This is a composition course that stresses the writing process. Students will write multi-paragraph essays using the following expository modes: description, narration, example, comparison/contrast, classification/division, process analysis, and causal analysis. Nonfiction readings will be covered to help illustrate writing structures and the organization of ideas. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: ASSET placement OR successful completion (grade "C") of GE0011EN and/or GE0012RD
This course surveys Western art forms relative to political, social, religious, and economic movements from antiquity to the Mannerist period. Topics include painting, sculpture, decorative arts, and architecture. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: None
This course provides a framework for considering critically significant photographers and their work. Students will be expected to describe, interpret, and evaluate the origins, stylistic changes, and artistic innovations in the history of photography from the nineteenth century through contemporary times. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This is a composition course that focuses primarily on analytical and persuasive writing, as well as the research paper. Emphasis is also placed on critical reading and thinking. Cultural issues such as diversity, multiculturalism, tolerance, and effective communication will be discussed in connection with some writing assignments. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: GE10110
This course covers algebraic techniques and problem-solving, such as algebraic and complex fractions, operations with real numbers, linear functions and systems, quadratic equations, radicals and radical expressions, factoring, polynomials, conic equations and applications, exponents and radicals. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: ASSET placement OR successful completion (grade "C") of GE0013MA, GE0013MA
This course surveys Western art forms relative to political, social, religious, and economic movements from the Baroque to present day. Topics include painting, sculpture, decorative arts, architecture, photography, and conceptual art. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course focuses on international literary selections. Topics include the critical evaluation of the literary genres: short story, poetry, and drama. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: GE10110, GE10210
This course focuses on a working knowledge of human sensory processes and their subsequent perceptual and behavioral manifestations. Topics include learning, memory, consciousness, and cognition. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This is course an introduction to the concepts, theory and practice of ethical decision-making in the personal and social realms. Concepts such as justice, mercy, responsibility, and morality are considered. Students will learn about a broad range of ethical theories and theorists, ancient to modern. These theories will be compared, contrasted, and applied to a variety of ethical problems, dilemmas, and controversies. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
In this course students will examine group interaction within human society. Through texts, lectures, videos, and discussions, students will learn about the variety of ways sociologists view human culture and society, as well as the sociological phenomena that affect the lives of individuals within the world-wide human family. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course covers Western civilizations from the Ancient Near East, through Greece and Rome, to the Middle Ages, the rise of Christianity, and the Renaissance. These civilizations will be examined in terms of social, economic, political and cultural perspectives. Major historical events, ideas, and developments will be discussed, and issues of race, class, and gender will be considered. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course provides an introduction to the principles of economics emphasizing an analysis of the economy as a whole. Interrelationships among the consumer, business, and government sectors are explored from American and international economic perspectives. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: GE10110, GE10210, AND GE10220 OR GE10450
This course focuses on aesthetics, which is alternately defined as philosophy of art, philosophy of beauty, and philosophy of taste. All three definitions point to the ways in which we create, experience, think about, and write about the fine arts. Through texts, lectures, videos, and discussions, students will learn about the variety of ways in which individuals generate their own critical voice and aesthetic theories. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: GE10110, GE10210 AND GE10120 OR GE10230
This course will examine emerging photographic styles and perspectives of a newer generation of photographers reacting to the cultural revolution of the 60’s and 70’s; the eruption in the 80’s of Post-Modernism and Critical Theory; and the digital revolution of the 90’s. Students will further examine contemporary issues focusing on the theoretical swing from Post-Modernism back to Modernist practices; and lastly a look at the popular trend of using alternative processes from the nineteenth century. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: GE10110, GE10210, GE10130
This course includes representing and analyzing data through such measures as central tendency, dispersion, probability theory, the binomial distributions, the normal curve and normal distributions, central limit theory, and sampling distributions. Graphing and using polynomial functions and systems of equations and inequalities in the interpretation and solution of problems will be examined. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: GE10220 OR GE10450
Visual awareness is expanded through the observation of the principles of light and the translation of three-dimensional form into two-dimensional drawings. Advancing from simple to complex forms, skill levels in construction and an understanding of line and perspective will be developed. Students study the effects of light and movement on the human body. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This fundamental course provides an introduction to the principles of color and an exploration of color theory as it relates to graphic design. The psychological and cultural aspects of color will be examined in making appropriate design decisions. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
