George Mason University > University Catalog > College of Visual and Performing Arts
2003-04 University Catalog George Mason University


Art and Visual Technology

Web: avt.gmu.edu
Scott Martin, Chair
College Hall, C200
703-993-8898

Faculty

Professor: Kravitz

Associate Professors: Carbonneau, Clapsaddle, Mandes, Olgyay, White

Visiting Associate Professor: Frederick

Assistant Professors: Ashcraft, Chung, Crawford, Feerick, Frenn, Martin (Chair)

Visiting Assistant Professors: Constantine (Associate Chair), MacDonald, Malone (Gallery Director)

Adjuncts: Bradley, Carr-Shaffer, Dicicco, Fruehauf, Goldman, Holtin, Karametou, Kennedy, Kerns, Kim, Lauran, Lazenby, Lee, McPherson, Nahidian, Rueckert, Sandberg, Scott, Starr, Steinhilber, Takashima, Winant, Yates

Course Work

The Department of Art and Visual Technology offers all course work designated AVT in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.

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). All courses formerly listed with prefixes of ARTS and VIT are now listed with a prefix of AVT. Courses formerly listed with the prefix ARIN are now listed either with a prefix of AVT or CVPA.

Undergraduate Programs

The Department of Art and Visual Technology offers two undergraduate degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Visual Technology, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Visual Technology. These two programs prepare students for graduate study, research, and professional work in studio and digital art. These programs do not satisfy all requirements for teaching in the public schools.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students in the Art and Visual Technology B.A. and B.F.A. programs fulfill this requirement by successfully completing AVT 395.

Art and Visual Technology, B.A.

The B.A. in Art and Visual Technology (AVT) offers a broad course background for students who want a liberal arts education with a major in studio or digital art. The B.A. degree does not require a portfolio or essay for admission to the program. All students are admitted as B.A. majors. Students can concentrate a portion of their study in digital arts, graphic information design, InterArts (Interdisciplinary Arts), painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture. The InterArts concentration offers courses that cross traditional boundaries and encourage intercultural understanding.

Students are required to take an AVT bus trip to visit art galleries, museums, and/or sculpture parks each fall and spring semester. Seniors are required to participate in the visiting critics program.

Degree Requirements

  Credits
General Education 40
In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements, candidates must complete the following:  
AVT Major Requirements 55
Studio Foundation 16
AVT 104 and 105 Studio Fundamentals I and II 8
AVT 222 and 323 or 324 Drawing I and II, or Figure Drawing 8
Art History, Critical Analysis, Contemporary Practice 15
ARTH 200 and 201 Survey of Western Art 6
ARTH 374 Art Now 3
AVT 307 Aesthetics 3
AVT 395 Writing for Artists 3
Breadth and Experience 12
Any 2 of the following 8 classes:
  • AVT 215 Graphic Information Design I
  • AVT 232 Painting I
  • AVT 243 Printmaking I
  • AVT 252 Photography I
  • AVT 262 Sculpture I
  • AVT 272 Performance Studio I
  • AVT 280 Digital Arts I
  • AVT 399 Special Topics in Art and Visual Technology
8
AVT 497 Senior Project (Synthesis) 4

Concentration

12 credits in 1 of the following areas:

  • Digital Arts, AVT 381, 382, 483
  • Graphic Information Design, AVT 311, 313, 414
  • InterArts, AVT 373, 473 and 4 credits from 372, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 491
  • Painting and Drawing, AVT 333, 432, 433
  • Photography, AVT 353 and 8 credits from 354, 355, 356, 452, 453, 454, 455
  • Printmaking, AVT 343 and 8 credits from 345, 346, 442, 443
  • Sculpture, AVT 363, 462, 463
12
General Electives 25

B.A. students must use their general electives to fulfill one of the following two options:

  1. Complete a minor program outside the major field of study (15-21 credits)
  2. Demonstrate intermediate level proficiency in one foreign language (0-12 credits)
Total 20

Art and Visual Technology, B.F.A.

The B.F.A. in Art and Visual Technology is an intensive 120-credit studio production program with an emphasis in analytical, creative, and experiential aspects of studio and digital arts. This program is designed to prepare students professionally as visual artists, or for graduate study in the fine arts. Students in this program devote a significant portion of their college careers to an in-depth study in one of the following concentrations: digital arts, graphic information design, InterArts, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture.

Students are required to take an AVT bus trip to visit art galleries, museums, and/or sculpture parks each fall and spring semester. Seniors are required to participate in the visiting critics program.

Application deadlines for the B.F.A. program are December 1 and May 1 of each year. Admission to the program is highly competitive. B.F.A. admission requirements include the following:

1. Currently a B.A. student in Art and Visual Technology

2. Completion of AVT 104 and 105 or equivalent

3. A portfolio of 10 to 15 original examples of college-level art work

4. A three-page, double-spaced essay

5. Transcripts of all college-level study

Students interested in applying to the B.F.A. program should contact the Department of Art and Visual Technology for specific application information.

