Art and Visual Technology (AVT)
College of Visual and Performing Arts
NOTE: On July 1, 2001, the Division of Art and
Visual Technologies (formerly housed within the Institute of
the Arts) became the Department of Art and Visual
Technology (AVT) within the College of Visual and Performing
Arts (CVPA). The former Division of InterArts and the
VIT Graduate Program are both included within AVT. All
courses formerly listed with prefixes of ARTS and VIT are now
listed with the prefix of AVT. Courses formerly listed with
the prefix ARIN are now listed with the prefix AVT or CVPA.
103 Introduction to the Artist's Studio
(3:3:0). For non-majors only. Through a series of projects, readings,
class critiques, videos, CD-ROMs, slides, and field trips,
students are encouraged to explore materials, techniques,
concepts, and processes that are essential to the
understanding of the language of the visual arts and the role of the
artist. Students also develop imaginative thinking and
sensitivity to their visual environment.
104 Studio Fundamentals I (4:2:4). First half of a
two-semester course concerning basic visual
decision-making and the choices involved in ordering elements of a
visual vocabulary into a unified, coherent whole. Focusing on
two-dimensional design and color in a variety of media,
the course establishes a basis for comprehension and use of
a visual language.
105 Studio Fundamentals II (4:2:4). Prerequisite:
AVT 104, or permission of instructor. The second half of a
two-semester course that will introduce students to the
basic principles of three-dimensional design and how this
information applies to art making and the practical world.
Course activities are a blend of studio projects, discussions,
and presentations that focus on understanding the creative
and conceptual realm of the three dimensional arts,
including sculpture, architecture, furniture, environmental design,
and time based media.
180 Computers in the Creative Arts
(3:1:2). Introduction to computing from an artist's perspective.
Emphasis on employing computers for artistic creation and
research. Overview of hardware, software, operating systems,
peripherals, 2D graphics, and web design.
204 Visual Thinking (3:3:0). Introduction to visual
thinking. Topics include information from visual
perception, memory, classical and modern art, performance, and
dance. Opportunities for students to assess themselves as
visual thinkers.
207 Writing Out Loud (3:3:0). Explores the
relationship between writing and the voice, looking at texts that
were written to be performed aloud. Students will write
and present their own work and have the opportunity to
develop personal and collaborative projects. This
course emphasizes composition for oral presentations, and
delivery, poise, persuasiveness, clarity, and
comprehensibility in public delivery.
215 Graphic Information Design I
(4:2:4). Prerequisites: AVT 104, 105, and 222 or equivalent, or permission of
instructor. Introduction to the elements of basic
typographical composition, including the historical development
of letter forms; recognition, use and specification of
existing typefaces; and alphabet design.
222 Drawing I (4:2:4). An introduction to the
fundamentals of drawing with emphasis on observational study
and formal composition. The student's perceptual and
rendering skills are developed through exposure to a range
of materials, methods, and formal concepts, including
effective and expressive use of lines, mass, value,
perspective, and composition.
232 Painting I (4:2:4). An introduction to the basic
techniques and principles of oil and water-based
painting through projects which combine observational study,
technique development, and the fundamentals of formal
composition, color interaction, and the articulation of
form. Students are given basic knowledge of and experience
in the preparation of various supports, the mixing of
color, and the techniques of paint application.
243 Printmaking I (4:2:4). An introduction to the
basics of hand printing with an emphasis on the translation
and transferal of images, the tools, equipment and
technical skills that enable the making of a well defined print.
Students will explore various print media with reference
to historical and contemporary models. Discussion,
presentation, and field trips will focus on the practical and
conceptual concerns of making multiple images.
252 Photography I (4:2:4). Introduction to the basic
principles and aesthetics of photography, 35mm camera
operation, and darkroom practices including film processing
and print development.
262 Sculpture I (4:2:4). An introductory course that
will give students a foundation in basic technical and
formal processes of sculpture and introduce the diverse
methods and concepts underlying the work of historic and
contemporary sculptors. Emphasis will be placed on the
exploration of various materials, technical execution,
conceptualization, and creative problem solving to enable students to
visually manifest their individual ideas.
272 Performance Studio I (4:4:2). Prerequisite: AVT
104, or permission of instructor. An introductory studio
course looking at performance as a visual art practice and
focusing on time, space and the body. The course
emphasizes the artist as performer. Students study the work of
performance practitioners, make short performance pieces,
document and exhibit their work as well as taking part in
a program of gallery and performance visits locally and
in New York.
