(FA) Fine Arts

FA 101. Art and Human Experience. 3 Hours.

Art and Human Experience: An introductory exploration of visual art, emcompassing the materials, methods, and ideas that underlie the complexity of human artistic expression. Students will gain knowledge about how art is produced and how particular forms of art fit into the flow of human history.

FA 102. Community Arts Immersion. 3 Hours.

In this course students will engage an array of regional arts experiences on and off campus. Participants will attend performances and visit galleries and museums, engaging in critical reflection on the performing and fine arts and sharing their thoughts in written and oral presentations. Class sessions will include guests from the local arts communities and organizations. In the course students will be expected to make visits to studios, community Art Walks, museums, theatres and other cultural venues. Readings and discussions will introduce students to current issues and challenges in the arts.

FA 103. Introduction to Acting. 3 Hours.

This course introduces students to the elements and craft of acting. Students practice basic acting and essential communication skills emphasizing honesty, openness, expressiveness and clarity of message. This course explores the beginning actor’s process starting with an introduction to improvisation, centered around encouraging the discovery of expression, an openness to and acceptance of suggestions (the “yes, and” concept), positive responsiveness, and the creative spirit. The core value of acceptance lays the groundwork for scripted scene work in the class, and provides a guideline for group work in other courses and in the workplace. Alongside improvisation games are various acting exercises proven to build trust and community, explore character physicality, introduce breathing techniques, and strengthen vocal choices. Students read plays and discuss characters and their actions. Various acting methods are introduced and explored to increase students' awareness of principles and techniques of acting and communicating. These methods and terms provide a variety of ways to analyze text, and create and rehearse a role which culminates an acting scene that is honest, expressive, and fully invested.

FA 104. Introduction to Expressive Arts Therapy. 3 Hours.

This course is an introduction to expressive arts therapy and includes a brief historical overview, an examination of professional standards of practice, educational requirements, general theory and application in therapeutic settings. Students explore the field of expressive arts therapy through a combination of scholarly discussions, readings, videos and direct engagement with the creative process in the expressive arts therapy.

FA 105. Integrated Arts. 3 Hours.

Integrated Arts is an introductory exploration of visual art focusing in studio practices and experience with different mediums of art. The course encompasses an investigation of the materials, methods, aesthetics, and ideas that underlie the complexity of human artistic expression. In this course art projects are integrated into other subject matter and applicable themes and at least one if not more are designed to collaborate with the campus galleries and visiting artists. Other projects connect arts and science, arts and politics, arts and communications, arts and sustainability and other relevant contemporary themes in the field.

FA 110. Photography. 3 Hours.

Photography is a medium for expressing ideas and personal feelings and communicating information. It is both a science and an art, and both aspects will be covered in the course. Understanding the nature of light, capturing the light, understanding how the camera works and how different settings, lenses and filters affect the image are part of the science of photography. Understanding the esthetics of composition, developing a photographers eye (visual skills), and using settings, light, lenses and filters creatively constitute the art of photography. Students will be instructed on the theories of photography and then will apply the theories in their own creative work. On an ongoing basis, students will critique their own work and the work of others to improve their skills.

FA 114. Principles and Practices of Expressive Arts Therapy. 3 Hours.

This course provides introductory exposure to the practical principles and practices of Expressive Arts Therapy. Students are introduced to emerging models of expressive arts therapy and there is a focus on expertise, understanding and application of the expressive arts therapy techniques among a variety of populations. Prerequisite(s): FA 104.

FA 115. 2d-Design. 3 Hours.

2d-Design introduces basic art and color theory through the Elements and Principles of Design. Emphasis is placed on materials manipulation, graphics without computer aide, problem solving skills and critically analyzing one's own artwork as well as other student's work.

FA 120. Drawing I. 3 Hours.

Drawing I introduces the fundamentals of black and white drawing mediums through direct observation of the still life exploring the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design.

FA 125. Art for Children. 3 Hours.

This course examines artistic development and expression in childhood. Emphasis will be on actual artistic production, the visual language of art including the principles of design and color and on issues of aesthetics and response strategies in relation to art criticism and art history. The cognitive developmental stages of artistic growth in childhood and psychomotor skills will serve as a foundation in preparation for curriculum planning.

FA 130. Husson Pep Band. 1 Hour.

The band plays at sports and other University events. Weekly attendance at practices required as well as learning individual parts and playing at events. Students of all abilities welcome. Students may enroll three semesters for credit.

FA 131. Husson Pep Band. 1 Hour.

The band plays at sports and other University events. Weekly attendance at practices required as well as learning individual parts and playing at events. Students of all abilities welcome. Students may enroll three semesters for credit.

FA 132. Husson Pep Band. 1 Hour.

The band plays at sports and other University events. Weekly attendance at practices required as well as learning individual parts and playing at events. Students of all abilities welcome. Students may enroll three semesters for credit.

FA 134. Husson University Singers. 1 Hour.

Husson University Singers is a collegiate level chorus that strives to provide an eclectic, enthusiastic, supportive, learned, and fun environment in which all members can explore and continue to develop their love of music and singing regardless of experience and skill level. Through an extensive and varied repertoire, students will study and perform many styles and periods of music. The group has the opportunity to perform at several events on campus as well as some off campus venues as well. One credit per semester taken. Students can take it for credit up to three times.

