Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Art Education—Elementary, BAEd
What Is the Study of Art Education?
The broad instructional concept is to integrate the components of art history, art criticism, and studio art courses, university courses, Gallery Exhibition Program and the permanent collection. The student learns to interpret, analyze and make intelligent judgments about art as well as learning the skills and concepts of the studio. A grasp of the dynamic nature of a culture and the continuing extension of its visual language is a fundamental objective.
This major satisfies the academic major requirement for teacher certification with an endorsement in Elementary Education and must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in Elementary Education offered through Woodring College of Education.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
The B.A.Ed. in Art will prepare you to teach students at the elementary grade level. The program will introduce you to curricular design in the arts and the 4 components of Discipline Based Art Education which is an approach to the teaching of Art Education that encompasses criticism, history, aesthetics, and art studio.
How to Declare:
Most classes in the Studio area are restricted to majors only. To access classes in this area, a formal application to the Department of Art is required. For students in art studio, art education, application for the major is made with a portfolio or work. The portfolio will be reviewed by Department of Art faculty and evaluated on the basis of a demonstrated understanding of the elements of visual art, technical proficiency and originality.
Application Requirements:
All applicants of Studio Art majors must submit a portfolio of 12 works. It is recommended that the portfolio includes only recent pieces. Artwork can be in any media and must demonstrate the following criteria:
- Understanding of formal principles
- Technical skills
- Ability to use visual language to communicate ideas
- Originality and risk taking
An accompanying list should briefly describe the rationale behind each piece. Macintosh-compatible CD-ROMs; slides and online portfolios are acceptable. Digital portfolios must be presented in an easily accessible format. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure proper functioning of the presentation,
Sendportfolio to:
- Review Committee, Western Washington University
- Fine Arts Complex, Room 116, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225-9068
Application Deadlines
October 15 and January 31. Portfolios must be received by the deadlines, not postmarked by the deadlines.
In order to graduate, students must also be admitted to the Elementary Education Professional Program.
Mid-Program Checkpoint
Students intending to complete a Bachelor's of Arts in Education degree in Art-Elementary within four years should complete the following courses by the start of their junior year. Students are expected to follow all prerequisite requirements for courses and seek early departmental advisement.
Requirements
- 100 level and art studio courses (24 credits) ART 109, 110, 120, 130, 220, 240 plus one studio elective 18 credits of A/HI 7 credits of art education
Mid-Program Checkpoint Activities:
- Meet with departmental advisor once ready to begin 200 level courses.
- Make arrangements to take the WEST-B.
- Be admitted to Woodring College of Education
Coursework
- ART 109 Visual Dialogue (3)
- ART 110 Form and Content I: Drawing (3)
- ART 120 2-Dimensional Design/Color (3)
- ART 130 Form and Content III: 3-D (3)
- ART 220 Painting (4)
- ART 240 Ceramics (4)
- ART 381 Theories and Teaching Strategies in Art Education (4)
- Select 21 credits from:
- A/HI 220 Visual Culture in Ancient Greece and Rome (3)
- A/HI 221 Visual Culture in Medieval Europe (3)
- A/HI 230 Visual Culture in Western Europe 1400-1550 (3)
- A/HI 231 Visual Culture in Western Europe 1550-1700 (3)
- A/HI 240 Visual Culture in Western Europe in the 19th Century (3)
- A/HI 241 Visual Culture in Western Europe and America in the 20th Century (3)
- A/HI 270 Visual Culture in South and Southeast Asia (3)
- A/HI 271 Visual Culture in East Asia (3)
- Plus one 100-level Art Studio elective
- Complete professional preparatory program in Elementary Education.
Elemendary Education Professional Program Requirements
Professional Studies Core (25 credits)
- EDUC 301 - Educational Psychology I: Development and Individual Differences
- EDUC 302 - Educational Psychology II: Motivation, Learning and Assessment
- EDUC 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity
- ELED 370 - Introduction to Teaching
- I T 344 - Basic Instructional Technology Skills
- I T 442 - Classroom Use of Instructional Technology (Elementary)
- SPED 364 - Teaching Each Student
Elementary Program — Methods, Curriculum Content, and Field Experiences (78-79 credits)
- One course from:
- ART 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- DNC 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- MUS 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- THTR 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- One course from:
- ART 380 - Art Educating the Child
- DNC 433 - Creative Movement for Educators With Lab
- MUS 361 - Music for Elementary Teachers
- THTR 350 - Theatre for Youth
- THTR 351 - Creativity Across the Curriculum
- ELED 425 - Social Studies for the Elementary School
- ELED 470 - Developing Teaching
- ELED 471 - Documenting Teaching
- ELED 480 - Literacy: Beginning Communicators
- ELED 481 - Literacy: Fluent Communicators
- ELED 491 - September Experience
- ELED 492 - Practicum: Experience in Literacy Methods
- ELED 494 - Internship - Elementary
- HLED 455 - Health Education Grades K-8
- MATH 381 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics I
- MATH 382 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics II
- MATH 383 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics III
- MATH 491 - Internship Seminar - Teaching K-8 Mathematics
- PE 345 - Physical Education for Elementary School
- SCED 480 - Science Methods and Curriculum for the Elementary School
- SCED 490 - Laboratory/Field Experience in Elementary Science
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- CCOM: A/HI 275
- HUM: ART 109; A/HI 220, 221, 230, 231, 240, 241
- ACGM: A/HI 270 or 271
Notable Alumni
Sample Careers
- Art Educator
- Art Therapy
Department
Contact
Department Chair:
Gaye Green
360-650-3672
FI 117
gaye.green@wwu.edu
General Information:
360-650-4323
FI 116
artinfo@wwu.edu