a c a d e m i c p r o g r a m sCollege of Arts and Sciences - Curriculum Guide
Art and Architecture
George H. Thrush, MArch, Associate Professor and Acting Chair Professor
Mardges Bacon, PhD
Elizabeth C. Cromley, PhDAssociate Professors
Edwin C. Andrews, MFA
Mira Cantor, MFA
Julie M. Curtis, MFA
T. Neal Rantoul, MFAAssistant Professors
Sung Ho Kim, MS Arch
Ann L. McDonald, MFA
Thomas Starr, MFA
Philip H. Walsh, PhD
Peter H. Wiederspahn, MArchLecturers
Cynthia L. Baron, MBA
Nathan W. Bishop, BS
Edith M. Bresler, BFA
Anne-Sophie Divenyi, MArch
Garen B. Gregorian, MSCE
Michael T. Grant, MArch
Patricia L. Heyda, MArch
Timothy W. Hyde, MArch
John Kane, BA
Lisa H. Kessler, MS
Douglas K. Kornfeld, MFA
Jay Laird, BS
Mark J. Laughlin, BFA
Erica Licea-Kane, MFA
Matthew Littell, MArch
Jodie A. Manasevit, MFA
Olivia B. McCullough, MAE
Robert W. Millard, MFA
Mark E. Pasnik, MAUD
Nina R. Pattek, MFA
Andrea Raynor, MFA
Neil Rennie, MFA
Yuri Sebata, MFA
Scott A. Slarsky, MArch
Phillip K. Smith III, BFA
Lawrence C. Volk, MFAThe visual arts are our oldest form of artistic expression. The ability to understand and use visual language is an increasingly important part of contemporary education.
The department aims to introduce art and architecture as both historical disciplines and creative activities; to offer a focused study of the visual arts, either through a critical examination of the language and the content of art and architecture within the context of a particular historical period, or through hands-on experience in a studio setting; and to offer a solid academic foundation for careers in architecture, media arts and design (graphic design), photography, and teaching the history and the practice of art.
Cooperative education placements for art majors include positions in architecture and design firms, photography labs and studios, museums, libraries, historical collections, and archives.
The city of Boston, with its superb architecture, museums, galleries, cinemas, and public library, is a primary resource for the department. Encouraging students to take advantage of these resources is a significant aim of the department. In addition, many of Boston's leading artists, architects, photographers, and designers teach our studio courses.
Students wishing to be accepted to the art major or minor as internal transfer students must petition the department chair. Acceptance into the major will be based on students having met the department's criteria for admission (see College of Arts and Sciences Guidebook) and availability of space in the program. See course descriptions for more information.
For admission to the media arts and design (graphic design), photography, animation, or general art programs, students must present a portfolio of artwork showing the quality of their long-term involvement in art. Send this to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions with your application to Northeastern University. Clearly indicate to which program (concentration or major) within the Art and Architecture department you are applying. Final acceptance into the animation concentration is determined in the sophomore year after review of work from freshman courses and animation basics.
Portfolio Instructions: Portfolios must include fifteen slides of your original artwork in an 8 1/2" x 11" plastic slide sheet. All slides should be clearly numbered and labeled on the front with your name, title of work, date completed, dimensions, and media used. The top of the work is indicated by an arrow. Photographic work may instead be submitted as prints, with the maximum size of 11" x 14", not to exceed fifteen prints. These should either be mounted (maximum 11" x 14") or submitted in a book with plastic sleeves to protect the work. Each print should have the applicantıs name, address, title of work, and date completed on the back. Also on the back of each print, indicate whether you printed the image or whether it was printed at a lab. In addition, the portfolio must contain: a typed slide inventory list with your name, address, telephone number, and Social Security number at the top, and your intended area of concentration or major in art, architecture, or design; a separate, typed, one-page artistıs statement describing your artwork, your background and interest in art or architecture, your goals, and your artistic influences (perhaps including one or two contemporary artists whose work you admire); and, if you would like your work returned, a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Curriculum
Major in general art. ART 1100, History of Art to 1400, and ART 1101, History of Art Since 1400; ART 1124, Basic Drawing; ART 1130, ART 1131, Visual Studies Foundation 1 and 2; ART 1354, Portfolio Review; and twelve art electives.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Major in architecture. Leading to a BS degree, which is a preprofessional degree in architecture. The twelve art electives are replaced by five architectural history courses: ART 1111 and ART 1112, Introduction to World Architecture 1 and 2; ART 1204, Renaissance Architecture; ART 1225 and ART 1226, Modern Architecture 1 and 2; ART 1354, Portfolio Review; ART 1100, History of Art to 1400 and ART 1101, History of Art Since 1400 are electives.
