Interdisciplinary Inquiry into the Arts Minor draft

Program Overview

The Interdisciplinary Inquiry into the Arts minor at Saint Leo University fosters critical thinking by integrating art with history, literature, philosophy, or religion. Students explore art's role in reflecting historical events, cultural narratives, and philosophical or religious ideas. Through designated art courses and a complementary focus, they develop analytical skills and an understanding of the interconnectedness of the arts and other disciplines.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Interdisciplinary Inquiry into the Arts minor at Saint Leo University encourages critical thinking across traditional disciplines by integrating topics in the arts with a secondary discipline. Students take three designated art courses and select a complementary focus in history, literature, philosophy, or religion to investigate how great art reflects and embodies historical periods or events, written and oral culture, and philosophical or religious thought through time.

Outline:

• Students complete three designated art courses:
• ARTS 1240- Art Appreciation (3 credit hours): Explores the elements and principles of design, the major genres of art, and the history of Western art from prehistoric times to the present.
Students learn to analyze and interpret works of art and to understand the role of art in different cultures and time periods.
• ARTS 2020- Digital Photography (3 credit hours): Introduces students to the basic principles of digital photography, including camera operation, composition, lighting, and editing.
Students learn how to use digital SLR cameras and editing software to create their own photographs.
• ARTS 3440- Art History II (3 credit hours): Surveys the history of Western art from the Renaissance to the present.
Students learn about the major artists, movements, and styles of this period and how they reflect the social, political, and cultural changes of the time.
• Students select one complementary focus from the following:
• History: Students take three history courses that focus on a particular historical period or theme.
For example, they might take courses on the history of the Renaissance, the American Civil War, or the Cold War.
• Literature: Students take three literature courses that focus on a particular literary genre or period.
For example, they might take courses on the novel, the short story, or American literature.
• Philosophy: Students take three philosophy courses that focus on a particular philosophical topic or thinker.
For example, they might take courses on ethics, metaphysics, or the philosophy of art.
• Religion: Students take three religion courses that focus on a particular religion or religious tradition.
For example, they might take courses on Christianity, Islam, or Buddhism.

Assessment:

Student progress is measured through:

• Class participation
• Quizzes
• Exams
• Projects