Faculty
Joy Christiansen Erb, M.F.A.
Acting Chair and Professor
Bliss Hall 4001A
330.941.1397
jchristiansenerb@ysu.edu
Dragana Crnjak, M.F.A.
Professor
Bliss Hall 0016
330.941.1860
dcrnjak@ysu.edu
Joseph D'Uva, M.F.A.
Professor
Bliss Hall 4071
330.941.2540
jduva@ysu.ed
Dana Sperry, M.F.A.
Professor
Bliss Hall 4081
330.941.3627
jdsperry@ysu.edu
About the Major
The Interdisciplinary Studio Arts program at Youngstown State University was designed specifically for students with interests in ceramics, digital media, graphic + interactive design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
Interdisciplinary practice is a central component of contemporary art. Students enrolled in the program explore and combine a variety of media to investigate and examine relevant topics across studio areas. The curriculum fosters innovative thinking and making for those interested in exploring alternative and experimental methodologies. Working closely with internationally recognized faculty mentors, students following this concentration have the flexibility to select the upper-division coursework that corresponds with their unique vision.
In addition, the Interdisciplinary Studio Arts program is a dynamic and innovative course of study that is designed to prepare students for success in the contemporary art world, with a focus on career readiness and building business skills for artists. This program goes beyond traditional artistic training, incorporating a strong emphasis on practical skills, an entrepreneurial mindset, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Career preparation is built into this degree through required business minors that may be layered with certifications in both art and business. The Interdisciplinary Studio Arts degree prepares our students to tackle the workforce head-on, creating visually skilled, financially savvy artists who are ready to make their mark nationally and internationally.
The primary focus of the Department of Art is to provide our students with the highest quality education in the visual arts. When you graduate with an art degree from Youngstown State University, you can be confident in your skills and competitive advantage in your chosen creative field.
Contact Information
To learn more about our degree programs, scholarships, professional development and careers, exhibitions, faculty, and students, visit Department of Art or contact us at 330.941.3627.
To schedule a personalized campus visit, contact the Cliffe College of Creative Arts Program Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment at 330.941.2346 or sawaltman@ysu.edu.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Requirement -Student Success | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar | 1-2 |
| or YSU 1500S | Youngstown State University Success Seminar | |
| or HONR 1500 | Intro to Honors | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 | 3-4 |
| or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 with Support | |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| Any Gen Ed Math (Recommended MATH 2623) | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities (2 courses) *included in Major | 0 | |
| Natural Sciences (2 courses, 1 with a lab) | 7 | |
| Social Science (2 courses) *If pursuing Social Media minor you must take CMST 2600 | 6 | |
| General Education Electives *If pursuing Business minor you must take ECON 1505 for one gen ed course elective | 9 | |
CMST 1545 (3 s.h.) | ||
Any Gen Ed Course (3 s.h.) | ||
Any Gen Ed Course (3 s.h.) | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Foundation Courses (10 s.h.): | ||
| ART 1501 | Fundamentals of 2D Design | 3 |
| ART 1502 | Fundamentals of 3D Design | 3 |
| ART 1521 | Foundation Drawing | 3 |
| ART 1503 | Freshman Seminar and Portfolio Review | 1 |
| Introductory Courses (12 s.h.): | ||
| ART 2611 | Introduction to Sculpture | 3 |
| or ART 2631 | Introduction to Ceramics | |
| ART 2625 | Introduction to Printmaking: Intaglio and Relief | 3 |
| or ART 2626 | Introduction to Printmaking: Lithography and Screenprinting | |
| or ART 2650 | Introduction to Painting | |
| ART 2674 | Introduction to Photography | 3 |
| or ART 2691 | Introduction to Digital Media | |
| ART 2661 | Print Design 1 | 3 |
| Concentration Courses (10 s.h.): | ||
| ART 3722 | Interdisciplinary Art Practice | 3 |
| ART 3703 | Junior Portfolio Review | 1 |
| ART 4803 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| ART 4802 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Studio Art Electives (21 s.h.): | 21 | |
| Choose two 1500 or higher Studio Art Electives from the following courses: | ||
ART 1510*, ART 1511*, ART 1512*, ART 1522, ART 2611, ART 2625, ART 2626, ART 2631, ART 2650, ART 2674, ART 2691, ART 3713, ART 3722, ART 3723, ART 3733, ART 3748, ART 3759, ART 3760, ART 3761, ART 3762, ART 3763, ART 3764, ART 3765, ART 3769, ART 3771, ART 3773, ART 3792, ART 3794, ART 3795, ART 3796, ART 3797, ART 3798, ART 4800, ART 4801, ART 4824, ART 4851, ART 4861, ART 4863, ART 4864, ART 4867, ART 4868, ART 4869, ART 4884, ART 4891, ART 4893, ART 4896 *1 s.h., need to take a total of 6 s.h. from this category. | ||
