Department: Visual and Media Arts Practice

Code Name Description
VMAP 112 Introduction to Drawing Explores materials, methods, and concepts in drawing with an emphasis on observational practice. Fundamental skills and knowledge required for further study within the field as well as insight into the realm of drawing at a general and theoretical le...
VMAP 113 Introduction to Painting Introduction to the practice of painting with emphasis on fundamental painting modes: perceptual/representational, conceptual/abstract, and process/system-based. Emphasizes working understanding of methods and materials of oil and/or water-based pain...
VMAP 114 Introduction to Sculpture Introduction to basic three-dimensional design and contemporary sculptural practices. Fundamental skills and knowledge required for further study within the field as well as insight into the realm of sculpture at a general and theoretical level. Thro...
VMAP 115 Introduction to Printmaking Explores formal and conceptual problems through printmaking exercises. Understanding of the potential of graphic media and introduction to new imaging methods and concepts, including experimentation with scale, sequencing, and multi-technique works.
VMAP 116 Introduction to Photography Explores historical and contemporary film photography as a means of achieving a working knowledge of experimental darkroom methods and processing techniques. Develops an understanding of photography as art through lectures, presentations, critiques,...
VMAP 117 Introduction to Film, Sound and Video Introduction to film, sound and video production within the context of contemporary art. Uses readings, screenings, workshops, and hands-on assignments, to gain the technical and conceptual skills required to produce resolved independent projects in...
VMAP 211 Foundations in Visual and Media Arts Practice A One of two foundation-level classes required for all Visual and Media Arts Practice majors and minors. Serves as a prerequisite for all intermediate and advanced level courses in the curriculum. Explores the fundamentals of drawing, painting, and scu...
VMAP 212 Foundations in Visual and Media Arts Practice B One of two foundation-level classes required for all Visual and Media Arts Practice majors and minors. Serves as a prerequisite for all intermediate and advanced level courses in the curriculum. Explores the fundamentals of printmaking, photography,...
VMAP 250 Drawing Techniques and Concepts Builds upon the concepts, techniques and media introduced in the two foundation-level classes and introduces drawing as a vehicle of creative visual thought, a tool for observing and recording the world around us, and a versatile medium that extends...
VMAP 251 Human Figure Drawing Advances understanding and skill in drawing the human figure with emphasis on interpreting formal aspects of proportion, surface anatomy, volume, and composition. Projects range from rigorous academic, observational studies to independent, interpreti...
VMAP 252 Observational/Representational Painting: The Figure and Its Spaces Emphasizes observational skills and the conventions of representational art while exploring the human figure and its contextual spaces as subjects. Develops methods of oil and/or water-based painting and how to assess subject, form and content in a w...
VMAP 253 Painting: Abstract, Conceptual, Process, and Material Emphasizes interpretive and independent based studies while exploring abstract, conceptual, and process/system-based painting. Variety of paint media (ex. oil, water-based, non-traditional, etc.) and surfaces/supports (ex. canvas, various papers, pol...
VMAP 254 Sculpture Methods: Materials and Processes Intermediate-level course engaging students in the material exploration of a variety of sculptural media and processes within the context of contemporary art. Emphasis upon wood fabrication, metal fabrication, mold making and casting, and mixed-media...
VMAP 255 Sculpture Methods: Computer Modeling and Fabrication Intermediate-level course in the exploration of computer modeling techniques within the context of contemporary sculptural practice. Emphasis is upon using 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC routing to fabricate three-dimensional forms, multiples, a...
VMAP 256 Printmaking: Techniques and Concepts Builds upon the concepts, techniques and media introduced in the two foundation-level classes and introduces printmaking in the context of creative graphic arts as well as an image/multiple image-making tool in media such as installation, sculpture a...
VMAP 257 Artist's Book Introduction to bookbinding (Western and non-Western), material and digital printing techniques, and typesetting skills through work on individual and collaborative studio projects. Explores concepts such as sequencing, text and image, and content an...
VMAP 258 Darkroom Photography Introduction to the fundamental, technical, and aesthetic issues of black and white photography with an emphasis on using the medium for personal expression. Students confront a series of problems that are designed to increase their understanding of...
VMAP 259 Digital Photography Introduction to the field of digital photography and digital imaging within the context of contemporary art. Production of original works of art while studying the impact of technology upon human perception, visual art, and contemporary culture. Emph...
VMAP 260 Thematic Exploration: Sound and Video Art Intermediate-level course in the study and production of sound and video within the context of contemporary art. Each year, the thematic focus of this course will change based upon current trends in the field. Possible topics may address methods of p...
