Art and Visual Technology
College Hall, C200
Phone: 703-993-8898
Web: avt.gmu.edu
Faculty
- Scott Martin, chair
- Professors: Kravitz, Mandes, Carbonneau
- Associate Professors: Ashcraft (associate chair), Frederick, Martin (chair), Olgyay, White
- Assistant Professors: Crawford, Feerick, Frenn, Rothstein
- Term Assistant Professors: Constantine (associate chair), Karametou, Malone (gallery director), Winant
Course Work
The Department of Art and Visual Technology offers all course work designated AVT in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.
Undergraduate Programs
The Department of Art and Visual Technology (AVT) offers two undergraduate degrees: a BA and a BFA. 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.
A distinguishing characteristic of the AVT program is its focus on fostering student understanding of and work in interdisciplinary arts (InterArts). InterArts is based on the understanding that art today combines disciplines and approaches to create new art forms. Although only a small number of AVT majors elect to take an undergraduate InterArts concentration, all AVT undergraduates take course work in InterArts through such required courses as Aesthetics, Writing for Artists, and Critical Theory in the Visual Arts. In addition, faculty in the division of InterArts teach elective courses that complement the studio-based concentrations, focusing on performance, new media, writing, publishing, and installation in their social, critical and cultural contexts.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
Mason requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. AVT students fulfill this requirement by successfully completing AVT 395.
Artsbus Requirement
All AVT students must meet the department's requirement of travel to galleries and museums aboard the AVT Artsbus. Students meet this requirement by enrolling in AVT 300 Artsbus Attendance.
Freshmen who enroll as AVT majors must take AVT 300 for five semesters. Transfer students and students who change their majors to AVT must take AVT 300 each semester they are enrolled at Mason, up to a maximum of five semesters. Semesters of enrollment in AVT 300 do not have to be consecutive.
This new way of handling the requirement will take effect for incoming freshmen and transfer students in the 2005–06 catalog year. Students who entered before fall 2005 are not affected by the change.
The total number of bus seats for the term will meet or exceed class enrollment; tickets for each trip will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students have no guarantee that they will be able to attend the trip of their choice. The best way for students to increase their odds of getting a ticket for their preferred trip is to secure the ticket as soon as the box office has them available.
Please note that there are no ticket refunds at the end of the semester for students who fail to attend one of the available Artsbus trips, just as there are no tuition refunds for students who fail courses.
Art and Visual Technology, BA
This program offers a broad course background for students who want a liberal arts education with a major in studio or digital art. Students can concentrate a portion of their study in digital arts, graphic information design, painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, or interdisciplinary arts (InterArts).
Effective in the spring of 2006, all students are admitted to study separately from their admission to the university, and only by portfolio review.
Students may be admitted to study in the BA program by one of three ways:
- Presenting a portfolio and any other requested credentials at designated portfolio review days before each semester
- Completing the sequence of AVT 104–105–222 with a 3.50 or better average, and applying for admission
- Completing the sequence of AVT 104–105–222 and either 323/324 or one 200-level course with a 3.00 or better average, and applying for admission
Students may change from BA to BFA status by presenting a substantive college-level portfolio and other requested credentials at a designated time, usually the sixth week of the semester.