FA 135. Piano and Keyboard Basics. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to introduce students to basic keyboard playing with strong fundamentals based on music theory and aural skills. Students are introduced to proper methods of practicing effectively since individual practice sessions outside the class foster proficiency of performance.

FA 136. Intermediate Piano and Keyboard. 3 Hours.

This course is designed for students with some background in piano and keyboard playing to develop further in music theory and aural skills. Students are introduced to proper methods of practicing effectively since individual practice sessions outside the class foster proficiency of performance.

FA 141. Ballroom Dance. 3 Hours.

From swing to salsa and waltz to tango, basic social and Latin dance forms, with emphasis on body alignment, flexibility, strength, rhythm, coordination, styling, and movement vocabulary. Further exposure to the Afro-Caribbean roots of today’s dance forms.

FA 142. Modern Dance I. 3 Hours.

An introduction to contemporary and stylistic modern dance techniques. Center floor technique exercises and dance combinations will emphasize proper body alignment, flow of energy, and the creation of expressive movement in space. For the performing artist or general student.

FA 143. Jazz Dance. 3 Hours.

An introduction to contemporary and stylistic Jazz dance. Center floor technique exercises and dance combinations will emphasize proper body alignment, rhythm, flow of energy, and the creation of expressive movement in space. For the performing artist or general student.

FA 199. Topic/. 1-6 Hour.

This course is intended to provide the opportunity to offer introductory courses in fine arts that would not normally be a part of the Husson curriculum. As such the topics will depend upon the interests of students and faculty.

FA 201. Art History I: Prehistoric to Late Medieval Art. 3 Hours.

This course encompasses a study of the history of Western art, beginning with the first objects created by prehistoric humans around 20,000 years ago and ending with the art and architecture of the Late- Medieval period in 14th Century in Europe.

FA 202. Art History II: Art History: Renaissance to Present. 3 Hours.

This course is the second in the sequence of survey courses in Art History focusing on the history of art from the Renaissance to the contemporary era. Emphasis will be on artists and art forms of Western cultures.

FA 203. Sounds like Music. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to introduce the student to music. Beginning with the premise that music is universal and that all music represents an important part of the human experience, this course will provide the student with an overview of the various musical expressions spanning the globe.

FA 204. Expressive Arts Therapy Studio. 3 Hours.

This course introduces students to Expressive Arts Therapies in a studio setting that is designed to foster self-reflection through the creative process and various forms of expression. Students ground their artistic exploration in the popular work of Khalil Gibran’s poem “On Joy and Sorrow” while witnessing and responding to their peers' artistic reflections. Prerequisite(s): FA 104.

FA 205. Painting I. 3 Hours.

Painting I - Painting in oil or acrylic medium exploring fundamentals of color theory, paint applications, composition and expressive content. This class will explore the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design through direct observation of the still life.

FA 210. Pastel Painting. 3 Hours.

Pastel Painting - Fundamentals of pastel painting techniques working from a variety of subject matter. Basic design principles and color theory will be explored through direct observation of the still life, portrait and landscape.

FA 220. Introduction to Cartooning and Storyboarding. 3 Hours.

Introduction to Cartooning and Storyboarding introduces the fundamentals of cartooning, caricature portraits, and storyboarding through fundamental art principles. Students will learn to develop caricatures through the gesture, tell stories through cartoon strips and learn the basics of storyboarding, writing a script, working with camera angles to develop a short film, ad, presentation or animation.

FA 230. Mixed Media Exploration. 3 Hours.

This course will introduce students to a wide variety of materials and methods of art-making. Painting, Drawing, Collage, 3-Dimensional Forms, and Printmaking techniques will all be covered. Students will engage in Experiential Learning in the studio setting, and daily objectives will include problem-solving and creative thinking. Traditional to contemporary practices will be discussed, and references to Art History will be incorporated into daily exercises.

FA 240. History of Photography. 3 Hours.

In this course, students will develop an understanding of how photography has influenced art movements as far back as the Renaissance. Students will also learn to appreciate aesthetic trends, changes in technology, and the critical role of photography in social reform.

FA 241. Women in Art History. 3 Hours.

The topic of this course is women both as the subject and the creators of art. It relates the particular and perplexing challenges involved with women in art history as both subject/object of art and creators of art. The course is organized chronologically and thematically. Students explore how women have been represented and examine the religious, mythological and secular images of women in art. The course also examines the relationship of the creation, modification, and persistence of these images throughout history due to various social, economic, psychological and intellectual conditions. Students also study women artists and the particular challenges they have faced and addressed in their work.

FA 261. History of Rock ‘n’ Roll. 3 Hours.

This course tracks the trajectory of one of the most important art forms of the 20th Century: rock music. The course focuses on the pioneering artists and ideas that are central to the development of this music and the technologies that are integral to its growth and success.

FA 299. Topic/. 1-6 Hour.

This course is intended to provide the opportunity to offer introductory courses in fine arts that would not normally be a part of the Husson curriculum. As such the topics will depend upon the interests of students and faculty.