VMAP 261 Independent Film and Video: Curatorial Practice and Presentation Introduction to all aspects of researching, curating, promoting and presenting public programs of independent film and video art. Research on and participation in seminar discussions, presentations, and readings pertaining to the field prior to devel...
VMAP 262 Digital America Journal and Internet Art History Focuses on internet history and corresponding internet and digital arts practices. Students also edit and publish the online journal Digital America as they study and curate submissions throughout the semester. Students work as editors, curators, and...
VMAP 263 Digital America Journal Design and Production Focuses on online content and editorial production within the arts and beyond by examining UX/UI design, digital platforms, and production practices. Students will focus on producing the bi-yearly issue of the journal, which includes reviewing and cu...
VMAP 279 Selected Topics Examples of past courses include: printmaking and cross-cultural communication, figure and narrative, and comic books and zines. May be repeated for credit if topics differ.
VMAP 287 Print in Public Space Examine the role of print in the public space, civic discussion and social protest and challenges students to create public works of their own, individually or collaboratively. The class will study historical examples of prints in the public space, s...
VMAP 295 Animation, Motion Graphics, and Sequential Media Intermediate, studio-based course in animation, motion graphics, and sequential media. Creative work begins with traditional methods such as flipbooks, cutouts, and cel animation before moving onto mixed-media stopmotion and multi-plane animation, di...
VMAP 296 Video Art and Alternative Media: History, Theory, & Practice This intermediate-level course provides a constructive and critical framework for the development of independently conceived projects in Video Art and Alternative Media. Course readings and screenings provide insight into the radical nature of this f...
VMAP 300 Drawing Media Studio Studio-intensive course providing students with the opportunity to independently conceive and develop projects that expand their prior knowledge of drawing-based media. Emphasis is placed upon developing a personal voice while exploring various techn...
VMAP 302 Painting Media Studio Productive and critical framework for creating independently conceived painting projects within a broad array of painting media, multimedia, and interdisciplinary contexts. Emphasis will shift between highly focused and exploratory processes as each...
VMAP 304 Sculpture Media Studio Constructive and critical framework to develop independently conceived projects in a wide spectrum of sculptural media. Emphasis on the production of works that bridge material processes in wood, metal, and various forms of casting with contemporary...
VMAP 306 Printmaking Media Studio Studio-intensive course providing a constructive and critical framework to develop independently conceived projects across a variety of printmaking media. Emphasis on the exploration of advanced processes and concepts while deepening students appreci...
VMAP 308 Photography Media Studio ndependent conception and development of projects that expand prior knowledge of digital and/or darkroom photography, image post-production, and printing techniques. Photo-based projects that integrate or extend into other media such as painting, pri...
VMAP 310 Time-Based Media Studio Critical framework to develop independently conceived projects in a variety of media. Production of electronic time-based works that integrate animation, film, sound, video and performance into interactive, mixed-media installations that may also inc...
VMAP 351 Contemporary Theory and Practice for Artists Introduction to international contemporary art, theory, and criticism with the purpose of increasing critical aptitude and deepening understanding of art and visual culture. Examines the lasting impact of avant-garde practices as well as current tren...
VMAP 355 Artist’s Film & Video: Approaching Narrative This advanced-level course provides a constructive and critical framework for the development of creative projects in film and video that explore non-traditional, unconventional, or experimental approaches to narrative. In conjunction with studio pra...
VMAP 388 Individual Internship Supervised work experience at approved artist's studio, museum, or gallery. No more than 1.5 units of internship in any one department and 3.5 units of internship overall may be counted toward required degree units.
VMAP 395 Independent Study Individually designed program under faculty supervision. Independent studies cannot be substituted for required courses in the Studio Art major.
VMAP 406 Summer Undergraduate Research Documentation of the work of students who receive summer fellowships to conduct research [or produce a creative arts project] in the summer. The work must take place over a minimum of 6 weeks, the student must engage in the project full-time (at leas...
VMAP 465 Advanced Studio Practice Senior-level open studio course. Students propose an independently conceived body of work in any medium or media of their choice. Emphasis ion the development and completion of a cohesive body of work grounded in independent research and supported by...
VMAP 466 Senior Thesis Exhibition Graduating Studio Art majors are granted acceptance into this course based upon a successful review of their performance in ARTS 465: Advanced Studio Seminar. In addition to preparing their work for exhibition, students write thesis papers to support...