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GenEral inFoRMAtion ABOUT MCA Brief Overview | Accreditation {110} The Campus {111}
ADMISSIONS | FINANCING Applying {112} Tuition | Fees {113} Financial Aid {113}
Living in memphis Academic Enrichment {116} The Experience {116}
academics AICAD Members {117} Majors & Course Descriptions {118}
resources | information Career Services {138} Academic Policies {140} General Policies {142} Administration | Faculty {144} Board of Trustees {147} Visiting Artists {148} Memberships {149}
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About Mca BRIEF OVERVIEW History Founded in 1936, Memphis College of Art is a professional center of art and design education, dedicated to preparing individuals for lives of creating, problem solving, and critical thinking. Small by choice and purpose, MCA is a cultural wellspring of creating, nurturing and educating artists of all levels. Located within 342-acre Overton Park, MCA offers state-of-the-art facilities, excellent faculty, interdisciplinary programs, and cutting edge exhibitions to the public and those pursuing BFA, MFA, MAT, and MAArtEd degrees. It is one of only four independent, regionally and nationally accredited art colleges in the south and is the only one to offer graduate degrees.
Accreditation MCA is accredited both regionally and nationally by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Campus The MCA campus is located at 1930 Poplar Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee 38104-2764. Our main building, Rust Hall is located within 342-acre Overton Park in midtown Memphis. Four student residences are adjacent to the Park: Metz Hall at 149 North Barksdale Avenue, At the Park at 165 North Rembert Avenue, Parkside at 1969-1973 Poplar Avenue, and Overton House at 1951 Poplar Avenue. The Graduate Center at 1939 Poplar Avenue houses the MFA program. Our newest gallery, on the street, located in downtown Memphis at 338 South Main, is on the Memphis Trolley line and in the gallery district.
111 Students A diverse population of students represents 25 states including Alaska and New York, and five foreign countries including Nigeria and the Ukraine. 60% are from the mid-south. Students serious about a career in art choose an independent college of art to study with other serious art students in dedicated facilities and with all the resources available to provide a challenging art education and a directed career path.
Undergraduate Areas of Study Fine Arts: Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Painting Design Arts: Graphic Design, Illustration, and Digital Media Digital Media: Animation and Digital Cinema Photography
Calendar Two, 15-week semesters begin in August and January with three summer sessions from mid-May to July. Applications for undergraduate study are accepted for fall and spring semesters on a rolling basis. Scholarships are available based on merit and need through the application process. Applications for our named full-tuition award are due by March 31 each year for fall semester applicants.
Classes The average class size is around 17 with a 10 to 1 student to faculty ratio.
Faculty There are 46 full and part-time faculty members. 93% of full-time teaching faculty have terminal degrees in their field.
Housing Four student residences provide living space for 112 students. Off-campus housing is available nearby. Assistance in find-
ing housing to fit your lifestyle is provided through the MCA admissions office.
meals a day to starving artists and an extensive library of valuable resources.
Applying
Just a short walk away, or an even shorter bike ride, sits our newest dormitory, Metz Hall. The apartment style living spaces include a full kitchen in every unit, private bedrooms, two bathrooms, a laundry facility, and the most amazing studio space you’ll ever occupy.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Responses are sent approximately three weeks after the application process is completed. Application requirements: completed application (online application at www.mca.edu/admissions/apply_online.html), $25 application fee, high school or college transcripts, ACT or SAT scores (for freshmen applicants), and portfolio (10 to 20 pieces of artwork).
Financial Assistance 93% of students receive some type of financial assistance, and 74% receive loans. More than two million dollars are awarded annually in institutional aid. Assistance programs include scholarships, loans, work study, and grants. 38% of students that are Tennessee state residents are Lottery Scholarship recipients.
Veterans Memphis College of Art is approved under Title 38, US Code for the training of veterans.
Find out more about us at: www.mca.edu info@mca.edu
THE campus General Information MCA’s campus is unlike any other. The striking architecture of our main building, Rust Hall, offers a glimpse of the wonders created within. In addition to classrooms, studio space, and lecture halls, here you will find two galleries which host up to a dozen exhibitions a year, our delicious—and affordable—café serving up two hot
Campus Facilities While we at MCA pride ourselves in being a small establishment in size, there’s nothing small about the technology resources or facilities available to our students. If digital arts, digital media, animation, digital cinema, and graphic design are your thing, you’ll be happy to know that MCA has not one, but four computer labs which feature the latest Macs with additional high-end creative applications for student use. Four professional quality printers with archival ink are available as are high-resolution flatbed scanners and a large format print lab that prints 48” wide. What’s more, the computer labs are open until midnight every weeknight except on Mondays and Wednesdays, when students have 24-hour access to the school. To enhance your digital or graphic arts projects, digital cameras, both still and video, are also available to students for check out from the Information Technology Associates. Are the fine arts more your scene? MCA’s 4,400 square foot shop is equipped with machines for woodworking, metalworking, mat cutting, glass cutting, shrink wrapping, and stretcher and frame construction. A full-time shop supervisor is available to help with use of equipment and to oversee safety. Large studios for both metals and clay boast great spaces for pursuing 3-D work. MCA has separate foundry and welding areas for casting and large metal work,
112 while small metals artists enjoy private welding and soldering stations and a casting room. The clay studio features 9 kick wheels and 6 electric wheels, a second space exclusively for handbuilding and glazing, and a semi-enclosed firing room. Convenience and technology reign in the printmaking, papermaking and book arts studios, which are arranged to provide easy interaction between these related media. Printmaking has facilities for lithography, etching, serigraphy, and other print processes. Book Arts includes three letterpresses and a bindery. The wet room is equipped with beaters, a hydraulic press, and a hydraulic pulper for papermaking. Photographers and digital imaging students will be hard pressed to find anything lacking from MCA’s photo lab facilities. Ten workstations feature Omega large format enlargers, twelve are equipped with Beseler medium format enlargers. A digital imaging workstation has digital cameras, slide and transparency scanners, flatbed scanners, and a high–resolution film printer. A lighting studio houses electronic strobe equipment, backgrounds and medium and large format cameras. Facilities for non-silver alternative photo processes are also available, along with access to light tables and a large format printer. Of course, we also emphasize academics. The MCA library has 16,000+ volumes, 1,187 art journals and other periodicals, almost 30,000 slides, and an extensive collection of reproductions. Additionally, audio-visual equipment, a computer writing lab, and an image file are available for student use. There is never waiting for computers or a line to get time in the darkroom. Our students’ opportunities to explore ideas and develop their creative processes are made that much bigger by our selective size. It’s just one more thing that makes MCA truly a great place to learn, do, and be.
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Admissions and Financing Applying Admissions Memphis College of Art uses a rolling admissions system. That is, completed applications are reviewed when they are submitted, and notification is sent to applicants continuously from late fall until mid-summer. After July 1, applications will be considered only if space permits. Students can apply to enter for the spring (January) semester as well. A priority deadline for MCA’s largest scholarships is March 31. Students must submit application materials by this date to be considered.
Applying Complete the undergraduate application booklet enclosed in this catalog packet (or find it online at www.mca.edu) and send it with an application fee of $25, ACT or SAT scores (freshmen applicants only), transcripts, and portfolio. Student housing applicants should complete and submit the housing questionnaire included in the admissions acceptance packet.
Transfers Undergraduate students transferring from another accredited institution can transfer up to 42 liberal studies credits and 45 studio credits and a combined total of 72 credits. Students should submit examples of work from transferring studio classes along with their portfolios. Students may also apply for credit based on life experience or training in the visual arts by including a resume, time-
lines, recommendations, and artwork supporting their experiential learning.
Internationals In addition to all other admissions requirements, international students must provide the results of the TOEFL test with a minimum scored of 500, (195 for Internet based scores), send certified English translations of all academic records, and provide an Affidavit of Support verifying the ability to meet total expenses for the entire year.
estimate a student’s budget for one year based on payment of room and board, personal expenses such as transportation, clothing, and books/art supplies. Our budget estimates are based on the higher end resident housing costs and other miscellaneous costs. You may spend less than our estimates.
Readmitted Students
If you will be living in our student residences or your own place, expect to pay an additional $9,000 to $12,000 per year after tuition and fees. If you will be living at home expect to pay an additional $2,000 to $5,000 per year after tuition and fees.
Students who leave MCA in good standing and wish to be readmitted must submit a new application and application fee. A new portfolio is required after three years absence from the college.
Estimated costs for attending MCA and living in campus housing for one year are $33,600 (based on the cost of Metz Hall and estimated living expenses).
Admissions policies
Estimated costs for attending MCA and living at home for one year are $25,850.
The existence of a life threatening illness or disability should not be a factor in decisions regarding admission to MCA so long as the individual’s physical condition is such that he or she can participate fully in the required activities of the college. Discrimination against students on the basis of sex is prohibited in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
Portfolio Your portfolio should contain your best work—10 to 20 examples, preferably from direct observation and using a variety of media, techniques, subject matter, and scale. Your portfolio may be submitted as slides, originals, or electronically. Check with our admissions office to make sure we can view your format or if you need more information on putting together a strong portfolio.
tuition | fees Undergraduate Student Budgets Undergraduate tuition and fees for one year: $21,560 for the 2008-2009 school year. Beyond tuition and fees, we
Financial Aid Financial Assistance A quality education does cost more, but then something handcrafted always costs more than something mass produced. And, we’ve got an excellent financial assistance program. Many of our families cannot afford to pay the full cost of attending MCA. In fact, 93% of our students receive some type of financial assistance, and we do everything we can to help students meet the cost of obtaining a Memphis College of Art degree. The vast majority (74%) of our students use loan programs to help meet their educational needs. They borrow because they know that their MCA education is perhaps the greatest investment they’ll ever make, and it will be their greatest asset in the future.
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There are three sources of financial aid: 1. Institutional scholarships and grants 2. Federal and state government aid 3. Outside scholarships and grants
grant and/or TELS grant. The TSAA budget is usually exhausted early in the year. Tennessee residents should submit a FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) before March 1 to be certain of qualifying.
And two ways that assistance is awarded: 1. Based on merit 2. Based on need
Lottery Scholarship recipients must complete the FAFSA by September 1 and have a 21 ACT, 980 SAT, or 3.0 GPA, and graduate from a Tennessee high school. For more information on Lottery Scholarships you can go to www.collegepaystn.com.
How to apply for Institutional and Federal Aid To apply for MCA merit awards a student need only submit all required application materials to be considered for institutional scholarships, grants, and work study. Students will be notified of merit/portfolio awards along with acceptance replies. MCA awards are determined by the admissions review ranking. Eligibility for Federal Aid is determined upon receipt of a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Student and parent information is required on this form if the student is dependent (usually younger than 24). Only student information is needed if the student is considered independent. Memphis College of Art’s institutional need grants are based on information from the FAFSA application as well. To complete and file the FAFSA form, students should apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Additional information is available at www.studentaid.ed.gov. The MCA federal school code is 003507. International students are not eligible for federal or state aid. The U.S. government offers Federal Pell Grants of up to $4,310 (for the 2008 - 2009 school year) per year. Federal SEOG grants, as well a Federal student and Federal parent loans, are other forms of aid available to qualified students. Also, many lenders offer private alternative educational loans. Tennessee offers a state grant (TSAA) and Lottery Scholarship (TELS) to qualifying residents. Early applicants who qualify for a Federal Pell grant may also qualify for a TSAA
Students may also be awarded Federal or College Work Study through the admissions and financial aid process. An average yearly allotment of $500 is usually awarded allowing the student to work during the academic year and in some cases during the summer months. Work Study is paid in the form of a paycheck at a rate of $7.00 per hour.
