Course Listings
FA508
The Filtered Intent
Units:3
A 3-unit MFA Studio class that is entirely focused on painting and or drawing compositions that support the clear objectives of the individual artist. Four distinctly different approaches will be incorporated: 1 Formal, 2 Exploratory, 3 Persuasive, and 4 Disruptive. Aside from the content, what makes this format unique is that 4 different artists will teach and work alongside the students while they, demonstrate, lecture and critique. The selected artists will each have their own unique “filter” or approach suited to the defined approach (formal, exploratory, persuasive, or disruptive). and the students will experience, first hand, the thoughts and actions taken toward the objective. The course will expand awareness of the options and approaches to representational art. A variety of materials, mindsets, and methodology will be introduced.
FA507
The Filtered Photo
Units:3
The Filtered Photo is a 3 unit MFA Studio class is focused on skillful incorporation of photography involved in the development of a work of art. What makes it unique is that several guest artists will work along side the students while they, demonstrate, lecture and critique. The selected artists will each have their own unique “filter” or approach and the students will experience, first hand, the steps taken and results achieved. The course will expand awareness of the options and approaches to representational art. It is intended that a variety of materials, mindsets, and methodology will be introduced. This class can be repeated.
FA528
The Filtered Figure
Units:3
The live human figure will be the constant theme of this 3 unit MFA studio class. A variety of accomplished guest artists will teach while they paint the figure along with the students. Every few weeks a new guest artist will direct the class and share their own “filter” on how they approach this timeless subject in a personal and relevant way leading to a finished work of Art. Multiple visiting artists will insure diversity while continuity will be provided by MFA Chairman Peter Zokosky.
FA527
Creative Investigation
Units:3
Creative Investigation is a three unit Graduate level studio class designed to expand the options and approaches to representational art, foster creativity, learn valuable new skills, generate authentic ideas, and enhance intellectual engagement. A variety of materials, mindsets, and challenges will be introduced. While this course is specifically designed for new MFA students, it will also provide stimulating content for returning students.
FA529
The Filtered Portrait
Units:3
This 3 unit MFA Studio class is entirely focused on painting portraits, what makes it unique is that different guest artists will work along side the students while they, demonstrate, lecture and critique. The selected artists will each have their own unique “filter” or approach and the students will experience, first hand, the steps taken and results achieved. The course will expand awareness of the options and approaches to portraiture. It is intended that a variety of materials, mindsets, and methodology will be introduced.
FA616
Color: Composition and Psychology
Units:3
This course guides students in producing and assembling a body of work that is cohesive in methodology and concept and exemplifies the student's direction or focus in fine arts. Under faculty supervision, the student first develops a proposal that defines the parameters of the project, such as the number of pieces, conceptual concerns, stylistic direction, and technical scope. Students are then guided in preparing a body of work based upon personal choice, strengths, and interests. Individual and group critiques are scheduled with LCAD faculty and guest artists throughout the semester. Most Fine Arts seniors have an opportunity to work independently in the Fine Arts Senior Studio.
FA505
Contemporary Issues: Methods + Meanings
Units:3
This graduate level studio course is designed to explore and enhance the connection between materials, methods and the resultant meaning of the artwork. Different representational genres will be introduced with specific challenges tailored to expand artistic options and identify methods most appropriate for one's intentions. While this course is designed for new students, it will benefit returning students equally.
FA504
Concepts of Narrative Fig Comp
Units:3
This course draws on contemporary and classical sources, both literary and visual, to create narrative works. Lessons in constructing narrative compositions will be drawn from old masters and current practitioners, and readings from pertinent texts will supplement and inform the strategies for placing the historical, psychological, and personal narratives into a contemporary visual translation.
FA503
Grad Tpx Figure Painting
Units:3
The human figure occupies various positions on the spectrum between the analytically anatomical to the purely poetic. This course will explore the expressive and descriptive potential of the human form in the individual’s art. Sighting methods for accuracy will be introduced along with strategies employing intentional distortion and simplification to amplify expressive potential. Correct as well as convincing placement of the figure in the environment will be covered.
FA502
Studio Production Intensive
Units:3
This studio course is tailored to the student who wants to maximize productive work and seriously curtail procrastination. Heightened accountability, time management, breaking large projects into reasonable tasks, and clarification of one's goals are integral parts of this focused course. The projects will be self-selected and likely aimed at one's thesis body of work. This course is ideal for anyone in their last semester preparing for their thesis show, but students at any level are welcome.
FA501
Private Expression/Public Exposure
Units:3
In this studio course will explore and develop personal content and examine the ramifications of public exposure. Research and strategies for connecting the intensely private and the universally accessible will be examined. Approaches will include content layering, developing personal narratives and mythodologies, metaphorical expression, and the psychology of composition. Learning to identify one's own internal dialogue, clarify the psychological threads, and discovering the best means to deliver your intended meaning.
FA530
Nature as Metaphor
Units:3
A 3-unit MFA studio class that will focus on drawing and painting derived from direct observation of the natural world and the artistic interpretation of that realm. Plein air painting as well as still life will be included in creative challenges. Students will be encouraged to seek personal symbolism and artistic potential in natural structure, systems, design, and cycles.
FA509
The Filtered Narrative
Units:3
This 3 credit MFA studio class utilizes several guest teachers with the focus on the topic of Narrative. Projects are designed to focus on effective construction and expression toward the desired outcome. The importance of "story telling" wherein all elements support the artist’s intent will be explored. The guest artists will present specific prompts designed to elevate the ability to convey one's chosen narrative. Historic and contemporary achievements will be examined.