280 Digital Arts I (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 104 or
permission of instructor. Students will learn to use both
vector and raster graphics software programs. Emphasis
will be placed on concept development, visual aesthetics
and technique. Students will produce a series of art works to
be presented in digital, printed, and HTML format.
305 Creative Processes (3:3:0). Study of the creative
process in general, with particular emphasis on the
inspiration, working methods, and final creations of various
artists. Students are encouraged to explore their own creative
processes through regular journal keeping, collaborative
exercises, and two major projects.
307 Aesthetics (3:3:0). This course aims at the creation
of heightened aesthetic perception and understanding.
Emphasis is placed on examining a broad range of
contemporary art and culture to engage an expansive conception
of aesthetic experience.
311 Graphic Information Design II
(4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 215, portfolio review or equivalent, or permission
of instructor. Introduction to graphic communication
design concepts, processes, and production. Students create a
portfolio of graphic products which solve typical problems
in communication design.
313 Graphic Information Design III
(4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 311 and 345 or equivalent, or permission of
instructor. An intermediate graphic design course with
an emphasis on publication and information design.
Students will develop a series of professional graphic
communication products.
323 Drawing II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 222 or
permission of instructor. This course builds on skills and
concepts covered in Drawing I. The student will continue
to develop rendering and observational skills, while
utilizing formal concepts and a knowledge of materials and
expressive techniques.
324 Figure Drawing (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 222
or permission of the instructor. This course will focus on
drawing through the study of the human body.
Composition, action, and design will be emphasized through a variety
of media such as graphite, charcoal, color pencil, oil
stick, watercolor, gouache, and mixed techniques.
333 Painting II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 232 or
permission of instructor. Building on concepts, knowledge
of materials, and techniques covered in Painting I, this
course seeks to further develop the student's formal and
technical skills while enhancing her/his perceptual awareness.
As students continue to practice and develop traditional
techniques of observational painting, their development
will be enriched by the introduction of concepts,
methodologies, and approaches relevant to contemporary painting.
336 Experimental Painting (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT
232, or permission of instructor. Using late
20th century and contemporary painting as a starting place, students
will explore recent experimental and conceptual approaches
to the practice of painting, Through a series of structured
and free problems, students will be encouraged to
investigate non-traditional materials, scale, formats, surfaces, and
methods of paint application, as well as content and
concept-driven approaches to the picture plane. In the context
of expanding and defining their own practices, students
will be engaged with questions as basic as: what should a
painting look like? What should a painting do? The course
will include one field trip, slide lectures and video screenings.
337 Figurative Painting (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT
232, or permission of instructor. In this course students will
explore the human form as the main subject for a broad
array of visual, conceptual and expressive inquiries.
By using a human model for all class projects and self-portraiture
for several home assignments, students are challenged to
hone their observational skills and to investigate formal
pictorial issues. By directing attention to the expressive
properties of color, scale, space and process within the context
of observational practice, students learn conceptual and
visual thinking that makes art purposeful and engaging.
343 Printmaking II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 243
or permission of instructor. An introduction to relief
printing, including the study of historical antecedents and their
relevancy to contemporary printmaking. Students will
learn reductive and additive techniques in preparing
printing
surfaces for single color, multi-color, and
multi-block printmaking.
345 Digital Bookmaking
(4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 180 or 280 or permission of the
instructor. An intermediate course in the hand printing of digitally processed
images in book format. Projects will focus on developing
visual ideas in electronic imagery and digital printing on
specialized papers for hand binding. Elements of time and
space will be explored in movable and sculptural structures.
Personal content will evolve in making booklets of
sequential or narrative digital images.
346 Digital Printmaking (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT
180 or 280 or permission of the instructor. A beginning
course in the hand printing of digitally processed images.
Projects will focus on electronic means of creating and
manipulating imagery for application within various processes
in printmaking. By exploring personal content, with an
emphasis on images of the self and languages of the
body, students will achieve skills in the multiple steps and
incremental development required in making prints.
353 Photography II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 252,
or permission of instructor. A continuation of Photography
I, with further investigation into the aesthetics of
photography through experimentation with new films,
developers, and papers, and development of a portfolio of
photographic images.
354 Digital Darkroom (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 252
and AVT 280 or permission of the instructor. A
computer-intensive class in which the student creates digital
images from the viewpoint of a photographic artist. The
course concentrates on developing technical proficiency in the
use of digital tools from image capture to digital
manipulation and creating digital negatives for use in the analog
darkroom. On-going discussions and critiques of projects
allow the student to develop insight and aesthetic
awareness concerning the impact of computer technology on
traditional photography.