A cooperative is offered to students in their last two quarters of study. This is designed for students who wish to gain additional experience within a business establishment in their field of study. (3 quarter credits, 9 hours per week)
Prerequisites: completion of all courses required in the quarters prior to the last two
This course introduces the theories and applications of both the IBM and Macintosh computers. Topics include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, PowerPoint, computer graphics, file preparation for high-end output, file management, basic data storage and retrieval and the Internet. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
The creative professions require innovative individuals with clear vision. Freshmen at The Art Institute of Philadelphia will work together to develop the vision of what makes a successful student and professional. The course begins by welcoming students into The Art Institute of Philadelphia community and helping them integrate into this student environment. Students will become acquainted with college and community resources, explore their goals for success, and work on establishing a visionary course for the development of their professional portfolio. The course concludes with attending the portfolio show of the graduating class. (0 quarter credits, 2 hours per week)
This course identifies the potential of the computer as a tool of the professional photographer. Students develop skills on various platforms and examine the techniques of print retouching and manipulations. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
In this fundamental course, students will identify basic photographic tools and their intended purposes, including the proper use of various camera systems, light meter and film selection. Students will analyze photographs to determine their positive and negative attributes and apply these principles to produce their own visually compelling images by employing the correct photographic techniques. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Working individually and in teams, students will utilize large format cameras both in the studio and on location, working with various light sources. Students will develop a frame of reference for their own work by examining the effective and ineffective characteristics in various examples of art and design. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH10130
This is an intermediate course designed to further the student’s black and white photographic skills. By manipulating film exposure and development, the student will learn how to create excellent and expressive black and white prints. The student’s exploration and understanding of the photographic medium will be guided by specific set assignments, demonstrations and group critiques. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH10130 OR PH10350
This course requires students to demonstrate their ability to define and solve advanced design problems. Students will analyze the characteristics and purposes of various problems and then offer clean and creative solutions for each. The students are expected to communicate ideas using symbolism appropriately. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH10330
In this course, students will be introduced to the basic concepts and principles of lighting for photography. Fundamentals of recognizing and controlling both natural and studio lighting with emphasis on the quality, direction and effect on the photographic image. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This is an introduction to color transparencies, digital image capture and support software. Students will learn to control color and contrast with transparency materials during film exposure/development and to optimize digital captures for best possible output. In addition, students will begin to utilize basic Photoshop workflow to demonstrate proper input and output techniques. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
In this class, students will learn color theory and how to design color images. Students will also gain a basic understanding of how to utilize color management systems, and correct digital files and prints using Adobe Photoshop software. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH10111, PH10130
All aspects of studio photography are discussed in this course. This course also covers problem-solving skills through a variety of assignments designed to challenge the students’ skills in lighting, camera operation, and commercial interpretation. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH10311
This class provides students with a more in-depth experience using Adobe Photoshop. Students will explore channels, masks, basic compositing, vector tools and advanced layer techniques. In addition the course will cover efficient Photoshop workflow from input to output, advanced color correction and elementary color management. Prerequisite: PH10320 (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH10320
This course expands on the Principles of Lighting course, with an emphasis on lighting for products and people in both the studio and on location. Introduction to the necessary and correct utilization of electronic flash and lighting tools in the studio and on location are covered. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
In this course, students will explore emerging technologies and various professional uses of digital imaging. Students will be expected to combine previously learned digital techniques with newly acquired information design skills to produce unique digital images. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH10432
In this course, students will obtain an accurate picture of the field of photojournalism as presented by seasoned professionals. Emphasis is placed on creativity, content, gathering of information, and layout. Students will learn that this field is one that requires dedication and drive. They will be shown examples of photojournalism and will be required to produce their own renditions of the picture story, magazine covers, and page layouts for all types of print media. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course covers the fundamentals of photographing interiors and exteriors for the architect. The student completes all assignments with the four-by-five or eight-by-ten view camera. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH10311, PH10432
The specific needs of a variety of manufacturing and retail clients are examined and photographic solutions are developed in this course. Students create photographs meeting specific market and media needs. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH20511, PH20520
