Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Art, Culture and Technology Stream

Architecture major studies aim to develop an understanding of a variety of disciplines, including architectural design; art, culture and technology; building technology; and the history, theory, and criticism of architecture and art. Regardless of which discipline stream a student chooses to focus in, all Course 4 majors are required to complete the same survey of core subjects in all of these areas. Students are encouraged to complete most of these core courses by the end of their sophomore year, allowing them at that time to select a discipline stream to focus on for their junior and senior year.

The Program in Art Culture and Technology (ACT) offers a diverse range of subjects in artistic practice and operates as a learning laboratory for artistic production within the context of an advanced technological community. Collaborative and individual investigations, artistic research, and trans-disciplinary studies are structured in thematic clusters and realized through performance, sound and video, photography, and experimental media and new genres.

BSA: Major in ACT

Students looking to explore the Art, Culture and Technology offerings start by taking either Introduction to the Visual Arts and Design for Majors (4.301) or Foundations in Visual Arts (4.302). 4.302 is specifically geared for Department of Architecture majors. Both of these subjects introduce students to artistic practice and aesthetic analysis through studio work and lectures. Students communicate ideas and experiences through various media such as sculpture, installation, performance, photography and video. Projects evolve through stages of conceptual and material development to final presentation.

Upon completion of 4.301 or 4.302, or with permission of the instructor students can take more advanced visual arts subjects. Subjects offered include performance, photography, 3-D art, sculpture, video, participatory media, and public art. Emphasis is placed on experimental approaches to studio production in both traditional and new media. Artistic practices range from the personal narrative of the video diary to collaborative public projects that invite community participation.

Year 1

  • Freshman Seminar in Architecture (Fall)
  • 4.111 Introduction to Architecture and Environmental Design (HASS-A) (Spring)

Year 2

  • 4.112 Architecture Design Fundamentals I (Fall)
  • 4.401 Architecture Building Systems (Fall)
  • 4.500 Introduction to Design Computing (Fall)
  • 4.601 Introduction to Art History (HASS-A) (Fall)
  • 4.302 Foundation in the Visual Arts & Design (CI-M) (Spring)

Year 3

  • 4.322 Introduction to 3-D Art Work (HASS-A) (Spring)
  • 4.341 Introduction to Photography and Related Media (HASS-A) (Fall or Spring)
  • 4.351 Introduction to Video and Related Media (HASS-A) (Spring)
  • 4.3xx One additional intermediate ACT subject
  • 4.6xx One additional history of art subject

Year 4

  • 4.THT Thesis Research Design Seminar (CI-M) (Fall)
  • 4.3xx Two additional advanced ACT subjects
  • 4.THU Undergraduate Thesis (Spring)

Architecture majors following the Visual Arts discipline stream may not elect a HASS concentration in Visual Arts. Only three subjects may be used to fulfill both Departmental requirements and GIRs.

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Minor in ACT

The Art, Culture and Technology HASS Minor is a new program, beginning in academic year 2010-2011, designed to expand the opportunities available to undergraduates to pursue an interest in hands-on artistic practice and critical debate. Students will gain skills and critical understanding in new genre art, including time-based media, public art, interrogative design, photography, networked cultures, the production of space, artistic research and transdisciplinary study.

The Minor program in ACT consists of six subjects arranged into three tiers of study and chosen as follows:

Tier 1

Two subjects (either 4.301 or 4.302 AND one more)

  • 4.301 Introduction to Visual Arts
  • 4.302 Foundation in the Visual Arts for Majors
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  • 4.601 Introduction to Art History
  • 4.602 Modern Art and Mass Culture
  • 4.641 19th-Century Art
  • 4.651 Art Since 1940
  • 4.671 Nationalism, Internationalism and Globalism in Modern Art
  • 4.673 Installation Art

Tier 2

Two Subjects

  • 4.322 Introduction to Three-Dimensional Art and Design (not offered in 2011-2012)
  • 4.330 Introduction to Networked Cultures and Participatory Media
  • 4.341 Introduction to Photography and Related Media
  • 4.351 Introduction to Video and Related Media

Tier 3

Two subjects

  • 4.312 Advanced Studio on the Production of Space (not offered 2010-2011)
  • 4.314 Advanced Workshop in Artistic Practice and Transdisciplinary Research
  • 4.332 Advanced Seminar in Networked Cultures and Participatory Media
  • 4.352 Advanced Video
  • 4.366 Advanced Projects in Visual Arts
  • 4.368 Studio Seminar in Public Art
  • 4.371 Interrogative Design Workshop
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HASS concentration in ACT

The HASS concentration requirement encourages students to develop a more mature understanding of a field in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. This experience is not as intensive as majoring or minoring in a field, but it does provide a good understanding of subject matter and methodologies used outside the natural sciences and engineering.

The ACT concentration is comprised of four subjects—three in ACT (group A): two introductory level subjects, one intermediate/advanced level subject. One subject in art history (group B).

For a complete list of subjects, see HASS Concentration Requirements in Art, Culture and Technology.

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