Degree Requirements
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| General Education | 40 |
| Foundation Requirements | |
| Written communication: ENGL 101 and 302 Non-native speakers of English with limited proficiency in the language may substitute ENGL 100 for ENGL 101. Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGL 100 or 101, as well as in 302, to fulfill degree requirements. |
6 |
| Oral communication | 3 |
| Quantitative reasoning | 3 |
| Information technology | 3 |
| Core Requirements | |
| Literature | 3 |
| Fine Arts Note: AVT majors may not choose AVT courses to meet this requirement, and they may not double-count ARTH courses toward both the AVT major and the general education fine arts requirement. |
3 |
| Natural science (including at least 1 laboratory science) | 7 |
| U.S. history | 3 |
| Western civilization | 3 |
| Global understanding Note: AVT majors may not double-count ARTH courses toward both AVT major requirements and the general education global understanding requirement. |
3 |
| Social and behavioral sciences | 3 |
| 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, Survey of Western Art I or ARTH 203, Survey of Asian Art | 3 |
| ARTH 201 Survey of Western Art II | 3 |
| ARTH 374 Art Now or AVT 308 Mixing It: Art for a New Century | 3 |
| AVT 307 Aesthetics | 3 |
| AVT 395 Writing for Artists | 3 |
Breadth and Experience
|
8 |
| AVT 497 Senior Project or AVT 498 Senior Design Project (Synthesis) | 4 |
Concentration
|
12 |
| General Electives BA students must use their general electives to either complete a minor program outside the major field of study (15–21 credits), or demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language (0–12 credits). After fulfilling one of these options, the remaining general electives may be taken inside or outside of the department. All students are required to take a minimum of 45 credits of upper-division courses (300 and 400 level); most students will require at least 13 elective credits at the 300 level or above. Note: AVT 393 Field Experience in the Arts and AVT 489 Internship are not required courses, but are recommended as electives for BA students. |
25 |
| Total | 20 |
Art and Visual Technology, BFA
This is an intensive, 120-credit studio production program with an emphasis in analytical, creative, and experiential aspects of studio and digital arts. It is designed to prepare students professionally as visual artists, or for graduate study in the fine arts. Students devote a significant portion of their college careers to an in-depth study in one of the following concentrations: digital arts, graphic information design, painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, or interdisciplinary arts (InterArts).
Senior BFA students are required to participate in the visiting critics program as part of the course requirements for AVT 472 Critical Theory in the Visual Arts, and the AVT synthesis courses.
Application deadlines are at the end of the sixth week of the fall and spring semester of each year. Students planning to apply are encouraged to meet with the division coordinator of their AVT concentration in the semester prior to their application to discuss the portfolio.
Admission to the program is highly competitive. Applicants must be a current BA student in art and visual technology, and have completed AVT 104 and 105 or the equivalent. Other BFA admission requirements include the following:
- Portfolio of 10 to 15 original examples of college-level art work
- Three-page, double-spaced essay
- Transcripts of all college-level study
Students interested in applying should contact the Department of Art and Visual Technology for specific application information.
Degree Requirements
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| General Education | 40 |
| Foundation Requirements | |
| Written communication: ENGL 101 and 302 Non-native speakers of English with limited proficiency may substitute ENGL 100 for ENGL 101. Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGL 100 or 101, as well as in 302, to fulfill degree requirements. |
6 |
| Oral communication | 3 |
| Quantitative reasoning | 3 |
| Information technology | 3 |
| Core Requirements | |
| Literature | 3 |
| Fine Arts Note: AVT majors may not choose AVT courses to meet this requirement, and they may not double-count ARTH courses toward both the AVT major and the general education fine arts requirement. |
3 |
| Natural science (including at least one laboratory science) | 7 |
| U.S. history | 3 |
| Western civilization | 3 |
| Global understanding Note: AVT majors may not double-count ARTH courses toward both AVT major requirements and the general education global understanding requirement. |
3 |
| Social and behavioral sciences | 3 |
| 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, Survey of Western Art I or ARTH 203, Survey of Asian Art | 3 |
| ARTH 201 Survey of Western Art II | 3 |
| 1 course from: ARTH (300 or 400 level) or AVT 305, 309, 371, 372, 377 | 3 |
| ARTH 374 Art Now, or AVT 308 Mixing It: Art for a New Century | 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 three of the following classes
|
12 |
| AVT 497 Senior Project or AVT 498 Senior Design Project | 4 |
Concentration
|
20 |
| General Electives | 7 |
| Total | 120 |
Additional academic requirements for BA and BFA degree programs:
Students are required to take a minimum of 45 credits of upper-division courses at the 300–499 level.
Students must earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in their major.
Requirements for Honors Students
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 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 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
Forche, Higgins, Lont, Martin, Smith, Weinberger, White
In the multimedia minor, students 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.
This minor is not available to students majoring in AVT with a concentration in digital arts.
Requirements
Students must complete 18 to 20 credits distributed as follows:
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| Core | 8–9 |
| AVT 104 Studio Fundamentals I | 4 |
| COMM 157 Video Workshop or ENGL 209 Enhanced Digital Text | 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 Note: No more than 6 elective credits may be taken in any one college or department. |
9–12 |
| AVT 280 Digital Arts I | 4 |
| AVT 382 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, MA and MFA
The MA in digital arts features 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 MA 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.
