1000 Level First Year Program Course Descriptions

FIRYR 1001
2-D/Studio
This course explores drawing as a tool for personal expressions, visual note taking, idea generation, observing and recording reality, depicting visual phenomena and articulating abstract thoughts. Students will also explore color via traditional and non-traditional means and examine a variety of approaches to constructing images.

FIRYR 1003
3-D/Studio
Students learn how to construct ideas in space by developing an understanding of the relationship between form, space, concept, material and process. A wide variety of traditional and contemporary methods and materials will be introduced. Student will make use of freestanding and hand-held power tools.

FIRYR 1004
4-D/Studio
Students will investigate the potential of shaping and designing time. Studio projects will introduce the technical and conceptual aspects of working with video, film, sound, performance and multi-media.

FIRYR 1012
Studio Research Seminar
This course combines a First Year Studio and a First Year Seminar class. The class provides students with an opportunity to explore the creative strategies of historical and contemporary artists, writers, and thinkers, and aims to help students identify the most productive research methods for their current practice. Each section of this class has an individual theme and the curriculum is developed collaboratively between liberal arts and first year studio faculty. In order to help students make useful connections between their academic studies and studio practice, SRS involves them in a wide variety of academic and practical research activity. In addition to the studio research activities, the Studio Research Seminar (SRS) will incorporate a writing intensive component for English credit. Students will use the results of their research as a catalyst for developing an individual final project. The creation of a research archive is an instrumental component of the class. Students receive three liberal arts credits and three FYP studio credits (in lieu of taking 2-D II) for this combined research class. Students must enroll for both the liberal arts (ENGLISH 1012) and the studio component of this class. Concurrent enrollment in ENGLISH 1012 required. Prerequisite: FIRYR 1001.

FIRYR 1022
Research Studio
Research Studio is similar to the new Studio Research Seminar except that this class is not connected to a First Year Liberal Arts Seminar class. Research Studio is a 3 credit studio class which offers students an opportunity to explore creative research strategies used by artists and designers. The class is designed to help students recognize personal habits, biases, strengths, and weaknesses, and to identify the most productive research methods for their own studio practice. Each section of this classs will have an individual theme, but all sections will involve students in the following types of research activity: a) collecting and classification, b) mapping and diagramming (systems of measurement), c) social interaction (dialogue and exchange), d) information search systems, and e) recording and representation. Students will use the results of their research to develop an individual final project. The creation of a research archive is an instrumental component of the class. This course can be used toward the 2-D Studio II requirement only. Prerequisite: FIRYR 1001