MCA Admissions Portfolio Awards: J.R. Hyde Sr., Foundation Full-tuition Scholarship 1 @ $21,000 Portfolio Awards $3,000-$14,000 Saul & Mildred Brown Half-tuition Scholarships 2 @ $10,500 National Scholastic Art Award 2 @ $10,500 Mid-south Scholastic Art Award 8 @ $10,500 Edscholar Scholarship (for TN resident) 1 @ $7,000
MCA Grants Transfer Grant Governor’s Honors Grant Rust Need Grant
$1,000 $1,000 based on FAFSA Information
MCA Special Merit Awards
If you have a unique financial situation, please contact our Financial Aid Office at 1-800-727-1088 or locally at 901-272-5136. We’re happy to provide assistance.
Once a student attends Memphis College of Art there are continuing opportunities for merit awards based on the student’s performance in classes. Special Merit Scholarships are awarded for excellence each year by faculty nomination. These one-year awards range from $50 cash awards to $6,000 per year tuition discounts. Some awards are based on criteria set by the donor and others are open to all students.
MCA Scholarships
Outside Scholarship Opportunities
Special Circumstances
The Portfolio Scholarships that a student receives entering MCA are renewable each year based on maintaining a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 for freshmen (0-29 credits); 2.25 for sophomores (30-59 credits); 2.50 for juniors (60-89 credits); 2.75 for seniors (90+ credits). These awards are based on full-time attendance and will be pro-rated for part-time enrollment. Renewal is evaluated each May. Scholarships that are not renewed will be re-awarded the semester after achieving the required GPA.
MCA recommends that students do some research to find outside scholarships available through organizations and companies that help students go to college. The best method for locating scholarships is via the internet where students can do free online searches. Parent’s employers, churches, or other organizations that a family might be active in are also potential resources. MCA distributes scholarship application information received by the financial aid office to eligible enrolled students.
MCA’s Tuition Payment Plan To assist families with managing college costs, MCA has established a Four Payment Plan for each semester of the academic year. The MCA Plan includes:
•Outstanding tuition and student housing balances for each semester (after all allowances are made for scholarships, grants, and loans) are divided into four equal payments. The first payment is due at registration, or for new students, is required prior to the student beginning classes. A Promissory Note, which indicates all payments and dues, must be signed and dated. •If the student is receiving or anticipating receiving any federal financial aid, all FAFSA, and loan application paperwork (along with required documentation) must be completed and returned to the MCA Financial Aid Office. •No interest or application fees are necessary or required as long as payments are made as scheduled. A late fee of $100 or 10% of the payment due will be assessed if the payment is not made as promised.
MCA Tuition Refund Policy The MCA refund policy is based upon the date of formal withdrawal from a course or from the college. Formal withdrawal must be made by the student to the college in writing. Withdrawal may not be retroactive to an earlier date. Failure of a student to officially withdraw will void any entitlement he or she may have to a refund. No refund will be made to any student suspended or dismissed for any academic or disciplinary reasons. Refunds cannot be made for employment conflicts, medical problems, moving out of town, or other reasons that are beyond the college’s control or responsibility. The following refunds apply to students who withdraw from the college, or who drop to part-time status: 1. 100% refund of tuition will be made for courses canceled by MCA or dropped on, or before, the official registration day. 2. 75% refund of tuition will be made if withdrawal is within the first 10 class days of the semester. 3. 50% refund of tuition will be made if withdrawal is between the 11th and 15th class days of the semester.
116 4. 25% refund of tuition will be made if withdrawal is between the 16th and 20th class days of the semester. 5. No refund will be made if withdrawal is after the 20th class day of the semester. 6. No refund will be made of student activity fees. 7. A pro-rata refund policy is in effect for all degree-seeking students who receive some type of Title IV federal or state financial aid funds (PELL, SEOG, TSAA, TELS Lottery, ACG, SMART, Stafford, Plus, and/or College Work Study). Tuition and fees will be refunded according to a pro-rated refund policy as defined in 34 CFR 612.606. Ask the Business Office for information concerning this policy. Refund calculation for summer courses are in the MCA Student Handbook.
living in memphis academic enrichment Memphis Living at MCA gives you plenty of opportunities to lead a life away from campus. Memphis offers an endless array of clubs, music venues, restaurants, attractions, festivals, parks, theatres, and museums—fringe benefits of living in one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Whatever you’re into, you’ll find it in Memphis.
Life Outside the Classroom Experience may well be the greatest teacher of all. This truth has led MCA to create opportunities outside our classroom and beyond our campus that enable our students to broaden their knowledge bases. Memphis College of Art belongs to a consortium of local colleges that allows full-time students to take classes at other local colleges at no additional cost. Through Rhodes
117 College, Christian Brothers University, LeMoyne-Owen College, and Memphis Theological Seminary, you can study practically any subject that interests you or may help you in your career, from marketing to metaphysics. Museum Seminar trips to renowned cities such as Paris, Rome, London, Barcelona, Moscow, and New York will allow you to whet your experiential palette. The truly adventuresome and hearty spirits may want to travel to Mississippi’s Horn Island to live for a week— camping, communing and creating art in a pristine environment. There are no modern amenities—only creatures, sand and the Gulf. When you return from Horn Island, you’ll create work for one of the largest exhibitions (and biggest parties) of the year. The Horn Island Workshop has attracted the interest of writers from The Smithsonian, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Associated Press— even Southern Living. Through the Mobility Program in conjunction with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design, you can spend a semester studying at any of the 30 participating art colleges, from the Gulf to the Great Lakes, and earn credit toward your degree at no additional cost. See the AICAD Member list on the following page. As an MCA student you can spend a month in the summer abroad in San Reparata, Italy studying painting, printmaking, sculpture and of course, art history. MCA also participates in the New York Studio Program, which provides an opportunity for you to study for a semester in New York with your own studio, regular critiques, and the art world all around you.
The Experience There are a lot of things you won’t find at MCA. Like enormous lecture halls where you’re lost in a mass of nameless faces. Or “do not disturb” signs on professors’
doors. Or an administration more concerned with selling football tickets than fulfilling their mission. What you will find is focus fused with variety. You’ll find the educational lessons offered by the fine, design, and liberal arts, and the life lessons taught by experience. You’ll also find that your skills have a place in both the art world and business world. And you’ll find an environment that provides you with every opportunity to succeed.
academics Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) Fellow AICAD members: Art Academy of Cincinnati Art Center College of Design* Art Institute of Boston California College of the Arts California Institute of the Arts Cleveland Institute of Art College for Creative Studies Columbus College of Art and Design Cooper Union School of Art Corcoran College of Art and Design Cornish College of the Arts Kansas City Art Institute Laguna College of Art and Design Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts Maine College of Art Maryland Institute College of Art Massachusetts College of Art Memphis College of Art Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design Minneapolis College of Art and Design Montserrat College of Art Moore College of Art and Design Oregon College of Art and Craft
Otis College of Art and Design Pacific Northwest College of Art Parsons School of Design Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Pratt Institute* Rhode Island School of Design Ringling College of Art and Design San Francisco Art Institute School of the Art Institute of Chicago School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston School of Visual Arts* University of the Arts
Greater Memphis Area Consortium Christian Brothers University LeMoyne-Owen College Memphis College of Art Memphis Theological Seminary Rhodes College
International Affiliates Alberta College of Art and Design Burren College of Art Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design Nova Scotia College of Art and Design Ontario College of Art and Design Osaka University of Arts *do not participate in the mobility program
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Course Descriptions Foundation FD100 Drawing 1 (3 credits) Seeing/drawing skills are developed and sensitivity toward the aesthetics of form and space including linear perspective, mark making, value, line, and line quality is explored. Students work in black and white media on a variety of papers from still-life, landscape, and self-portrait. FD110 Drawing 2 (3 credits) FD100 is continued with emphasis on mark making, full value studies, point-of-view selection, basic compositional ideas, and space. Prerequisite: FD100 FD111 Drawing 2t (3 credits) This course is specifically designated for transfer students who need to repeat FD110 to be better prepared for subsequent coursework at MCA. FD120 2-D DESIGN (3 credits) The vocabulary, premises, and methods of visual events on the flat plane are explored through a series of lectures, experimental exercises, and applied problems. FD130 3-D DESIGN (3 credits) Volume, space organization, structure, texture, mass, and tension are explored through a series of short projects using simple construction materials and techniques. Equipment use and safety instruction are included. FD140 IDEA, PROCESS AND CRITIQUE (3 credits) This interdisciplinary course combines an introduction to digital information relative to art-making and two addi-
119 tional media/disciplines (i.e. photography, printmaking, surface design, sculpture). Different instructors teach integrated sections of the course, with classes rotating through the different experiences and faculty during the course of the semester. Students work individually and cooperatively in mixed media on 2- and 3-D projects that stress concepts, context, and narrative. FD150 digital basics (1 credit) This course covers the basics of computer usage for our labs: printing, scanning, and server access, and branches into file transfer, file extensions, and compression formats. By course completion, students are able to deliver any file on any platform to a potential client through a range of media (CD, print, Internet). Satisfactory completion of all Foundation coursework is a prerequisite for all courses beyond the introductory level within individual area concentrations.
