The Department of Fine Arts offers degree programs in art, music, speech communication, and theater.
Art means two things:When we study art, we involve ourselves in a particular set of processes, products, influences, and meanings. We recognize that art is expressed in various styles, reflects different historical circumstances, and draws on a multitude of social and cultural resources.
The terms arts, discipline, and art form refer to music, theater, and the visual arts, and recognize that each of these encompasses a variety of forms and subdisciplines. When we speak of the arts, it means these arts disciplines taken together or, most inclusively, the totality of all the activities in the arts. At UW-Platteville, speech* is considered a performance-based art.
* National Standards for Arts Education, 1995 MENC.
Programs of study are offered in art, art education or graphic design each leading to a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Education. Students seeking a K-12 certification in art education take the comprehensive art emphasis. Art education majors must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Education general requirements, the School of Education proficiency requirements, and the requirements of the basic art emphasis.
Each of the emphases within the art program has a particular goal. The emphasis in graphic design is intended to prepare students for careers in the commercial areas of art. The emphasis in art education prepares students to teach on the elementary, middle and high school levels. The art emphasis has a more general goal. It can be used as a preparation for graduate school or as a field of study for students interested in art in and of itself.
Note: There is no B.A. in art education.
Note: All art students (all emphases) must complete a sophomore year portfolio review. See advisor.
Graphic Design Emphasis majors are required to have a Minor in Graphic Arts from the Department of Communication Technologies. Required: COMMNCTN 1230, COMMNCTN 1930 and COMMNCTN 3130.
Select 15 credits from COMMNCTN 3310, COMMNCTN 3330, COMMNCTN 3430, COMMNCTN 3620, COMMNCTN 3630, COMMNCTN 3720, COMMNCTN 4530 and COMMNCTN 4730.
Art Education Emphasis (57-60 credits)Students who plan to teach art only at the elementary or secondary level should enroll in the College of Liberal Arts and Education and choose the art emphasis which requires completion of a minor in another field. They should also take:
Suggested FIRST YEAR core for art emphasis, art education emphasis and graphic design emphasis:
Year 1 - 1st Semester:Suggested SECOND YEAR core for art emphasis and art education emphasis:
Year 2 - 1st Semester:Suggested SECOND YEAR core for graphic design emphasis:
Year 2 - 1st Semester:The Department of Fine Arts Music program is designed to promote performance of music, the study of musical structure and form, and knowledge of the history of music as well as the teaching of music. As one of the principal fine arts, music is the art that most deals with emotion and the one that directly communicates to the listener. Performance opportunities exist that help provide a rich cultural life for the campus, the community, and the region.
Programs of music study leading to a bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts degree with and without music education certification are offered in the College of Liberal Arts and Education. Students who plan to teach at the elementary level, middle school level or secondary level may choose instrumental, choral, general music, or combined certification programs (see advisors in the music unit of the Department of Fine Arts). Other degree emphases are available in instrumental music, vocal music, and music and business.
Music education majors complete the College of Liberal Arts and Education general requirements, the School of Education proficiency requirements, the basic core curriculum for music majors and depth courses in music.
All students intending to become licensed teachers must satisfy the requirements outlined in the section, "Teacher Licensure," listed under School of Education.
The Department of Fine Arts/Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
A degree in music may lead to a career in traditional areas such as teaching, performing, composing, and arranging, or to a career involving business, computers, and recording technology.
The music unit at UW-Platteville is designed to provide many musical experiences and training. Close contact with faculty and modern facilities such as acoustically designed concert rehearsal and concert halls in the Center for the Arts are important features at UW-Platteville.
The music unit of the Department of Fine Arts serves the student body and the region as a cultural resource by providing general courses for all students, and specialized courses leading to those occupations requiring musical expertise. Recognizing that culturally aesthetic enrichment is a vital part of university life, a goal of the music unit is to provide high quality instructional experiences through performances by guest and faculty artists and student performing organizations.
Students of all academic disciplines are encouraged to participate in a music organization.
Note: There is no B.A. in music education.
Students must take the core courses listed below, and an area of emphasis.
