California University of Pennsylvania
Guidelines for New Course Proposals
University Course Syllabus
Department of Art and Design
UCC Approval date: __/__/____
(date will be added by UCC)
A. Protocol
Course Name: Painting Studio.
Course Number: ART 383
Credits: 3 (repeatable to 18 credits)
Prerequisites: None
Maximum Class Size (face-to-face): 18
Maximum Class Size (online): 18
B. Objectives of the Course:
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
1. describe artistic achievements of the past and identify their affects upon the current works and trends.
2. use basic tools and materials of watercolor, acrylic and oil painting.
3. apply principles of shape and form through value and color.
4. demonstrate techniques of watercolor, acrylic and oil painting.
5. demonstrate a level of proficiency in an "indirect method" of painting.
6. demonstrate a level of proficiency in alla prima painting.
7. solve problems of visual communication in unique and creative ways.
C.

Catalog Description:
Painting Studio is a class that covers all levels of painting. Emphasis is placed on fundamental techniques of
rendering including the study of light and shadow, color intensity control and projection and recession of
objects in space. Work and exercises are done in watercolor, acrylic and oil paints. acrylic may be done with
prior approval of the instructor. This course covers all levels of painting so the course is open to all who want
to learn to paint from beginners all the way through mastery. This course is repeatable to 18 credits.

D. Outline of the Course:
a.

Lecture Outline and Topics covered in the Course
(1). Pigment, Paints and Brushes
(2). Color, Value, and Intensity
(3). Renaissance Chiaroscuro
(4). Glazes and Painting Mediums
(5). The Illusion of Distance
(6). Projection and Recession
(7). Clarity and Ambiguity

b.

Lab Outline of Lecture/Demonstrations
(1). Renaissance value scale, illusion of form.
a. Highlight, light, middletone, bounced light, shadow and cast shadow.
(2). Formulating and using painting materials such as glazing mediums.
(3). Style and brushwork, use of blending brushes.

(4). Projection and recession through focus.
(5). Projection and recession through intensity.
(6). Illusion of form through cross-contour lines.
(7). Painting Alla Prima.
(8). Indirect Painting Methods.
(9). How to stretch and prepare a canvas for painting.
E. Teaching Methodology:
1) Traditional Classroom Methodology
The primary methods of teaching are through lectures and lecture/demonstrations followed by lab
assignments. During the lab session, students work on assignments and individual instruction is given to
each student as needed on a one-to-one basis. Off-campus and on-campus visits to museums, local
galleries and the University collection are an important part of the instruction of this course. These field
trips are made when appropriate. Students are expected to attend art exhibits at our on-campus gallery.
2) Online Methodology
Delivery of lectures via Zoom and D2L formats of drop boxes and forums. Critiques by professor and share
on forums for feedback and consideration.
F.

Text
No text is required for this course. Students are expected to take comprehensive notes during lectures and
lecture/demonstrations and to keep records of their painting methods. Students are also expected to make use
of the handouts given to them throughout the semester.

G.

Assessment Activities:
1) Traditional Classroom Assessment
Students are evaluated through an assessment of their ability to apply the methods, principles and
techniques that are covered in the class. Each painting assignment has specific objectives and is graded
according to the student's ability to achieve those objectives Use of critique in the classroom or a posted
image to show progress allows for a discussion of the work by peers. A written review of each
assignment is given to the student along with a grade. Because we feel the grade should assess and
reward achievement rather than punish misunderstanding and inexperience, we allow the student to
rework each assignment. After receiving an assessment on an assignment, the student has the option of
re-working the assignment to improve his grade, and he may continue to rework the painting until he
feels he can improve it no more.
2) Online Assessment
Online assessment is the same as traditional classroom assessment, with use of Discussions Forums for
critique and updates on developing work.

H. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
OSD
Revised June 2015
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations. Students
requesting approval for reasonable accommodations should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities
(OSD). Students are expected to adhere to OSD procedures for self-identifying, providing documentation and
requesting accommodations in a timely manner.

Students will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting accommodations that
involve the faculty.
Contact Information:
•
•
•
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I.

Location:
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Web Site:

Carter Hall - G-35
(724) 938-5781
(724) 938-4599
osdmail@calu.edu
http://www.calu.edu/osd

Title IX Syllabus Addendum

Revised December 2019
California University of Pennsylvania

Reporting Obligations of Faculty Members under Title IX

of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681, et seq.