This class covers Photoshop production methods for various types of originals, including line art, black and white and color images. Students will refine their Photoshop workflow from input scanning and digital capture to output on inkjet printers and web. Advanced color correction techniques, sharpening and working in color modes other than RGB will be covered as well. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course will apply the techniques used to research and identify target markets; identify efficient ways of selling work through agents; and examine how to create a successful self-promotion campaign. Students will demonstrate telephone marketing and sales skills, and be expected to build a portfolio of images that support their research. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
In this course students receive an overview of the photographic industry, including specialty fields available to professional photographers and a history of these fields. A working knowledge of these career fields will be obtained through lectures presented by working professionals and field trips to business locations. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: GE10130
This course explores the special needs of location photography. The planning and logistics of shooting on location are covered. Transportation, scouting, permits and billing, in addition to lighting, metering, and other photographic controls will be demonstrated in a variety of assignments related to fashion, portraiture, still life, product, stock, and architectural photography. Students work alone and in teams, thus sharing a number of photographic and support roles. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH20511
Students will incorporate knowledge and techniques acquired during the program to determine specific career goals, and begin preparation of a professional entry-level portfolio. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH20611, PH20641, PH20721
This is the first of a series of classes in which the student’s work is analyzed in depth, and a critical vocabulary is developed to critique images. The student is expected to begin producing images for his/her final portfolio. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH20611 (may be a prerequisite or corequisite) and PH20520, PH20522
In this course students will learn to photograph “people” featured in advertising and editorial layouts. Specific subjects covered are the fields of fashion, advertising design, and marketing with concentration on editorial portraits through completion of studio location projects. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH20511, PH20641
Students will learn the basic tools for placing their photographs on the Internet and for archiving their portfolio on CD. The course covers basic HTML scripting and two-dimensional animation on the web. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH20621
In this course students research and become acquainted with current practical and theoretical methodologies in photography. Afterwards, students will learn to perform a systematical analysis and apply those results to their final proposal and project. Issues of content, presentation, style, personal expression and corporate needs will be covered. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH20710
In this course students plan, develop, and produce an in-depth picture story. It provides the student with the opportunity to pursue a sustained body of images while learning the skills necessary to bring that work together into a coherent and aesthetically refined photographic project. Throughout the term students participate in discussions, critiques and work individually with the instructor to refine ideas, images, narrative structure, and design for final presentation. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH20522, PH20722
In this course students will learn to plan and execute both interior and exterior photographs of industrial, commercial, and scenic location settings. Using digital software they will create panoramas and digital multi-frame composite images of these locations. Emphasis is placed on creating a portfolio of images that demonstrate a sense of place and meaning in these settings. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH20641, PH20722
This course concentrates upon the exploration of image concepts, content, symbolism, and narrative potential of photography. Emphasis will be placed upon experimenting with alternatives to the single “documentary style” traditional approach to photography. Students will be challenged to develop a wider understanding of possible photographic solutions to problems of communication and self-expression. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH20710, PH30910
This course will offer an in depth study into photographic criticism. To assist students in developing a vocabulary for critically analyzing photographs, they will look carefully at contemporary critical thought. Further study will examine how personal beliefs and cultural values are expressed and represented in photography. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH30910
Students will be required to determine specific career goals, and to develop a proposed direction to take in their creative efforts. They will create an entirely new body of work to facilitate reaching their stated career goals. While students will each propose and develop their own individual project, the class itself will become a critique and support group meeting wherein the student will receive weekly feedback from the instructor and their peers. Students will be required to develop their critical and diplomatic communication skills, and to participate fully and honestly in the weekly critiques. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH20710, PH31010
Students will acquire the skills to develop and design advanced web pages and interactive portfolios. Students will utilize software such as Macromedia Flash and Director. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH20732, PH31010
Taught in conjunction with Portfolio 2, this class allows students the opportunity to address rendering issues specific to their work, supervised time to work on prints for their portfolio, and an opportunity to perfect printing and workflow issues. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course is the completion of the portfolio process, initiated in the class Portfolio 2. Special emphasis in this class will be placed upon developing further, and finishing the body of work begun in Portfolio 2. In addition, students will execute a finely crafted presentation of this work. Prerequisite: PH31010, PH41110 (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH31010, PH41110
