Art
Associate in Arts School of Arts and Social Sciences · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog
School of Arts and Social Sciences
The study of art will enrich the student’s experience of the world and encourage the student to draw upon creative resources. An education in art can lead to professional or vocational careers, as well as enhance abilities in other fields. The Art Department offers a foundation in theoretical and practical skills, and the opportunity to work in a wide variety of specific art media.
The Art Program provides lower division undergraduate transfer classes, professional preparation, personal development, general interest, and general education, as well as an Associate in Arts degree.
The Associate of Arts Degree in Art is available for students who meet the graduation requirements and complete the following required courses, with a minimum grade of a “C” (or P) in each course in the degree and maintain a 2.0 GPA.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
A. Demonstrate a knowledge of the techniques and processes involved in a variety of two and three dimensional art forms.
B. Create works of art integrating aesthetics with the elements and principles of design theory as applied to studio art and digital art works.
C. Distinguish individual styles as applied to various contemporary media and historic art periods.
D. Develop an appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity in the visual arts.
Program Requirements:
Program Core: (18 Units)
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH-C1200 | Survey of Art from the Renaissance to Contemporary | 3 |
| ART-12A | Sculpture: 3-D Foundations | 3 |
| ART-15 | Design: 2-D Foundations | 3 |
| ART-23A | Introduction to Painting | 3 |
| ART-24A | Fundamentals of Drawing | 3 |
| ART-26A | Introduction to Figure Drawing | 3 |
| Plus 3 units from the following Art History courses: | ||
| ARTH-C1100 | Survey of Art from Prehistory to the Medieval Era | 3 |
| ART-03 | Art of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North America | 3 |
| ART-06 | Survey of Modern Art | 3 |
| PHOT-33 | The History of Photography | 3 |
| ARTD-07 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
| ARTD-08 | History of Animation | 3 |
| Plus 9 units from the following courses: | ||
| ART-12B | Intermediate Sculpture | 3 |
| ART-17A | Introduction to Ceramics | 3 |
| ART-17B | Intermediate Ceramics | 3 |
| ART-20A | Introduction to Printmaking | 3 |
| ART-20B | Intermediate Printmaking | 3 |
| ART-23B | Intermediate Painting | 3 |
| ART-24B | Intermediate Drawing | 3 |
| ART-26B | Intermediate Figure Drawing | 3 |
| ART-29A | Introduction to Watercolor Painting | 3 |
| ART-29B | Watercolor Painting II | 3 |
| ARTD-40A | Introduction to Digital Art | 3 |
| ARTD-40B | Intermediate Digital Art | 3 |
| ARTD-41A | Introduction to Graphic Design: 2D Foundations | 3 |
| ARTD-41B | Intermediate Graphic Design: 2D Foundations | 3 |
| ARTD-42A | Introduction to Motion Graphics | 3 |
| ARTD-42B | Intermediate Motion Graphics | 3 |
| ARTD-45A | Animation I: Introduction to 2D Animation | 3 |
| ARTD-45B | Animation II: Intermediate 2D Animation | 3 |
| ARTD-47 | Typography I: Introduction to Type Design | 3 |
| PHOT-10A | Basic Photography | 3 |
| PHOT-11A | Introduction to the Digital Camera | 3 |
| Total | 30 | |
Completion of MCCD-GE Breadth : (24 units)
Elective (as needed to reach 60 units) Units: (6 Units)
Total Degree Units: (60 Units)