Image: Khae Haskell, MFA LR ’20
GRADUATE STUDENT ELECTIVE OPTIONS
GRAD-SPECIFIC ELECTIVES | SPRING 2025
AETE-627 | COLLEGE TEACHING IN ART AND DESIGN
ERIN SWEENEY | Tuesday 6:00-9:00pm | Online | Non-Studio credit
This is a graduate level course designed to provide the theoretical context and practical application of sound and meaningful pedagogy in the visual arts. Students will be introduced to educational theory and contemporary models of instruction, and will be expected to critically deconstruct and apply this content to their own formative pedagogy. Projects will be individually designed to meet individual student goals. Upon successful completion of the course, students will craft a teaching portfolio including a teaching philosophy and syllabus, curriculum and lesson plan example for a context of their choice.
CDAN-601 | EXPERIMENTAL ANIMATION
AMIA YOKOYAMA | Wednesday 6:00-9:00pm | Online
In this course, students integrate animation and moving images into their artistic practice and explore the methodological and conceptual possibilities of motion media. This course consists of screenings, technical demos, projects, individual meetings, and critiques. Multiple methods for creating moving image work are introduced, including: stop motion animation, green screen / compositing, 2d animation, digital puppetry, and hybrid techniques. In addition to technical work, there is reading and discussion of animation theory. Each class starts with a screening and discussion of works with a focus on bipoc, women, and LGBTQ+ artists. Screenings relate to the methods and ideas taught in class and socio-political issues. Through the reading of theory and its relation to animation practice, students gain a critical perspective of animation’s expansive role in contemporary art and culture. Animation or video experience may be helpful, but is not necessary.
DSGN-633 | DESIGN AS EXPERIENCE
CAILIGH MACDONALD | Wednesday 6:00-9:00pm
A multi-dimensional and multi-sensory research based course, focused on creative processes, that integrate form and content generated within and outside of the class experience. Students will re-examine and explore various temporal, spatial, visual and verbal aspects of communication process. Work will consists of both static and dynamic media presentations and individual and group projects.
GRAD-660 | VISUALIZING COMPLEX TOPICS
ANDREW MOOORE | Thursday 6:30-9:30pm
In this course students will explore new ways of communicating ideas and stories effectively and succinctly using a variety of analog and digital tools. We will look at the role drawing and sketching can play in understanding and solving problems as well as the uses, strengths, and constraints of various raster, vector, and 3D based image software. This course focuses on learning through hands-on experience with each tool and software platform through weekly exercises and assignments. The focus will be on creating visuals that are powerful communication tools. By the end of the semester students will have stronger facilitation and presentation skills and improved the quality of their portfolio through better visual storytelling.
GRAD-672 | INSTALLATION ART
CLINT BACLAWSKI | Friday 1:00-4:00pm
This course provides students the tools for thinking about contemporary art installation practices through a combination of written and oral communication, material documentation, visual explorations, site research, and art making. By visiting artists and curators at major art institutions in Massachusetts, students will gain a comprehensive view of creating installations from conception to realization. Our explorations will include site specific/site-related installation, intervention, public and land art.
SELECTED BFA COURSES OPEN TO GRADUATE STUDENTS | SPRING 2025
This is a sample of BFA or Continuing Education electives open to grad students with requisite skills. This list is not comprehensive, and should not be the last place you check for available elective options.
To view a full list of elective options, do an Advanced Search in MassArt’s Self-Service portal, and view detailed registration procedures here.
- TBA Permission may be requested once instructor has been announced
- GA indicates that a Graduate Syllabus Addendum is on file for this faculty and course.
- OL indicates an online course.
- H indicates a hybrid course (some courses online some in person).
| Section # | Title | Day | Time | Faculty | GA | OL |
| 2D + 3D FINE ARTS | ||||||
| 2DPA-219-01 | Painting Powers of Observation | T | 1:30-6:30pm | Catherine Kehoe | ||
| 2DPA-249-01 | The 21st Century Portrait | TH | 1:30-6:30pm | Andrew Fish | ||
| 2DPA-250-01 | 100 Drawings | T | 8am – 1pm | Fred Liang | GA | |
| 2DPA-264-01 | Collage/Assemblage | TH | 1:30-6:30pm | Sharon Dunn | GA | |
| 2DPA-535/335-01 | Drawing for Painting Majors | TH | 8am – 1pm | Elizabeth Mooney | ||
| 2DPM-281-01 | Contemporary Printmaking | TH | 8am – 1pm | Catarina Coelho | GA | |
| 3DCR-202-01 | Ceramic Handbuilding | W | 3 – 8pm | Janna Longacre | GA | |
| 3DCR-203-01 | Wheelworking | W | 8am – 1pm | Ashton Keen | ||
| 3DCR-213-01 | Drawing In and On Clay | TH | 1:30-6:30pm | Josephine Burr | ||