DIGITAL MEDIA dm105 Introduction to computer graphics (3 credits) Fundamentals of computer operations, graphical user interface, scanning, and printing are introduced. Concentration on 2-D imaging creation is the focus of this course. Students use raster, vector, and layout programs to create original works. Prerequisite: none
dm200 Introduction to animation techniques (3 credits) The principles and history of animation are introduced. Working with digital programs as well as pre-cinematic toys, rotoscoping, and live pixilation, students explore “persistence of vision”—the process by which we perceive movement through still images. Students also gain a solid foundation in the history and techniques of animation through screenings and readings. Prerequisite: All foundation coursework
dm225 2-d animation 1 (3 credits) In this course, students learn the fundamentals of animation production, including pre-production planning, storyboarding, 2-dimensional character design, and jointing. Classroom assignments utilize both traditional animation stand techniques and Adobe After Effects; students have the option of creating a finished work in either environment. Prerequisite: DM200 dm230 dynamic imaging 1 (3 credits) This course provides design strategies and techniques for creating time-based compositions using typography, video, sound, and image sequencing. Through lectures, practical assignments, and critiques students gain a technical command of After Effects software as well as the conceptual skills necessary for pre-production planning, storyboarding, and design of digital motion sequences. Prerequisite: DM270 dm240 digital imaging 1 (3 credits) Students develop knowledge of image development, construction, retouching, and collage techniques using traditional film, digital images, and drawing as source material. A critical examination of intent is stressed along with output options and color management. The implications of the digital image and new technologies are discussed and researched from both a personal and societal view. Prerequisite: DM105, PH100 dm260 web design 1 (3 credits) The conceptual and technical skills for creating art and design for the Internet are stressed. The social implications and development of new media and new social systems are discussed and researched. Hand coded HTML and layout programs are used. Prerequisite: DM105, GD200
dm270 digital Cinema 1 (3 credits) This course is an introduction to the elements of digital cinema production. Focuses are on directing, crew responsibilities, camera operation, lenses, lighting, and sound recording. Beyond developing the basic skills necessary for field production, students also become proficient using the non-linear editing software Final Cut Pro. The basics of DVD creation using DVD Studio Pro including media capturing, video and audio encoding, interface design and testing are also introduced. Offered every semester. Prerequisite: DM105 or GD200 dm300 3-d animation 1 (3 credits) This is an introductory course in stop-motion animation, a medium that requires a wide array of technical skills. We consider such techniques as sculpting, two-part molds, foam rubber casting, armature configuration, set design, and lighting for small spaces. Through motion and movement tests, students explore the ways in which three-dimensional objects move through space. Prerequisite: DM225 dm310 3-d computer animation (3 credits) Students gain experience with creating 3-D animation, including geometric modeling, lighting, camera angles, texture formation, skeleton rigging, and motion in a three-dimensional animation package. Students learn underlying principles of 3-D animation, including perspective, transformations, lighting and shadows, and modeling natural phenomena and motion. Prerequisite: DM225, permission of instructor DM325 Advanced 2-D Animation (3 credits) Open to students who have completed DM225, DM250, or DM300, this course is an intensive workshop in which students create a finished animation in their preferred medium. Special attention is paid to realistic production goals, thorough pre-production and storyboarding, and sound design for animation. There are weekly critiques,
120 and students are expected to spend significant time working outside of class to make the progress necessary to bring an animation project to full fruition. Prerequisite: DM225, permission of instructor DM330 Dynamic Imaging 2 (3 credits) The goal of this course is to expand the student’s conceptual and technical understanding of digital motion sequencing as presented in Dynamic Imaging 1. Special emphasis is placed on the post-production processes of stylization, enhancement, and creation of digital effects. Prerequisite: DM230 DM340 Digital Imaging 2 (3 credits) Students further their knowledge of the digital image and its development. The emphasis is placed on the student’s personal expression and understanding of the full potential of the image in digital and analog terms. A variety of advanced techniques and research are covered including issues of scale and custom color management. Prerequisite: DM240 DM355 Digital Printmaking 1 (3 credits) This is a truly interdisciplinary course combining digital imaging with printmaking processes and extends imaging options beyond the computer. The course focuses on the use of digital technologies to create hand pulled prints and hybrid prints using traditional and photo-printmaking processes mixed with giclee’ printing. The goal is to find a balance between the technical and the conceptual, the digital and the hand crafted, and to develop skills that allow the student to unite intent with production. Prerequisite: DM240, PM100 or PM105, advanced standing DM360 Web Design 2 (3 credits) HTML and design skills are developed as they apply to the Internet. New technologies are explored and implemented. Case studies of design problems and artistic intent form the basis for projects. Prerequisite: DM210
121 DM370 Digital Cinema 2 (3 credits) This is an advanced level production course. Students are pushed to further develop the technical processes introduced in CA270. Special instructional emphasis is given to cinematography and lighting. Prerequisite: DM270 DM375 Sound Acquisition and Editing (3 credits) This course focuses on audio as an art form in and of itself, as well as in the service of other mediums—video, animation, etc. We start by exploring the fundamentals of acoustics: sound waves and how they travel; how microphones convert kinetic energy into an electrical signal; and how recording devices work. We then move on to sound acquisition strategies, including proper micing, field audio work, and foley recording. Students use the digital audio workstation to create original compositions, explore soundtrack design, and perform mix-downs. Prerequisite: DM105 DM400 Senior Studio 1 (3 credits) This course encompasses the conceptual and technical skills of the senior level student. Personal process, vision, and presentation skills are stressed. The development of works for the professional portfolio and thesis is expected. Prerequisite: Senior standing DM405 Senior Studio 2 (3 credits) This course provides Animation and Digital Cinema majors the opportunity to complete a more in-depth final project. Prerequisite: DM400 DM410 Advanced 3-D Computer Animation (3 credits) Prerequisite: DM310 DM420 Interactive Media (3 credits) The focus of this course is the communication of content within an interactive format. Students learn to synthesize media elements drawing from their existing skills in digital cinema production, computer animation, and digital
imaging to create interactive screen-based experiences. Technical instruction emphasizes Flash animation and Action Script programming. Offered every semester. Prerequisite: All foundation coursework, DM105 or GD200 DM440 Digital Imaging 3 (3 credits) A continuation of Digital Imaging 2 with emphasis placed on the development of a coherent body of work and the writings that accompany it. Alternative methods of output and presentation are explored. Prerequisite: DM340 DM450 Internship (3 credits) Internships provide the advanced student with an opportunity to gain valuable studio or agency experience while receiving academic credit. Prerequisite: Advanced standing DM455 Digital Printmaking 2 (3 credits) This is a continuation of Digital Printmaking 1. A full range of mark making possibilities are covered. The emphasis is placed on integrating multiple processes within the same image and methods of translating the image from digital to analog and back to digital again. Individual writings and research accompany the projects to reinforce conceptual development. Prerequisite: DM355 DM470 Digital Cinema 3 (3 credits) Special emphasis is placed on preparing and production media for delivery to the “small screen” such as cell phones, iPods, and the web. Students are challenged to examine the aesthetic, cultural, and technological implication of this emerging art field and market. Prerequisite: DM320 DM475 Experimental Cinema Production (3 credits) “…the film experience…is not necessarily a projection of light and shadow on a screen at the end of a room…” - Gene Youngblood, Expanded Cinema
This class is designed to assist students in the development of alternative means of presentation for media. Topics include camera experimentation, the position of the viewer, and the material and form of the screen. Additionally, students analyze selected works to enlighten their understanding of the history of non-traditional forms in video and film.. Prerequisite: DM270 or permission of instructor
Drawing DW200 LIFE DRAWING (3 credits) Life Drawing explores the “anatomy of drawing.” Primary focus is on the structure of the human figure through planar development and the understanding of spatial relationships. Exposure to advanced problem solving, the raising of conceptual and technical skill levels, increased self-discipline, and enhanced analytical thinking are essential parts of the class structure. May be taken concurrently with Drawing Composition. May be repeated 3 times (DW 201, 202, 203). Prerequisite: All foundation coursework DW220 DRAWING COMPOSITION (3 credits) This course is an extension of the skills and ideas developed in 2-D, 3-D, Drawing 1 and 2 with a concentration on design of 2-D picture plane. Underlying the assignments are various representations of space based on late 19th and 20th century Modern models. Students may take this course concurrently with Life Drawing. Prerequisite: All foundation coursework DW221 COLLAGE/MIXED MEDIA (3 credits) This is an introduction to the use of multiple mediums within a single image ranging from Picasso and Braque’s initial experiments with papier colle up to contemporary ideas about mixed media. Many and various materials are used with an emphasis placed on the student’s ability and willingness to experiment and explore unfamiliar effects. Prerequisite: FD110
122 DW250 LANDSCAPE DRAWING (3 credits) The landscape is used as a formal and conceptual exercise. The many representations and meanings of the landscape throughout art history serve as a basis for each student’s exploration of landscape-based images. Emphasis is placed on historical research along with development of technical and conceptual skills. Prerequisite: All foundation coursework DW260 DRAWING INTO ABSTRACTION (3 credits) Both Modern and Post-modern ideas are investigated alongside advanced abstract problem solving. The class structure encourages heightened critical abilities, conceptual and technical skills, as well as increased self-discipline while exploring complex mediums. Prerequisite: All foundation coursework DW300 DRAWING WORKSHOP (3 credits) This course is intensely focused on the process of drawing. Class time is spent on a small number of large drawings, emphasizing drawing as an act of discovery of form and ideas. A premium is placed on the student’s ability to sustain involvement and patience over extended periods of time, to analyze formal relationships, and to improvise solutions to problems that arise. The course may be taken concurrently with Contemporary Concepts. Prerequisite: DW200, DW220 DW320 COMTEMPORARY CONCEPTS IN DRAWING (3 credits) Both Modern and Post-modern ideas are emphasized with particular stress given to honing critical abilities, raising conceptual and technical levels, and increased self-discipline. Students are pressed to increase their familiarity with a variety of styles and develop their ability to work within a broad range of mediums. The course may be taken concurrently with Drawing Workshop. Prerequisite: DW200, DW220
123 DW360 ADVANCED LIFE DRAWING (3 credits) The human figure is considered as concept as well as form. Problems explore the meaning of the figure in Modern and Post-modern art with the aim of developing greater conceptual and technical abilities. The course may be repeated 3 times (DW361, DW362, DW363). Prerequisite: DW320 DW410 ADVANCED DRAWING (3 credits) In this seminar class, students work with the instructor on an individual basis and in-group critiques. The focus is on developing the student’s ideas and skills with the goal of a more individual and personal approach to artmaking. The course may be repeated 3 times (DW411, DW412, DW413). Prerequisite: DW360
Graphic Design gd200 design system 1 (3 credits) This studio introduction to visual communication explores the unique meanings and principles of design and its supporting elements. As a companion to the first semester, students are instructed on a Macintosh platform utilizing the current professional design software: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, and QuarkXpress. Prerequisite: All foundation coursework gd205 design system 2 (3 credits) The second course in a sequential series for majors of the discipline, the primary focus is the expansion of introductory concepts secured in Design System 1. This formation extends the student’s natural artistic intuitiveness on an elevated conceptual and technical level. Areas of investigation include: pure typography; the grid as structure; and the development and realization of twoand three-dimensional design solutions. Prerequisite: GD200
gd210 the design of packaging (3 credits) This course is an elective platform for majors of the discipline supporting the sequential Design Systems. The primary emphasis is an in-depth visual exploration of three-dimensional mechanical formats. Areas of concentration within the volume of packaging as design includes: independent expression and communication, vanguard fluidity, ocular progression and convergence, viewer discovery, and societal consumerism. Prerequisite: GD200 gd220 the design of advertising (3 credits) This course is an elective platform for majors of the discipline supporting the sequential Design Systems. Primary emphasis is the investigation of societal consumerism within the context of a visual voice—the medium is the message. As Marshall McLuhan stated “Each medium, independent of the content it mediates, has its own intrinsic effects which are its unique message.” The media campaign is explored in its totality: the cross-discipline platforms of print, television, and external consumer venues are analyzed in comprehensive physical, verbal, and technical arenas. Prerequisite: GD200 gd300 design system 3 (3 credits) Design System 3 calls attention to the experimental integration of structures, imagery, and typography as form. Extended thought is placed on the systems of letterforms in relation to history and technology. A project example, Volume Discourse, examines the multiple utilizing the College’s Vandercook letterpress and digital technology. Prerequisite: GD205 gd305 design system 4 (3 credits) The intermediate level of study concludes with the continued application of physical and theoretical design principles with an emphasis in identity systems and emotional branding. Supplemental demonstrations, lectures, readings, and research activities compliment the course of study. Prerequisite: GD300
gd400 design system 5 (3 credits) The final year sequence commences with Design System 5, a comprehensive course in a professional and rigorous studio environment. The system accentuates a continued linear design methodology and its proven tenets. Concurrently presented multi-level projects are designed to simulate the vigor and expectations of a practicing professional. Prerequisite: GD305 gd405 design system 6 (3 credits) The conclusion of the formal program of the discipline, the student applies the collective knowledge to a defended, undergraduate senior thesis and exhibition. This endeavor requires the whole of the student and illustrates their verbal, academic, and artistic aptitude. Discipline centered, the thesis encourages trans-disciplinary influences. Prerequisite: GD400
Illustration il220 illustrated story 1: cartoons & sequential art (3 credits) This course explores the formal language of storytelling with multiple images, including comics, cartoon strips, and children’s picture books. This course is writing and drawing intensive. Prerequisite: HU102, DW220
il240 illustration 1: drawing for illustration (3 credits) This is an introductory course in the fundamentals of representational drawing for the purposes of communication. Images are created in several media, utilizing a variety of visual references, including photography, life, memory, and found sources. Conceptualization, composition, clear rendering, and staging of the figure are emphasized. Co-requisite: DW220
124 il270 illustration 2: illustration media (3 credits) This course continues the development of representational drawing and communication skills from Illustration 1. Perspective, color composition, and wet media are explored as tools for solving narrative and conceptual challenges. Assignments include both planned studio-based work and responsive sketches at off-site locations. Prerequisite: IL240 il320 illustrated story 2: comics & picture books (3 credits) Building on the skills developed in Illustrated Story 1, students develop long-form illustrated stories, and study professional and production requirements of the comics, children’s books, and cartooning marketplace. Prerequisite: IL220 il360 illustration 3: professional applications (3 credits) This course is an overview of Illustration as a field. Assignments reflect the scope of Illustration, including Editorial, Children’s, Business, and Book, using a combination of digital and traditional media. Emphasis is placed on concept development, communication, and professional practice. Prerequisite: IL270, GD200 il365 illustration 4 (3 credits) This course continues the survey of Illustration as a practice begun in Illustration 3. Assignments reflect the scope of Illustration, including Editorial, Entertainment, and Information Illustration. An emphasis is placed on concept development, communication, and professional practice, with a particular focus on developing visual metaphors and integrating illustration with type and graphic design. Prerequisite: IL360 This class is also available to non-illustration concentrations as an elective at the Senior level.
