VISUAL STUDIES
(AS) {VLST}
We live in an increasingly visual culture. New technologies
and philosophies of vision influence how we see ourselves
and our world, and how we think about seeing itself. Students
can engage these developments through a multidisciplinary
course of study, connecting the theory, practice, and
culture of seeing.
L/R 101. Eye, Mind, and Image. (C) May be counted toward the Hum/SocSci
or NatSci/Math Sectors. Class of 2010. Holod, Brainard.
Also fulfills General Requirement in Science Studies
for Class of 2009 and prior.
Visual Studies 101 provides an introduction to a variety of
approaches to understanding the nature of seeing, with
attention to its physiological, environmental and cultural
bases. As part of this introduction, the course
willattempt to compare and contrast to the way that
artists, art historians, philosophers, and scientists
consider the same broad set of issues. The course
will typically be co-taught by two faculty whose expertise
represents two of these different approaches, and whos
lectures will attempt to make explicit connections
between different styles of intellectual endeavor. In
this sense, the course is a microcosm of the visual
studies major.
The topics include
- The eye, light and visual system, including both
our modernunderstanding and a disucssion of how this
understanding developed over time. - The eye
and culture, with particular emphasis on artistic depictions
and concepts of the role of vision in society. - How
perceptual abilities are measured in the lab, and the
relationship between seeing and measurement and science.
Perception and depiction of scenes, including depth,
color, and motion. - How culture endows visual attributes
(e.g. color) with meaning. - Depicting the body;
seeing the self. - Visual memory and visual cognition. -
Philosophy of seeing and science. What does it
mean to see? How do we know what we see? Is
seeing believing?
102. 2 Dimensions: Forms and Meanings.
(C) Tilestone,
Copeland.
This course will introduce students to the basic concepts
of two dimensional studio practice and visual communication. Materials
will range from traditional drawing materials such
as charcoal and pencil to digital photography, and
will explore the use of diverse visual languages.
Emphasis will be on both formal and conceptual issues,
such as developing meaning through imagery, narrative,
metaphor, and visual modes in contemporary culture.Projects
will be structured to deal with basic concepts and techniques,
and prepare students to use the studio practice as a
form of participation in contemporary culture. Assorted
readings will accompany the studio projects each week,
covering topics ranging from color theory to critical
and theoretical issues in Visual Culture.
103. 3 Dimensions: Time and Space.
(C) Kaczynski,
Copeland.
This course will cover the basic concepts of three dimensional
design and sculpture such as volume and mass, scale,
materiality, form and meaning, context, organic vs.
geometric, etc. Students will also be introduced
to more contemporary areas of artmaking such as conceptual
art, installation, and video and other time based arts. Projects
will use both traditional sculptural materials as well
as some "non-art" materials.
SM 395. Senior Project. (E) Prerequisite(s): Permission of Instructor
Required. See department for appropriate section
numbers. See department for appropriate section numbers.
399.
Independent Study. Staff.
See department for appropriate section numbers.
