Faculty
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Professors Edwards, Fleeger, Nadler, Scudera; Associate Professors Abrahams, Barkun, Brodie, Freno, Kaufman, Leppert, Zura (Coordinator); Assistant Professors Aipperspach, Davis, Tierney.
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Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology is an interdisciplinary major drawing upon courses in Art, Film Studies, Media & Communication Studies, Music, Museum Studies, and Theater. The major provides students with a foundation in both performing and visual arts while also allowing students to make choices to tailor the major to their own more specific design and technology interests in performing or visual arts. Providing opportunities both to study art across periods and mediums and to create original work, the major is perfect for the intellectually curious student interested in experiential learning and multidisciplinary exploration. The curriculum focuses on the synergies between critical thinking and creative endeavor. Students explore the principles of performing and visual arts design as well as the evolving technology necessary to realize their visions. This major is appropriate for those considering careers as lighting designers, master electricians, gaffers, scenic designers, technical directors, production managers, sound designers, foley artists, sound engineers, film production technicians, exhibition designers, projections designers, product designers, lighting supervisors, architectural lighting designers, production designers, entertainment technology consultants, stage managers, entertainment technology sales executives, and arts project managers, among many others.
Requirements for Majors
A major in Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology consists of a minimum of 55 semester hours of credit.
Requirements:
- One of the following: THEA-100 or FS-101
- One of the following: ART-101 or 102
- Six courses on design/technology: TD-150 (w/co-requisite TD-001-008); TD/ART-130, 231, 232; TD/ART/MUS-233; and MCS-225 or MUS-226
- Two historical courses: THEA-300W* or ART-150, and THEA-301W* or ART-160
- Twelve additional credits from the following electives: ART-101, 102, 106, 107, 120, 150, 160, 371, 372; ART/GWSS-373; FS-101; MCS-220, 225, 327, 355; MS-100, 200A/B; MUS-226, 227, 301; PVDT-350, 361, 362, 381, 382, 461, 462, 492; TD-001-008,** 240, 241; THEA-275 (with co-requisite TD-001-008), 300W, 301W; 370; and special topics, directed studies, research courses and/or internships as approved by the Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology Coordinator
- PVDT-491 or relevant capstone approved by the Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology Coordinator.
*Majors must take either THEA-300W or THEA-301W to fulfill the W and oral presentation requirements. The capstone requirements can be fulfilled by PVDT-491 or an approved relevant capstone course.
**Students may count up to four credits of TD-001-008 toward the required elective credits in addition to the co-requisite for TD-150.
For fulfillment of the Experiential Learning Project (XLP) core curriculum requirement, students are encouraged to study abroad, to complete an approved off-campus design and technology-related internship or an Ursinus Summer Fellowship, to pursue advanced work in independent studies, or complete THEA-275 concurrently with TD-001-008.
No more than three courses taken for the Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology major can be counted toward another major.
Requirements for Minors
A minor in Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology consists of a minimum of 20 semester hours of credit. Requirements:
- TD/ART-130
- One of the following: ART-101 or 102
- A minimum of twelve credits of design/technology from the following:
- ART-120
- MCS-225
- MUS-226, 227
- PVDT-350, 361, 362, 381 (3 cr.), 382, 461, 462, 492
- TD-001–008*, 150 (w/co-requisite TD-001–008), 240, 241 (2 cr.), 275 w/ TD-001–008 (3 cr.)
- TD/ART-231, 232
- TD/ART/MUS-233
* Students may count up to two credits of TD-001 –008 toward the required elective credits in addition to the credit required for those taking TD-150.
Courses
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PVDT-350. Advanced Special Topics in Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology
This course will focus on a specific topic at an advanced level within performing and visual arts design and technology not covered in other courses in the curriculum. Students may repeat this course for credit. Three hours per week. Four semester hours. (A.)
PVDT-361. Directed Studies/Research in Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology
Individual work on a project related to the study of performing and visual arts design and technology. Prerequisites: Approval of Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology Coordinator and a program faculty member who will serve as project adviser. Students may repeat this course for credit. Graded S/U. 40 hours of research. One semester hour. (A.)
PVDT-362. Directed Studies/Research in Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology
Individual work on a project related to the study of performing and visual arts design and technology. Prerequisites: Approval of Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology Coordinator and a program faculty member who will serve as project adviser. Students may repeat this course for credit. 80 hours of research. Two semester hours. (A.)
PVDT-381. Internship
An academic/work experience under the supervision of a faculty adviser and an on-site supervisor. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Includes periodic meetings with the faculty adviser and completion of an approved research or project. Open to juniors and seniors. The term during which the internship work is performed will be noted by one of the following letters, to be added immediately after the internship course number: A (fall), B (winter), C (spring), or D (summer). Internships undertaken abroad will be so indicated by the letter I. The intern must complete a minimum of 120 hours of work. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: Approval of a faculty internship adviser and Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology Coordinator. Three semester hours. (A, XLP.)
PVDT-382. Internship
An academic/work experience under the supervision of a faculty adviser and an on-site supervisor. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Includes periodic meetings with the faculty adviser and completion of an approved research or production project. Open to juniors and seniors. The term during which the internship work is performed will be noted by one of the following letters, to be added immediately after the internship course number: A (fall), B (winter), C (spring), or D (summer). Internships undertaken abroad will be so indicated by the letter I. The intern must complete a minimum of 160 hours of work. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: Approval of a faculty internship adviser and Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology Coordinator. Four semester hours. (A, XLP.)
PVDT-461. Advanced Directed Studies/ Research in Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology
Advanced individual work on a project related to the study of performing and visual arts design and technology. Prerequisite: Eight credits of 300-400 level course work in performing and visual arts design and technology, demonstrated competence in the specific area of study, a written proposal and approval of Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology Coordinator and a program faculty member who will serve as project adviser. Students may repeat this course for credit. 120 hours of research. Three semester hours. (A, XLP.)
PVDT-462. Advanced Directed Studies/ Research in Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology
Advanced individual work on a project related to the study of performing and visual arts design and technology. Prerequisite: Eight credits of 300-400 level course work in performing and visual arts design and technology, demonstrated competence in the specific area of study, a written proposal and approval of Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology Coordinator and a program faculty member who will serve as project adviser. Students may repeat this course for credit. 160 hours of research. Four semester hours. (A, XLP.)
PVDT-491. Research/Independent Work
This course may serve as a capstone and, when taken with PVDT-492, is open to candidates for program honors. Prerequisites: Approval of Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology Coordinator and a program faculty member who will serve as project adviser. Four semester hours. (A, XLP.)
PVDT-492. Research/Independent Work
A continuation of PVDT-491, culminating in a written and oral presentation of a major project. Prerequisite: PVDT-491. Four semester hours. (A, XLP.)