355 Color Photography I (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT
353, or permission of instructor. This course provides an
introduction to the basic concepts, theories, modern
materials, and processes of color photography with a
concentration on creative photographic expression and technique.
This combined lecture and darkroom course will expand
the student's photographic repertoire through work both
with color negative, print and transparency materials.
356 Studio Lighting I (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 353,
or permission of instructor. An introduction to the
theory, concepts and applications of photographic studio
lighting with an emphasis placed on the ability to control and
manipulate light. Students will investigate both artificial
and natural light sources and produce a series of
photographs based on a combination of technical understanding
and creative problem solving.
363 Sculpture II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 262, or
permission of instructor. An intermediate level studio
course which will give students the opportunity to investigate
a wider variety of materials, techniques, and conceptual
issues. Emphasis will be placed on individual creative
work and increasing familiarity with historical and
contemporary aesthetics.
370 Entrepreneurship in the Arts (4:2:4).
Combined lecture and studio course in developing entrepreneurial
skills in the arts. Special focus will be given to developing
communication skills, planning strategies, and nurturing
the skills that enable students to creatively solve problems
and think about opportunities. Students will conceive,
develop and present a for-profit or not-for-profit business
strategy followed by a full business and marketing plan for the
final project.
371 Visual Perception and the Arts
(3:3:0). Prerequisite: 3 credits of AVT or 3 credits of ARTH or junior standing,
or permission of instructor. Review of the major
approaches to the study of visual perception. Topics include an
analysis of picture perception, visual thinking, the relationship
between symbolic and nonsymbolic thinking and
representation, and how pathologies of vision affect art production.
372 Global Motion (3:3:0). Prerequisite: 3 credits of
AVT or 3 credits of ARTH or junior standing or permission
of instructor. Through live events, videos, and texts,
performance will be examined for the ways it reflects its
culture of origin and how it migrates interculturally. Subjects
vary, including global hip hop, Indian epics and
performance, and Japanese culture's dialogue with the West.
373 Performance Studio II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT
272 or permission of instructor. Studio focused on the
theory and practice of collaborative performance art. Detailed
analysis of the creation and production processes from an
interdisciplinary perspective in conjunction with practical
training in multimedia technologies, body sculpture, and theater
of images. This is the second course in the Department of
Art and Visual Technology's InterArts concentration.
374 Sound and Vision (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 180
or 280, or permission of instructor. Combined lecture and
studio course that will focus on the selection, editing,
processing, and integration of sound and music
(post-production) into video and animation. Time, frequency, and
amplitude domain techniques, as well SMPTE synchronization
formats and MIDI control will be studied. Students will
post-produce the sound and music for a 5 minute
video/animation that will be due at the end of the semester.
375 Writing and Performance (4:2:4). Prerequisite:
3 credits of AVT or 3 credits of ARTH or junior standing
or permission of instructor. Explores the relationship of
word, sound, and image in performance and visual art,
performance poetry, theatre and web-based performance.
Conducted as a series of practical, critical workshops.
Students produce written papers and performance
documentation for assessment.
376 Live Movies (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 272, or
permission of instructor. Advanced performance studio
with emphasis on cinematic forms and multimedia
technologies. Also covers sound design, scenic design and
materials, production planning, and interdisciplinary
approaches to narrative and content in performance. Students
collaborate on production projects.
377 Cyberpunk (4:6:0). Prerequisite: Three credits of
AVT or three credits of ARTH or junior standing, or
permission of instructor. This course traces how cinema, music,
fiction, cultural theory, visual art, television, theater, and
performance have embraced and been shaped by
Cyberpunk and cyber-culture. Seminar, with readings, writings,
discussion, screenings, guest speakers, research projects.
378 The African American Experience in the
Performing Arts (3:3:0). Through lectures, slides, audio
recordings, videos, and films, students examine African
American contributions to the cultural fabric of American forms
and institutions. Artistic contributions are examined within
the aesthetic, political, historical, and social contexts
within which they occurred and which they, in turn, have shaped.
379 InterArts Figures (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Three
credits of AVT or three credits of ARTH or junior standing,
or permission of instructor. Seminar examining
artists-thinkers whose work has served as a nexus of interlocking
artistic concerns and disciplines. Subjects vary, but may
include such artists as Paul Robeson, Jean Cocteau, Gertrude
Stein, Serge Diaghilev, John Cage and Merce Cunningham.
