Courses

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

• 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.
• CFA AR 892: Masters Research Project: Arts-Based Research and Practices (8 credits)
  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.
• 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
  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 DA 190: Dances Styles of the African Diaspora (Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Afro-Fusion)
  This introductory course will explore the origins and the evolution of American Black Vernacular Dance as an expression of identity, culture, and community. In any given semester, the instructor will choose to focus on a specific number of ancient and contemporary styles or dances that have originated on the African continent and/or evolved in other geographic areas over time; students will encounter a different collection of material if they repeat the course. Dance styles that may be included are: West African, Afro-Caribbean, Jazz, Tap, and multiple Hip Hop styles. Beyond learning steps, students will experience the embodied practice of building community, connecting musicality to movement, interpreting cultural expression and storytelling, and the intersecting of identity and place. Students will gain a deeper respect for the influence of indigenous African dance on Western cultural dance forms and the trans-generational conversation that continues. Students will most successful if they’ve had some prior experience in learning dance choreography or exploring movement, though no particular style is required.
• CFA DA 290: Dance and Somatic Inquiry: Contemporary and Improvisation
  This intermediate level course will push students to become their own catalyst for change through guided exploratory practices, technical training, and choreography. The pursuit of personal autonomy will be the goal through the practice of improving self-awareness, control, imagination, and artistry. The class incorporates somatic practices from Bartenieff Fundamentals, Listening Strategies with Pauline Oliveros, and One Thousand Voice with Paula Josa-Jones, as well as, contemporary dance and Release technique, Dance Improvisation, martial arts, and dance conditioning. Students will be asked to grow and develop the full range of the dancer’s artistry by exploring stability/mobility, exertion/recuperation, internal connectivity/external expressivity, strength and endurance, inversions, and floor work. They will be called on to learn and create choreography with a focus on risk-taking, musicality, timing, performance skills, and concepts of stage presence. In order for students to be successful in this class, they should have at least two semesters of training in contemporary, modern, improvisation, and/or other advanced beginning level dance techniques.
• CFA DA 390: Intermediate Technique Traditional Forms (Ballet & Historic Modern)
  This course is designed for the student who has had an extensive ballet, modern, contemporary, and/or jazz background. The material covered is based on years of innovation and codification and has become foundational for various forms of dance. Students will continue to refine their alignment and placement and to increase their strength, endurance, flexibility, control, coordination, breath, and musicality. As the semester progresses, students will be challenged and their technical growth will be heightened. Movement patterns will focus on increasing movement range spatially and dynamically, and on breadth of expression. Students are encouraged to learn from individual and collective corrections and to continue to increase their growth both technically and artistically.
• CFA DA 400: Performance and Repertory
  Students are part of the choreographic process as pieces are created or reworked under the supervision of the dance faculty. Weekly rehearsals and timed showings are required. Dances are performed in a Dance Theatre Group concert. Prereq: Previous dance training and the instructor's consent.
• 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 350: Arts By The Numbers
  Students will examine challenges encountered by freelance producers and theatre administrators in the profession. These challenges relate to data trends, budgeting, financial management, and producing. Students will utilize quantitative tools, including analytical and statistical methodologies, to interpret research, build budgets, and make producorial decisions for real-world scenarios. They will learn analytical and statistical practices to, first, gather, and then, process data to define historical trends in theatre. 2 credits Effective Spring 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Quantitative Reasoning II.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • Quantitative Reasoning II
• CFA FA 510: Art Leaders Forum
  The "Art Leaders Forum" is a collective enterprise of critical inquiry, reflection and open discussion about what it means to lead as an artist now. The implications of assuming leadership are vast----vision, exertion, generosity, intelligence, precision, responsibility, compassion ... Furthermore, to lead cannot mean to ignore the complex reality we live in as a society: Inequity, social disparities, structural racism and discrimination are not undesired mistakes, but structural aspects of the world we live in. In other words, the way our society defines what is "leadership" and "who should lead" has the power to perpetuate, or for the same matter, dismantle these issues. Our collective inquiry and discussion will inevitably deal with this pressing reality. A group of global art leaders, activists and entrepreneurs from across the globe will join the forum to illustrate, enrich and guide this discussion. The "Art Leaders Forum" is a co-creation process in need of every voice and every view that engages in it. Tourism is not an option here: taking part in the forum clearly demands something of each of us----to fully listen and to dare to be heard; to be seen and to see others and their reality. To support and enhance such demanding work the course will introduce notions of mindfulness, entrepreneurship, active listening, embodiment and non-violent communication, at the time that will study and explore different models of leadership, activism, community and social impact in the arts.
• CFA FA 520: Career Development in the Arts
  A blend of self-exploration and business skills that encourages arts leaders to "think like an entrepreneur" in defining their career and personal brand. Develop entrepreneurial skills like branding, networking, marketing, and budgeting. Learn financial basics, tools, and analysis. Apply quantitative reasoning skills to make informed decisions, and oral communication skills to be more persuasive and understood in everyday life. Students will apply these skills to all personal endeavors, from landing a dream job to building your own brand. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning I, Oral and/or Signed Communication.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • Oral and/or Signed Communication
  • Quantitative Reasoning I
• CFA FA 530: Collaborative Arts Incubator
  The Collaborative Arts Incubator is a hands-on studio experience and a cross-disciplinary course that offers students within CFA and BU the opportunity to work together on innovative, creative projects. Students work in groups drawing from their own disciplines and are encouraged to venture into unfamiliar creative territories. Students engage in active collaboration, critical thinking and peer interaction with at-risk populations in the surrounding community. The social justice component is a significant element of the course.