In this laboratory class, participants will produce final portfolio prints as well as final exhibition prints. Students will be given the opportunity to use wide carriage inkjet printers to create large display prints for their thesis exhibition. This class is taught in conjunction with Portfolio 3. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH41130
Utilizing the creative process, students will develop a complete marketing package to include, personal identity materials, promo cards and a portfolio. Students will incorporate knowledge acquired during the program to target specific markets and develop professional packaging of all work based on the research. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH41110
From the hunting scenes painted on the walls of prehistoric caves to the representations of elaborate court dinners in seventeenth and eighteenth century Europe, depictions of food, regardless of the medium, vividly express the essential and complex role of food throughout history and culture. Students will explore the place of food in the visual arts from both an art history and culinary perspective and be exposed to the iconography of food as religious, social and political symbols. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
In this course, students will learn professional methods of speaking and of communicating their ideas and experience to others. Students will prepare and deliver demonstration and persuasive speeches designed to be effective with a variety of audiences. Students will also participate in small group presentations. Topics include subject selection, audience analysis, research, organization, and the use of voice and body in speech delivery. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course is an introduction to the principles and practices of American Government. Concepts such as democracy, civil rights, civil liberties; public opinion; mass media, political parties, and the three branches of government will be discussed. Students will learn about the framework of government from colonialism to the present day. Government ideologies will be discussed and applied to various situations in an unbiased manner. Students will be able to see the importance of government and how decisions made by the government affect our everyday daily lives. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course will introduce the student to the physical, ecological, social and political principles of environmental science. The student should gain an understanding of scientific method and how it is used to analyze the relationship between humans and the natural environment. The course will help the student to develop an analytical framework that he/she can use to judge environmental issues and intelligently discuss environmental responsibility. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course presents a survey of major events and development in the history of motion media and mass communication. The survey focuses on the relationship between technology and media development and explores the impact motion media and mass communication have on society and economy. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course covers the period of U.S. history from early colonization to the Spanish/American War. Primary emphasis is on the English colonies and the period of nationhood. This course will examine U.S. history in terms of social, economic and political perspectives, and students will also trace the histories of various American populations, such as women, African-Americans, Native Americans, etc., throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course is designed for students who wish to study abroad. Students will travel between the spring and summer quarters and will return to campus to complete a final exhibition project during the summer quarter. The course will consist of lectures, activities, research, and discussions designed to examine the culture, history, and aesthetics of the city or cities chosen for the study abroad experience. Students will also be encouraged to explore issues of identity and place, ideology (values, norms, customs), society (conformity/autonomy, gender, class), and structure (religious, political, economic) as they share, analyze, and reflect upon their experiences throughout the course. (3 quarter credits, 44 hours over two week break)
Theatre Appreciation introduces students to the art, in theory and in practice, of live theatre and the many types of artists who collaborate to create a theatrical production. This course will enhance students’ appreciation of the nature and place of theatre in contemporary culture. Students will experience theatre in depth through reading scripts, analyzing productions, and completing a creative theatre project. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course introduces students to the aesthetic, technical, and historical principles of film and the artists who were instrumental in its development and growth. Students will examine the creative process and analyze the different genres of film. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course is an introduction to theories about the process of communication, including key concepts and terms for human communication. Additionally, listening and feedback, nonverbal communication, intrapersonal and interpersonal communication, group and organizational communications will also be a focus. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course focuses on the development of critical reasoning skills, including the ability to evaluate a wide variety of information. Students will consider what an argument is, how arguments go wrong and what makes an argument valid. Students will study both informal and formal logical arguments and structures. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course focuses on past and current social issues and political and economic trends that influence America and its people. Additionally, the course will focus on how political and economic trends impact world affairs. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course offers students the opportunity to explore the diversity of cultures through the reading and analysis of modern literary works. Included in the study will be historical and political influences, social trends, customs and values. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course will introduce the student to the historical development of music and the composers of different eras. Students will focus on the role that music plays in our lives today as well as examining the cultural influences that have determined the varied musical languages throughout the world. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course will focus on the museum and its function in society. Topics will include the role of museums, their history and philosophy, and their structure and nature. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: GE10110, GE10210, AND GE10120 OR GE10230