| 3DCR-304-01 | Ceramic Sculpture | M | 1:30-6:30pm | Miguel Lastra | ||
| 3DCR-308-01 | Clay: Multiples,Sets&Editions | M | 8am – 1pm | Josephine Burr | ||
| 3DFB-203-01 | Sculptural Weaving | F | 1:30-6:30pm | Nathalie Miebach | GA | |
| 3DSC-234-01 | Metalshop I | TH | 1:30-6:30pm | Marjee-Anne Levine | GA | |
| 3DSC-313-01 | Advanced Foundry | M | 1:30-6:30pm | Marjee-Anne Levine | ||
| 3DSC-334-01 | Metalshop II | W | 3 – 8pm | Reid Drum | GA | |
| 3DTD-201-01 | 3D Design: Projects in Wood | T | 1:30-6:30pm | Wu | ||
| 3DTD-231-C1 | Furniture I | W | 6:30-10pm | Heather Dawson | GA | |
| 3DTD-325-C1 | Furniture II | F | 1:30-5pm | Oliver Stone | GA | |
| DESIGN | ||||||
| CDAN-222-01 | Animation for Game Design | F | 8am – 1pm | Juliana Oliveira | ||
| EDAD-307-01 | Furniture Design | F | 8am – 1pm | Request permission when Faculty is listed |
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| FILM + PHOTO + SIM | ||||||
| MPFV-262-01 | Hard to Watch:Cinematic Viole | M | 1:30-6:20pm | Gretchen Skogerson | GA | OL |
| MPPH-214-01 | Drawing With Light | TH | 8am – 1pm | Natalie Brescia | ||
| MPPH-304-01 | Lighting for Photography | M | 6 – 10pm | Stephen Tourlentes | ||
| MPPH-523/323-01 | Pretend You’re Actually Alive | M | 2 – 6pm | Matthew Leifheit | ||
| MPPH-523/323-02 | Darkroom Craft | T | 9am – 1pm | Derin Korman | ||
| MPPH-523/323-03 | Looking Changes Everything | TH | 2 – 6pm | Natalie Ivis | ||
| MPPH-528-01 | Lighting for Photography | M | 6 – 10pm | Stephen Tourlentes | ||
| MPSM-207-01 | Beat Research | W | 3 – 7:50pm | Antony Flackett | ||
| MPSM-311-01 | Elec.Projects/Artists/Digital | M | 1:30-6:20pm | Dana Moser | GA | |
| MPSM-317-01 | Events & Exhibitions 2 | TH | 8am – 12:50pm | Nita Sturiale | ||
| HISTORY OF ART | ||||||
| EDAD-316/516-01 | History Arch/Urban Plan II | M | 9:30a-12:30p | Alexander Wood | ||
| HART-243-01 | Art of the African Diaspora (Sec 2 Tue am on campus) | M | 9:45a-12:45p | Hampton Smith | H | |
| HART-248-01 | Egypt to End of Old Kingdom | M | 9am – 1pm | John Russell | H | |
| HART-252-01 | Survey of Japanese Art | TH | 1:45-4:45pm | Shou-Chih Yen | ||
| HART-259-01 | Tricksters, Heros, and Monster | M | 1:45-4:45pm | Timothy Correll | ||
| HART-285-01 | History of Photography (Sec 2 Fri am) |
T | 9:45a-12:45p | Niklas Gorke | ||
| HART-306-01 | Art of Rituals & Festivals | T | 1:45-4:45pm | Timothy Correll | ||
| HART-324-01 | Radical Traditions in American | T | 9:45a-12:45p | Alexander Wood | ||
| HART-325-01 | Palaces,Pavilions and Gardens | W | 9:45a-12:45p | Elizabeth Gittings | GA | OL |
| HART-334-01 | Latin American Cinema | TH | 9:45a-12:45p | Juan-Pablo Cardenas | GA | |
| HISTORY + HUMANITIES + Literature | ||||||
| HIST-249-01 | Queer Studies | TH | 1:45-4:45pm | Dean Lampros | ||
| HUM-229-01 | History of Jazz | T | 9:45a-12:45p | Peter Kenagy | ||
| HUM-233-01 | Music Cultures of the World | F | 1:45-4:45pm | Christopher Bakriges | OL | |
| HUM-236-01 | Music and Society | M | 3:15-6:16pm | Paul Bempechat | ||
| LW-305-01 | Short Stories: World Wide | M | 1:45-4:45pm | Leon Steinmetz | ||
| LW-306-01 | Camelot: Tales of King Arthur | F | 9:45a-12:45p | Joshua Cohen | OL | |
| NATURAL + SOCIAL SCIENCE | ||||||
| NSCI-200-01 | The Universe (sec 2 Fri pm) | F | 9am – 12pm | Hossein Alizadeh | OL | |
| NSCI-206-01 | Biomimicry | W | 6:45-9:45pm | Jennifer Carr | ||
| NSCI-405-01 | Bioarts and Science Engagement | W | 9:45a-12:45p | Saul Nava | ||
| SSCI-308-01 | Narcissism, Aggression & Creativity | M | 9:45a-12:45p | Gunta Kaza | GA | OL |
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ELECTIVE NOTES
ART EDUCATION students take a studio elective, if required in their specific program, not a non-studio / academic elective.
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE students take a wide range of electives, with at least 1 elective focused on making, during their program.
MDES students are generally encouraged to take a studio elective focused on making, rather than a non-studio elective.
MFA DMI students start by enrolling in the DMI elective(s), and they may add additional electives.
MFA DMI 2-year track students entering the DMI program in fall 23 and fall 24 take 3 credits of electives in the first fall and spring semesters, as part of a pilot program with 6-credit Design Seminar I and II courses.
MFA DMI 3-year track students generally do not take electives the first year.
Students who entered the DMI program prior to fall 2023 should be aware that there are 24 credits of electives in their program. 18 credits are taken in the 2nd year, and 6 credits may be taken in any of the terms including summer.
MFA FINE ARTS students enroll in 1 studio and 1 non-studio elective in their first fall semester.
MFA PHOTOGRAPHY students will be enrolled in GRAD-512 Grad Tech Seminar, as their studio elective in their first fall semester.
MFA LOW RESIDENCY students may select from studio and non-studio in-person or remote electives during the fall and spring semesters. In addition to remote/online elective courses, MFA-LR students who are able to attend classes on campus may enroll for any open elective offered during the fall and spring semesters, dependent upon their program progress / status.