The MFA is a terminal degree that prepares students to become professional artists, work in technology or arts-related fields, and teach at the university level. It requires 60 credits, during which time students fulfill 45 credits of core and studio requirements plus an additional 15 credits of comprehensive experience.
MFA students may choose an emphasis in digital arts, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, or InterArts. The latter offers students the opportunity to combine art forms in interdisciplinary projects that may be installation, performance, publishing, time-based or writing-based, and to combine creative and critical approaches in their work.
While it is anticipated that students will move through the MFA as described in this catalog, individuals with extensive professional accomplishment may, upon recommendation of the AVT Graduate Committee and with prior approval of the CVPA dean, craft an individualized program that meets curricular requirements.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general university requirements for admission for graduate study, candidates for the MA or MFA must hold a BA or BFA degree. Upon applying, they must submit the following:
- Portfolio
- Statement of intent and professional goals
- Three letters of reference
Diversity among 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.
Portfolio Guidelines
The applicant's portfolio is a major selection criterion for graduate admission, and should represent the applicant's most accomplished work. Portfolio requirements are different for each graduate area of emphasis.
All portfolios must include a written image or slide information sheet with the corresponding number, title, date, medium, and size of each work. If included, slides must be labeled with slide number, applicant's name, title of work, and date. Incomplete portfolios will not be considered.
Applicants' portfolio items are considered part of the application for admission and thus, cannot be returned. Please do not send original materials. The portfolio and all other application materials should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions. For more information, contact the AVT department at 703-993-8898.
Portfolio requirements by area of emphasis:
- Digital Arts: 20 images on a Mac (Apple Macintosh platform) compatible CD. All images must be numbered according to the printed list. Videos (no more than four minutes for each selection) must be playable from a Mac compatible CD or DVD. Only the relevant parts of the video should be marked for viewing, with the applicant's role clearly stated. Digital arts applicants should not submit slides.
- Photography and Printmaking: 20 images on a Mac- compatible CD, or slides. All images must be numbered according to the printed list. Printmaking also requires a print portfolio of 12 prints.
- Sculpture and Painting: 20 slides only. All slides must be numbered and labeled according to the printed list.
- InterArts: Total of 20 images (on a Mac-compatible CD or slides), videos, or writing-based materials. All submissions must be numbered according to the printed list. If videos are included, they must contain no more than four minutes for each selection. Also, they must be a Mac-compatible CD or DVD or, if videotape, VHS in NTSC format. Only the relevant parts of the video should be marked for viewing, with the applicant's role clearly stated. If writing-based materials are submitted, they should be submitted in printed form.
Supplementary material for all applicants, such as CDs (Mac-compatible only), videos (DVD, VHS in NTSC format), web addresses, press clippings, or reviews of exhibitions may be submitted but will be reviewed only at the discretion of the AVT graduate application reviewers. Supplementary material should be clearly marked as such.
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.