381 Digital Arts II (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 280 or
permission of instructor. Students will learn how to create
realistic, three-dimensional scenes with scaled objects,
surface textures, lights, and shadows. These scenes will in turn
serve as the sets for short animations. Web. Emphasis will
be placed on idea generation, concept development,
visual aesthetics, and technical abilities.
382 Digital Art and Animation (4:2:4).
Prerequisite: AVT 381, or permission of
instructor. Digital imaging concepts as applied to computer animation. Lab assignments
introduce the technical and aesthetic challenges of
computer animation techniques. Students learn to animate
hand-drawn and computer generated images. This course focuses
on the production of a short animated digital "film" with sound.
390 Digital Media and Video Art (4:2:4).
Prerequisite: AVT 382 or permission of
instructor. Integration of the study of contemporary theory, philosophy, and artistic
practices with the application of new media and technology.
Special focus will be placed on video, visual digital, and
internet artists, their relationship to technology, and the
socio-political implications of their work. Form and content,
medium, and process of art works will be studied,
analyzed, and discussed.
392 Gallery Practices (4:1:3). Prerequisite: Three
credits of AVT or three credits of ARTH or junior standing, or
permission of instructor. Introduction to gallery practices
associated with the department's galleries, including
planning, curatorial, budgetary, advertising, installation, and
docentship activities.
393 Field Experience in the Arts
(1-6:0:0). Prerequisite: Junior standing and permission of instructor and
academic advisor. Paid or unpaid placement with an organization
in the arts, with an individual in the arts, or as a
teaching assistant, providing an introductory working and
learning experience in the field. Placement documentation to
include 45 hours of work per credit. May be repeated
for credit for a maximum of 6 credits.
394 Honors Seminar (1:0:0). Prerequisite: by invitation
to qualified Honors students. This seminar is designed for
maximum exposure to art world professionals and
experiences, aligning activities with the New York ARTS Bus
program, by means of field trips, research and creative assignments
that may also include Washington, D.C. area galleries, artist
studios, gallery talks, art events, and public art
presentations. Course work will focus on yearly themes that are current
in the art world. Selected students will be invited to work
toward achieving credit to graduate with honors in Art
and Visual Technology. Repeatable for up to 8 credits
395 Writing for Artists (3:3:0). Prerequisite: ENGL
302, or permission of instructor. A practical writing seminar
that encourages students to think of text and writing practice
in its broadest terms, including the ways in which artists
themselves have used writing, books and language.
Students are encouraged to discover the creative value and
pleasure of using writing inventively.
399 Special Topics in Art and Visual Technology (1-6:
1-6:0-6). Exploration of topical studies in Art and
Visual Technology including both the theoretical and critical
aspects of art or studio production. Topics and credit
vary with instructor. May be repeated for up to 12 credits
taken under different topics.
414 Graphic Information Design IV
(4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 252, 313 or
equivalent, or permission of instructor. An advanced
graphic design course with an emphasis on corporate 2D, 3D, and web graphic information
design systems. Students will develop professional corporate
design products and become knowledgeable about the profession's resources and range of products.
422, 423 Drawing III, IV (4:2:4),
(4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 323, or permission of instructor for 422; AVT 422,
or permission of instructor for 423. Intermediate to
advanced drawing skills and techniques with an emphasis on
individual exploration and expressive techniques. Along
with rigorous observational study, students will work from
a variety of sources to develop a broad understanding
of visual responses and solutions within contemporary
art practice.
432, 433 Painting III, IV (4:2:4),
(4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 333, or permission of instructor for 432; AVT 432,
or permission of instructor for 433. Students are expected
to have strong foundations in the principles and techniques
of the medium, as well as some familiarity with the issues
and practices of contemporary painting. Emphasis is on
further development of content and personal vision, and
formal methods and techniques relevant to their expression.
434, 435 Painting V, VI (4:2:4),
(4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 433, or permission of instructor for 434; AVT 434, or
permission of instructor for 435. Painting on an advanced
level. Students work rigorously and independently, gaining
insights into personal process and direction through
one-on-one critical dialogue with faculty and formal group
critiques. Emphasis is on individual decision making and
personal initiative.
442 Printmaking III (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 34,
or permission of instructor. An advanced print media
course in intaglio printmaking. Students will explore
traditional metal engraving and etching, as well as new related
printmaking techniques in toray and sintra plate printing. Hand
drawn, digital and photo-based imagery will be developed in a
series of related prints. This course includes the study of
historical antecedents and their relevancy to
contemporary printmaking.