| Choose five 3700 or higher Studio Art Electives from the following courses: | ||
ART 3713, ART 3722, ART 3723, ART 3733, ART 3748, ART 3759, ART 3760, ART 3761, ART 3762, ART 3763, ART 3764, ART 3765, ART 3769, ART 3771, ART 3773, ART 3792, ART 3794, ART 3795, ART 3796, ART 3797, ART 3798, ART 4800, ART 4801, ART 4824, ART 4851, ART 4861, ART 4863, ART 4864, ART 4867, ART 4868, ART 4869, ART 4884, ART 4891, ART 4893, ART 4896 | ||
| Art History and Theory (12 s.h.): | ||
| ART 1541 | Survey of Art History 1 | 3 |
| ART 1542 | Global Art since 1400 | 3 |
| Choose two additional 3700 or higher Art History courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Professional Artist Preparedness (8 s.h.): | ||
| ART 2601 | Writing for Artists & Designers | 3 |
| ART 3701 | Professional Preparedness / Artist Business Practices | 3 |
| ART 3702 | Community Engagement Internship | 2 |
| Required Minor (12-18 s.h.): *if pursuing Social Media or Business minor, one course will be fulfilled within the gen ed requirements. | 12-15 | |
| Choose one Minor from the following options: | ||
Minor in Business for Non-Business Majors (18 s.h.)* | ||
Minor in Entrepreneurship (15 s.h.) | ||
Minor in Marketing (12 s.h.) | ||
Minor in Non-Profit Leadership (14-15 s.h.) | ||
Minor in Social Media (18 s.h.)* | ||
| Electives to meet 120 hours (if needed) | 3-0 | |
Total Semester Hours | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 120-122 | |
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | S.H. | |
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar or Youngstown State University Success Seminar or Intro to Honors | 1-2 |
| ART 1501 or ART 1502 | Fundamentals of 2D Design or Fundamentals of 3D Design | 3 |
| ART 1521 | Foundation Drawing | 3 |
| ENGL 1550 or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 or Writing 1 with Support | 3-4 |
| Any Gen Ed Math | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 13-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 1502 or ART 1501 | Fundamentals of 3D Design or Fundamentals of 2D Design | 3 |
| ART 1503 | Freshman Seminar and Portfolio Review | 1 |
| ART 2625 | Introduction to Printmaking: Intaglio and Relief 1 or Introduction to Printmaking: Lithography and Screenprinting or Introduction to Painting | 3 |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations | 3 |
| General Education Elective - Any Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 2661 | Print Design 1 | 3 |
| ART 2674 or ART 2691 | Introduction to Photography 1 or Introduction to Digital Media | 3 |
| ART 1541 or ART 1542 | Survey of Art History 1 or Global Art since 1400 | 3 |
| ART 2601 | Writing for Artists & Designers | 3 |
| Minor Course 1 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 3722 | Interdisciplinary Art Practice | 3 |
| ART 2611 or ART 2631 | Introduction to Sculpture 1 or Introduction to Ceramics | 3 |
| ART 15XX/26XX/37XX/48XX Studio Art Elective | 3 | |
| ART 1542 or ART 1541 | Global Art since 1400 or Survey of Art History 1 | 3 |
| Minor Course 2 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 3701 | Professional Preparedness / Artist Business Practices | 3 |
| ART 15XX/26XX/37XX/48XX Studio Art Elective | 3 | |
| ART 3700 level or higher Studio Art Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Elective - Natural Science + Lab | 4 | |
| General Education Elective - Social Science *If pursuing Social Media minor you must take CMST 2600 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 3703 | Junior Portfolio Review | 1 |
| ART 3700 level or higher Studio Art Elective | 3 | |
| ART 3700 level or higher Art History Elective | 3 | |
| ART 3702 | Community Engagement Internship | 2 |
| General Education Elective - Social Science | 3 | |
| Minor Course 3 | 3 | |
| Request a Graduation Evaluation from the CCAC Advising Office, 2310 Bliss Hall, (330) 941-3625 after you have completed 80-85 sh. | ||
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 4803 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| ART 3700 level or higher Studio Art Elective | 3 | |
| ART 3700 level or higher Studio Art Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Elective - Natural Science | 3 | |
| Minor Course 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 4802 | Senior Project | 3 |
| ART 3700 level or higher Studio Art Elective | 3 | |
| ART 3700 level or higher Art History Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Elective - Any Gen Ed *If pursuing Business minor you must take ECON 1505 | 3 | |
| Minor Course 5 or electives to meet 120 s.h. | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 120-122 | |
- 1
Choice of Introductory Courses should be based on primary studio interests as they will be prerequisites for upper level study.
Learning Outcomes
1) Students will be able to demonstrate their proficiency of art vocabulary.
2) Students will be able to demonstrate technical expertise appropriate to their progression in the program as it is relevant to their chosen artistic medium.
3) Students will be able to demonstrate a high level of content expression appropriate to their progression in the program as it is relevant to their chosen artistic medium.