California University of Pennsylvania and its faculty are committed to assuring a safe and productive educational
environment for all students. In order to meet this commitment and to comply with the Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972 and guidance from the Office of Civil Rights, the University requires faculty members to
report incidents of sexual violence shared by students to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. John A.
Burnett, Special Assistant for EEEO, Office of Human Resources, Dixon Hall, Room 408, Burnett@calu.edu,
724-938-5425. The only exceptions to the faculty member’s reporting obligation are when incidents of sexual
violence are communicated by a student during a classroom discussion, in a writing assignment for a class, or as
part of a University-approved research project. Faculty members are obligated to report sexual violence or any
other abuse of a student who was, or is, a child (person under 18 years of age) when the abuse allegedly occurred
to the person designated in the University protection of minors policy.

The University’s information regarding the reporting of sexual violence and the resources that are
available to victims of sexual violence is set forth at:

·

Office of Human Resources, 724-938-5425

o

Social Equity Home Page

www.calu.edu/SocialEquity

o

Social Equity Policies

www.calu.edu/SEpolicies

o

Social Equity Complaint Form

www.calu.edu/SEcomplaint

·

Counseling Center, Carter Hall G53, 724-938-4056

·

End Violence Center, Natali Student Center 117, 724-938-5707

·

Student Affairs, Natali Student Center 311, 724-938-4439

·

Wellness Center, Carter Hall G53, 724-938-4232

·

Women’s Center, Natali Student Center 117, 724-938-5857

·

Threat Response Assessment and Intervention Team (T.R.A.I.T.) & Dept. of Public Safety & University
Police, Pollock Maintenance Building, 724-938-4299
o

J.

EMERGENCY: From any on-campus phone & Dial H-E-L-P

Supportive Instructional Materials, e.g. library materials, web sites, etc.
A wide variety of online resources are available at Mandarino Library’s Art and Design page.
Additional Information for Course Proposals

K. Proposed Instructors:
Any qualified faculty member in the Department of Art and Languages.
L. Rationale for the Course:
This is an intro course for the general student with painting interests as well as a possible studio track course
for art majors, offering particular training in watercolor and acrylic media. In this introductory course, the
discipline of painting is explored. Painting, as addressed in this course, includes basic rendering skills in
paint; the manipulation of line and tone through brushwork; texture, color theory, and composition; an
introduction to expressive qualities through aesthetics; knowledge of previous styles, schools, and
movements; various mediums and techniques; and the fostering of the individual's self-expression.
M. Specialized Equipment or Supplies Needed:
Watercolor pan set of twelve colors

Watercolor brush
12 sheet pad of 140-lb cold press watercolor paper at least 18” x 22”
Various sizes canvasboard or stretched canvas or masonite for painting surfaces but should be no smaller than
18” x 22”
Gesso to prepare the above surfaces
6 Sheets of masonite for painting at least 18” x 22”in size for final paintings
Various oil painting brushes including round, flat, filbert and brite brushes
Gesso brush
Acrylic Paint Colors: Azo Red Light or similar red hue Cobalt Blue or similar blue hue Azo Yellow lemon or
similar yellow hue Titanium White
Sketch book
#2 Pencils and pencil erasures
N. Answer the following questions using complete sentences:
1) Does the course require additional human resources? (Please explain)
Yes
The course requires the use of models in timed poses for the students to observe for understanding of the
human form as well as the form under lighting conditions. This is traditional practice in the learning of
figure painting.
2) Does the course require additional physical resources? (Please explain)
Yes
The student is active and is standing at an easel for most of the course duration for the traditional delivery
method. The student will also be responsible for carrying and moving the various paint surfaces of
various sizes on which to paint. The ability to actually manually paint and work these surfaces requires
physical ability.
3) Does the course change the requirements in any particular major? (Please explain)
No
4) Does the course replace an existing course in your program? (If so, list the course)
No
5) How often will the course be taught?
Each year
6) Does the course duplicate an existing course in another Department or College? (If the possibility exists,
indicate course discipline, number, and name)
No
O. If the proposed course includes substantial material that is traditionally taught in another discipline, you must
request a statement of support from the department chair that houses that discipline.
N/A

P.

Please identify if you are proposing to have this course considered as a menu course for General Education.
The General Education Committee must consider and approve the course proposal before consideration by
the UCC.
No

Q. Approval Form
Provide the Approval Form (Signature Page) with the signatures of your department
Chair AND college Dean (electronically).