Nine architectural studio courses: ART 1156, Architectural Drafting; ART 1150, 1151, 1252, 1253, 1341, 1342, Architectural Design 1 to 6; and ART 1352 and ART 1353, Architectural Thesis 1 and 2.
Two computer courses: ART 1190, Introduction to Computer Graphics and ART 1295, Computer-Aided Design.
Three building technology courses: ART 1256, ART 1257, Theory of Structures 1 and 2; and ART 1355, Environmental Systems.
Four math/science courses: MTH 1123, MTH 1124, Calculus 1 and 2; PHY 1221, PHY 1222, Physics for Engineering Students 1 and 2.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Major in Media Arts and Design (graphic design). Students who major in media arts and design must maintain a 2.667 average in all required major courses after three quarters. Students who fail to meet the above standards will be placed on departmental probation. Students who remain on probation for three consecutive quarters will be dropped from the major. The department has the discretion to dismiss a student who fails two departmental courses or receives three Ds in departmental courses. Same requirements as for the art major, except that the twelve art electives are replaced by: ART 1132, Principles of Graphics; ART 1133, Graphic Design 1; ART 1134, Typography 1; ART 1144, Typography 2; ART 1160, Introduction to Photography; ART 1180, Video Basics; ART 1190, Introduction to Computer Graphics; ART 1213, Modern Art; ART 1240, History of Graphic Design; ART 1243, Graphic Design 2; ART 1244, Graphic Design 3; ART 1250, Color Theory and Practice; ART 1254, Intermediate Drawing; ART 1263, Introduction to Color Photography; ART 1280, Media Graphics; ART 1290, Electronic Publishing Design; ART 1291, Intermediate Computer Graphics Workshop; ART 1330, Advanced Visual Communication; ART 1354, Portfolio Review; and one art history elective and ten open electives.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Multimedia studies dual major. The multimedia studies dual major (Departments of Music and Art and Architecture) combines course work in the studentsı primary disciplines with courses outside their own fields. For capstone courses, students work in cross-disciplinary teams, developing and delivering original multimedia content. The three areas of specialization available to students pursuing multimedia studies in art are: animation, media arts and design, and digital photography, which will become available over the next two years. See course descriptions for more information.
Students wishing to apply for admittance into the multimedia studies dual major must have achieved an overall QPA of at least 3.25 to be considered.
Admission is limited and highly selective. Applicants not accepted into the program remain in good standing in their current major or concentration, provided they meet the departmental guidelines. Candidates may apply to the program a second time, but this could impact the length of their studies at the University.
At the beginning of the spring quarter of their sophomore year, students submit their application for admittance to the program to the department of art and architecture. This application includes examples of the studentıs creative work. Students applying to the multimedia studies dual major may choose a faculty advocate who will serve as the studentıs spokesperson during the admissions process. It is the student applicantıs responsibility to ensure that the faculty advocate is well informed about his/her academic record and portfolio.
The application is reviewed by the multimedia admissions review committee, and the student is advised of the committeeıs decision no later than the middle of the spring quarter. The committee consists of faculty members from the multimedia studies program and might include individuals from outside the program or the University.
Students must maintain an overall QPA of at least 3.25 to graduate with a major in multimedia studies. Students whose QPAs fall below this level are not allowed to enroll in the majorıs senior-level capstone courses.
Media arts and design (graphic design), animation, and digital photography students accepted into the dual major in multimedia studies must take specified courses in their major or concentration plus the following nine multimedia studies requirements: ART 1130, Visual Studies Foundation 1; ART 1132, Principles of Graphics; ART 1160, Introduction to Photography; ART 1171, Animation Basics; ART 1180, Video Basics; ART 1190, Introduction to Computer Graphics; MUS 1100, Introduction to Music; MUS 1170, Music and Technology; MUS 1172, Introduction to Music Recording; MUS 1221, Narrative for Multimedia Production; six interdisciplinary requirements: CMN 1451, Foundations of Electronic Media; HST 1494, History and Film or HST 1495, Technological Transformations of Society; HST 1575, History of Media in America; LNF 1551, Film Theory; Law and Media; Scripting for Interactivity; and two capstone multimedia projects 1 and 2.
