Curriculum

Investigate a wide spectrum of sculptural methods including stand-alone objects, site-specific works, multiples, installations, sculptural interventions, performance, and any number of hybrid forms of three-dimensional engagement.

  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
ID Course Title Credit Req
Liberal Arts (6 cr. required)
LA122  Writing in Context 3
LA225  Perspectives on Society & Culture 3
Art History (6 cr. required)
AH125  Exploring Visual Culture 3
AH210  Intro to World Art History 3
Studio Courses (3 cr. required)
Studio Elective 3
Seminar (1 cr. required)
FD100  First Year Seminar* 1
Foundation Studio (15 cr. required)
FD101  Visual Elements: 2D 3
FD102  Visual Elements: Digital Tools 3
FD105  Drawing 1 3
FD111  3D Design 3
FD112  Time Arts 3
TOTAL 31
At the completion of First Year: 31 cr. earned to date 31

*FD100 First Year Seminar is required of all freshman with fewer than 30 transfer credits.

ID Course Title Credit Req
Art History (3 cr. required)
AH215  History of Object, Space & Time 3
Liberal Arts (9 cr. required)
LA225  Perspectives on Society & Culture 3
MTH101 Math or SCI223 Science 3
MTH101 Math or SCI223 Science 3
Studio Courses (18 cr. required)
SC291  SC291 Beg. Sculpture I: (various topics) 3
SC291 Beg. Sculpture I: (various topics) 3
SC291 Beg. Sculpture I: (various topics) 3
Studio Elective 3
Studio Elective 3
IM201  Theory & Practice 200-level 3
TOTAL 30
At the completion of Second Year: 61 cr. earned to date 61

ID Course Title Credit Req
Art History (3 cr. required)
Art History 200/300-level 3
Liberal Arts (9 cr. required)
LA321  Social Science Seminar 3
LA325  Literature Seminar 3
Liberal Arts 300/400-level elective 3
Seminar (3 cr. required)
TH300  Professional Practice 3
Studio Courses (15 required cr.)
SC391  Int. Sculpture II: (various topics) 3
SC391   Int. Sculpture II: (various topics) 3
Studio Elective 3
Studio Elective 3
IM301  Theory & Practice 300-level 3
TOTAL 30
At the completion of Third Year: 91 cr. earned to date 91

ID Course Title Credit Req
Art History (3 cr. required)
Art History 300/400-level 3
Liberal Arts (6 cr. required)
LA421  Research for Creative Practice 3
Liberal Arts 300/400-level elective 3
Studio Courses (15 required cr.)
400-level studio course (from menu) 3
IM301  Theory & Practice 300-level 3
Studio Elective 3
Studio Elective 3
Studio Elective 3
Thesis (6 cr. required)
TH401  Thesis Critique Seminar (semester 1) 3
TH499  Thesis (semester 2) 3
TOTAL 30
At the completion of Fourth Year: 121 cr. earned to date 121

Learning Outcomes

Incorporate highly competent and safe practices in the presented techniques. Develop material literacy with the chosen mediums and push its limits through rigorous craft, experimentation, and exploration. Develop collaborative and cooperative working habits in the shared facilities. Be able to successfully actualize a self-designed, thematic project.

Develop the skills to objectively recognize areas of success and those in need of improvement in both individual work and the work of peers. Utilize research strategies to understand the historical precedents and contemporary applications of the concepts and techniques being presented. Demonstrate the ability to discern meaning in the work and understand its position in the larger society.

Own and understand individual positionality and develop literacies regarding other practices and perspectives that may challenge existing views and modes of making. Actively develop a studio, shop and classroom culture of mutual respect, empathy, tolerance and constructive critique.

Build an applicable, relevant and diverse range of skill sets (oral, written, technical, collaborative, time and project management, networking, goal setting, self-direction) to support an active, engaged, responsible, flexible and innovative professional and creative practice.

Foundation Year

A time to explore

In your Foundation Year, you’ll be immersed from day one in media and making of all kinds from drawing, design, and sculpture, to digital tools, video, and performance. It’s a year of discovery, a time to explore new ways of thinking and making, meet new friends, and get to know your new community.

Foundation Year

Thesis

Preparing for graduation

Your senior year is an exciting time of tranistion from student to working artist or designer. The focus of your senior year is conceiving a thesis project of your own design and producing it with the support of faculty, your peers, and a mentor who works with you one-on-one.

Senior Thesis

Areas of Study

Freedom to focus

PNCA offers ten undergraduate majors, all of which offer you choices in your electives and liberal arts courses. This means that whatever your major, you have the freedom to focus many of your course choices around your particular area of interest. We've outlined the following Areas of Study to give you a sense of the scope of courses available at PNCA.

Areas of Study

Liberal Arts

Fortify your intellectual foundation

Liberal Arts courses round out your education, helping you become a more thoughtful, well-rounded artist or designer. Explore widely or select your courses to focus on one of what we call Areas of Study.

Liberal Arts

Come tour PNCA today

Come explore and experience how PNCA is dedicated to empowering students to reimagine what art and design can do in the world.

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