443 Printmaking IV (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 442,
or permission of instructor. An advanced print media
course incorporating three dimensional applications of hand
printing. Students will develop concepts in digital
printmaking, bookmaking, sculptural prints, and installation works
focused on specific individualized themes. Issues in
contemporary printmaking will also be explored through
critical discussions, reading and writing assignments.
452 Photography III (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 353,
or permission of instructor. An advanced darkroom course
with emphasis on the fine art photographic print and the
development of a personal portfolio.
453 Photography IV (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 452,
or permission of instructor. An advanced photography
course with emphasis on technique, content, photographic
criticim, contemporary trends, and portfolio development.
454 Photo Imaging (4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 353,
or permission of instructor. Introduction to 19th century
and alternative photographic printing processes,
including cyanotype, van dyke, gum bichromate, liquid
emulsion, and image transfer. Exploration of photography's
influence and use in other mediums will also be examined.
455 Advanced Digital Darkroom (4:2:4).
Prerequisite: AVT 354, or permission of
instructor. An advanced digital imaging course with further exploration of digital photo
techniques and personal expression. Emphasis is placed on
developing technical proficiency and furthering one's personal
aesthetics. The semester will be spent creating digital negatives
to develop a digital portfolio based on an awareness
of photography's changing role as an image-making tools.
456 Large Format Photography (4:2:4).
Prerequisite: AVT 353 or permission of
instructor. An introduction to the basic concepts, controls, and exposure theories of large
format photography. Students will work with 4"x5"
view cameras both in the photographic studio and in the
field. Darkroom techniques will emphasize tray processing
of negatives and printing in large format. Classroom
critiques, introduction to contemporary photographers and styles,
and discussions will further the student's aesthetic
knowledge of the view camera's applications.
462, 463 Sculpture III, IV (4:2:4),
(4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 363, or permission of instructor for 462; AVT 462,
or permission of instructor for 463. An intensive studio
course for advanced students to further their individual,
conceptual, and critical development. Students will be
expected to produce a body of work through self-expression,
based upon technical exploration, critical discussion, reading,
and writing components.
464, 465 Sculpture V, VI (4:2:4),
(4:2:4). Prerequisite: AVT 463, or permission of instructor for 464; AVT 464,
or permission of instructor for 465. Sculpture on an
advanced level. Students work rigorously and independently,
gaining insights into personal process and direction
through one-on-one critical dialogue with faculty and formal
group critiques. Emphasis is on individual decision making
and personal initiative.
472 Critical Theory in the Visual Arts
(3:2:1). Prerequisite: ARTH 374 or permission of instructor.
An in-depth examination of the theory and criticism that have
formed the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of
contemporary practice and critical analysis in the visual
arts. Emphasis will be on modernist and postmodernist
practices as influenced by science, philosophy, politics, and
literary theory (particularly structuralist and
poststructuralist theories).
473 Performance Studio III (4:2:4). Prerequisite:
AVT 373 or permission of instructor. Advanced laboratory
for creation and production of performance art. Emphases
include new technologies and their applications,
multimedia
scriptwriting and storyboarding, and the creation of
audio-visual performance. Students contribute to and
participate in a collaborative production.
480 Advanced Digital Media (4:2:4). Prerequisite:
AVT 382 or permission of instructor. An in-depth look at
digital media techniques including layer compositing, digital
video editing, rotoscoping and hand drawn animation.
Techniques in publishing and authoring final projects to a variety
of media such as CD-ROM, digital video tape, DVD and
the Internet will be introduced. The course will focus on
the creation of individual as well as group projects.
Emphasizes the integration of traditional techniques with
recent software applications.
483 Internet Multimedia Art (4:2:4). Prerequisite:
AVT 382 or permission of instructor. Course will investigate
and present current internet developments with a special
attention and focus on its artistic applications. Intermediate
and advanced principles of form, content design, site
mapping, aesthetic languages will be explored through the use
of HTML editing, layout, and web animation applications.
489 Internship in Art and Visual Technology
(1-6:0:0). Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Senior standing, completion
of 12 concentration credits, or permission of the
instructor and the academic advisor. Unpaid professional level
work experience related to the student's concentration and
career plans which provides an opportunity to be
apprenticed in a professional organization or with an
individual artist. Placement documentation to include 45 hours of
work per credit. May be repeated for credit for a
maximum of 12 credits.