FA510
Master's Secrets: Past + Present
Units:3
This 3-unit MFA Studio class is focused on painting and drawing methods passed down in workshops or ateliers. Academic practices like cast drawings and drawing from Bargue plates will be introduced. Efficient studio practices like limited palettes, color theory and design strategies will be covered. The course will expand awareness of the options and approaches in traditional and contemporary representational art. A variety of materials, mindsets, and methodology will be introduced and practiced.
FA511
Color and Figuration: Intermediate Figur
Units:3
A continuation of painting the life model, emphasizing observation and accurate representation. Students convincingly depict the life model through the study of light sources, color palettes, and compositional devices using various painting techniques. Projects include a draped figure and extended poses with the figure in an environment. Graduate students in need of skill building may enroll in this course at the recommendation of the MFA Chair and will be given added challenges including a 15-week figurative painting as well as a presentation on individual research.
FA512
Advanced Portraiture
Units:3
This course is a masters level portrait class. The creation of engaging portraits will be explored. Our models will be diverse, presenting unfamiliar challenges. Technical options will be covered. Creative approaches will be encouraged. Human geographic adaptation, and how it influences appearance will be discussed.
LA602
Experimental Game Design
Units:3
This course is a masters level portrait class. The creation of engaging portraits will be explored. Our models will be diverse, presenting unfamiliar challenges. Technical options will be covered. Creative approaches will be encouraged. Human geographic adaptation, and how it influences appearance will be discussed.
LA508
Thesis Development
Units:3
Through an in-depth focus on the masters of game design and their methodologies, techniques and process, students begin to formulate a vocabulary and a dialog to create a supportive document for their thesis game. Students in Art of Game Design create an innovative and theoretically informed body of work that is exhibited in a manner and context that supports its creative content. In the thesis, students will produce a written component that addresses the theoretical premise of the work.
LA521
Management Psychology
Units:3
This course will be a survey and analysis into the various forms of how monetization is utilized within the game industry. Students can expect to learn how game developers implement monetization strategies surrounding crowd funding, in game advertising, Free to Play models, and more traditional publisher / developer business models. This course will be divided up into three sections. Firstly, a critical analysis of a wide range of successful monetization models in gaming such as Candy Crush, Guild Wars 2, Clash of Clans, etc. Secondly is creating a monetization plan for a game you are/will be creating planning out data tracking, marketing, pitch documents, etc., Thirdly a proof of concept of an approved plan in development using third party tools, marketing materials, or any form of media pertinent to student’s development project.
LA625
MFA Thesis 1
Units:2
LA620
This specialized course is designed to develop the MFA Thesis: a substantial summative statement analyzing and explaining the student's final studio work in the MFA program. More than a mere artist statement, the writing is to be a formal academic analysis (of approximately 8,000 words), which will be submitted at the end of the final semester of study to stand in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Fine Arts. This MFA Thesis will describe the studio project fully, integrate the student's understanding of historical and contemporary issues with themes that the student is exploring in her or his studio practice, explain the research and methodology behind the creation of the art itself, describe any self-imposed limitations, and present a sufficiently developed justification of the artwork.
LA626
MFA Thesis 2
Units:2
LA625
This specialized course is designed to develop the MFA Thesis: a substantial summative statement analyzing and explaining the student's final studio work in the MFA program. More than a mere artist statement, the writing is to be a formal academic analysis (of approximately 8,000 words), which will be submitted at the end of the final semester of study to stand in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Fine Arts. This MFA Thesis will describe the studio project fully, integrate the student's understanding of historical and contemporary issues with themes that the student is exploring in her or his studio practice, explain the research and methodology behind the creation of the art itself, describe any self-imposed limitations, and present a sufficiently developed justification of the artwork.
LA627
MFA Thesis 3
Units:2
LA626
This specialized course is designed to develop the MFA Thesis: a substantial summative statement analyzing and explaining the student's final studio work in the MFA program. More than a mere artist statement, the writing is to be a formal academic analysis (of approximately 8,000 words), which will be submitted at the end of the final semester of study to stand in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Fine Arts. This MFA Thesis will describe the studio project fully, integrate the student's understanding of historical and contemporary issues with themes that the student is exploring in her or his studio practice, explain the research and methodology behind the creation of the art itself, describe any self-imposed limitations, and present a sufficiently developed justification of the artwork.
LA505
Thesis Development 1
Units:4
Awaiting description from Department Chair.
LA520
Figuration & Modernism
Units:3
This course traces the major movements and canonical figures of Modernism from 1850-1960. The theoretical underpinnings of Modernism are examined through selected readings. The course will follow the path of representational art and how it was influenced by Modernist theories and processes throughout the first half of the 20th century.
LA608
Thesis 1
Units:5
Thesis Development is an in-depth focus on the masters of game design and their methodologies, techniques, and processes. Students will formulate a vocabulary and a dialog with which they will begin to create a supportive document for their thesis game. In Art of Game Design, students create an innovative and theoretically informed body of work that is exhibited in a manner and context that supports its creative content. Building upon the foundations established during GA508, students in Thesis Project Directed Study 1 will continue developing a written component that addresses the theoretical premise of their work alongside their business and marketing plans, as well as a thorough and polished game design document (GDD).