Academic Advising Resource Center
Studio Art
Why take courses in Studio Art?
Studio Art courses explore hands-on making, creative problem-solving, and visual literacy as students consider a wide range of interdisciplinary topics. Classes emphasize technical and conceptual development within global traditions and contemporary practices. Our faculty offer courses in painting, drawing, color theory, photography (wet and digital), sculpture, installation, media arts (sound, video, interactive/networked art), performance, reproducible media (screenprint, lithography, intaglio, relief, monotype), design, and all the hybrids in between. Drawing on their parallel studies at Oberlin, students produce work at the forefront of creative fields. Oberlin’s Studio Art curriculum is interdisciplinary in nature and emphasizes ideas.
What kinds of questions does Studio Art explore?
- How can we contextualize various forms of art in terms of their history, their relationships to the other art media, and their cultural implications?
- How do we best understand art as research?
- What are new ways to incorporate previously unknown methods into your creative process?
What advice would you give students interested in taking courses in Studio Art?
You must complete the Studio Art Consent Request Form to request access to all studio art courses.
Be prepared for a steady workload throughout the semester and classes that challenge your creative problem-solving skills.
Taking Courses
Courses for non-majors or general interest
- Any introductory level course.
Getting started in the major
The Studio Art major requires students to study in 2D (with a color, composition, design, and mediums on a flat plane); 3D (with a focus on tools and techniques to build in and re-envision in space); and 4D (with a focus on time-based media, and most digital mediums). By the time a student graduates from Oberlin’s Studio Art department—regardless of their primary medium—they will be fluent in visual languages across all (known) physical dimensions, preparing them to be active participants in our 21st century visual world.
Advanced Placement Credit
Studio Art does not transfer AP credit toward the major requirements. Refer to the AP/IB chart for complete information about AP test scores.
Majoring in Studio Art
Provided are two examples of how a student could distribute courses required for the major over three or four years. See the catalog for additional details about major requirements.
Sample Four-Year Plans
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 | Fall INTRO 2D | Spring INTRO 4D TRAD ART HISTORY |
| Y2 | Fall INTRO 3D CONTEMP ART HISTORY |
Spring INTERMEDIATE MAJOR ELECTIVE |
| Y3 | Fall ADVANCE JR STUDIO | Spring INTERMEDIATE |
| Y4 | Fall CAPSTONE A CAPSTONE B |
Spring CAPSTONE A CAPSTONE C |
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 | Fall | Spring INTRO 3D |
| Y2 | Fall INTRO 2D INTRO 4D |
Spring MAJOR ELECTIVE TRAD ART HISTORY |
| Y3 | Fall INTERMEDIATE CONTEMP ART HISTORY |
Spring INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED JR STUDIO |
| Y4 | Fall CAPSTONE A CAPSTONE B |
Spring CAPSTONE A CAPSTONE C |
Related Areas of Study
Studio Arts compliment all areas of study.