Interdisciplinary Master's in Art, Media and Design
The Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media & Design (IAMD) challenges students to investigate, research, and produce creative works that combine art, design, and interdisciplinary academic study to create new, hybrid forms of visual and social research and creative production. The student’s primary discipline and chosen emphasis between art or design studio practice and theoretical inquiry will determine whether the degree earned is an MFA, MDes, or MA.
Program Guide
The Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media and Design is a 60-credit program comprising:
- Directed interdisciplinary studios/academic studies
- Independent individual studio or guided independent academic study
- Core seminars in critical theory and research methods
- Elective choices
- A thesis project and supporting paper (MFA and MDes) or a written thesis and minor supporting creative project (MA)
The program is available both full-time (five semesters) and part-time (eight to fourteen semesters).
Candidates for this program will feel comfortable working in an experimental environment where the outcome of their interdisciplinary efforts is not crystal clear at the outset and where the path of discovery may take them into unexpected places. Upon entering the program they will have strong disciplinary expertise in art, design, media, art history, visual culture or a related discipline, plus an appropriate undergraduate degree and several years of practical experience. They will be interested in augmenting their existing skills through a program of study that facilitates the use of research, collaboration and practice models to reframe a problem in the interest of creating innovative interdisciplinary responses. This will entail deepening their expertise in their primary discipline in tandem with acquiring knowledge/skills in a secondary discipline and integrating one with the other in the creation of a significant body of studio-based work and critical/theoretical writing at the Master’s level.
The program aims to achieve these objectives through a course of study that includes: a) intensive graduate level directed study in the student’s primary and secondary disciplines; b) seminars in critical theory and research methods; and c) elective courses, culminating in either a major studio project supported by a written critical analysis (leading to the MFA or MDes degree) or a standard academic Master’s thesis accompanied by a minor creative project (leading to the MA degree).
Objectives:
- To provide a flexibly structured, advanced studio-based learning environment that enables students to integrate art, media, and design production, or production within these disciplines in combination with another discipline, through processes that combine theory, methodology, and practice.
- To ensure that students acquire advanced research skills for visual and academic investigations in the areas of art, media, and design practice and critical theory.
- To foster the development of individuals who can think, create, and practice in interdisciplinary ways.
- To support effective collaborations, and innovative interdisciplinary research practices.
- To contribute to new knowledge in the areas of interdisciplinary art, media, and design methods, discourses and creative practices.
- To promote the development of practices which facilitate sustainability, social responsibility, and diverse social and cultural perspectives.
Each cohort will be carefully selected to maximize opportunities for interaction among art, media, design and non-studio subject areas. Students will work with an Advisory Committee that includes leading scholars/practitioners in each of their disciplines who will guide their individual studies and contribute to the development of their Master's thesis work.
Key features:
- The opportunity for students to undertake coursework, directed studies, lectures and workshops with OCADU faculty and with visiting faculty from other institutions and visiting experts in a wide range of disciplines.
- The option of an Independent Study, Internship, Elective, or Residency during the summer term between the first and second years of the program.
- Annual Artist-in-Residence program.
- Annual First-Year Graduate Student Exhibition.
- Annual Graduate Thesis Exhibition.
Last Modified:1/24/2012 12:57:30 PM
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