Degree Requirements

  Credits
General Education 40
In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements, candidates must complete the following:  
AVT Major Requirements 73
Studio Foundation 16
AVT 104 and 105 Studio Fundamentals I and II 8
AVT 222 and 323 or 324 Drawing I and II or Figure Drawing 8
Art History, Critical Analysis, Contemporary Practice 21
ARTH 200, 201 Survey of Western Art 6
ARTH (300 or 400 level) 3
ARTH 374 Art Now 3
AVT 307 Aesthetics 3
AVT 395 Writing for Artists 3
AVT 472 Critical Theory in the Visual Arts 3
Breadth and Experience 16
Any 3 of the following 8 classes:
  • AVT 215 Graphic Information Design I
  • AVT 232 Painting I
  • AVT 243 Print Making I
  • AVT 252 Photography I
  • AVT 262 Sculpture I
  • AVT 272 Performance Studio I
  • AVT 280 Digital Arts I
  • AVT 399 Special Topics
12
AVT 497 Senior Project (Synthesis) 4

Concentration

20 credits in 1 of the following areas:

  • Digital Arts, AVT 381, 382, 483, and 8 credits from 300-499
  • Graphic Information Design, AVT 311, 313, 414 and eight credits from 323, 345, 346, 353, 354, 382, 393, 422, 423, 489, 491, or 492
  • InterArts, AVT 373, 473 and 12 credits from 372, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 491, or 492
  • Painting, AVT 333, 432, 433, and 8 credits from 300-499
  • Photography, AVT 353 and 8 credits of 354, 355, 356, 452, 453, 454, 455, and 8 credits from 300-499
  • Printmaking, AVT 343 and 8 credits from 345, 346, 442, 443 and 8 credits from 300-499
  • Sculpture, AVT 363, 462, 463 and 8 credits from 300-499
20
General Electives 7
These general electives may be taken inside or outside of the Department of Art and Visual Technology. NOTE: AVT 393 Internship and AVT 489 Field Experience in the Arts are not required courses but are recommended as electives for B.F.A. students.  
Total 120

Additional Academic Requirements for B.A. and B.F.A. Degree Programs

  • Students are required to take a minimum of 45 credits of upper division courses at the 300-499 level.
  • A maximum of 12 hours of a "D" grade may be applied toward graduation.
  • A maximum of 6 hours of "D" grade may be applied in the major.

Honors Students Requirement

Honors students must take at least 4 credits of AVT 394, Honors Seminar. Students interested in the Honors Program in Art and Visual Technology should contact the chair of the Art and Visual Technology Department.

Minor in Art and Visual Technology

The minor in AVT requires 20 credits and offers a core of foundational studies with the opportunity for further study the following areas: digital arts, graphic information design, InterArts, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture. The requirements for this minor are as follows:

 
Credits
AVT 104 and 105 Studio Fundamentals I and II
8
AVT 222 Drawing I
4
AVT 200-299
4
AVT 300-399
4

Interdisciplinary Minor in Multimedia

Faculty

Chung, Forche, Higgins, Lont, Martin, Montecino, Smith, Weinberger, White.

In the Multimedia minor, students will learn how to create original work and communicate with others through the fusion of images, text, sound, and video. Students analyze and incorporate into their productions contemporary design principles and current software applications. As part of this process, students are encouraged to focus on how multimedia technologies, which offer new tools for investigating and disseminating ideas, can enhance undergraduate research and writing. These skills, now important in most academic disciplines, are also increasingly valuable, not only in the specialized information technology industries, but also in business, education, and politics.

Requirements

Students in this minor must complete 18 to 20 credits distributed as follows:

 
Credits
Core
8­9
AVT 104 Studio Fundamentals I
4
COMM 157 Video Workshop or ENGL 209 Enhanced Digital Text 1
1

And one of the following courses:

AVT 180 or CAS 101 (Computers in the Creative Arts) or
3
NCLC 249 Internet Literacy
4

Electives

Students will take 9­12 elective credits with no more than 6 elective credits in any 1 college or department.
9­12
AVT 280 Digital Arts I
4
AVT 381 Digital Arts II
4
COMM 355 Video I
3
NCLC 345 Introduction to Multimedia
5
NCLC 445 Multimedia Design
5
ENGL 497 Special Topics in Creative Writing: Hypertext Poetry and Web Publishing
3

Graduate Programs

Art and Visual Technology, M.A. and M.F.A.

The Art and Visual Technology Department offers an M.A. in Digital Arts with courses that integrate visual information design, 2D imaging, 3D modeling, animation, video production, sound editing, multimedia authoring, and Web publishing within a program that is grounded in both theory and application.