491, 492 Independent Study in Art and Visual
Technology (1-6:0:0), (1-6:0:0). Prerequisite: Senior
standing, completion of 12 concentration credits, or permission
of the instructor. Study proposal submitted prior to
registration. Opportunity for development of advanced skills
and concepts in drawing, painting, sculpture, and other
media. Project documentation to include 45 hours of work per
credit. May be repeated for credit for a maximum of 12 credits.
495 Portfolio Preparation (4:2:4). Combination
lecture and studio production course that addresses the nature of
a professional portfolio in terms of career development
and self marketing including visual presentation of a body
of work, the preparation of professional written materials,
and the public/verbal presentation of one's work.
497 Senior Project (4:2:4). Prerequisite: senior Art
and Visual Technology major, completion of 12
concentration credits or permission of instructor.
Students participate in all aspects of the development and presentation of a
cohesive and mature body of work. Students will be required
to develop and present written materials and
documentation related to the development and presentation of their
works, as well as participate in formal oral critiques with
critics and/or Art and Visual Technology faculty members.
498 Senior Design Project (4:2:4). Prerequisite:
senior Art and Visual Technology major with completion of
12 concentration credits in photography or graphic
information design, or permission of instructor.
Students participate in all aspects of the development and presentation
of a cohesive and mature body of work. Students will
be required to develop and present written materials and
documentation related to the development and presentation
of their works, as well as participate in formal oral
cri
tiques with critics and/or Art and Visual Technology
faculty members.
522, 523 Drawing V, VI (4:2:4), (4:2:4).
Prerequisite: Admission to the AVTgraduate program or permission
of instructor for AVT 522; AVT 522 or permission of
instructor for523. Drawing on an advanced level. Emphasis
on individual decision making and personal initiative.
596 Independent Study (1-6:1-6:0). Prerequisite: B.A.
or equivalent, orpermission of instructor. Independent
reading and research on a specificproject under the
direction of a department faculty member. Written reportis
required. May be repeated for credit.
599 Special Topics in Art and Visual Technology (1-6:
1-3:0-6). Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate
program or permission of instructor. Exploration of
topical studies in Art and Visual Technology, including both
the theoretical and critical aspects of art or studio
production. Topics and credit vary with instructor. May be
repeated when taken under different topics.
600 Research Methodologies (3:3:0). Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program, or permission
of instructor. This graduate seminar will focus on the
development of an independent research project in the
student's area of emphasis. The course will explore the
principal methods of researching and documenting art and arts
practice. In addition to traditional methods of library
research, special emphasis will be placed on new processes of
examination and investigation through the use of
computer-aided research systems.
610 Graduate Seminar (1-4:0:0). Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program or permission of the
instructor. Seminar course required of all AVT graduate
students four times during their course of study. Students
present their work and/or the work of contemporary artists for
discussion and peer/faculty critiques. Special focus will
be given to developing public communication and
presentation skills on contemporary issues in the arts.
Repeatable for four credits.
613 Graphic Design (3:0:6). Prerequisite: Admission
to the AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. Combined lecture and studio course covering concepts
in graphic design, digital typography, and HTML layout.
Intended for students whose area of concentration is
other than graphic design, use this course to increase the scope
of their technical expertise while developing their studio work.
614 Problems in Typography (5:2:6). Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. Combined lecture and studio course in
designing for electronic and print media. Contemporary
typeface design for digital typesetting. Design of typefaces for
use in on-screen presentations. Perceptual, visual, practical,
and aesthetic issues in typography.
616 Internet Multimedia Art (5:2:6). Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT Graduate Program or permission
of instructor. Combined lecture and studio course in
HTML layout and animation. Perceptual problems in designing
the presentation of visual and textual information for
electronic display. Exploration of how design considerations are
affected by changes in media and society.
618 Problems in Graphic Design (5:2:6).
Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT Graduate Program or permission
of
instructor. Application of advanced technological
design and production methods to complex graphic design
problems. Students consider the social and cultural
implications of their aesthetic choices. Taught as a series of
studio problems.
620 Theory, Criticism and the Visual Arts
(3:3:0). Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate program or
permission of instructor. A cross-disciplinary graduate
seminar course focusing on the key theories and themes that
have informed 20th- and 21st-century arts practice. The
course looks at theory and criticism in a variety of contexts,
from the popular to the scholarly, and considers the role of
artists themselves as thinkers and writers.
