students; M S 720 and M S 850; or consent of the instructor.

Under faculty guidance, development, logistics, budgeting, and time management for museum exhibits, catalogue publishing, conferences/sessions for museum professionals, or special events for schools/general public. May be repeated for a total of 3 units for the degree credit.

M S 894 Creative Work Project (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies.

Original creative work project which must be developed with the approval of the Museum Studies program. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration. (CR/NC; RP grading only)

M S 896 Preparation for Written Comprehensive Examination (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor; approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies; and recommendation of major adviser. Concurrently enrollment in M S 896EXM.

Preparation for Written Comprehensive Examination in Museum Studies for graduate students who have been advanced to candidacy for the M.A. degree in Museum Studies. (CR/NC, RP)

M S 896EXM Written Comprehensive Examination (Unit: 0)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Museum Studies students; consent of the instructor; recommendation of major adviser; approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. Concurrent enrollment in M S 896.

Written Comprehensive Examination in Museum Studies for graduate students who have been advanced to candidacy for the M.A. degree in Museum Studies. May be repeated a total of 3 times. (CR/NR, RP)

M S 897 Directed Thesis Advising and Support (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

Directed advising and support for students writing theses or creative works. May be taken before enrollment in M S 894 or M S 898. Once students have taken M S 894 or M S 898 they must take M S 897 every Spring semester until they finish the degree. (CR/NC grading only)

M S 898 Master's Thesis (Units: 3)

(CR/NC grading only)

M S 899 Independent Study (Units: 2-3)

Prerequisite: Museum studies students; consent of the museum studies program director.

Professional-level, independent study of a particular aspect of museum work under the guidance of a faculty member in the Museum Studies Program. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. (Plus-minus letter grade only) [CSL may be available]

School of Art

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

School of Art

Mission Statement

Program Scope

Facilities

Career Outlook

Graduate Program in Art

Art Learning Outcomes

Art

Professor

Associate Professor

Assistant Professor

Museum Studies

Professor

Lecturers

Majors

Minor

Masters

Art

Art History

Museum Studies