VPAS 607 Integrating Visual Arts Into the Classroom

3 credits 42.0 hours
600 level graduate course

Because education is deeply rooted in the context of broader social conditions, the purpose of education determines what is taught in schools and other cultural institutions and impacts how we view the arts within our society. This course enables participants to develop an understanding and appreciation of the role the visual arts have played in our evolution from the earliest evidence of man’s art making to the visual culture within which we now live, where signs and symbols form the very essence of our cultural experience. Beginning with our biological need to make things ‘pretty’, this course will explore the history of ideas in art education, the theories, and the innovators who influenced the way we learn. Through this investigation into the ideas underlying education in art and material culture, participants will explore with special emphasis on the relationship between school and society. An understanding of how cognitive development relates to creativity and the stages of growth in children will inform the participant of the potential that visual art has to positively impact learning. Finally, this course will provide an overview of materials and art making techniques appropriate to create an art-infused, elementary classroom through hands-on art making experiences.

Open to graduate students from the Division of Continuing Studies.
This course is not repeatable for credit.
This course may not be audited.
This course cannot be taken pass/fail.