125 il460 illustration 5: visual essay (3 credits) In pursuit of a personal voice and process, students develop Visual Essays: self-directed series of related images on chosen subjects. Additionally, the professional business and contractual practices necessary for a working Illustrator are covered in detail. Prerequisite: IL365 il465 illustration 6: portfolio and presentation (3 credits) Advanced students continue creating a personal and professional body of work in preparation for graduating and seeking work in their field. This includes development of a portfolio, web representation, and self-promotional materials. Prerequisite: IL460, TD400
Painting PT110 PAINTING 1 (3 credits) The materials and techniques of painting and the study of contemporary and historical painters are covered in this introductory course. Prerequisite: None PT111 PAINTING 1T (3 credits) This course is specifically designated for transfer students who need to repeat PT110 to be better prepared for subsequent painting coursework at MCA. Prerequisite: None PT120 PAINTING 2 (3 credits) Painting 2 continues the development started in Painting 1 with a greater emphasis on color and paint handling. Prerequisite: PT110 PT121 PAINTING 2T (3 credits) This course is specifically designated for transfer students who need to repeat PT120 to be better prepared for subsequent painting coursework at MCA. Prerequisites: PT110
PT210 PAINTING 3 (3 credits) Mixed media, concepts, and thematic development are addressed along with contemporary issues in painting in this course. Prerequisites: PT120 PT221 COLLAGE (3 credits) Found materials are used to explore problems in composition, concepts, and self-expression. Prerequisite: FD110, PT120 PT240 WATERCOLOR (3 credits) Transparent and opaque watercolor techniques are used with emphasis on the development of skills and expressive use of the medium. Prerequisite: FD110 PT310 PAINTING 4 (3 credits) Thematic development and individual problems are addressed through the subjects of figure as well as abstract painting. Prerequisites: PT210, DW200 PT320 PAINTING 5 (3 credits) Thematic development and individual problems are addressed through the subjects of still life as well as landscape painting. Prerequisites: PT210 PT400 SENIOR PAINTING SEMINAR (3 credits) Students develop a body of work and document it photographically. The course includes professional practices, lectures, and assignments and may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: 15 hours painting and senior standing, or permission from the instructor. PT401 SENIOR PAINTING SEMINAR 2 (3 credits) This advanced seminar is available for those students seeking to continue their painting studio practice. Prerequisite: PT400.
PHOTOGRAPHY ph100 PHOTOGRAPHY 1: BEGINNING PRACTICES (3 credits) In this course, students become technically proficient in basic black and white photography, including exposure, developing, printing and presentation. Photography is presented as a tool to understand the world and as a means of expression and communication. Students learn how to interpret and discuss the visual language of photography. Prerequisite: None DM240 DIGITAL IMAGING 1 (3 credits) Students develop knowledge of image development, construction, retouching, and collage techniques using traditional film, digital images, and drawing as source material. A critical examination of intent is stressed along with output options and color management. The implications of the digital image and new technologies are discussed and researched from both a personal and societal view. Prerequisite: DM105, PH100 ph250 PHOTOGRAPHY 2: intermediate black & white (3 credits) This course is focused on advanced technical skills as a means of gaining greater personal and aesthetic understanding. Students learn advanced 35mm camera and printing techniques, basic studio lighting, and explore different photographic formats including medium, large and toy cameras, as well as experimental techniques of image making and printing. Prerequisite: PH100 PH275 Sequence as Story (3 credits) By investigating documentary style imaging and the classic picture essay, this course concentrates on using images in sequence. Students explore how sequence based images, by way of editing and text, create relationships between images and ultimately tell stories that the single image cannot. Students work independently and in small groups to further
126 explore notions of authorship and the roll of documentary photography in a contemporary art context. Prerequisites: PH250 ph300 PHOTOGRAPHY 3: contemporary & advanced techniques (3 credits) This studio course explores the photograph in contemporary art. Photography’s integral tie to light serves as the backbone of this course as it investigates the alternative and contemporary spaces used by photographic artists. Students learn advanced studio lighting skills as well as explore the extension of the photograph off the page and into the realm of installation, performance, and projection. Digital and analog tools and skills blur as students are encouraged to experiment and challenge their ideas of what defines a photograph. Prerequisite: PH250 and co-requisite CA240 ph310 PHOTOGRAPHY 4: color photography (3 credits) Students build a strong foundation in the technical and aesthetic aspects of color photography through projects utilizing color transparencies and negatives and instruction in color printing and studio lighting as it pertains to the nuances of color. Discussions and critical writings focus on the history and theory of color photography. This course combines analog and digital techniques and skills. Prerequisite: PH250 and CA240 PH325 Studio Lighting (3 credits) This is a course on studio lighting as it applies to fine art and commercial photography. The course includes technical instruction in the lighting studio as well as on location with both portable lights and natural light. Students use a wide range of analog and digital cameras. This course is defined by critiques and continued technical and conceptual advancement. Prerequisites: PH310
127 ph351 alternative photographic processes (3 credits) This course explores various nineteenth-century and experimental photographic processes such as cyanotype, Van Dyke Brown, platinum/palladium, and salt printing. Students learn to use experimental as well as analog and digitally enhanced negatives. Many of these processes blur the line between photography and drawing. This course is also useful for students concentrating in Printmaking. Prerequisite: PH250, PM200 or PM220
between photography and fine art is considered, the many non-art uses of the medium are also discussed in an attempt to better understand the cultural contexts in which photography has been employed. Prerequisite: AH100, AH150 Students select one course from each of the following groups to compliment their individual interests. Select one from each category:
edge of how to work with images. Students select one from the following list of courses: PP170 Book Arts 1 (3 credits) The book as a vessel for artistic expression is investigated. Various areas of bookbinding, printmaking, and alternative photo/image transfer process are covered. Accordion, concertina, Japanese, French door, dos a dos, and album bindings and structures are explored. Prerequisite: FD120
Group 1 electives ph375 PHOTOGRAPHY 5: advanced critique (3 credits) Through assignments, extended projects, critique, discussions, and critical readings and writings, students continue to build technical skills and explore their personal photographic vision. This senior level course provides an overview of various interdisciplinary approaches to photography. Fundamentals of photographic theory and criticism are introduced as students are prepared for Photo Seminar. Prerequisite: PH300, PH310 ph400 PHOTOGRAPHY 6: photo seminar (3 credits) Equal parts seminar and studio in its approach, this senior level course incorporates discussions and readings focused on contemporary photo-based artworks and the theoretical and critical developments in recent photographic art practices. In addition, this course helps prepare students to enter the professional art world and/or graduate school. Students develop a cohesive portfolio of photographic imagery and create a strategy for the presentation of their work. Prerequisite: PH375, and Senior standing AH320 History of Photography (3 credits) A topically arranged survey of world photography, this course takes as its central concern the multiple purposes to which photography has been adapted since its “discovery” in the early nineteenth century. Although the relationship
In order to further develop students handling of twodimensional space and provide them with skill sets outside of photography which are likely to be encountered in their professional life, students are encouraged to take either: GD200 Design System 1 (3 credits) This studio introduction to visual communication explores the unique meanings and principles of design and its supporting elements. As a companion to the first semester, students are instructed on a Macintosh platform utilizing the current professional design software: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign and Quark Xpress. Prerequisite: None DM260 Web Design 1 (3 credits) The conceptual and technical skills for creating art and design for the Internet are stressed. The social implications and development of new media and new social system are discussed and researched. Hand coded HTML and layout programs are used. Prerequisite: DM105, or permission of instructor Group 2 electives Each of the following courses allow students to continue to work with lens-based media while expanding their knowl-
DM270 Digital Cinema 1 (3 credits) This course is an introduction to the elements of digital cinema production. Focuses are on directing, crew responsibilities, camera operation, lenses, lighting, and sound recording. Beyond developing the basic skills necessary for field production, students also become proficient using the non-linear editing software Final Cut Pro. The basics of DVD creation using DVD Studio Pro including media capturing, video and audio encoding, interface design, and testing are also introduced. Prerequisite: DM105 or GD200 DM340 Digital Imaging 2 Students further their knowledge of the digital image. The emphasis is placed on personal expression and understanding of the full potential of the image in the age of the computer. A variety of advanced techniques and research are covered. Prerequisite: DM240
PRINTMAKING pm100 printmaking 1: monotype, et. al. (3 credits) This course is an introduction to the tools, history and basic techniques of monotype, drypoint, relief print (woodcut or linocut) and lithography. Students are encouraged to explore the problems and concerns of their own images technically and conceptually through multiples and one-of-a-kind prints. Prerequisite: none
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pm105 printmaking 1: etching, et. al. (3 credits) An introduction to the tools, history, and basic techniques of etching, collograph, serigraphy, and monoprint. Students are encouraged to explore the problems and concerns of their own images technically and conceptually through multiples and one-of-a-kind prints. Prerequisite: none
pm240 relief printmaking (3 credits) This course is a study of the history and techniques of relief process including woodcut, linocut, and polymer plates. Students learn through demonstrations how to print single images or run multiple editions. Emphasis is placed on the research and development of ideas and images that are strong conceptually, visually and technically.
pm200 printmaking workshop 2 (3 credits) This course is designed for students who want to continue developing work in one or more of the techniques learned in prior semesters in printmaking. A proposal of intent is required. Work is reviewed weekly with emphasis on content, research of ideas and possibilities. Prerequisite: PM100 or PM105
pm250 collagraphy (3 credits) Students experiment with textures, surfaces, scale, and shape to develop images with a range of value. Students create a matrix with intaglio and relief printing possibilities while covering the history of the technique. Emphasis is placed on the research and development of ideas and images that are strong conceptually, visually, and technically. Prerequisite: PM105
pm210 printmaking workshop 3 (3 credits) Continuation of PM200. Prerequisite: PM200 pm220 serigraphy (3 credits) This course is a study of the history and techniques of silk screen printing. Using water-based techniques and direct photo emulsion, the students explore, research and create images to develop prints that are technically and conceptually involved. Paper and/or fabric may be used as a surface. Prerequisite: PM105 pm230 monoprint/monotype (3 credits) This course is a study of the history and process of creating one-of-a-kind impressions using different methods of applying ink to a plate. Half of the semester is devoted to monotypes and the other half monoprints, using another printmaking process selected by the student considering prior knowledge (i.e. intaglio, serigraphy, relief, or lithography). Application of monotype and monoprints using chine colle, letterpress, watercolor, and handmade paper among others is discussed and incorporated. Prerequisite: PM100 or PM105
pm300 printmaking workshop 4 (3 credits) PM210 is continued. Prerequisite: PM210 pm310 intaglio (3 credits) Instruction is given in the history and diverse area of intaglio techniques (i.e. line etching, drypoint, soft ground, aquatint). The latest in low-toxic techniques and photo processes using polymer film and plates are used. Emphasis is placed on the research and development of ideas and images that are strong conceptually, visually, and technically. Development of editioning skills and one-of-akind prints is covered. Prerequisite: PM100, PM105 pm320 lithography (3 credits) Using different low toxic techniques of this planographic process, including polyester and photo plates, students develop a series of images with an emphasis on content. Application to the process (i.e. handmade paper, chine colle, and others) is discussed. A short history of lithography and demonstration of the lithographic stone process is covered. Prerequisite: PM100
pm355 digital printmaking (3 credits) This is a truly interdisciplinary course combining digital imaging with photo-printmaking processes and extends imaging options beyond the computer. The focus is on the use of digital technologies to create hand pulled prints and hybrid prints using photo-printmaking processes and giclee’ printing. The goal is to find a balance between the technical and the conceptual, the digital and the hand crafted, and to develop skills that allow the student to unite intent with production. Prerequisite: Advanced standing pm400 printmaking workshop 5 (3 credits) Students are required to write a proposal discussing the projects, techniques, and content of the work to be developed during the semester. Larger scale works and the inclusion of experiences from other areas (i.e. papermaking, book arts and letterpress) is discussed and encouraged. A term paper on a professional printmaker is required. The student works independently with weekly meetings to discuss progress, contemporary issues in printmaking, and professional development. Prerequisite: 15 additional printmaking credits covering 3 different techniques
SCULPTURE sc100 sculpture 1 (3 credits) This technical processes class introduces students to mold making theory and practice, basic materials, fabrication theory and practice as well as appropriate tool choice and use in each area. A basic understanding of joining methods is expected at the end of the semester. While focusing on skills building, exploration of materials in mold-making, casting, and fabrication is encouraged. Prerequisite: None sc120 ceramic sculpture 1 (3 credits) This class introduces students to ceramic building techniques for the production of sculptural forms. Additive and subtractive methods are covered and used separately, and in combination depending on assignment and concept. Different surface fin-
ishes are also explored as students gain a basic understanding of clay, glaze, and firing principles. As the semester progresses and technical proficiencies strengthen, the content becomes the driving force of the majority of assignments. Prerequisite: None SC150 metalsmithing 1 (3 credits) This is an introduction to the materials, tooling, and processes involved in the creation of small sculptural units, body ornamentation, and utilitarian objects. Processes experienced include lost wax casting, metal forming, surfacing, and finishing options. Prerequisite: None SC170 surface design 1 (3 credits) In this introductory course students become familiar with fiber art through various surface design processes including resist dyeing, direct painting with dyes, hand embroidery, sewing, and others. Students are encouraged to develop their knowledge of techniques and their ability to use surface design to carry out concepts and ideas. Prerequisite: None SC200 sculpture 2 (3 credits) This course is a continuation of the technical exploration of SC100. Examination of materials, forming methods, and ideas is supported with personal research focusing on contemporary approaches to sculptural ideas. Single object/idea development is stressed. Prerequisite: SC100 SC220 ceramic sculpture 2 (3 credits) This class utilizes the building and surface finish skills obtained in Introduction to Ceramic Sculpture in conjunction with articulation and demonstration of content through writing. Students investigate concepts, materials, and techniques that inform and support the topic of their choosing. Work produced during the semester should demonstrate technical and conceptual control and specificity to build a cohesive body
130 of work. Firing and glazing is further explored through direct experimentation according to individual technical and conceptual needs. Prerequisite: SC120 SC240 woodcarving (3 credits) This course introduces novices to the basics of woodcarving and supplements intermediate and advanced carving skills. Projects are small scale and use commonly available wood cutting chisels and knives. Students develop all necessary skills for creating relief and in the round carvings from preparatory drawings. Prerequisites: FD100 SC250 metalsmithing 2 (3 credits) Course emphasis is on personal direction and expansion of process awareness. After an initial concept and process directed problem, the student is responsible for a self-directed project. The goal of the project is for the student to advance their concept level, metalsmithing skills, and awareness of the area. Processes experienced include advanced metal forming, respousse, chasing, tool making, joining, and finishing. Prerequisite: SC150 SC260 sculptural forms: fiber techniques for sculpture (3 credits) This course includes the study of low relief and threedimensional form in materials other than stone, metal, plaster, or other rigid materials traditionally used for sculpture. Students use fiber, thread, fabric, plastic, and paper, with and without the structure of armature to explore problems in concepts and aesthetics. Prerequisite: FD130, SC100 or SC170 SC270 surface design 2 (3 credits) This is a sequential course of study with four prerequisite intermediate levels leading to the advanced level. The technical vocabulary taught includes silk screen, machine embroidery, garment construction, computer printing, and others. Courses concentrate on furthering students’ abilities to integrate
131 material, process, form, and content through fiber art. Prerequisite: SC170 SC300 sculpture 3 (3 credits) Students develop a multiple object language based on research of a personal interest. Personal histories and narratives form the basis of research leading to the production of multi-object sculpture. Student directed research and presentation form the basis for the development and production of mixed media installation projects. Prerequisite: SC200 SC320 ceramic sculpture 3 (3 credits) SC220 is continued. Prerequisite: SC220 SC350 metalsmithing 3 (3 credits) SC250 is continued. Prerequisite: SC250 SC370 surface design 3 (3 credits) SC270 is continued. Prerequisite: SC270 SC400 sculpture 4 (3 credits) In this idea oriented class, personal communication and expression are explored through proposal-based projects, including preparation for the senior exhibition, and photo documentation of the senior portfolio. Prerequisite: SC300 SC405 sculpture 5 (3 credits) SC400 is continued. Prerequisite: SC400 SC410 special topics in sculpture (3 credits) A specialized area in Sculpture is studied. Topics are announced through semester course descriptions. The course may be repeated once when content changes. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
SC420 ceramic sculpture 4 (3 credits) Students are guided through their own investigation of concepts, materials, and techniques. Emphasis is on research and individual artistic development. Students are required to set up a semester problem of their own choosing. Prerequisite: SC320 SC425 ceramic sculpture 5 (3 credits) SC420 is continued. Prerequisite: SC420 SC450 metalsmithing 4 (3 credits) SC350 is continued. Prerequisite: SC350 SC455 metalsmithing 5 (3 credits) SC450 is continued. Prerequisite: SC450 SC470 surface design 4 (3 credits) SC370 is continued. Prerequisite: SC370
TRANS-DISCIPLINARY fa250 color studies (3 credits) This course is an introduction to the principles of color mixing and design. It briefly covers the most significant aspects of various figures in the history of color theory; however it is a studio class based on the actual experience of color. It involves a variety of 2-D and 3-D assignments based on specific color effects or situations, which the student can interpret to solve any given problem. Recognizing that color is the most relative and temporal of art elements, the course seeks to remove color usage solely from the realm of intuition and instinct and put the student in the position of making informed decisions. Prerequisite: None
td350 compelling alliance (3 credits) Our fine arts were developed, their types and uses were established, in times very different from the present…In all the arts there is a physical component which can no longer be considered or treated as it used to be, which cannot remain unaffected by our modern knowledge and power. For the last twenty years neither matter nor space nor time has been what it was from time immemorial. We must expect great innovations to transform the entire technique of the arts, thereby affecting artistic invention itself and perhaps even bringing about an amazing change in our very notion of art. —Paul Valéry, Piéces sur L’art This course integrates the numerous disciplines and techniques of book arts with those of design arts: form, structure, and content; linear design methodology; pure typography; printing—both digital and letterpress; bookbinding; and the multiple. Students cultivate a cross-discipline, synthesized body of experimental works, in addition to critical and personal design vocabularies. Prerequisite: Advanced standing, permission of instructor fa400 professional practices (3 credits) To assist students who are preparing to enter the professional arena, this course examines methods for assembling a portfolio for specific applications, writing and designing a resume, and interviewing with prospective employers, clients, or galleries. Business procedures, artist resources, and job-hunting skills are discussed. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing, permission of instructor
Papermaking and Book Arts pp150 papermaking 1 (3 credits) This course is an introduction to hand papermaking in the Western tradition. Students learn various sheet formation techniques, as well as the design and use of a watermark image, pulp painting, embedding, and embossing. Hand papermaking skills are emphasized along with their
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application to the development of personal themes in each student’s work. Prerequisite: None
pp370 book arts 3 (3 credits) PP270 is continued. Prerequisite: PP270
pp170 book arts 1 (3 credits) This course is an introduction to bookbinding providing students with an intense conceptual and technical experience. Projects focus on competence in skill and craft, as well as the successful integration of ideas, materials, and techniques. Students learn to use the book as a vessel for artistic expression. Various areas of bookbinding, printmaking, and alternative photo/image transfer process are covered. Computer skills and knowledge are helpful. Prerequisite: FD120
pp450 papermaking workshop 4 (3 credits) Advanced students develop individual projects utilizing advanced papermaking techniques. Three-dimensional works, as well as installation-based works incorporating other medium are encouraged. Focus is placed on developing and creating a cohesive body of work. Prerequisite: PP350
pp250 papermaking workshop 2 (3 credits) Students learn hand papermaking techniques for creating three-dimensional works of art, as well as using handmade paper with other media to extend creative possibilities. A strong personal focus in the handmade paper arts is developed, making possible the execution of contemporary ideas through this medium. Pulp casting, relief sheet casting, mold making, and vacuum table techniques are explored. Prerequisite: PP150 pp270 book arts 2 (3 credits) This course presents students with the opportunity to explore a variety of advanced and alternative structures and bindings. Emphasis is on individual project work and the successful integration of printed image and text. Letterpress printing techniques are explored and incorporated into specific projects. Prerequisite: PP150, PP170 pp350 papermaking workshop 3 (3 credits) PP250 is continued. Prerequisite: PP250
pp455 papermaking workshop 5 (3 credits) PP450 is continued. Prerequisite: PP450 pp470 integration: book & paper (3 credits) This is a senior level course designed to engage the student in an intense conversation with print, paper, and book. Students spend half of the semester compiling research, documentation, and examples of artistic experimentation in the areas of letterpress, papermaking, and printmaking in order to propose and develop projects to be editioned. Collaboration with other media not mentioned is encouraged as well. Prerequisite: PP370, Senior standing
LIBERAL ARTS Art History ah100 art history survey 1 (3 credits) Western art from prehistory through the Middle Ages is studied chronologically, providing an understanding of movements, time periods, and individual artists. A discussion of non-Western traditions may be included.
ah150 art history survey 2 (3 credits) Western art from the Renaissance to the present is studied chronologically, including influential trends toward Modernism in the twentieth century. A discussion of non-Western traditions may be included.
ah231 modern architecture 1 (3 credits) Trends and styles in Europe and the U.S. from Jefferson to World War II are explored, including Art Nouveau, the skyscraper, Wright, California modern, the Bauhaus, and Art Deco. Video and site visits may be offered.
