MAArtEd & MAT Courses

AE610 Survey of Art Education (3 credits)

This course provides a survey of history, philosophy, theories, psychology and research in the field of art education and how these impact art education in the public forums of schools, museums and community organizations.

AE620 Curriculum and Instruction (3 credits)

An examination of art instruction based in the larger framework of a curriculum that is not limited to art.   This course provides an overview of resources and pedagogical methods for teaching visual culture in elementary and secondary public schools taking into account local, state, and national standards. Students develop age appropriate curricula and praxis including lesson and unit planning, instructional strategies, and assessment procedures.

AE630 Strategies for Teaching Art (3 credits)

History, theory, and practice in art education are reviewed with a focus on specific strategies for making art and teaching art. Current developments in studio practice and education methodologies are presented and discussed along with aesthetics, criticism, history and visual culture.

AE640 Technology in Art Education (3 credits)

This course offers a hands-on exploration of interactive digital and electronic technologies and their applications in teaching about and making art in the classroom setting. Students will attain competence with respect to the formatting and presentation of alphanumeric data and imagery. The technical skills acquired and analytical methods employed will enhance the students' ability to communicate with their own students, colleagues, parents, and community. The following software applications will be covered: Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh operating systems, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, image editing software, and Atomic Learning, an online resource for technical assistance. Internet research strategies and the use of institutionally based email services will also be discussed.

AE661 Art for the P-K – Grade 8 Child (3 credits) 

This course focuses on developmental considerations and appropriate practices for the child artist ages 3-13.

AE663 Arts for the Secondary Student (3 credits) 

This course focuses on developmental considerations and appropriate practices for the adolescent artist ages 14-19.

AE650 Art Education for Diverse Populations (3 credits) 

Methods and strategies for adapting art lessons and curriculum for students from multicultural backgrounds and students with special needs (including gifted and SPED) will be reviewed.

AE740 Student Teaching Internship (6 credits) 

This course is a full time practicum in which students teach in elementary and secondary schools under direct supervision of cooperating teachers. The cooperating teachers guide the students' gradual assumption of full-time responsibilities in their role as art teachers. Students observe, plan, and implement art experiences that build upon, complement, and reinforce concepts from the content area. They apply appropriate strategies to maintain a positive, safe, and aesthetic learning environment. Supervisors, assigned by MCA, make site visits to observe and critique each student's progress.

FA601 Studio Workshop 1 (3 credits)

The Workshop is self-directed study, each student conducting his/her own personal exploration of concept and technique in the art-making process under the guidance of a faculty advisor and guest artists/critics.

FA602 Studio Workshop 2 (3 credits) 

The Workshop is self-directed study, each student conducting his/her own personal exploration of concept and technique in the art-making process under the guidance of a faculty advisor and guest artists/critics to enhance artistic skills.

FA603 Studio Workshop 3 (3 credits) 

The Workshop is self-directed study, each student conducting his/her own personal exploration of concept and technique in the art-making process under the guidance of a faculty advisor and guest artists/critics to enhance artistic skills.

Art History Elective (3 credits) 

Students choose an art history elective from MCA’s Art History catalog courses 300 or higher.

AE 740 Student Teaching Internship - 12 credits To be Determined

This course is a full time practicum in which students teach in elementary and secondary schools under direct supervision of cooperating teachers. The cooperating teachers guide the students' gradual assumption of full-time responsibilities in their role as art teachers. Students observe, plan, and implement art experiences that build upon, complement, and reinforce concepts from the content area. They apply appropriate strategies to maintain a positive, safe, and aesthetic learning environment. Supervisors, assigned by MCA, make site visits to observe and critique each student's progress.

AE 750 Art Education Thesis (2 credits)

This seminar will provide guidance toward the development of the student’s MA Thesis.

AE 751 Thesis Seminar

This seminar will provide guidance toward the development of the student’s MA Thesis.

** MAT candidates are also required to complete two field experiences.  These are not for credit and scheduled to meet student’s schedules with their Art Education advisor.

MFA Courses

GS601 / GS602 Studio Workshop (9 credits)

As the cornerstone of the MFA program at the Memphis College of Art, the Studio Workshop is the self-directed component for the MFA candidate’s production of work. During the course of the Studio Workshop, students are encouraged to consider the social, cultural, and physical context of their work as central to its interpretation.

Candidates conduct their own personal exploration of concept and technique in the art-making process under the guidance of the Graduate Faculty. Graduate Faculty at MCA fulfill a critical role in providing constructive criticism for MFA students in the form of conceptual, aesthetic and technical council. These dialogues occur at a series of levels including regular meetings throughout the semester with the individual candidate, formal Mid-term critiques with all the Graduate Faculty and the candidate, and Final Critiques with the Graduate Faculty and all Graduate students in attendance.

The seminar component of the MFA program brings together graduate students and functions to address relevant concerns as it helps to build a common ground and develop a graduate community. This may include trips to galleries or museums, visiting artist critiques, group critiques, visits by arts professionals, videos, slides, readings, and discussions. It also serves as a place to develop written materials, such as the artist’s statement and thesis, in conjunction with input from other faculty.

GS701 Thesis Preparation (9 credits)

In the third semester MFA candidates are required to take Thesis Preparation. Thesis Preparation involves all of the components of the Studio Workshop with the additional component of being able to hone in on a specific body of work or method of practice from which the final thesis work will evolve.  Candidates who take Thesis Preparation are expected to work closely with the Graduate Faculty to help achieve this goal and are required to write a Thesis Proposal.

GS702 Thesis (9 credits)

Pending successful completion of Thesis Preparation and the acceptance of the Thesis Proposal, MFA candidates are able to move on to the Thesis coursework. The Thesis coursework is the culmination of the candidate's time at MCA. Candidates are required to have an exhibition of their work and submit a written thesis document in which the historical, social, and cultural frameworks of their work are addressed.

Graduate Liberal Studies

HU600 History of Aesthetics (3 credits)

The philosophy of art from the Greeks to the modern period is examined in this seminar. The Western philosophical tradition's changing treatment of the artist and the work of art is the focus of analysis and discussion. The metaphysical status of art, theories of expression and representation and the social value of the artist are some of the topics examined through the readings.

HU610 Modernism and Post Modernism (3 credits)

Beginning with theories of what constitutes the dominant themes and issues of the modern period, this seminar explores the writers who have come to be associated with post modernism. Issues con cerning art the artist will be examined in the work of such thinkers as: Nietzsche, Heidegger, Foucault, Derrida, Blanchot, Lyotard, Cixous and Kristeva.

LS615 Critical Writing (3 credits)

This course is an exploration of writing as an art form. Through a variety of different genres, styles and imaginative composition, students learn to develop writing strategies for communication and expression.

LS615 Identity Art: Race and Gender (3 credits)

This course will investigate the current issues in the art world today.

HU620 Artists on Art (3 credits)

The place of the critic and art criticism is the central issue of this seminar. Writings by and about artists constitute the reading material. Both historical and contempo rary sources will be examined.

HU630 Topics in Aesthetics (3 credits)

This seminar is a concentration on particular issues, themes or problems relevant to aesthetic theory. Course descriptions will be available the semester it is offered.

LS645 Thematic Studies (3 credits)

This seminar is a concentration on particular issues, themes or prob­lems relevant to aesthetic theory.

HU651 Special Topics: Contemporary Issues in Art (3 credits)

The Big Shadow: Film, Video, Animation and Interactive work. This course will examine contemporary time-based work. It will consider the varying approaches with and influences of media, as well as historical and cultural perspectives.