Fine Arts Courses

ART211 Ceramics

[0–4, 3 cr.]

This course is an introductory course to the primary techniques of hand-made pottery, its maintenance, and finish, as well as the understanding, preparation, and maintenance, of clay through its various stages, and the relationship of design, functional and otherwise, to the medium.

ART212 Ceramics Wheel Throwing

[0–4, 3 cr.]

This course is a focus on wheel-made pottery, stressing the relationship of good functional design to useful wheel-made objects, by offering basic shapes of such pottery.

Prerequisite: ART211 Ceramics I

ART221 Drawing I

[0–6, 3 cr.]

This course is a study of the basic drawing techniques in various media in regards to landscape, still life, and the human figure.

Note: This course has not been thought since Fall 2023 and will not be taught in this academic year 2025–2026.

ART222 Figure Drawing

[1–4, 3 cr.]

This course explores the structural and muscular systems of the human body with emphasis upon proportion, formal relations, chiaroscuro, contour, volume, and foreshortening. This course aims at producing full-fledged compositions in various drawing media. Throughout the course, students develop the figure in different spatial situations as an exploration of expression in drawing. They will be exposed to questions of aesthetics, problem solving in composition, and the use of appropriate materials.

Prerequisite: FND201 Drawing for Foundation

ART271 Introduction to Photography

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This course is an introduction to digital photography, with an overview of the basic theoretical principles of photography, including composition, exposure and lighting. Lectures will be complemented by applied projects that explore different photography techniques based on a variety of themes. Students will also be trained to photograph art and design works as well as process digital images.

ART272 History and Theory of Photography

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course will survey the history of photography from its beginning to the present, covering major theoretical movements, including realism, modernism, surrealism, structuralism, postmodernism, and post structuralism. The survey will also study the development of digital photography and its potential theoretical impact.
 
Prerequisite: ENG102 Academic English II

ART301 Speculative Drawing

[1–4, 3 cr.]

This advanced drawing course promotes analytical thinking through experimental processes in drawing. Students will explore various techniques and methodologies through individual projects that investigate contemporary practices in drawing beyond the mimetic. The course requires innovative approaches to relevant media and their application in exploration, sequential thinking, and subjective representation.

Prerequisite: ART222 Figure Drawing

ART331 History of Art I

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This survey course provides a critical overview of visual production starting from the Paleolithic era and leading up to the Italian Renaissance. The course explores major movements and selected works in art, material culture, and architecture, examining the form, content, and function of the work in relation to evolving cultural, social, and political contexts. 

Prerequisite: ENG102 Academic English II

ART332 History of Art II

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course explores major movements and styles in European art and architecture from the Italian Renaissance to the early Modern period. It examines selected works from each movement along with the historical events relevant to the development of western Art and its underlying theories.

Prerequisite: ENG102 Academic English II

ART333 Art Education

[1–4, 3 cr.]

This course is a survey of the principles, materials, techniques, and resources for teaching art to children. Emphasis is on the extensive variety of art media suitable for young children, such as clay, paint, collage, and drawing.

ART334 Printmaking

[0–6, 3 cr.]

This course is a studio course investigating the basic printing processes of intaglio, planography, and relief.

Prerequisite: ART221 Drawing I or FND201 Drawing for Foundations

ART335 Islamic Art of the Middle East

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course is designed to stimulate a deeper understanding of the Islamic Art of the Middle East through an investigation of its cultural origins.

ART336 Art in Lebanon since 1900

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course surveys artistic production in Lebanon during the Modern and contemporary eras. It investigates the development of a Lebanese vernacular in relation to imported Western influences and changing cultural, social, and political contexts. Special attention will be given to historical developments that are relevant to cultural practices in the region today, including cultural identity and the problematic relationship between modernity and local traditions. Coursework will include visits to local exhibitions and studios to familiarize students with Lebanon’s contemporary art scene.

Prerequisite: ENG102 Academic English II

ART341 Painting I

[0–6, 3 cr.]

This course is an introduction to painting procedure. The course includes detailed studies of still life, landscape, and the human figure.

Prerequisites: ART221 Drawing I or Instructor consent

ART342 Painting II

[0–6, 3 cr.]

This course is a studio course that looks into a variety of approaches to space interpretation on a two dimensional plane.

Prerequisite: ART341 Painting I or Instructor consent

ART351 Sculpture I

[0–6, 3 cr.]

