Bachelor of Education in Art Education
Since its establishment, the Department of Art Education has offered one program, namely the Bachelor of Education in Art Education, which aims to prepare qualified teachers to teach fine arts and work at the basic and post-basic education levels. Students engage in creative processes in the fields of drawing and painting, ceramics, printmaking, textiles, design fundamentals, sculpture and three-dimensional work using various materials, graphic design, metalwork and jewelry, and artistic crafts in Oman, as well as independent projects. Students also acquire the ability to teach these fields through educational courses in curriculum and teaching methods, educational psychology, foundations of education, and educational technology, complemented by field training in various basic and post-basic schools. Practical training is also provided through the available laboratory facilities, microteaching, and practicum in schools across the Sultanate. The Department admits graduates of the General Education Diploma who have achieved the total score required for admission to the specialization in accordance with the applicable admission system, which ensures equal opportunities for all applicants.
Admission to the Art Education specialization requires the following:
- Obtaining a minimum grade of (C) in the following subjects: Basic Arabic Language, Visual Arts, and Basic English Language.
- Passing the artistic aptitude test and the medical visual examination (color blindness test) as essential requirements for admission to the Department.
Program Courses
The Bachelor of Education in Art Education program comprises 125 credit hours, including 6 credit hours covering university requirements, 6 credit hours covering University Electives, and 11 credit hours covering Specialization Electives, which aim to provide students with educational preparation and equip them with theoretical and practical teaching methods and strategies, 43 credit hours covering College Requirements, and 59 credit hours covering the Specialized Program Requirements, distributed between theoretical and practical courses.
Based on the Department of Art Education's curriculum, courses bearing the prefix (ARED) are categorized into two primary classifications: Core Program Requirements (Compulsory) and Elective Courses.
The description and classification of these courses are outlined below:
First: Mandatory Major Requirements (59 credit hours)
These courses form the academic and practical foundation for the student and are distributed across the following areas:
1. Foundational and Advanced Technical Skills
- Drawing (Drawing I & Drawing II):
Designed to develop core drawing skills, observational capabilities, and artistic expression.
- Design (Principles of Design, Design Applications, and Graphic Design I & II):
Aims to foster an understanding of design principles and their applications, while enhancing technological proficiency through digital design software to produce contemporary visual works.
- Painting (Painting I & Painting II, leading to Contemporary Art):
Equips students with artistic painting skills and creative visual expression utilizing various oil and watercolor techniques.
- Sculpture:
Focuses on developing the modeling and sculpting skills necessary to create three-dimensional artworks.
- Ceramics (Ceramics I & Ceramics II):
Aims to develop ceramic shaping skills, master production and firing techniques, and utilize glazes to create artistic ceramic pieces.
- Textile Weaving with Diverse Fibers:
Designed to advance manual weaving skills and structural techniques, while utilizing various fibers to produce innovative textile artworks.
- Textile Printing:
Focuses on developing technical skills in textile printing to produce creative, artistic designs.
- Art Crafts:
A course dedicated to manual craftsmanship, metalwork, and diverse jewelry-making skills.
2. Theoretical and Historical Studies
- These courses trace the evolution of art through the ages, covering the History of Ancient Art and Civilizations and the History of Islamic Art, and culminating in Modern and Contemporary Art History.
- The curriculum also encompasses philosophical and critical dimensions, including: Introduction to Art Education and Its Theories, Child Art, and Art Criticism and Aesthetics.
Final Stage (Art Project)
Second: Elective Courses (11 Credit Hours)
Students must select one course from each group (A, B, C, and D) to enrich their artistic sensibility and specialization:
- Elective A (Focuses on Three-Dimensional Modeling and Crafts): Includes courses such as Hand Crafts, 3D Modeling Design, or Sculpture (2).
- Elective B (Focuses on Applied Skills): Includes courses such as Art Skills for Life or Aesthetics of Modeling Arabic.
- Elective C (Focuses on Modern Technologies): Includes courses such as Contemporary Techniques in Art, Multi-Media Experiments, or Principles of Engraving Art.
- Elective D (Focuses on Societal and Critical Aspects): Includes courses such as Art Culture & Saving Society, Art Education for Special Needs, or Critical Reading in Art.
The curriculum's general structure relies heavily on a prerequisite system. For instance, Drawing II cannot be taken without passing Drawing I, and the Art Project cannot be initiated until a broad package of practical courses has been completed, and so forth.
The degree program concludes in the eighth semester with the professional practical component, represented by Field Training and the Graduation Project (under the course code "MNTR"). Registration for both components requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00
The department offers a range of courses. Below is a description of each course: