Undergraduate General Visual Arts Courses (VIS)

VIS 1000–2999 (lower level)
VIS 3000–3999 (upper level)
VIS 4000–4999 (upper level)

Note: In sequenced courses (e.g., I, II, III, IV), successful completion of each course is a prerequisite for the next course in the sequence. For example, VIS 2120/Crossover I is a prerequisite for VIS 3120/Crossover II.

VIS 1000–2999:

Art+Design Freshman Seminar
VIS 1030 / 0 credits / Fall
Incoming freshmen are introduced to the School of Art+Design and the larger Purchase College community. The seminar includes field trips to New York City, visiting artist lectures, presentations on the different majors offered by the School of Art+Design, and selected readings that relate to work in foundation courses. Required for all visual arts majors in the freshman year.

Added Summer 2012 (1/05/12):
The Photographic Artist’s Book
SOA 2025 / 4 credits / Summer (offered in Italy)
Students create a photographic essay that is inspired by their observations and experiences of Pisciotta. The development of content and narrative strategies, along with a consideration of sequence, rhythm, and layout in books, is discussed. Working with digital cameras (a simple one is fine) and Internet publishing, each student creates a self-published book. Offered as SOA 2025 for students in other disciplines.

Added Spring 2012 (2/22/11):
Wordless Books: The Original Graphic Novel
VIS 2050 / 3 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Wordless books, or novels in pictures, are from the early 20th century. Using the medium of woodcuts, artists like Frans Masereel were able to create complex narratives told only with images. This course examines the history of these books and how they are relevant today. Students learn how to effectively plan, develop, and create a hand-printed woodcut novel. Offered as SOA 2050 for students in other disciplines.

Color Seminar
VIS 2110 / 4 credits / Every semester
Color is the most relative of all visual attributes. The seminar makes use of this relativity as the means by which visual awareness is heightened and refined through fundamental studies in color action and interaction. This is not a course in color theory; rather, it is a practicum in color as experienced. Mastery of basic color grammar and syntax leads to a personal sense of looking and expression. Offered as SOA 2010 for students in other disciplines.

SOA crosslistings added, VDE 2110 crosslisting phased out, prerequisite added Spring 2010 (10/08/09):
Crossover I and II
VIS 2120 and 3120 / 4 credits (per semester)
Special topic (offered irregularly)
These cross-disciplinary courses for students in the visual and performing arts provide an opportunity for sharing knowledge of the materials and processes used in creative endeavors. Studio visits with artists and performers who are engaged in interdisciplinary work focus on a central theme, which structures three required interdependent term projects. Curatorial gallery lectures augment contemporary and historical perspectives. VIS 2120 is offered as SOA 2040 for students in other disciplines. VIS 3120 is designed for students who wish to pursue in greater depth the issues exemplified in VIS 2120, and is offered as SOA 3040 for students in other disciplines.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Collage
VIS 2200 / 4 credits / Fall
The collage medium is often associated with Cubism because it has the power to both fracture and reassemble shapes and images. This course explores the fabrication of two-dimensional artworks, using a variety of materials (both found and created), including paper, fabric, wood, metal, and string, along with drawing and painting elements. Offered as SOA 2020 for students in other disciplines.

VIS 3000–3999:

Reinstated Fall 2009 (2/11/09; SOA crosslisting added and description revised):
Art in the Age of Electronic Media
VIS 3000 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
An overview of electronic media and its relationship to the fine arts. This course covers the genre from its infancy to the present and focuses on the study of the art and artists critical to the genre’s development. Lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and visiting artists are augmented by assigned readings, critical writing, and examinations. Offered as NME 3000 for new media majors and SOA 3001 for students in all other disciplines.

Internet as Public Art
VIS 3040 Refer to NME 3040 in New Media Courses (School of Film and Media Studies) for description.

Master Class: Applied Design
VIS 3060 / 2–4 credits / Every semester
Coordinated by faculty in Art+Design, this master class includes guest lectures by the resident artist in the Center for Applied Design and focuses on areas related to the particular artist’s pursuits. Students engage in collaborative research and studio production as they explore the cultural relevance and social impact of objects. Open to students in other disciplines; may be taken a maximum of three times for credit.
Prerequisite: VSC 1020 and 2080, or permission of instructor

Crossover II
VIS 3120 Refer to VIS 2120 and 3120 for description.

Added Spring 2011 (9/20/10):
Real-Time Media Processing
VIS 3230 Refer to NME 3230 in New Media Courses (School of Film and Media Studies) for description.

Added Spring 2009 (10/07/08):
Contemporary Art Theory
VIS 3400 / 3 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Contemporary art theory is examined in a historical context, illustrating how theory illuminates, defines, and shapes the meaning of images. The roots of modern and postmodern art theory are examined through critical readings, lectures, slide presentations, and artists’ documents. Assignments include group discussions based on the readings and presentations, critical papers, and a final research paper. Offered as SOA 3200 for students in other disciplines.

Added Spring 2010 (9/15/09):
Video Performance
VIS 3435 Refer to NME 3435 in New Media Courses (School of Film and Media Studies) for description.

Contemporary Issues in Art
VIS 3440 / 2 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
An introduction to contemporary art theory, criticism, and contemporary practice. Using 20th-century and contemporary artwork and ideas, artists’ writings, and other readings, students are exposed to a variety of contemporary art and encouraged to widen their visual vocabulary. A research component is required.
Prerequisite: Four semesters of visual arts studio courses

SOA crosslisting added and description modified Fall 2011 (5/09/11):
Special Topic Colloquium
VIS 3470 / 2 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
This colloquium augments the Art+Design undergraduate program by focusing on the independent research of a current M.F.A. student with advanced standing. The graduate student shares his or her unique research through readings, workshop activities, studio critiques, writing, and other assignments. Open to all visual arts majors; offered as SOA 3170 for students in other disciplines.

Reinstated Spring 2011 with new crosslistings (10/22/10):
The Arts for Social Change
VIS 3500 / 3 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Public art is used in this course to promote community engagement and cross-cultural interaction. Students use established, recognized methods of collaboration to explore local community issues, concluding with the physical implementation and exhibition of student-led solutions. Offered as SOC 3237 for sociology majors and SOA 3237 for students in other disciplines.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing

Added Spring 2010 (9/15/09):
Community-Centered Media
VIS 3545 Refer to NME 3545 in New Media Courses (School of Film and Media Studies) for description.

Added Spring 2010 (9/15/09):
Interactive Installation: Hacking the Everyday
VIS 3720 Refer to NME 3720 in New Media Courses (School of Film and Media Studies) for description.

Experimental Web Practice
VIS 3770 Refer to NME 3770 in New Media Courses (School of Film and Media Studies) for description.

Prerequisite/corequisite removed Fall 2011 (8/25/11):
Undergraduate Learning Assistant
VIS 3800 / 2 credits / Every semester
Students assist faculty members with the delivery of an undergraduate studio course. Duties include grading, demonstrations, and other tasks assigned by the faculty sponsor. A maximum of 4 credits in VIS 3800 (or a combined maximum of 6 credits in VIS 3800 and VDR/VPA/VPH/VSC 3950) may be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.

Added Spring 2011 (2/07/11):
Artist Assistant
VIS 3920 / Variable credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Students assist visiting resident artists in the School of Art+Design or the Neuberger Museum of Art with the creation of a new work. Duties are assigned, overseen, and evaluated by the faculty sponsor and may include fabrication, technical support, rendering, printing, or other artistic practices.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

VIS 4000–4999:

Teaching Practicum
VIS 4010 / 2 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Provides pedagogical methods for the teaching assistantship experience. Students examine different approaches to the teaching of art through readings, discussions, and research. Topics and activities include syllabi formatting, common teaching problems, role-playing classroom situations, and course development.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Performance Art I
VIS 4440 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
An introduction to performance art as a creative, visual, experiential, and time-based medium. Through theme-based performance projects, students learn methods of creating and documenting unique performance pieces and installations. Projects include live performances, video and photo documentation of private actions, interactive pieces, and sculpture/installation works. Students are introduced to significant historical works as well as the work of contemporary and emerging performance artists. All mediums and backgrounds welcome. Offered as SOA 4010 for students in other disciplines.

Description modified Fall 2011 (4/27/11):
Field Trips
VIS 4470 / 4 credits / Fall
The class meets at various museums, galleries, and alternative spaces in and around New York City, where students encounter a wide range of media, aesthetic sensibilities, and institutional settings. At least one class is devoted to discussing student work in relation to concepts explored during the field trips. Student-funded travel required.

Senior Project (Two Semesters)
VIS 4990 / 4 credits per semester / Every semester
The two-semester, 8-credit senior project is required for all visual arts majors in their senior year. It is an intensive independent study undertaken with faculty sponsorship, in which students pursue a particular theme or topic as a culmination of their undergraduate experience. A written thesis and visual documentation of the project must be submitted to the Library before graduation.

Senior Project (One Semester)
VIS 4991 / 8 credits / Every semester
This is a one-semester variant of the two-semester VIS 4990 requirement. Students who wish to pursue their entire senior project in one semester register with this course number.
Prerequisite: Permission of the senior project advisor and the director of Art+Design

Updated Jan. 5, 2012

Updates
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