This is a course facilitating the realization of three dimensional forms through modeling, carving, and casting of meaningful subjects.

ART352 Sculpture II

[0–6, 3 cr.]

This is an advanced course that provides for greater proficiency in the creation of the three-dimensional form. Special emphasis is placed on the production of free standing and relief sculpture for specific sites.

Prerequisite: ART351 Sculpture I or Instructor consent

ART365 Studio III

[2–4, 4 cr.]

This studio focuses on two-dimensional explorations in various techniques in painting and mixed media. The studio looks into a variety of methodologies to acquire knowledge of subject rendering, spatial representations, and visual compositions. Anchored in the analysis of historical artworks, the course will develop the students’ mastery of materials, methods and techniques of representation.

Prerequisite: FND236 Studio II Visual Dynamics

ART366 Studio IV

[2–4, 4 cr.]

This studio explores concepts, materials, and processes in the development of three-dimensional forms. Students develop fundamental notions of composition, formal perception, as well as movement in space. The studio offers the opportunity to realize three-dimensional constructs based on conceptual and theoretical explorations. Students are encouraged to explore the inter-relation between objects and space through innovative approaches to form making.

Prerequisite: ART365 Studio III 

ART371 Black and White Analog Photography

[2–3, 3 cr.]

This course examines how to see photographically by exploring the basic tools, techniques and aesthetics of 35mm black-and-white analog photography, with special emphasis on the creative use of camera controls, film exposure, development and print with proper use of chemicals. Students are exposed to different darkroom manipulations, experimental methods and techniques aiming at producing a portfolio of photographic artworks. The course is a combination of lectures, demonstrations, supervised lab work and critiques.
 
Prerequisites: FND201 Photography for Foundation or PHO213 Introduction to Digital Photography

ART372 Studio Photography

[2–3, 3 cr.]

This course examines the use of photography in the studio as an application of the medium to visual analysis and presentation. The digital medium format camera is introduced along with the DSLR & workflow software, including scanning, image manipulation, and output. The course is a combination of lectures, demonstrations, supervised lab work and critiques.
 
Prerequisites: FND201 Photography for Foundation or PHO213 Introduction to Digital Photography

ART373 Architectural Photography

[2–3, 3 cr.]

This course will explore the principals of architectural photography as a language of design through lectures, demonstrations, and critical discussions. Students will engage in ongoing photographic study under a framework of conceptual themes. Specific photographic problems drawn from the ongoing process will be examined in detail; the application of standard compositional forms, graphic styling, use of natural and artificial light, technical issues relative to image acquisition, rendering and presentation.

Prerequisites: FND201 Photography for Foundation or PHO213 Introduction to Digital Photography

ART374 Landscape Photography

[2–3, 3 cr.]

This course explores the unique aesthetic and technical challenges of photographing spatial settings for personal expression and historical documentation. Students would examine the expressive photography of ruins, cityscapes and landscapes. Focus would include perspective compositions, and lighting arrangements.

Prerequisites: FND201 Photography for Foundation or PHO213 Introduction to Digital Photography

Note: This course has not been thought since Fall 2023 and will not be taught in this academic year 2025–2026.

ART375 Fashion Photography

[2–3, 3 cr.]

This course is a hands-on study of fashion photography. Emphasis is placed on the use of photographic equipment and lighting techniques specific to the creation of professional photographs suitable for publication in fashion magazines and advertisements. Students assemble a photographic team, create promotional material, and prepare a portfolio for use in the market.

Prerequisites: FND201 Photography for Foundation or PHO213 Introduction to Digital Photography

ART376 Photography II

[2–3, 3 cr.]

This course examines the use of still photography as a means of documenting contemporary society, the application of the medium to visual analysis, and the presentation of society.

Prerequisite: PHO211 Photography I

Note: This course has not been thought since Fall 2023 and will not be taught in this academic year 2025–2026.

ART377 Introduction to Digital Photography

[2–3, 3 cr.]

This course is intended to give a general introduction to digital photography, including theoretical lectures and practical applications on the basic principles of photography. The course will include hands-on exercises with a digital camera, and will cover the work of great photographers to illustrate the fundamentals of photocomposition. The course will address four main areas in photography:  technical make-up of a camera, composition, lighting, and introduction to photo editing software.  Students who sign up for this class should have their own digital camera.