Concentration in animation: Six requirements in animation concentration: ART 1171, Animation Basics; ART 1175, Animation Studio 1; ART 1275, Animation Studio 2; Animation Studio 3; Animation Studio 4; Animation Capstone; five art and architecture requirements: ART 1100, History of Art to 1400; ART 1101, History of Art Since 1400; ART 1124, Basic Drawing; ART 1130, Visual Studies Foundation 1; ART 1131, Visual Studies Foundation 2; and six art electives.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Concentration in media arts and design (graphic design): Six requirements in media arts and design: ART 1133, Graphic Design 1; ART 1134, Typography 1; ART 1243, Graphic Design 2; ART 1144, Typography 2; ART 1280, Media Graphics or ART 1290, Electronic Publishing Design; ART 1244, Graphic Design 3; Interactive Design; six art and architecture requirements: ART 1100, History of Art to 1400; ART 1101, History of Art Since 1400; ART 1124, Basic Drawing; ART 1131, Visual Studies Foundation 2; ART 1213, Modern Art; ART 1250, Color Theory and Practice; ART 1354, Portfolio Review; seventeen requirements for multimedia studies dual major: MUS 1100, Introduction to Music; MUS 1170, Music and Technology; MUS 1172, Introduction to Music Recording; ART 1180, Video Basics; ART 1130, Visual Studies Foundation 1; ART 1160, Introduction to Photography; ART 1132, Principles of Graphics; ART 1190, Introduction to Computer Graphics; ART 1171, Animation Basics; CMN 1451, Foundations of Broadcast Technology; HST 1575, History of Media in America; HST 1494, History and Film or HST 1495, Technological Transformations of Society; LNF 1551, Film Theory; Law and Multimedia; Scripting for Interactivity; Multimedia Projects 1 and 2.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Concentration in photography: Same requirements as for the art major, except that the twelve art electives are replaced by: ART 1160, Introduction to Photography; ART 1180, Video Basics; ART 1185, Still Digital Imaging; ART 1190, Introduction to Computer Graphics; ART 1195, Intermediate Digital Photography; ART 1213, Modern Art; ART 1230, History of Photography; ART 1233, Contemporary Directions in Photography; ART 1261, Intermediate Black-and-White Photography; ART 1263, Introduction to Color Photography; ART 1264, Color Photography 2; ART 1305, Alternative Photographic Processes; ART 1354, Portfolio Review; ART 1363, Advanced Photography Seminar; and one directed study as thesis capstone in the concentration; and one art history elective. The remainder of courses are to be taken in College of Arts and Sciences core and general elective courses.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Minor Curriculum
General art minor. Select any six courses from the departmental curriculum for which you have the prerequisites.
Minor in history of architecture (restricted to those students who are already accepted into the art and architecture major). ART 1111, ART 1112, Introduction to World Architecture 1 and 2; ART 1204, Renaissance Architecture; ART 1223, American Architecture; ART 1225, Modern Architecture: The Nineteenth Century; ART 1226, Modern Architecture: The Twentieth Century; and ART 1310, Seminar in Modern Architecture.
Minor in architecture (restricted to those students who are already accepted into the art and architecture major). ART 1111, ART 1112, Introduction to World Architecture 1 and 2; ART 1156, Architectural Drafting; ART 1226, Modern Architecture: The Twentieth Century; ART 1150, Architectural Design 1; ART 1151, Architectural Design 2; and ART 1252, Architectural Design 3; one of the following: ART 1253, Architectural Design 4 or ART 1295, Computer Aided Design or ART 1355, Environmental Systems.
Minor in studio art (restricted to those students who are already accepted into the art and architecture major). ART 1124, Basic Drawing; ART 1127, Basic Painting; ART 1130, Visual Studies Foundation 1; ART 1132, Principles of Graphics; Art 1133, Graphic Design 1; and ART 1254, Intermediate Drawing. Minor in media arts and design (restricted to those students who are already accepted into the art and architecture major). ART 1130, ART 1131, Visual Studies Foundation 1 and 2; ART 1132, Principles of Graphics; ART 1134, Typography; ART 1133, Graphic Design 1; and ART 1250, Color Theory and Practice.
Minor in photography. Students already accepted into another area of concentration in the art and architecture major may minor in photography. Other students will be accepted into the minor on a space-available basis; students may apply to Professor Neal Rantoul in Room 239, Ryder Hall. ART 1160, Introduction to Photography; ART 1185, Still Digital Imaging; ART 1261, Intermediate Black and White Photography; ART 1230, History of Photography; ART 1233, Contemporary Directions in Photography; ART 1263, Introduction to Color Photography; and ART 1305, Alternative Photographic Processes or ART 1264 Color Photography 2.
Minor in animation. Students already accepted into another area of concentration in the art and architecture major may minor in animation. Other students will be accepted into the minor on a space-available basis; students may apply to Professor Ed Andrews in Room 239, Ryder Hall. ART 1130, Visual Studies Foundation 1; ART 1171, Animation Basics; ART 1175, Animation Studio 1; ART 1190, Introduction to Computer Graphics; ART 1275, Animation Studio 2; Animation Studio 3; and Animation Studio 4.
36-Credit Portfolio Review
As part of the progression through the Department of Art and Architecture, all students are required to assemble and submit a portfolio of their best works from their freshman and early sophomore years for review by the faculty. Evaluation of the student work will be done on a pass/fail basis. In order to proceed to upper-level courses in the department, students must pass ART 1354, Portfolio Review.