AH100 and AH150 are prerequisites for all Art History courses at the 200 level or above.
ah232 modern architecture 2 (3 credits) This course examines the developments in Europe and the Americas from the 1930s to the present, including planning concepts. Acceptance of the International Style led to the Postmodern reaction. Appreciation of leaders such as Johnson, Saarinen, Kahn, Pei, and Gehry is enhanced by video and site visits.
ah200 renaissance art (3 credits) Architecture, sculpture, and painting from the early Renaissance through the sixteenth century are studied while emphasizing perspective, new stylistic conventions, and changing roles for artists. ah210 baroque art (3 credits) The dynamic spread of the Baroque from Rome to the rest of Europe and Latin America is explored, with emphasis on works by masters such as Caravaggio, Bernini, Velasquez, Rubens, and Rembrandt. ah225 nineteenth-century art (3 credits) Art from the French Revolution to the turn of the twentieth century is studied, and includes Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism. ah227 modern art: 1900-1945 (3 credits) This course is an introduction to the major movements and artists of the twentieth century—primarily European—prior to World War II. Emphasis is on the fundamental tenets of Modernist art and the various manifestations of the Modernist avant-garde. ah230 art since 1945 (3 credits) Global art and theory from World War II to the present is examined. Topics include Abstract Expressionism, Pop, Minimalism, Land Art, Conceptual Art, Body and Performance Art, and Postmodernism.
ah250 history of graphic design (3 credits) Historical and contemporary visual languages of the discipline of graphic design are explored, with emphasis on pioneers of modern design, the constructed expression of concept, and the technological evolution of visual communication. ah270 american art (3 credits) Art of the United States from the colonial period to 1945 is explored with the main focus on European-influenced painting, sculpture, and architecture that developed in America throughout the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries. Special attention is given to questions of material culture, patronage, nationalism, interchange with European fine art traditions, images of and artistic production of Native Americans and African Americans, and the arrival, reception, and subsequent flowering of Modernism in America. ah300 art of first people (3 credits) Art in relation to the culture of an indigenous population in North or South America, Mesoamerica, or sub-Saharan Africa is examined along with the survival and revival of ancient traditions in modern times. The focus of the course may change as topics are announced through semester
134 course descriptions. The course may be repeated once when content changes. ah303 art of asia (3 credits) The art and culture of Asia is explored, specifically India, China, Japan, Korea, or Southeast Asia. Styles of the area under consideration are studied in various media, including bronze, ceramics, painting, and architecture. Modernist and contemporary developments are considered. The focus of the course may change; topics are announced through semester course descriptions. The course may be repeated once when course content changes. ah310 history of film 1 (3 credits) Film as an art form is explored through a number of possible avenues. This exploration may take a historical and developmental approach, or concentrate on particular writers, directors, genres, motifs, and countries. Readings accompany each film and serve as a basis for discussion. ah311 history of film 2 (3 credits) This course is a continuation of AH310, commencing with German Expressionism and its influence on the American genre of film noir. Extending from the classical through the contemporary cinema, selected American and international films form the basis of an exploration of film artistry, technique and theory. Readings accompany each film and serve as a basis for discussion. History of Film I is not a prerequisite, although it is recommended. ah326 history of photography (3 credits) A topically arranged survey of world photography, this course takes as its central concern the multiple purposes to which photography has been adapted since its “discovery” in the early nineteenth century. Although the relationship between photography and fine art is considered, the many nonart uses of the medium are also discussed in an attempt to better understand the cultural contexts in which photography has been employed.
135 ah330 art and architecture (3 credits) This course is a world-wide survey of exemplary spaces that rely on a positive relationship between architecture and other media, such as sculpture and painting. The role of Nature (the site) is also examined. Videos and site visits supplement slide lectures. ah350 art and design: 1950s (3 credits) Art, architecture and design is explored in relation to postWorld War II trends such as the Baby Boom, the Cold War, consumerism, conformism, gender roles, and civil rights. A focus on Design includes everything from suburbia to furniture and cars. Music, vintage video, and local artifacts bring the decade to life. ah360 the artist and the era (3 credits) A particular artist and cultural milieu is studied, leading to an understanding of how time and place condition creativity as well as the production of art and design. Artists such as Picasso, Duchamp, and Eames have been covered in past semesters. Topics are announced through semester course descriptions. The course may be repeated once when content changes. ah375 african american art (3 credits) The rich and varied artistic production of people of African descent in the United States are surveyed, from the colonial period to the present. The cultural and artistic interchange between West and Central Africa, Europe, and America that created a distinctive African-American artistic tradition and produced a wide range of visual culture–including ceramics, furniture, quilts, architecture, painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, mixed media, installations, performance, and video–is discussed. The contrast between how African Americans represent themselves and how others represent them is an important theme.
ah380 women in art (3 credits) Gender issues as they pertain to women in the history of art are explored. Topics include a historical survey of women artists; the role of women throughout history and how these roles affected the availability of artistic training for women; the representation of women in art; feminist art criticism and theory; and contemporary post-feminist methodologies.
hu102 writing 2 (3 credits) Writing I skills are refined, leading to proficiency in critical thinking and argument, with practice in quoting, summarizing, paraphrasing, and synthesizing information using both MLA and Chicago documentation styles. The coursework culminates in a documented research paper. Prerequisite: HU101
ah420 topics in art history (3 credits) A specialized area of art history is studied. Topics are announced through semester course descriptions. The course may be repeated once when content changes.
HU101 and HU102 are prerequisites for all Liberal Studies courses (prefix AH, HU, SS, MA or NS) at the 200 level or above.
ah450 art history seminar (3 credits) A specific area within art history is explored through structured group discussion and student presentations. Topics may be oriented chronologically, topically, geographically, or monographically, and are announced through semester course descriptions. The course may be repeated once when content changes. Prerequisites: to be determined by individual faculty member.
Humanities hu090 grammar and composition (3 credits) In this course, readings, exercises, and writing assignments are designed to build proficiency in grammatical, mechanical, and organizational principles of college-level writing. This course does not count toward the 120 hours required for graduation. hu101 writing 1 (3 credits) The critical reading and writing skills required for collegelevel work are introduced. Writing assignments move from the personal essay to critical analysis, with emphasis upon thesis, support, organization, standard English grammar, and style. Prerequisite: Successful completion of HU090, ACT English sub-score of at least 19, or SAT verbal score of at least 460.
hu200 introduction to philosophy (3 credits) The primary works in the history of philosophy are examined through critical reading of traditional philosophical problems drawn from the areas of metaphysics, theories of knowledge, philosophy of religion, and ethics. hu203 philosophy and film (3 credits) Classical and contemporary films from Europe, Asia, and the United States form the basis of discussion for complementary readings in philosophical theory. Readings from Classical Greek Philosophy, Rationalism, Empiricism, Modernism, and Postmodernism serve as primary sources. Films are explored for the development of their major philosophical themes. hu205 Elementary logic (3 credits) Basic principles of reasoning assist students in organizing and developing fundamental concepts of logic and information processing. The formulation and assessment of one’s own ideas are facilitated through examples and illustrations. This course fulfills the math requirement. hu210 values in contemporary society (3 credits) Topical ethical issues are analyzed and discussed through readings centered around opposing perspectives on a variety of issues such as censorship, economic justice, racism, and sexism.
136 hu215 literature survey (3 credits) This course is an overview of literary works in their cultural and historical context, drawn from a variety of genres. Written assignments demand critical thinking skills and literary analysis. hu222 philosophy in literature (3 credits) Philosophical themes such as the nature of the self, free will, the problem of evil, theories of knowledge and ethical theory are examined. Readings include plays, short stories, essays, and poetry from American, European, Asian, South American, and African-American sources. hu240 creative writing: fiction (3 credits) Fiction writing is explored as an art form. Working in a variety of fiction genres and styles, students develop strategies for effective communication and expression. hu241 creative writing: poetry (3 credits) This writing intensive course is an introduction to poetics and to poetic language; to the arts of close reading, and to the generative writing of poetry with an emphasis on (and questioning of) constructions of meaning. hu245 survey of world drama (3 credits) This course is a comparative survey of foundational dramatic literatures that explores the cultural, political, economic, and social forces that collide on the stage. A variety of theoretical and methodological approaches are enlisted for such readings. Weekly critical essays punctuate class discussion. hu285 southern literature (3 credits) The interpretation of southern literatures in light of their cultural contexts is emphasized in this survey ranging from the gothic to high modernism and into post-colonial explosions of the notion of the South. Theoretical and methodological approaches are introduced to facilitate interpretation. Weekly critical essays punctuate class discussions.
137 hu290 survey of american popular music 1 (3 credits) The roots of American music from gospel, blues, and country through early jazz and big band eras to the emergence of rhythm and blues and rock and roll are examined. Regional music is emphasized. hu291 survey of american popular music 2 (3 credits) HU290 is continued, beginning with rhythm and blues in the late forties through the development of rock in the early fifties to vocal groups, the Elvis phenomenon, garage bands, and beyond. Memphis music is emphasized.
a research project focused on iconology—on the close reading and interpretation of visual imagery. hu360 modern literature (3 credits) The literature and culture of the Modernist period is examined in this theme-variant course. The focus is on particular experiments, movements, and extensions from American Expatriate writers to the Surrealists and Avant-Garde movements to Negritude, the Harlem Renaissance, and Magical Realism. The course may also include the philosophical underpinnings of Modernism from Symbolism and Structuralism to Existentialism and Poststructuralism. This course may be repeated once when the content changes.
hu340 eastern philosophy and religion (3 credits) Exploring the intersections of the sacred and the secular, this course examines the philosophical, religious, and literary traditions of India, China, and Japan. Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, as well as a historical overview of the emergence of these traditions, form the first portion of the course. Readings in Confucianism, Taoism, and Zen Buddhism, as well as their social practices, form the second part of the course.
hu368 contemporary novel (3 credits) Novels relevant to social and political issues since World War II are examined. Students gain an understanding of these issues as well as a sense of themselves as world citizens.
hu341 the human and the divine (3 credits) The philosophical, religious, and literary traditions of the Middle East and the West are explored through primary texts that include the foundational, mythological worldviews of the early writings of Sumer, Babylonia, Egypt, Persia, and Greece. The biblical tradition of Judaism and Christianity is explored through its historical background and cultural influences. Texts from the Gnostic gospels and the Dead Sea Scrolls are included within the primary source material.
hu387 forms of fiction (3 credits) This course requires the intensive reading of a particular genre and study of its history and development. Topics are announced through semester course descriptions. The course may be repeated once when course content changes.
hu350 text and image (3 credits) The relationship between visual and verbal texts are explored. The first half of the course emphasizes the critical reading and interpretation of foundational texts within their ideological contexts. The second half of the class consists of
hu370 critical writing (3 credits) Students learn to see, analyze, and write about artwork and ideas. Writing assignments include artist’s statements, reviews, essays, and articles about art.
hu391 art speak (3 credits) The vocabulary and discourse formation that centers on art-specific language is examined, using descriptive and interpretative writings by artists, aesthetic theorists, and critics on the nature and function of art, artistic creation, and critical appraisal. The focus of the course is historical, but the major emphasis is on Modernism and Postmodernism.
hu410 philosophy of art (3 credits) This course is a survey of Western philosophy of art from Plato to the present, providing a developmental history of theories concerning the art object, creativity, beauty, and genius, as well as the modern and postmodern aesthetic theories that form the intellectual context of contemporary art. hu420 humanities: special topics (3 credits) A specialized Humanities area is studied. Topics are announced through semester course descriptions. The course may be repeated once when content changes.