The M.A. degree requires 45 credits and is a professional program aimed at preparing students for employment in high-tech industries and businesses. These include computer animation and video production firms, graphic design firms, web development and design companies, and computer-related research industries.

M.F.A. students in the Department of Art and Visual Technology may concentrate in digital arts, graphic information design, InterArts, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture.

The M.F.A. degree requires 60 credits, during which time students fulfill 45 credits of core and studio requirements plus an additional 15 credits of comprehensive experience. The M.F.A. is a terminal degree that prepares students to become professional artists, work in technology and/or arts-related fields, and teach at the university level.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the university for graduate study, candidates for the M.A. or M.F.A. in Art and Visual Technology must meet the following requirements:

1. B.A. or B.F.A. degree

2. Portfolio submission

3. Statement of intent and professional goals

4. Three letters of reference

Diversity among the students accepted for study is another consideration. Applicants with degrees in areas other than art are welcome, although they may be required to complete undergraduate core courses.

The student's portfolio is a major selection criterion for graduate admission. Portfolios from applicants must include 20 slides (labeled and numbered), a slide list, and one optional 1/2" VHS NTSC videotape, not to exceed four minutes in length. Slides should represent the student's most accomplished work. Applicants may supplement their portfolios with CD-ROMs, zip disks, and/or web addresses.

Facilities and Equipment

The Art and Visual Technology Graduate Program is located in the Fine Arts Building which houses art studios in drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. AVT has four computer labs that cross platforms and are installed with current software applications used for 2D imaging, 3D modeling, animation, video production, sound editing, multimedia authoring, and web publishing.

Art and Visual Technology, M.A.

Degree Requirements

Credits
Core Requirements 30
AVT 500+ Art and Visual Technology Course Work 10
AVT 599 Special Topics in Art and Visual Technology 4
AVT 600 AVT Research Methodologies 3
AVT 610 Graduate Seminar (1 credit repeated for 4 credits) 4
AVT 620 Theory and Criticism in the Visual Arts 3
AVT 693 Apprenticeship 6
Digital Arts Emphasis 15
M.A. students must complete any 3 of the following courses:  
AVT 614 Problems in Typography 5
AVT 616 Internet Multimedia Art 5
AVT 618 Problems in Graphic Design 5
AVT 676 Sound and Music for Video and Animation 5
AVT 678 Interface and CD-ROM Design 5
AVT 684 Two-Dimensional Digital Art 5
AVT 686 Three-Dimensional Digital Art 5
AVT 688 Digital Animation 5
Total credits required for the M.A. 45

Art and Visual Technology, M.F.A.

Degree Requirements

 

 

  Credits
Core Requirements 30
AVT 500+ Art and Visual Technology Course Work 10
AVT 599 Special Topics in Art and Visual Technology 4
AVT 600 Research Methodologies 3
AVT 610 Graduate Seminar (1 credit repeated for 4 credits) 4
AVT 620 Theory and Criticism in the Visual Arts 3
AVT 670 Teaching Practicum 6
Studio Emphasis 15
M.F.A. students must complete 15 credits in 1 of the following areas:  
Digital ArtsóTake any 3 of the following courses:  
AVT 614 Problems in Typography 5
AVT 616 Internet Multimedia Art 5
AVT 618 Problems in Graphic Design 5
AVT 676 Sound and Music for Video and Animation 5
AVT 678 Interface and CD-ROM Design 5
AVT 684 Two-Dimensional Digital Art 5
AVT 686 Three-Dimensional Digital Art 5
AVT 688 Digital Animation 5
InterArtsóTake any 3 of the following courses:  
AVT 672 Performance Studio I 5
AVT 673 Performance Studio II 5
AVT 674 Advanced Performance Studio 5
AVT 676 Sound and Music for Video and Animation 5
PaintingóTake the following 3 courses:  
AVT 632 Graduate Painting I 5
AVT 633 Graduate Painting II 5
AVT 634 Advanced Graduate Painting 5
PhotographyóTake the following 3 courses:  
AVT 652 Graduate Photography I 5
AVT 653 Graduate Photography II 5
AVT 654 Advanced Graduate Photography 5
PrintmakingóTake the following 3 courses:  
AVT 642 Graduate Printmaking I 5
AVT 643 Graduate Printmaking II 5
AVT 644 Advanced Graduate Printmaking 5
SculptureóTake the following 3 courses:  
AVT 662 Graduate Sculpture I 5
AVT 663 Graduate Sculpture II 5
AVT 664 Advanced Graduate Sculpture 5
M.F.A. Comprehensive Experience 15
Candidates must complete all of the above core and studio requirements and the following:  
AVT 796 Directed Project 9
AVT 798 Directed Reading 3
AVT 799 Thesis 3
The comprehensive experience 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 project.  
Total credits required for the M.F.A. 60