Sculpture + Expanded Media Courses

Sewing + Fabrication

Course No. SEM 268-368-468  Credits: 3.0

This is a sewing and patternmaking class. The class will emphasize skills in machine sewing and related systems for fabrication using flexible materials. Constructing a garment will be the first project. Understanding the construction of a shirt and acquiring skills to assemble it is an ideal way to acquire hands-on skills and also to understand the shape of a surface or skin of any volumetric form. The class will then move on to patternmaking and the techniques of expanding, adding to, subtracting from and morphing a pre-existing pattern. These processes can then be used for constructing skins or shell structures for sculpture, clothing or costume. The emphasis will be on skills and practical information supplemented by images taken from the worlds of fashion, costume design, performance, and sculpture. 3 credits.

Fiber: Digital Images, Patterns + Structures

Course No. SEM 271-371-471  Credits: 3.0

In this class students will learn to design repeat patterns and structures for weaving, printing, and other digitally controlled output systems. Participants will be introduced to methods of analog and digital repeat generation while gaining fluency in ProWeave, and furthering their knowledge of Illustrator and Photoshop. Arrangements with affiliated institutions will allow students to have their designs digitally printed, die-cut, or industrially woven, expanding the opportunity for fulfillment of their concepts on a scale and complexity previously unrealized. Classroom discussion will examine the impact of historical, cultural, industrial, and contemporary factors on pattern design. 3 credits.

The Artist + Social Practice

Course No. SEM 280-380-480  Credits: 3.0

This course explores a realm of artistic endeavor usually apart from the gallery system and the art market, where the artist applies his/her talents to questions directly related to community, social responsibility, and political activism. While looking critically at recent manifestations in relational and participatory practiceâ€"as well as their historical context and interdependence with other fieldsâ€"students will work within a larger social context, applying their skills to pressing issues (such as ecology, urban decay, poverty, discrimination, violence, and global abuses of the military-industrial complex, to name a few). The pedagogical approach will be to present projects realized by other artists who have worked in these areas, and to contextualize these practices as the result of our current national and international economic, political, and cultural situation(s). Students will research issues that are of greater concern to them individually, and present them to the whole class. This will be followed by in-depth discussion around problem-solving, efficacy of action, and aesthetic materialization. Projects will then be developed and implemented throughout the semester. Fulfills Engaged Practice requirement. 3 credits.

Experiments in Electronic Arts

Course No. SEM 316  Credits: 3.0

This is a seminar class that guides students in the development and realization of a semester long research project in electronic arts. Projects can be in a wide range of areas, hybrid thinking and intermedia approaches are strongly encouraged. Topics in the theory and history of contemporary art related to current and emerging practices will also be discussed. The class is designed to allow for synthesis of content from earlier studies into significant finished work that will be shown in an exhibition planned, managed and coordinated by the students under the direction of the instructor. 3 credits.

Sonic Arts

Course No. SEM 318  Credits: 3.0

This class is focused on aspects of sound related to the practice of sonic arts. Sound art is flourishing in museums and galleries, on media networks, and performed at festivals and performance venues around the world. Like many genres of contemporary art, sound art is interdisciplinary. This course will reflect that hybridity with investigations in: digital manipulations of sound, sound synthesis, sound installation, sound sculpture, psychoacoustics, field recording, noise composition, integrated sound and image works for pre-recorded presentation or performed live, popular music, and cinematic scores. 3 credits.

Topics in Sculpture + Expanded Media

Course No. SEM 333  Credits: 3.0

This course focuses on student intent with regard to artistic production and their ability to allow for audience entry into a dialogue concerning the conceptual issues forwarded by their work. Students are expected to identify the content of the work they would like to explore via a rhetorical method that embraces an interconnected relationship between practice and theory as part of a project-based approach for the production of self-directed work. Required at the junior level for all Sculpture & Expanded Media majors and open to all junior and senior level students. 3 credits.

Creative Resistance: Media Art in the Social Sphere (EP)

Course No. SEM 340-440  Credits: 3.0

This studio course will introduce students to the process and strategies of integrating social activism with media art. Through reading and discussion, the course will establish the historical and theoretical context of tactical media, hacktivism, and other media-based protest arts. We’ll look at artists’ use of a variety of mediaâ€"including the news media, the internet, locative media, surveillance technologies, genetic modification, gaming and moreâ€"to implement social commentary and criticism. Fulfills Engaged Practice requirement. 3 credits.

Sculpture + Expanded Media: Internship (EP)

Course No. SEM 399-499  Credits: 3.0

Elective credit can be given on a case-by-case basis for an internship developed by the student through the Career Services Office with advance permission of the department head. Fulfills Engaged Practice requirement.