Academics

Majors

Otterbein offers a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Art and concentrations in:

• Ceramics
• Computer Art
• Drawing
• Painting
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Sculpture
• Visual Communication

With careful advising and academic planning, many Art majors have also completed a second major. Art has been combined with disciplines such as English, Communication, and Philosophy.

Minors

Otterbein offers minors in:

• Art
• Art History
• Arts Administration

The arts administration minor provides an opportunity to explore career opportunities with arts organizations, including museums, arts councils, theatres, and other arts organizations.

Art Courses and Schedules

To see which classes are offered in upcoming quarters, check the Course Schedules site.

Art Education Licensure

Art Education students may complete the coursework required for K-12 teacher licensure. Art Educators at Otterbein meet Art Major requirements in studio and art history, and present a senior exhibition of their work.

Visits to a variety of schools in the greater Columbus area provide a thorough preparation for a career in art education. See the Department of Education site for more information about licensure programs at Otterbein.

Honors Program

Based upon superior academic achievement, many art majors are invited to participate in the College Honors and Distinction programs. Working with a faculty adviser and additional faculty committee members, Honors and Distinction students develop studio and research skills that lead to outstanding projects. The projects are ideal preparation for graduate study in art and art history.

Courses Through the Years

First Year
At Otterbein, freshmen are engaged in studio art classes from day one. Freshmen enroll in a sequence of three courses: Drawing I, 2-D Design, and 3-D Design. Each course examines specific studio content while also addressing broader themes. The courses are designed with built-in seminar sessions to begin to introduce professional development topics. These courses range in size from 15 to 20 students per class.

Sophomore Year
During the second year, art majors take a foundation sequence of three art history courses which explore painting; architecture; sculpture; learning to identify time periods and to recognize stylistic characteristics of major art movements; and artists from the pre-historic period to modern art. Students in the Studio Art program eventually choose one or more concentrations.

Junior Year
Many students work at internships or study abroad during their third year.

Senior Year
Seniors enroll in a two-term course that helps prepare them for their senior exhibitions and life after college. The class provides practical guidance with resume writing, cover letter preparation, and interviewing preparation. In addition, students attend presentations by guest speakers from a variety of arts careers. All art majors have a senior exhibition in Miller Gallery in two- and three-person shows and present gallery talks during their exhibitions.