MA Degree Requirements
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 30 |
| AVT 500and 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 MA students must complete any three of the following courses: |
15 |
| AVT 616 Internet Multimedia Art | 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 | 45 |
MFA Degree Requirements
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 30 |
| AVT 500 and 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 MFA students must complete 15 credits in one of the following areas: |
15 |
| Digital Arts: Any three of the following courses: | |
| AVT 616 Internet Multimedia Art | 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 |
| InterArts Any three graduate studio courses as approved by the division director of InterArts, for a total of 15 credits. InterArts graduate students may combine courses from the studio areas of emphasis, and work with faculty to design an interdisciplinary thesis project. |
|
| Painting: All three of the following courses: | |
| AVT 632 Graduate Painting I | 5 |
| AVT 633 Graduate Painting II | 5 |
| AVT 634 Advanced Graduate Painting | 5 |
| Photography: All three of the following courses: | |
| AVT 652 Graduate Photography I | 5 |
| AVT 653 Graduate Photography II | 5 |
| AVT 654 Advanced Graduate Photography | 5 |
| Printmaking: All three of the following courses: | |
| AVT 642 Graduate Printmaking I | 5 |
| AVT 643 Graduate Printmaking II | 5 |
| AVT 644 Advanced Graduate Printmaking | 5 |
| Sculpture: All three of the following courses: | |
| AVT 662 Graduate Sculpture I | 5 |
| AVT 663 Graduate Sculpture II | 5 |
| AVT 664 Advanced Graduate Sculpture | 5 |
| MFA Comprehensive Experience Candidates must complete all of the above core and studio requirements as well as the following: |
15 |
| AVT 796 Directed Project | 9 |
| AVT 798 Directed Reading | 3 |
| AVT 799 Thesis 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. |
3 |
| Total credits required | 60 |
Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education
This preservice degree program prepares students with a BFA degree for PK–12 art licensure by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Using a studio-based approach to art education and working closely with area public school systems, the MAT degree consists of 30 credits of graduate art education, school practicum experience, and independent studio work prior to preservice teaching internship and seminar.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general university admission requirements for graduate study, admission to this program is contingent on completion of a BFA in art or approved equivalent. Also, candidates must have a minimum 3.00 cumulative undergraduate GPA; any exceptions will be considered on an individual basis. Eligibility for the MAT program may demand additional course work to establish proficiency in visual arts. Students lacking a background in the visual arts or pedagogy will be required to satisfy prerequisite courses prior to the required graduate courses. Candidates will be selected by a department committee composed of the art education program director and faculty. Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admittance to the program.
Applications will be accepted for fall and spring semesters. The deadlines for receipt of application materials are February 15 for the fall semester, and October 15 for the spring semester. Each applicant must provide the following materials:
- Completed application form
- Certified copies of all undergraduate transcripts and any graduate transcripts
- Statement of intent and professional goals for entering the field
- Three letters of reference from faculty members or individuals who have firsthand knowledge of the applicant's academic or professional capabilities
- Proof of passing score on Praxis I or equivalent
- Graded writing sample
- TOEFL score, if required by Mason policies
- Portfolio that reflects artistic breadth and depth, including drawing skills. All portfolios must include a written image or slide information sheet with the corresponding number, title, date, medium, and size of each work. If included, slides must be labeled with slide number, applicant's name, title of work, and date. Incomplete portfolios will not be considered
In-person portfolio review, writing sample, and oral interview
Diversity among students is another consideration for acceptance into the program. Applicants with degrees in areas other than art are welcome, although they may be required to complete undergraduate core and studio courses.
Degree Requirements
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| AVT 605 Issues and Research in Art Education | 3 |
| AVT 615 Technology for Art Teachers | 3 |
| AVT 500 and Studio elective | 4 |
| AVT 668 3-D Artmaking Across Cultures | 4 |
| EDRD 501 Literacy and Curriculum Integration for Specialist Teachers | 3 |
| AVT 691 Elementary Art Education (with practicum) | 3 |
| AVT 692 Secondary Art Education (with practicum) | 3 |
| AVT 695 Student Teaching: Internship in Art Education | 6 |
| AVT 696 Seminar for Student Teachers | 1 |
| Total credits required | 30 |
Note on core requirements: MAT matriculants who earned a BFA at an institution other than Mason may be required to take additional undergraduate credits as post-baccalaureate core requirements before acceptance into the program. Without equivalent courses, they will be required to take a "post-bac" set of five BFA foundational courses in art education and education: AVT 396, 493, and 494; and EDUC 301 and 302. In addition, applicants who did not take equivalent undergraduate courses must also take AVT 472 Critical Theory in the Visual Arts, and AVT 180 Computers in the Creative Arts, plus any additional studio or art history course work to meet Virginia licensure requirements.
Teaching Portfolio and Qualifications Review
The "Art of Teaching Art" Showcase culminates in a final portfolio review in which MAT candidates exhibit works of PK–12 student art completed during the internship along with exemplars of the student's own artwork. All process folios, lesson plans, explanations of projects, and other relevant materials may be available for the project committee to review. Artworks and all materials should be exhibited in a manner that reveals the student's aesthetic accomplishments. This exhibition and review will include a final teaching portfolio that may be used at interviews for employment. These requirements will be accomplished during the internship seminar course that accompanies student teaching. The faculty advisory committee will determine whether the student has mastered the field of study.