Music Education Core Courses (45 credits)*Pianists must add 4 credits of voice or secondary instrument determined by the certification desired.
Choral Music Education Emphasis (7-12) (58 credits)Pianists must substitute MUSIC 3410: Accompanying (2 credits) in the performing group requirements.
Students must take the core courses listed below, and an area of emphasis.
Nonteaching Core Courses (35 credits)A grade of "C" or better is required for music majors to receive credit in all music courses. The performing organization requirements may be fulfilled only through Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, Orchestra, Marching Band, University Singers, and Chamber Choir.
Instrumental music education majors must participate in Marching Band for a minimum of four credits. Any student receiving applied instruction must also be enrolled in an ensemble listed above using the same instrument or voice as their private instruction.
Applied MusicPrivate instruction in voice, piano, and orchestra and band instruments. Must be concurrently enrolled in Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, Orchestra, Marching Pioneers, University Singers or Chamber Choir. One half-hour lesson per week per credit. There are no applied music fees above the regular tuition charge, but special course fees (i.e. purchase of music) may apply. Lesson times and instructors to be arranged.
The speech communication program offered by the Department of Fine Arts is the study of human communication - people speaking and listening to one another. Speaking and listening are the most basic communication activities of our waking hours. The speech major emphasizes communication as the foundation for all successful human activity.
The objective of the speech major is to equip you, the graduate, with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitude in order for you to speak with and listen to others effectively, whether one-on-one, in a group, or part of a team.
Graduates with a major or co-major in speech find work in many fields, including public relations, sales, marketing, law, industry, management, human resources, law enforcement, government, education, and politics - to mention a few. Speech is an excellent major to prepare you for any of the 19 pre-professional programs offered at the university.
Improving your oral communication skills through the study of speech will make you a much more valuable and effective professional asset to your employer, community, and nation.
The Department of Fine Arts offers studies leading to a bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts in speech. Speech majors must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Education general education requirements and the requirements of the major. All students intending to become licensed teachers must satisfy the requirements outlined in the section, "Teacher Licensure," listed under School of Education.
Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 within the major studies for graduation.
Theater is an ancient art form that has been included in academic study for thousands of years. Theater provides an opportunity for the synthesis of multiple academic disciples including dance, music, art, literature, psychology, history, philosophy, engineering, various technologies, among others.
The Department of Fine Arts-Theater degree is designed to serve students who will be pursuing a career in theater performance, technical theater, theater education, or continuing further study in the field at the graduate level.
The theater program at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is unique in that it offers numerous hands-on learning opportunities for students in all aspects of the discipline, essential for the academic tradition of laboratory experimentation and resume building. Students will have the opportunity to act, direct, design, manage, and construct theatrical productions several times each year. Current season offerings include a musical, several one act plays, and two full-length plays. In addition, the UW-P Theater Program supports the Traveling Theater Troupe, which provides an opportunity for students to tour the region performing a production in a variety of venues.
Balancing traditional coursework and practical training, the theater students at UW-P enjoy individualized attention and smaller class sizes not usually offered in larger programs.
Occupations in theater can include, but are not limited to, accountants, actors, arts administrators, agents, artistic directors, board operators, booking associates, box office managers, business managers, buyers, casting directors, company managers, costume designers, costume builders, creative drama instructors, critics, development directors, directors, drama therapists, dramaturgs, electricians, film/cinema professionals, fine arts facilitators, garment cutters, house managers, librettists, lighting designers, lighting technicians, literary management, lyricists, makeup specialists, managing directors, marketing directors, master electricians, milliners, music directors, painters, print makers, personal managers, playwrights, puppetry artists, producers, production managers, properties designers/managers, publicists, radio and television professionals, rental managers, riggers, scenic artists, set designers, stage combat instructors, stagehands, stage managers, stage movement specialists, stitchers, teachers, technical directors, tour managers, voice and diction specialists, and wig designers.
All students intending to become licensed teachers must satisfy the requirements outlined in the section, "Teacher Licensure," listed under School of Education.
Programs of study lead to a bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts degree.
Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 within the major studies for graduation.