Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the Student Link for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• CFA AR 850: Sp.tps: Vis Art
  
• CFA AR 855: Masters Research Project: Arts-Based Research and Practices
  The course introduces students to modes of inquiry focused on arts-based research methods that use the artistic process as the primary way of understanding and examining experience and the creation of knowledge. Students will be guided through the exploration of various approaches to arts-based research, allowing them to investigate the making of artistic expressions as an alternative way to engage in inquiry and scholarship. Students will pursue their own artistic investigation as research or engage in an art-based educational methodology that examines others artwork and practices, the project will invite the creation of a definite method that will start with a question or goal, be explored contextually to then be implemented in such a way as to be relevant to other researchers. This course is taught over 14 weeks ( 8 credits).
• CFA AR 864: Elementary Methods of Art Education (4 credits; fall semester)
  From the kinesthetic experiences of rhythmic movement experienced by very young children to the development of individual symbol systems to develop a personal artistic language, this course provides an introduction to the methodology of teaching art to children in grades pre K-8. It aims to help students develop a personal philosophy of teaching and to translate evidence and theory into strategies that support children's learning in the visual arts. Topics of study include the artistic development of children in relation to cognitive, emotional, linguistic, and social growth; approaches to studio pedagogy and general communication skills; and lesson planning that addresses voluntary and mandated national, state, and local district curriculum standards. Drawing in the Galleries is a pre-practicum Saturday program offered one or two times during the fall by the Department of Art Teacher and Museum Education. Students who are taking this course engage K-8 grade level learners from Boston metropolitan area elementary schools in producing art work that is thematically aligned with current exhibitions in University galleries.
• CFA AR 865: Pre-K-12 Visual Arts Curriculum Design and Writing
  Graduate students produce an illustrated thematic curriculum that covers Pre-K-12 studio studies in the visual arts for one year including a unit/lessons for the preceding and following course or year. Attention is given to generating a rationale for the curriculum, developing a teaching philosophy, describing district demographics, addressing 21st century skills, providing adaptations for both gifted and special needs students, etc. Accommodations are made to adapt course requirements for undergraduate art education majors. This course is taken in conjunction with student teaching and clinical practicums.
• CFA AR 866: Secondary Methods of Art Education (4 credits; spring semester)
  This course is designed to acquaint the learner with the role of an art educator in the secondary setting. Art content and concepts are used to teach the ways in which the design of studio learning experiences can enhance students' artistic, creative, and aesthetic development. The cognitive, socio-cultural, and physical characteristics of pre-adolescent and adolescent learners that impact sound instructional methodology and planning as perceived by the school, the student(s), and the teacher are considered.
• CFA AR 871: Refresh and Invigorate Your Studio Practice
  Will be a week-long residency during which morning and afternoon studio sessions will be attended in addition to open studio time in the evenings. Students will be taught advanced techniques by BU faculty in the areas of advanced printmaking and advanced book arts. Alumni of the MA in Art Education program and non-matriculated Art Teachers attend Summer Studios REDUX for additional studio-based instruction to further develop their artist-teacher profiles.
• CFA AR 881: Graduate Graphic Design 1
  Comprehensive exercises in graphic design leading to the solution of advanced visual problems through a structured curriculum of both theoretical and practical studies. In addition to computer-aided graphic design, traditional methods, such as letterpress and photography are emphasized. The program is conceived to enable graduates to function in a constantly changing and expanding field.
• CFA AR 882: Graduate Graphic Design 1
  A continuation of CFA AR 881. Comprehensive exercises in graphic design leading to the solution of advanced visual problems through a structured curriculum of both theoretical and practical studies. In addition to computer-aided graphic design, traditional methods, such as letterpress and photography are emphasized. The program is conceived to enable graduates to function in a constantly changing and expanding field. 3 cr, each semester.
• CFA AR 883: Graduate Graphic Design 2
  A continuation of Graduate Graphic Design 1, emphasizing the thesis-an advanced and extensive individual project proposed by the student in consultation with the graphic design faculty. The thesis project is explored in depth and presented in a major exhibit at the end of the second year. Independent contact with faculty members is stressed.
• CFA AR 884: Graduate Graphic Design 2
  A continuation of CFA AR 883. Emphasizes the thesis - an advanced and extensive individual project proposed by the student in consultation with the graphic design faculty. The thesis project is explored in depth and presented in a major exhibit at the end of the second year. Independent contact with faculty members is stressed. Offered each semester. 3.0 credits.
• CFA AR 890: Masters Research Project: Becoming a Practitioner-Researcher
  The purpose of this course is to introduce students to teacher-led, classroom-based research as a means of addressing issues facing art teachers, artists and teaching artists in schools and other community-based settings and providing the tools to be a reflective practitioner. The course will introduce students to the conventions and practice of qualitative research in the context of art education and as a form of inquiry that is grounded in the theories, practices, and contexts used by art practitioners working in schools, museums, community agencies, etc. (8 credits)
• CFA AR 961: Directed Study in Art Education (Variable credits each semester.)
  Prereq: matriculation in art education graduate program. Thesis preparation, research methods, and discussion of proposed graduate projects or theses. Individual session with thesis readers alternates with group sessions. Independent study may be undertaken or assigned.
• CFA AR 962: Directed Study in Art Education (Variable credits each semester.)
  Prereq: matriculation in art education graduate program. Thesis preparation, research methods, and discussion of proposed graduate projects or theses. Individual session with thesis readers alternates with group sessions. Independent study may be undertaken or assigned.
• CFA AR 982: Ds Sculpture
  
• CFA AR 983: Directed Study: Graphic Design
  Advanced individual graphic design problems in consultation with a selected member of the graphic design faculty. 1 or 2 cr, each semester.
• CFA AR 984: Directed Study: Graphic Design
  Advanced individual graphic design problems in consultation with a selected member of the graphic design faculty. 1 or 2 cr. each semester.
• CFA AR 985: Continuing Study Certification
  Graduate only.
• CFA AR 986: Directed Study Graduate Painting
  n/a
• CFA FA 100: Doing, Making & Knowing: The CFA Experience
  Through collaborative projects, visiting artists and inspiring conversations, the course is an experiential and comprehensive introduction to the full scope of artistic endeavors housed within the College of Fine Arts. The following will be explored: When did I, the practitioner, embrace the experience of joy as an individual and as an artist? How do I, the practitioner, fit within the community of the arts? How do different disciplines of the arts think and respond? How do we collectively as artists observe, listen and physically respond? How do we collaborate and integrate our artistic voice. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings
• CFA FA 510: Arts Leaders Forum
  The "Arts Leaders Forum" consists of a series of conversations with arts leaders, including entrepreneurs, community leaders and established industry experts. Each week guests will share their experiences with the class. In addition to guest speakers, students will focus on leadership skills and exercises through readings and cases. The goal of this course is to give students insight into the pressing issues of managing arts organizations, to gain leadership skills and to provide insight into career options.

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