Social Sciences ss226 introduction to psychology (3 credits) The discipline of psychology as a science of behavior is introduced. Areas of study include biological aspects of psychology, learning, sensation, perception, personality, abnormal behavior, and social and developmental psychology. ss275 cultural anthropology (3 credits) The origin and development of human culture through social relations, language, government, religion, and ritual are studied, as well as problems relating to developing nations and minority groups in the modern world. ss330 abnormal psychology (3 credits) Mental disorders are surveyed, including their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Emphasis is on anxiety disorders, sexual disorders, dissociative disorders personality disorders, cognitive disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. ss333 film and gender (3 credits) Gender issues in contemporary society (such as sexual identity and difference, sex roles, and cultural divisions) are examined, employing both classical and contemporary films and documentaries. Required readings include
138 selections from psychoanalysis, gender theory, women’s studies and postmodern philosophy. ss342 women’s studies (3 credits) This course is an exploration of the concept of woman and how it has been defined, examined, and represented in Western philosophy, religion, science, psychology, politics, literature and art. ss345 world mythologies (3 credits) The myths, legends, and related images of various cultures are examined as illustrations of major recurring themes in the humanities as well as their connections to modern belief systems. ss375 anthropology of art (3 credits) Art is approached from an anthropological perspective in order to explain its function, diversity, and cultural implications. ss420 social science: special topics (3 credits) A specialized Social Science area is studied. Topics are announced through semester course descriptions. The course may be repeated once when content changes.
Natural Sciences ma165 college mathematics (3 credits) This course explores basic mathematic operations and how they are performed. Topics include operations with whole numbers, fractions, signed numbers, decimals, percents, ratio and proportion, powers and roots, systems of measurement, and elementary and coordinate geometry. ns250 history of science (3 credits) A broad history of scientific thought from the ancient Greeks to the present is studied, culminating in an understanding of changing worldviews and the place of modern science within the intellectual and cultural traditions of Western civilization.
139 ns265 environmental studies (3 credits) The eco-system and its relevance to scientific, cultural, and social issues is studied including an examination of such topics as global systems, organisms, scarcity, environmental law, and environmental art. An environmental conservation project may be included. ns310 anatomy and physiology (3 credits) The structure/function relationships of the human body in the musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems are examined. Overall goals of the course include an understanding of how the body works, knowledge of anatomical and medical terminology and its application, and an appreciation for the elegance of form and function. ns420 natural science: special topics (3 credits) A specialized Natural Science area is studied. Topics are announced through semester course descriptions. The course may be repeated once when content changes.
resources and information Career services At first it may seem a little scary choosing a visual art field as a profession. At Memphis College of Art, we think it’s even scarier to do something for a living that doesn’t make you happy, rather than what you love—make art. That’s why the Career Center is committed to make sure that you follow both your head and your heart. And we know how to help you do just that—in fact 87% of our alumni work in art-related fields. They range from curators and art therapists to college professors and principal designers at their own design firms. They’re medical photographers, sculptors, interior designers, painters, potters, and movie
company vice presidents. They’re doing fine financially. And most importantly, they’re doing what they want. Of course, we believe that the numerous and diverse programs offered through the Career Center have something to do with the success of MCA alumni’s placement rate. On-campus interviewing, internships, career counseling and advising, graduate school workshops, the Career Fair, and our for-credit Professional Practices course are just a sampling of the services and opportunities available to our students throughout the year. Internships are an excellent way for juniors and seniors to get that real world experience (and the ol’ foot in the door) by working with professional artists in the Memphis area and beyond. You can earn up to three hours of academic credit per internship and possibly get paid too. As if that wasn’t enough, the MCA sites approved for internships are top notch: Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Justine Magazine, Sabertooth Games, Memphis Children’s Museum, International Paper, Memphis City Schools, and the Exchange Club are just a sample of the sites where we place our students for internships. Others include: Universal Art Gallery Lantana Projects UrbanArt Commission Delta Axis Jay Etkin Gallery D’edge Art Gallery Challenger Corporation Ducks Unlimited Sabertooth Games/Games Workshop Red Minute Man Press Combustion Design Jeffrey Jacobs Photography Sweeny South Photography Live from Memphis
Silicone Ocular The Exchange Club Family Center South Park Elementary Running Pony Productions Inferno Design Medtronic - Video National Hardwood Lumber Association National Ornamental Metals Museum The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art The Jack Robinson Archive, LLC Archimania Norman Gilbert Photography The Lugar Forge Paradigm Productions C. Mathews Design Roy Tamboli, Sculptor Connect USA, LLC Stax Museum of American Soul Music Creativetime WREG-TV - Channel 3 Chandler Ehrlich St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memphis Black Arts Alliance Cleo Incorporated International Paper Gagosian Galleries, NY Scale Models Unlimited Medtronic Oden & Associates Design Patterson Graham Design David Lusk Gallery The Dixon Galleries and Gardens Star Center- Germantown The National Civil Rights Museum Not surprisingly, these companies, long familiar with the caliber of MCA students, are some of the many that attend our Career Fair each spring. Everyone—freshmen up through final year Graduate students—is welcome to attend this
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140 employment extravaganza. Recruiters from organizations all over the country participate in this event to find their next artist-wunderkind, review student work, interview, and talk about what they’re looking for in an employee. Combustion Design, archer>malmo, David Lusk Gallery, the Urban Art Commission, and WREG-TV are among the many businesses and establishments who regularly make appearances at this annual affair. Additionally, the Coordinator of Career Services is able to offer individual and personalized career counseling to every student, thanks in part to MCA’s intimate size. Everything from tips on resume writing, practice interview sessions, long-term career planning, and assistance with the job search itself is tended to in one-on-one sessions. Graduate school and resume workshops throughout the year (with free pizza at lunchtime sessions!) are also features of Career Services’ programming. Better yet, all of these services are available to both current students and MCA alumni alike, regardless of when you graduate. While you’re a student though, it’s best to take advantage of the Professional Practices course offered every semester and taught by MCA faculty—all of whom are practicing artists and currently exhibiting themselves. The fact that you earn three hours of academic credit for the course is just an added bonus to all the information you will learn: portfolio presentation, dealing with galleries and curators, copyrighting, finding gallery representation, pricing artwork, self-promotion, calls for entry, and much, much more. By the time you’ve finished this course, you’ll be ready to take MoMA by storm! At MCA, our commitment to excellence inside the classroom is matched only by our dedication to all aspects of our students’ artistic and personal growth outside the classroom. Helping you find a way to do what you love for a living is no exception.
Academic policies Academic Distinction The Dean’s List is a designation awarded to full-time undergraduate students who achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5. This designation is noted on their permanent record. Undergraduate students may graduate with honors by fulfilling all BFA degree requirements and by completing at least 49 semester hours at MCA. Graduating with academic distinction requires the following cumulative GPA upon graduation. Cum Laude 3.25-3.49 Magna Cum Laude 3.50-3.79 Summa Cum Laude 3.80-4.00
Academic Probation and Suspension Continuing students at MCA who fail to maintain the grade point average required for class standing will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. A probationary student must consult with his or her advisor and the Assistant to the Dean who will recommend enrollment in no more than 12 semester hours for undergraduate students in order to improve academic standing. At the end of the semester, students who have not raised their grade point average to the required level will be suspended (the student may petition the college to reconsider his or her suspension). During the semester of suspension, the student may not register for any class. The suspended student may enroll after an interval of one semester. Failure to maintain the appropriate grade point average upon re-entrance will result in permanent expulsion. The student may petition the College to reconsider his or her suspension.
Attendance Regular attendance in all classes is required and all work assigned by instructors must be completed by the assigned
due date. Excessive absences or unfinished make-up work will result in a failing grade or dismissal from the course. Continued enrollment is contingent upon regular attendance and satisfactory performance.
Course Load Full-time undergraduate students may take between four and seven courses (12-21 credits) for the same cost. However, 18 credits or more require good academic standing and prior approval from the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A course load of fifteen credits taken per semester will enable students to complete their degree within four years.
Class Standing Freshmen must have a cumulative GPA of at least 1.75 upon completion of 29 semester hours of credit. Sophomores must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 upon completion of 59 credit hours of credit. Juniors must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 upon completion of 89 semester hours of credit. Seniors must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 upon completion of 120 semester hours of credit.
Auditing A Course An audited course does not count as credit toward a degree. Non-degree seeking students may audit any beginning class at the college on a space available basis. To audit upper level classes the student must either complete the prerequisite or beginning course or receive the instructor’s permission to participate in the class. Students who audit are not required to prepare papers or take examinations. Students will receive “AU” on their transcript only if, in the judgment of the instructor, they have attended a sufficient number of classes to deserve the notation.
Academic Fresh Start Academic Fresh Start is a system enabling former MCA students who encountered academic difficulty to re-
turn to the college and petition for a zero grade point average. A “Fresh Start” is available only once and is irrevocable. Students considering this option should consult with an Admissions Counselor. The student must also consult with the Director of Financial Aid as Academic Fresh Start may impact the student’s future Federal Financial Aid eligibility. The Fresh Start petition is submitted to the Admissions Committee and considered as part of re-enrollment and approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Withdrawal from the College Students wishing to withdraw from MCA must do so in writing to the Vice President for Enrollment & Student Services. Absence from classes, non-payment of fees, or verbal notification (without written notification following) will not be regarded as official notice of withdrawal. Failure to formally withdraw from a course or from MCA will result in the grade of “F” for each course.
Leaves of Absence A leave of absence is designed to allow a student to temporarily suspend his/her attendance at MCA with no academic penalty. A leave may be medical, personal, or academic. The student must complete a Leave of Absence form, stating the reason for the leave and the anticipated date he/she will return to normal study. If the student does not return to MCA by the specified date (or in writing request an extension) he/she will need to reapply to the college.
Degree Requirement BFA candidates must complete 120 semester hours of credit. Of these, 75 must be in studio subjects and 45 in liberal studies. In fulfilling undergraduate requirements, the student may not enroll in advanced courses before completing prerequisite courses. It’s the student’s responsibility to know and understand the degree requirements and the
142 needed prerequisites for each course. Assistance from an advisor does not relieve the student from this responsibility. BFA candidates must complete their degree requirements within 10 years of their enrollment date. Candidates wishing to apply credits older than 10 years must have their credits approved by the Admissions Committee.
143 judgment of quality and quantity. The student should be prepared to discuss the work and his or her ideas for continuing growth.
Transfer Credit
Students must file an Advancement to Candidacy form at least one semester prior to the expected date of graduation. The Registrar will ensure that the student has met all the necessary degree requirements in order for the student to be eligible to graduate. There is a $150 graduation fee assessed in the student’s final semester at MCA.
