Writing Skills for Artists
Examining the vocabularies of art and design, this course provides opportunities to engage in various modes and forms of creative and professional writing such as blogs, essays, poetry, criticism, literature, and journalism. Students will develop their individual voice, style, and stance and discuss the nuances of language. An introduction to the library and information about accessing and assessing source material will also be included.
Applied Math for Artists
This course will directly involve students in the relationship of art and math by presenting specific hands-on activities. The course will also consider mathematics from several perspectives, including artistic and cognitive, providing opportunities to explore various math applications such as number theory, geometry, and data analysis.
Understanding Poetry
This course will explore important poems and poets, especially those that relate to the visual arts. Students will become familiar with different forms of poetry, poetic imagery, figurative language, meter, sound, and line formation. Published poets will read and talk about their work, and students will also discuss the ideas and impact of several significant poems, as well as write their own.
World Economic Systems
This course includes comparative analysis of the major world economic systems, including a critical appraisal of underlying philosophies, economic theories, structures, and actual performance. It includes case studies of specific economies, and the study of reform and transformation of economic systems, especially capitalism and socialism, with an emphasis on today’s global economies and the impact on artists.
Applied Science for Artists
An introduction to the principles of science, including an overview of the scientific method and an analysis of certain key scientific contributions, this course will involve students in the various ways science is a crucial part of studio practice from mixing glazes to environmental hazards. Readings and discussion will also address the relationship of science and culture.
Speech and Communications
This course focuses on researching, composing, and delivering formal and informal speeches and presentations. Topics include public speaking, listening, research, analyzing and adapting to audiences, message construction, outlining, delivery of messages, effective use of visual aids, and critically evaluating a public address. The course emphasizes informative and persuasive speaking.
Introduction to Psychology
This course examines human psychology and behavior, relating experimental studies to practical problems. It includes topics such as sensation/perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, stress, child development, intelligence, personality, psychopathology, therapy, and social psychology.
Introduction to Modern Latin America
A survey of the social, geopolitical, cultural, and economic history of Latin America, the primary aim of this course is to develop a mental map of the history of Latin America—of prominent themes, movements, and issues. Materials will address interconnections such as the development of and relationship between economies with an appreciation for how Latin Americans have shaped their own histories.
Introduction to Philosophy
Using a variety of readings, this course will engage students in the major schools of thought and the major philosophical problems and methods of dealing with them that have shaped history. The role of ethics will be discussed as it relates to artistic practice, and the parallels between various philosophies and concepts, ideas, and theories in art will be explored.
The Artist in Literature and Film
Students will examine the long conversation between visual artists, literature and film in this course which will include readings and films that consider formal and conceptual ideas and issues relevant in the visual arts, as well as analyze psychological and biographical portrayals of artists in print or on screen.
Intellectual History
This course embraces the premise that primary texts in literature, the arts, philosophy, and science are essential to the study of visual objects and artifacts because of the social history they represent. The course will include examination of the central texts from throughout the world and throughout history.
The Artist in Society
Offered in the senior year, this course is designed as preparation for understanding and engaging in civic life. It will include discussion of the ways artists are currently involved in city life including urban design, housing, transportation, environmental and political issues, but will also cover significant historical movements and how societal changes occur. Community leaders will be involved in the class.