This course will cover the history of 20th Century art. It will explore the inter-relationship between historical, social, political, religious and technological developments in the 20th century and the art that was a reflection of these developments. The course will discuss the modern artist’s role in society as innovator, social activist, explorer, critic and prophet. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course will consider up to three genres of creative writing: fiction, poetry and the nonfiction essay. Throughout the quarter, assignments and activities will provide students with opportunities to hone their creative voices and have their work, as well as that of their peers, critiqued in a workshop setting. In addition to producing creative writing, critical and formalist approaches will be applied to contemporary and canonical works; these exercises will provide students with an objective vocabulary with which to evaluate two rather polished pieces that they will generate during the course. Students will also be introduced to the methods and procedures of the publishing market. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course is designed for students who wish to study abroad. Students will travel between the spring and summer quarters and will return to campus to complete a final exhibition project and an in-depth research paper during the summer quarter. The course will consist of lectures, activities, research, and discussions designed to examine the culture, history, and aesthetics of the city or cities chosen for the study abroad experience. Students will also be encouraged to explore issues of identity and place, ideology (values, norms, customs), society (conformity/ autonomy, gender, class), and structure (religious, political, economic) as they share, analyze, and reflect upon their experiences throughout the course. (3 quarter credits, 44 hours over two week break)
The Comparative Religions course is an introduction to the academic study of religion. The course objectively examines religious beliefs and practices across human history, with particular emphasis upon how the human past has shaped worldwide religious belief and experience in the present. Students learn about a broad range of religious traditions, and how particular beliefs might affect ritual behavior, interpersonal relationships and the practice of “community.” (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: GE20510 OR GE20530
In this course students will explore the different media theories and their impact upon society, ethics, and popular culture. Students will use this information to inform and enrich their own work and to critically evaluate media art. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
The course is an introduction to storytelling and the components of story. The goal is to develop storytelling skills, and an understanding of story form. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: AD20531 OR Academic Director Approval
This course introduces the students to video production. Instruction is given on basic techniques of production including video camera orientation, lighting, sound, set-up and operation. The course provides an overview of various video and television production processes. Introduction to the technology of video recording playback is also covered. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course introduces the student to the operation of television studio production with emphasis on live-to-tape video recording. Production facets include rehearsal, multi-camera shooting, live switching, videotape roll-ins, chroma-keying, electronic graphics, and the use of teleprompting for television performance. The course stresses team building and working with a large crew. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: DF10110
In this course students explore the features and functions of video editing systems and learn to edit using these non-linear systems. Students will also explore various media available for output of animation and use the appropriate equipment to output animation to tape. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
This course explores the fundamentals of drawing the human figure. Observation and rendering skills are developed and the use of various drawing media is examined. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: GR10110
The art of book design is one of the most important of the graphic design arts, and one that the best designers find an enriching challenge. This course will focus on telling a story using type and images in new and creative ways. We will explore advanced methods of using type such as contrast, scale, fragmentation, and sequencing. We will use images in abstract space to express dynamics such as emotion, time, movement, and thought. A multi-page format will allow the student to develop individual design within each page, and to form a unified visual voice or style throughout. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: Earned 120 quarter credits and GR20820 OR PH20710
An introduction to lettering skills and the history and foundations of letter forms. Also studied are the placement of display and text type in a formatted space, and the relationships between the appearance and readability of letter forms. Students will work in digital typesetting technology. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: LS10110
An introductory study of the principles and practices of recording sound will be covered. Students examine the tools and techniques used in multi-track recording and mixing. This class includes the study of basics of critical listening, microphone technique, console and recording systems, signal flow, signal processing, routing, and general studio operations. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: LS10110 OR to be taken simultaneously with LS10110
This course is designed to change on a regular basis. It looks at a specific area of creativity related to photography and design and will give students an opportunity to look at this area in-depth. Students will learn through lecture, field trips, hands-on experience and experimentation and will create a final project in the specific area. (3 quarter credits, 4 hours per week)
Prerequisites: PH20710 and earned a minimum of 120 credits OR Academic Director Approval
Prerequisites: PH20710 and completed 120 credits