622 Advanced Drawing (4:2:4). Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program, or permission of
instructor. Advanced directed research in drawing with
continued development of individual aesthetic. Study of the
historical and philosophical precedents is integral to the course.
632 Graduate Painting I (5:2:6). Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program, or permission of
instructor. Entering students are expected to be competent
painters, with technical proficiency, a disciplined process, and a
directed personal vision. Students work rigorously and
independently toward the understanding and mastery of
techniques, methods, and concepts relevant to the
formal expression of a personal content. Students are expected
to participate in critical discourse with supervising
faculty. Achievement is measured by a faculty review board at
mid-semester and at term's end.
633 Graduate Painting II (5:2:6). Prerequisite: AVT
632, or permission of instructor. Building on research and
practices established in Graduate Painting I, students
continue to develop strategies for the expression of a personal
vision and style. Progress is tracked and assessed
through periodic one-on-one critical discussions with
supervising faculty. Achievement is measured by a faculty review
board at mid-semester and at term's end.
634 Advanced Graduate Painting (5:2:6).
Prerequisite: AVT 633, or permission of
instructor. Working independently on a cohesive body of work, students must
demonstrate a through understanding and mastery of
techniques, methods, and concepts relevant to their own practices,
and be able to discuss their own work within the context
of historical and contemporary art practices. Progress
is tracked and assessed through periodic one-on-one
critical discussions with supervising faculty. Achievement is
measured by a faculty review board at mid-semester and
at term's end.
642, 643 Graduate Printmaking I, II (5:2:6),
(5:2:6). Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate program,
or permission of instructor. Directed research and practice
in printmaking focuses on the individualized development
of content and technique. Emphasis is placed on
exploration and growth in the intellectual and expressive aspects of
the printmaking process.
644 Advanced Graduate Printmaking
(5:2:6). Prerequisite: AVT 643 or permission of the instructor.
An intensive course of creative exploration in print media that
furthers students' independence through the production of an
individualized body of work that reflects their specific
interests within the broader contexts of contemporary
social, technological, and cultural issues. Students will also
en
gage in collaborative studio practices to enable the
integration of many visual technologies in their work.
These may include, digital imaging, drawing, graphic
design, painting, performance, photography, and sculpture.
652 Graduate Photography I (5:2:6). Prerequisite:
Admission to AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. Critical theory and directed practice in
photography which focuses on the development of a personal voice
and working method through intellectual activity and
creative work. Emphasis is placed on the ability to explore
concepts, develop skills, and to evolve as both a
communicator of ideas and as a photographic artist.
653 Graduate Photography II (5:2:6). Prerequisite:
Admission to AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. A continuum of Graduate Photography I, this course
is an intensive critique class that concentrates on the
development of the student's creative work with emphasis
on articulating responses to others' work, the cultural
climate we inhabit and the issues involved in one's own work as
it progresses. Weekly classes will share equal time with
critical theory and hands-on studio work. Readings, visiting
artists and lecturers, and field trips will serve to provide
a variety of viewpoints as well as encourage discourse
during the semester.
654 Advanced Graduate Photography
(5:2:6). Prerequisite: AVT 653 or permission of the
instructor. An advanced graduate photography course. It is designed as an
intensive critique class that concentrates on the development of
the student's creative work with emphasis on articulating
responses to others' work, the cultural climate we inhabit
and the issues involved in one's own work as it progresses.
Weekly classes will share equal time with critical theory and
hands-on studio work. Readings, visiting artists and lecturers,
and field trips will serve to provide a variety of viewpoints
as well as encourage discourse during the semester.
662 Graduate Sculpture I (5:2:6). Prerequisite:
Admission to AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. An intensive studio course that furthers student
independence through production of a body of work which
reflects their specific interests, including a broader context of
social, cultural, and contemporary issues. Emphasis will
be placed on self-evaluation, critical discussion, reading,
and writing components.
663 Graduate Sculpture II (5:2:6). Prerequisite: AVT
662 or permission of instructor. An intensive studio course
that furthers student independence through production of a
body of work which reflects their specific interests, including
a broader context of social, cultural, and contemporary
issues. Emphasis will be placed on self-evaluation,
critical discussion, reading, and writing components.
664 Advanced Graduate Sculpture (5:2:6).
Prerequisite: AVT 663 or permission of the
instructor. Course places emphasis on individual creative production and
development, with periodic exposure of the student's work and
ideas to the critical attention of the AVT teaching faculty
and other graduate students. Writing and reading components.
