Master of Fine Arts Courses | Watkins College of Art | Belmont University

This graduate seminar course explores selected writings on topics in visual art and critical theory. Designed to introduce students to multiple approaches to critical inquiry and analysis of contemporary artistic practice, this course will introduce critical texts and theoretical positions as seen in contemporary processes. Topics vary but may include related issues in areas such as critical theory, identity politics, institutional frames, sustainability, urbanization, and globalization.

The graduate studio seminar is a forum for students to hone their ability to identify and articulate the personal, formal, conceptual and historical cues embedded in their work. Summer sessions consist of weekly studio visits and weekly conferences. Students will meet individually and in small groups with core faculty and visiting artists in their studios. Visiting artists will give public presentations and lead weekly colloquia in gatherings that include all students, core faculty and visiting artists. A wide variety of readings chosen by faculty will guide discussions that concentrate on problems concerning methods of artmaking, distribution, and interpretation.

A series of specialized professional practice courses will be offered throughout the summer residencies. This course is a workshop designed to introduce the student to online library resources and all digital research, communication, and dissemination tools necessary to use during on and off-campus semesters.

These research/reading/writing-based projects are designed to integrate studio work with art history, theory, and philosophy. The student is paired with a Faculty mentor for these off-campus projects. During the summer residencies, the student builds a bibliography and research plan with assistance from the faculty. The flexibly structured curriculum allows for individualized areas of research and appropriate levels of rigor.

The Graduate Studio Project course allows students to focus in private sessions on the development of their work and research from their home studio. The continued development of ideas and approaches initiated during the summer Studio Seminar will be supported through in-person and on-line conversation with approved program mentors. These liaisons are intended to support the off-campus development of work.

An intensive four-day session where students meet on campus and receive feedback on work produced during Graduate Studio Project. During Winterim, core faculty determines the advancement of the graduate student within the program.

These research/reading/writing-based projects are designed to integrate studio work with art history, theory, and philosophy. The student is paired with a Faculty mentor for these off-campus projects. During the summer residencies, the student builds a bibliography and research plan with assistance from the faculty. The flexibly structured curriculum allows for individualized areas of research and appropriate levels of rigor.

The Graduate Studio Project course allows students to focus in private sessions on the development of their work and research from their home studio. The continued development of ideas and approaches initiated during the summer Studio Seminar will be supported through in-person and on-line conversation with approved program mentors. These liaisons are intended to support the off-campus development of work.

This graduate seminar course explores selected writings on topics in visual art and critical theory. Designed to introduce students to multiple approaches to critical inquiry and analysis of contemporary artistic practice, these courses will introduce critical texts and theoretical positions as seen in contemporary processes. Topics vary but may include related issues in areas such as critical theory, identity politics, institutional frames, sustainability, urbanization, and globalization.

The graduate studio seminar is a forum for students to hone their ability to identify and articulate the personal, formal, conceptual and historical cues embedded in their work. Summer sessions consist of weekly studio visits and weekly conferences. Students will meet individually and in small groups with core faculty and visiting artists in their studios. Visiting artists will give public presentations and lead weekly colloquia in gatherings that include all students, core faculty and visiting artists. A wide variety of readings chosen by faculty will guide discussions that concentrate on problems concerning methods of artmaking, distribution, and interpretation.

A series of specialized professional practice courses will be offered throughout the summer residencies. This course will explore student-initiated interviews, site visits, conversations and potential day trips to cultural partner organizations as well as development of networks, tools, resources, and contacts needed to continue transitioning from a graduate program into a desired professional context.

These research/reading/writing-based projects are designed to integrate studio work with art history, theory, and philosophy. The student is paired with a Faculty mentor for these off-campus projects. During the summer residencies, the student builds a bibliography and research plan with assistance from the faculty. The flexibly structured curriculum allows for individualized areas of research and appropriate levels of rigor.

The Graduate Studio Project course allows students to focus in private sessions on the development of their work and research from their home studio. The continued development of ideas and approaches initiated during the summer Studio Seminar will be supported through in-person and on-line conversation with approved program mentors. These liaisons are intended to support the off-campus development of work.

An intensive four-day session where students meet on campus and receive feedback on work produced during Graduate Studio Project. During Winterim, core faculty determines the advancement of the graduate student within the program.

These research/reading/writing-based projects are designed to integrate studio work with art history, theory, and philosophy. The student is paired with a Faculty mentor for these off-campus projects. During the summer residencies, the student builds a bibliography and research plan with assistance from the faculty. The flexibly structured curriculum allows for individualized areas of research and appropriate levels of rigor.

The Graduate Studio Project course allows students to focus in private sessions on the development of their work and research from their home studio. The continued development of ideas and approaches initiated during the summer Studio Seminar will be supported through in-person and on-line conversation with approved program mentors. These liaisons are intended to support the off-campus development of work.

This graduate seminar course explores selected writings on topics in visual art and critical theory. Designed to introduce students to multiple approaches to critical inquiry and analysis of contemporary artistic practice, these courses will introduce critical texts and theoretical positions as seen in contemporary processes. Topics vary but may include related issues in areas such as critical theory, identity politics, institutional frames, sustainability, urbanization, and globalization.

The graduate studio seminar is a forum for students to hone their ability to identify and articulate the personal, formal, conceptual and historical cues embedded in their work. Summer sessions consist of weekly studio visits and weekly conferences. Students will meet individually and in small groups with core faculty and visiting artists in their studios. Visiting artists will give public presentations and lead weekly colloquia in gatherings that include all students, core faculty and visiting artists. A wide variety of readings chosen by faculty will guide discussions that concentrate on problems concerning methods of artmaking, distribution, and interpretation.

In the final summer residency, the Thesis Exhibition and Defense course will focus on the production of advanced work and writing to be exhibited, published and defended in the final thesis presentation.