Mar 29, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2019-2020 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2019-2020 [Archived Catalog]

Electronic Arts


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The Bachelor of Science in Electronic Arts (EART) degree is designed to support either a single­ or dual ­major option. It is intended for students who want to critically and creatively explore the arts at the intersection of the humanities, and the physical, computational, engineering, and social sciences.

Situated within the context of a premier technological university, the EART degree offers a unique environment in which to investigate art and technology in relation to a broad range of disciplinary practices.

The Rensselaer campus is located within a thriving community of technological innovation. On-campus resources include the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC), the Center for Deep Listening (CDL), the CRAIVE Lab, and the Emergent Reality Lab (ERL). In close proximity are established art and cultural centers such as The Sanctuary for Independent Media, Williams College, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), Dia: Beacon, Bard College, and Bennington College. Boston, New York City, and Montreal are within three hours drive.

Applicants are expected to submit a written statement of intent describing their interest in the program, and if a dual, how it relates to their other major of study.

All majors in EART concentrate in one of five Focus Areas:

  • Animation and Algorithmic Art
  • Integrated Visual Art
  • Sonic Arts
  • Video, Performance and Social Practice
  • DIY (Do It Yourself)

Outcomes of the Undergraduate Curriculum

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to demonstrate:

  • an ability to evaluate works of art in relation to style, period, and social context.
  • an ability to effectively discuss and critique one’s own work and the work of others.
  • proficiency in integrating technologies appropriate to creative practice.

First Year


Fall


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 2 below)
  • Studio Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • History/Theory Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Science Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Focus Area Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)

Second Year


Fall


  • Focus Area Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)
  • Focus Area Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)
  • Science Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Studio Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • Focus Area Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)
  • Science Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Third Year


The Arch Summer Semester*


*For students who have applied for and been granted an exception, The Arch Summer semester courses would be taken during the fall semester. For listing of the exception process go to: http://info.rpi.edu/arch/students/#ExceptionProcess.

  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

Fall OR Spring


  • Focus Area Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)
  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

Fourth Year


Fall


  • Focus Area Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Focus Areas


The five Focus Areas are shown below, followed by the Foundation Options and Comprehensive Course listings:

Animation and Algorithmic Art


Foundation: 12 Credits


History/Theory: 4 Credits/Select one course from Foundation Options listings


Studio: 8 Credits/Select two courses from below:


Senior Thesis: 8 Credit Hours


Integrated Visual Arts


Foundation: 12 Credits


History/Theory: 4 Credit Hours/select one course from Foundation Options listings


Studio: 8 Credit Hours/Select two from below


Senior Thesis: 8 Credit Hours


Sonic Arts


Foundation: 12 Credits


History/Theory: 4 Credit Hours


(Only 1 option)

Studio: 8 Credit Hours:


Senior Thesis: 8 Credit Hours


Video, Performance, and Social Practice


Foundation: 12 Credits


History/Theory: 4 Credit Hours/select one course from Foundation Options listings


Studio: 8 Credit Hours/Select two courses from below:


Senior Thesis: 8 Credit Hours


DIY (Do It Yourself)


Foundation: 12 Credits


History/Theory: 4 Credit Hours/Select one course from Foundation Options listings


Studio: 8 Credit Hours


Senior Thesis: 8 Credit Hours


Focus Area Electives: 24 Credit Hours


  • 24 credits from any ARTS courses of which 12 credits must be taken at the 4000-level.
  • Students will be advised on appropriate courses based on their area of interest.

Foundation Options and Comprehensive Course Listings:


Footnotes


  1. A minimum of three Focus Area Electives must be at the 4000-level.
  2. Students should take an Inquiry course during their first year. For a listing of HASS Inquiry courses go to: https://info.rpi.edu/hass-inquiry.

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