670 Teaching Practicum (3:3:0 or 6:6:0).
Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate program or permission
of instructor. Supervised classroom teaching practicum in
the undergraduate program at George Mason or in a
community college program. May be repeated for a total of six credits.
672 Performance Studio I (5:2:6). Prerequisite:
Admission to AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. An introductory studio course looking at performance as
a visual art practice and focusing on time, space and the
body. The course emphasizes the artist as performer.
Students study the work of performance practitioners, make
short performance pieces, document and exhibit their work
as well as taking part in a program of gallery and
performance visits locally and in New York. Students are required
to complete a substantial research project.
673 Performance Studio II (5:2:6). Prerequisite:
Admission to AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. In-depth studio course focused in the collaborative
practice of performance art. Detailed analysis of the
creation and production processes from an interdisciplinary
perspective in conjunction with practical training in
multimedia performance, complemented by screenings, readings,
guest artists and field trips. This is the second course for
AVT MFA students whose emphasis is InterArts.
674 Advanced Performance Studio (5:2:6).
Prerequisite: AVT 673 or permission of
instructor. Advanced laboratory for creation and production of performance art.
Emphases include new technologies and their applications,
multimedia scriptwriting and storyboarding, and the creation
of audio-visual performance. Students work
independently, and also participate in and contribute to a
collaborative production.
675 Advanced Performance Topics (5:6:2).
Prerequisite: AVT 673 or permission of instructor.
Opportunity for advanced study in interdisciplinary arts topics
including: African American Experience in the Performing
Arts, Cyberpunk, Global Motion, InterArts Figures, Live
Movies, Writing and Performance. Repeatable up to 15
credits when taken under different topics.
676 Sound and Music for Video and Animation
(5:2:6). Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate program
or permission of instructor. Combined lecture and
studio course that focuses on the selection, editing,
processing, and integration of sound and music (postproduction)
into video and animation. Time, frequency, and amplitude
domain and processing, are studied. Students
postproduce sound and music for a 15-minute film or animation that
is due at the end of the semester.
678 Interface and CD-ROM Design (5:2:6).
Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate program or
permission of instructor. Combined lecture and studio course
in multimedia interface and CD-ROM design. Special
focus is given to the exportation of the traditional visual and
aural artistic aesthetic to the computer environment within
a multimedia context. Assigned readings in the class are
augmented and supported by presentations of various
digital interfaces and CD-ROM examples. Commercial,
entertainment, and educational titles, as well as CD-ROM
experimental art works, are studied and discussed. Studio time
is divided between the AVT labs and area multimedia
facilities. Students conceive, design, and develop a
two-CD-ROM and/or Kiosk Interfaces that are due at midterm, and
complete a dual platform CD-ROM project that is due at
the end of the semester.
684 Two-Dimensional Digital Art (5:2:6).
Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate program or permission
of instructor. Overview of 2D computer imaging
applications
in the arts, including painting, printmaking, mixed
media, illustration, video, animation, and others. Lectures
combine technical and aesthetic material, including image
processing for artists and color reproduction. Emphasis
on developing an advanced studio portfolio.
686 Three-Dimensional Digital Art
(5:2:6). Prerequisite: Admission to the AVT graduate program or permission
of instructor. Students will learn how to create realistic,
three-dimensional scenes with scaled objects, surface
textures, lights, and shadows. Emphasis will be placed on idea
generation, concept development, visual aesthetics and
technical abilities. Students are required to render a
portfolio of high resolution images.
688 Digital Animation (5:2:6). Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. Students will study digital 2D and 3D animation
practices. Lighting, camera movement, object motion, timing,
and texture mapping will be introduced as students plan
and produce a short animation. Emphasis will be placed on
idea generation, concept development, visual aesthetics,
and technical abilities.
693 Apprenticeship (3:3:0 or 6:6:0). Prerequisite:
Admission to the AVT graduate program or permission of
instructor. AVT students apprentice at a local business
that conforms to their interest in visual information
technologies. May be repeated for a total of six credits.
796, 798, 799 Directed Project, Directed Reading,
Thesis (1-9:0:0), (3:0:0),(3:0:0). Prerequisite: Admission
to the AVT graduate program or permission of instructor.
Three courses comprising the M.F.A. comprehensive
experience for AVT students. Involves a study of the historical
basis for a studio project, an independent creative
production suitable for public viewing, and a written thesis
documenting the evolution of the creative problem and exploring
the intention, purpose, and relative success of the finished
production.
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