ART378 Digital Photography I

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to digital photography, including the main components of the digital camera and their functions as well as the creative potential of digital printing techniques. Exploring photography from a digital perspective, students are initiated into an understanding of digital image workflow, from composition to light and graphics, scanning, output, digital manipulation, and printing. Using specific digital software, the course covers the basics of digital photography as well as the control over image manipulation techniques.

Note: This course has not been thought since Fall 2023 and will not be taught in this academic year 2025–2026.

ART379 Digital Imaging Technologies

[2–3, 3 cr.]

This course explores the basic physics of light, color, digital cameras and their components. Emphasis is placed on the manipulation and creation of digital images through various software. Digital images, and their characteristics are addressed as the course examines how to work with digital pictures files in print and electronic forms.
 
Prerequisites: FND201 Photography for Foundation or PHO213 Introduction to Digital Photography

ART431 Modern Art

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course covers the main styles and movements of the western avant-garde from the early Modern era until the mid-twentieth century. It explores the cultural and socio-political contexts that inspired the theories from which Modern art emerged and developed. Themes and issues of contemporary relevance are addressed through the study of selected works.

Prerequisite: ENG102 Academic English II

ART431H Modern Art

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course covers the main styles and movements of the western avant-garde from the early Modern era until the mid-twentieth century. It explores the cultural and socio-political contexts that inspired the theories from which Modern art emerged and developed. Themes and issues of contemporary relevance are addressed through the study of selected works.

Prerequisite: ENG102 Academic English II

ART432 Contemporary Art

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course examines visual art and popular culture from 1960 to the present, especially the rise and establishment of new forms and media in art. It focuses on the production of meaning and explores topics addressed in contemporary art by investigating its practice, histories, institutions, and socio-political contexts. Students will carry out an in-depth investigation of themes addressed in contemporary cultural practice with the aim of enlarging and solidifying their background.

Prerequisite: ENG102 Academic English II

ART441 Painting III

[0–6, 3 cr.]

This course is a studio course that develops a greater awareness of the elements of art’s expressive potential in the creation of various moods.

Prerequisite: ART342 Painting II or Instructor consent

ART465 Studio V

[2–4, 4 cr.]

This advanced studio explores specific approaches in the process of artistic production, based on independent research, leading to the development of a personal thematic. Students are encouraged to adopt a multi-media approach in their investigations of space and time, including video, sound, installation, and/or performance. This studio offers the opportunity for advanced experimentation into the limits of artistic production and representation, as they relate to sensory experience, motion, and interaction. The themes investigated and the processes explored are developed in relation to emerging artistic practices.

Prerequisite: ART366 Studio IV

ART466 Senior Studio

[2–4, 4 cr.]

The senior studio provides the graduating student with the opportunity for independent investigation, resulting in a final collection that reflects a broad theoretical scope. The course requires significant research in the development of a personal thesis, and students are encouraged to develop their final projects through experimentation in their medium of choice. The studio solidifies the student’s background and a further defines their personal aesthetic direction.

Prerequisite: ART465 Studio V

ART472 Portfolio Design

[0–2, 1 cr.]

This course provides students with the guidance and advising necessary to transition into careers in the professional art market or application into graduate studies. Emphasis is placed on the development of a cohesive, well-presented printed and online portfolio as a personal marketing tool. The class cumulates in a final portfolio review.

ART481 Curation and the Art Market

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course in an introduction to the practical concerns of professional art practice, including aspects related to production, diffusion, and communication. Students are familiarized with the role and function of various actors and stakeholders (galleries, museums, art fairs, curators, etc.) of the contemporary art market in Lebanon and the wider region. The course covers post-production aspects related to the management of artistic practice, including the conception and creation of curatorial projects, as well as the role of art critics and the media.

Prerequisite: ART431 Modern Art or ART432 Contemporary Art

ART491 International Studio

[1–4, 3 cr.]

Each year an international traveling workshop will be organized to allow students to travel, visit global cities, and have direct exposure to artwork in established collections and museums. The workshop would present a specific project, with students carrying out personal work under the guidance of a faculty member. Drawings, sketches, and a workshop report would be presented upon the students’ return to LAU.

ART499 Senior Study

[0–6, 3 cr.]

This is a senior course that provides for independent initiation and execution of art projects, allowing for greater depth and research in the development of a personal idiom.