If while enrolled at MCA, you plan to attend another college and apply the credit toward your MCA degree, you must have your plans pre-approved by the Assistant to the Dean before you register. A student may take a maximum of three credits per semester at another institution while simultaneously enrolled at MCA (the mobility Program being the exception). It is the policy of MCA to require students to complete the last 30 credit hours of their degree at MCA.
Right to Use Student Work
International Students
Right to use student work: The College reserves the right to use student work (i.e. images of artwork, video footage, papers) and images and/or video footage of students in publications or other promotions about the College.
There is a special orientation at the beginning of each semester for international students that includes information about the college and its policies, INS regulations, employment, and life in the U.S. and Memphis. The Director of Student Life arranges appointments to take international students to apply for social security cards if they plan to participate in the Work Study program. Students are also given information about health insurance, as international students are required to purchase insurance while at MCA. The Student Services Office provides programs throughout the year for international students in cooperation with area colleges, universities and organizations. International students that plan to travel or apply for employment opportunities can get assistance from the Office of Student Services.
Filing for Graduation
general policies Review Committees The Review Committee requirement at MCA offers a very special opportunity for students to assess their progress. Review Committees enable students to consider their achievements outside the grading process. These meetings provide a give and take of artistic ideas and principles that can be beneficial and can lead to the exploration of new ideas and the development of new skills. The Review Committee program requires each student to meet once each year with a three-member faculty committee to assess academic and artistic progress. The primary function of the Review Committee is to evaluate a student’s work, to offer counsel for improvement, and to recommend specific academic options. The student should offer a variety of work presented in a professional manner to allow a fair
Health/Medical Resources and Insurance MCA strongly encourages all students to carry some basic form of health insurance, international students are required to carry health insurance. It may seem expensive, but the cost of one trip to the emergency room for even a minor emergency could exceed a year’s worth of major medical insurance premiums. For students’
convenience there are brochures available in the Office of Student Services. Referrals for health care for students with or without insurance can be made through the Office of Student Services. A list of Physicians can be found in the MCA Student Handbook. Affordable dental care can be provided through the University of Tennessee Medical Group for preventative and emergency care. Counseling and psychological services can be referred through the Office of Student Services. MCA students can receive assistance through the Psychological Services Center at the University of Memphis at very affordable rates.
Student Alliance The Student Alliance (SA) at MCA is the formal representative of the student body. The SA works closely with the Office of Student Life through elected representatives. Students plan entertainment events, film series, and exhibitions in the student gallery space. Student government funds are generated by the student activity fee. The SA’s elected representatives are responsible for the administration of these funds. Meetings of the elected representatives are held weekly throughout the semester, and these meetings are open to any student. Your participation in student government is in your self-interest.
Supply Store The Supply Store is operated by the Art Center and is located on the first floor off the lower gallery. Students receive a 15% discount with valid student ID. The supply store is open weekdays when classes are in session: 8:30am to 2pm Monday through Friday, and 4:30pm to 7:30pm Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Snack Bar/Meal Plan MCA’s Sleaze and Slime Snack Bar is open for breakfast and lunch every weekday and evenings Monday through Thursday. Meal plans are available through the MCA Business Office.
Work Study Program Students who have been awarded Work Study through the admissions or financial aid process may work at the college during the academic year and in some cases during the summer months. The Work Study program provides students the opportunity to work while in college in a safe, comfortable and flexible environment. Undergraduate students are paid by the hour. The rate for the 2008-2009 year is $7.00 per hour. Students may sign up for a Work Study job during the enrollment period at the beginning of the semester. Work Study checks are distributed monthly. Students may check with the Business Office for pay schedules each semester. Disclaimer: This publication contains information on current programs of study, courses, faculty, academic schedules, and policies and procedures. For more information on Memphis College of Art, please view our web site (www.mca.edu). The information in this publication is accurate to the best of the administration’s knowledge at the time of printing. MCA reserves the right to change any curricular offering, policy governing students, or financial regulations without notice as the requirements of MCA demand.
144 Administration | faculty
145 Dover, Gordon Director of Institutional Technology
Hurd, Geno Safety Officer
Sherry, Samantha Admissions Counselor
Fish, Danette Business Office Manager
Kelley, Bowman Systems Administrator
Strachan, Karen Associate Director of Admissions
Gates, Brian Patrol Officer-Sargent
Kelly, Donald Campus Safety Supervisor
Walker, Ashley Community Education Associate
Gerken, Mike Assistant Director of Maintenance
McDaniel, Henry Director of Student Life
Warner, Lee Ann Director of Alumni Affairs & Donor Relations
Gibson, Deborrah Executive Office Manager
McNeal, David Director of Campus Safety
Williams, Bryan Maintenance Assistant
Haynes, Monica Registrar
Molinary, Mary Assistant to the Dean
Ziegemeier, Kara Financial Aid Administrator
Henriksen, Katey Assistant Director of Admissions
Moore, Annette James Director of Admissions
Zvolanek, Jeff Director of Maintenance
Holladay, Lynn Director of Financial Aid
Palazola, Cecilia (Cece) Director of Community Education
Faculty Emeriti
Boyd, Angela Safety Officer
Holland, Leslie Librarian
Ragland, Heather Bookkeeper/Benefits Manager
Dolph Smith, Professor (1965-1995)
Boyland, Terry Accounts Payable
Houk, Ken Shop Supervisor
Ratliff, Christopher Library Assistant
Bolin, Nona Professor, Liberal Studies
Byrd, Michelle Public Relations Director
Houston, Terrence Snack Bar Manager
Sellers, Shannon Admissions Counselor
Burton, Fred Professor, Fine Arts
Creson, Gadsby Career Services Coordinator
Huffman, Anna Visual Arts Resource Librarian
Shanks, Rickey Safety Control Officer-Front Desk
Cafiero, Haley Morris Instructor, Fine Arts
Administration/Staff Jeffrey D. Nesin President Ken Strickland VP for Academic Affairs Sherry Yelvington VP for Finance & Administration Susan Miller VP for Enrollment & Student Services Kim Williams VP for Institutional Advancement Austin, Ben Safety Officer Batts, Russell Safety Officer
Veda Reed, Professor (1956-1999)
Full Time Faculty
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147
Canfield, Rob Instructor, Liberal Studies
Priddy, Joel Associate Professor, Design Arts
Chioffi, David Associate Professor, Design Arts
Ramsey, Dr. James Associate Professor, Liberal Studies
Daugherty, Dr. Ellen Assistant Professor, Liberal Studies
Rhem, Marjorie Assistant Professor, Liberal Studies
Davila, Maritza Professor, Fine Arts Duran, Dr. Adrian Assistant Professor, Liberal Studies Kee, Elvis Professor, Design Arts Lee, Tom Professor, Fine Arts Maakestad, Susan Associate Professor, Fine Arts Massoni, Anne Assistant Professor, Fine Arts Miller, Remy Professor, Fine Arts Paine, Howard Associate Professor; Director of MFA Graduate Studies Price, William Assistant Professor, Fine Arts
Part Time Faculty Allen, Haelim Choi Instructor, Fine Arts Avis, John Instructor, Liberal Studies Best, Susan Instructor, Fine Arts
Riseling, Robert Professor, Fine Arts
Burton, David Instructor, Liberal Studies
Root, Meredith Assistant Professor, Design Arts
Chappell, Tyson Instructor, Liberal Studies
Sargent, Jennifer Associate Professor, Fine Arts; Director of Exhibitions Spence, Betty Assistant Professor, Liberal Studies Thompson, Cynthia Associate Professor, Fine Arts Urrutia, Leandra Assistant Professor, Fine Arts Wilson, Dr. Catherine Associate Prof; Director of Graduate Studies in Education Wissmiller, Jill Assistant Professor, Design Arts
Cook, Morgan Instructor, Fine Arts DuMont, Don Instructor, Design Arts Edwards, Jeannine Instructor, Liberal Studies Foster, Diane Instructor, Liberal Studies
Huffman, Anna Instructor, Design Arts/Art Humphries, Bruce Instructor, Foundations Kitts, Judith Instructor, Liberal Studies Nesin, Diane Graduate Advisor Williams, Treasure Instructor, Liberal Studies Wright, Tad Lauritzen Instructor, Fine Arts
Board of Trustees Officers Chair: Robert (Robin) Smithwick III Vice Chair: Margaret Metz Vice Chair: Gary Backaus, BFA ‘84
Halstead, Deborah Instructor, Liberal Studies
Treasurer: Bryan M. Eagle III
Hein, Nathaniel Instructor, Fine Arts
Secretary: Ellen Klyce
Herrman, Christine Instructor, Liberal Studies
Assistant Secretary: Kathryn G. Cannon
148 Members Barbara Andrews Irene Ayotte Alison Barton Anise Belz John H. Dobbs, Jr.
149 Visiting Artists
MEMBERSHIPS
Ghada Amer, Fiber, New York
Advertising Federation of Memphis
Janine Antoni, Sculpture, New York Polly Apfelbaum, Fibers/Painting, New York
American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers
Ann Chamberlain, Printmaking, San Francisco Willie Cole, Sculpture/Mixed Media, New Jersey Petah Coyne, Sculptor/Installation, New York Annet Couwenberg, Fibers, Baltimore Rineke Dijkstra, Photographer, The Netherlands
Doug Ferris
Lesley Dill, Mixed Media, New York
Robert F. Fogelman II
Carson Fox, Papermaking, New Jersey Luis Gonzales Palma, Photographer, Guatemala
Molitor Ford, Jr.
Andy Grundberg, Photo Critic, Washington, D.C.
R. Marsh Gibson
Dave Hickey, Author/Critic, Los Angeles
American Crafts Council American Library Association Art Library Society of North America Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design Association of Memphis Colleges and Universities Memphis Area Consortium College Art Association
Tom Huck, Printmaking, St. Louis Cecil C. Humphreys, Jr.
Jeanne Jaffe, Printmaking/Sculpture, Philadelphia
Rose Johnston
Tracy Krumm, Sculpture/Fibers/Metals, Colorado
Lucy Lee Jimmy Lewis C. Penn Owen III Baylor Ledbetter Stovall Carroll Todd, BFA ‘76 Philip Zanone, Jr. Trustees Emerita/Emeritus Eleanor Baer Robert Fogelman
Peter Kruty, Printmaking, Brooklyn Julia Kunin, Sculpture, New York
National Association of Schools Financial Aid Administrators Tennessee Association of Schools Financial Aid Administrators Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association
Juan Logan, Mixed Media, North Carolina Trinh T. Minha, Author/Filmmaker/Critic, Berkley Chris Nau, Painting/Installation, Boston Liliana Porter, Photographer, New York Juan Sanchez, Printmaker, New York Alec Soth, Photographer, Minneapolis Nancy Murphy Spicer, Painting/Installation, Boston Barron Storey, Illustrator/Painter/Performance, San Francisco William Wiley, Painter, San Francisco Su-en Wong, Painter, New York
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities National Portfolio Day Association
CREATING POSSIBILITIES A small, progressive college entirely dedicated to artists and designers is not for everyone. But if you think you might be one of us, you should spend some time learning more about MCA. Hit our website at www.mca.edu. Send an email to info@mca.edu. Or if you’d like to hear a totally unbiased opinion, try askastudent@mca.edu and one of MCA’s current students will answer all your questions about what it’s like to be here.