AVA340 - Photography I

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

An introduction to the standards of still imaging with a balanced emphasis on practical, technical, aesthetic, and conceptual skill sets. The student will gain general experience in digital photography through lectures, demonstrations, videos, assignments, practice, readings, critiques, and research. The curriculum emphasizes craft, photographic vision, and visual problem solving using a digital SLR and digital darkroom processes. Visual design concepts along with historical and contemporary photographic images will be stressed with an emphasis on the traditional rules of composition and photographic design.

Pre-requisite:ART201;ART205

AVA345 - Digital Video I

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

Using video as a means for studying basic techniques of filmmaking and 2D animation, students develop universal skills of expression and storytelling, and an understanding of the fundamental language and processes of digital video, from conception to final video edited works. Students learn basic digital video filming techniques including linear and nonlinear editing with Final Cut Pro software as they shoot and edit a series of 3 short individual and 1 team project. Artistic, narrative and non-narrative genres are all explored. conceptual development, narrative development, story-board development, lighting and camera techniques. Production practices include: editing, audio development, shooting, lighting, scene development, and export/output techniques.

Pre-requisite:ART251;ART201;ART205

AVA360 - Printmaking I

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

This course introduce students to the basic skills and processes of a variety of print making techniques such as the monotype, relief, intaglio and planographic methods. Students will familiarize themselves with the print studio, exploring issues of printed multiples as they relate to their current body of work. Learning the basic processes and transforming them into a mode for personal creative expression will be the main focus of this course.

Pre-requisite:ART205

AVA313 - Drawing II

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

This course builds upon the observational and technical skills learned in Drawing I (AVA310) and assists in applying these skills to a conceptual framework. It stresses the expressive and conceptual aspects of drawing, including advanced composition arrangements and the development of an individual approach to theme and content, with a focus on materials and experimental media.

Pre-requisite:AVA310

ART490 - Internship

3 credits

Schedule Type: Internship

This course is an opportunity for students to gain practical experience of the workplace relevant to their program with employers in the public or privates sector. Internships are intended to match the academic background and strengths of students, their interests and future career ambitions.

Pre-requisite:COM210 or ADR405

ADR496 - Senior Project

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

The Senior Project is an advanced course, which enables the student to show both the depth and breadth of their conceptual and technical abilities to conceive, develop and present an original project in their area of study. Guided by the research and insights accomplished in their prior semester’s Senior Research Seminar course, the student visually translates that understanding and information into final visual form within the professional parameters of the student’s program. The senior project should evidence independence, inventiveness, and a level of maturity, awareness, competence and confidence consistent with an emerging professional artist or designer.

Pre-requisite:ADR492;

ADR492 - Senior Research Seminar

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

Through group discussions, critique, research, writing and presentations, the Senior Research Seminar emphasizes an in-depth exploration of a self-designed topic in preparation for the development of a cohesive body of work in the  subsequent semester ADR496 Senior Project course, which is the culmination of the students’ skills and knowledge gained in their chosen program. The seminar advisor(s) assists students in structuring their independent work and offers continual feedback. Visiting designers, artists and professionals will provide the students with valuable exposure to outside viewpoints. Students will develop their Senior Project work plan through the formation of a written research proposal and defend their project to both the ZU community and the community at large.

Pre-requisite:COM210 or ART221

ART History Electives

AAH322 - History Islamic Art and Architecture

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

This class provides an overview of the main characteristics of Islamic art and architecture. It looks at what influenced the earliest forms of Islamic art and architecture, and examines how these forms have changed from place to place, and from time to time throughout history.

AAH324 - Contemporary Islamic Art and Architecture

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

This class provides an overview of contemporary Islamic art and architecture. Attention is paid to continuity and change in nineteenth and twentieth century form and function, and the role of the arts in promoting national and religious identity throughout the Islamic world.

Pre-requisite:ART223

AAH325 - History of Design

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

This course reviews the evolution of design into the contemporary period. It provides students with information about societal issues related to designers. This course encourages students to reflect on and be aware of the design decisions they make.

AAH326 - Representation: Exhibition, Display and Interpretation I

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

This class provides an overview of the history of exhibitions, display and interpretation of objects from 1850 to 1980. Particular attention is paid to the role of 19th- and early 20th-century imperialism in the development of museums designed to house art and ethnographic artifacts the acquisition and display of objects, and the debates around the interpretation of these for public consumption.

AAH327 - Representation: Exhibition, Display and Interpretation II

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

This course discusses the debates surrounding exhibitions, display, and interpretation of art and artifacts from 1980 to the present. Particular attention is paid to relationship of theories of contemporary art and culture to the display and interpretation of objects in museum settings.

Pre-requisite:AAH326 or ART223

AAH420 - Communities, Curatorial Practices, and Collections

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

This course explores the purpose and functions of museums, with particular emphasis on the roles which globalization and the development of new forms of museums play in how knowledge is created and preserved through collections and research. Topics include the history and organization of museums and collections, curatorship, research, documentation, and care.

AAH422 - Contemporary Art Theory

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

This seminar focuses on contemporary sociological theory and the arts in the twentieth century. Students are asked to consider their own artwork within a larger social context.

Pre-requisite:ART223

AAH425 - History of Graphic Design

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

This course reviews the history of Graphic Design to the contemporary era through an examination of professional practices, technical applications, and theoretical issues. Students explore the relationship of new media and processes to the practice of print and digital design.

AAH426 - History of Interior Design

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

This course reviews the history of Interior Design from the Industrial Revolution through the contemporary periods in an exploration of professional practice and the role of interior designers today. This course provides the conceptual and philosophical foundation for the development of each student’s particular design interest.

AAH427 - History of Animation

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

This course reviews the history of the field of Animation. It combines knowledge of historical and theoretical developments, the exploration of contemporary issues, and technical applications for professionals. Students explore the development of animation as a separate discipline within the context of film history and theory as well as the integration of motion in graphic design media.

AAH430 - Curatorial Practices

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

This is an advanced course that introduces students to the historical and contemporary role of the curator and various curatorial practices through lectures, trips, and specific workshops. The course continues and furthers the student’s examination of theoretical issues related to artistic practices and prepares students to work in a number of professional fields.

Program Electives:

ART297 - Special Topics in Art and Design: Intermediate

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

This course allows faculty to introduce a new course into the curriculum, on a limited basis, to art programs on the junior level. The course is designed to take advantage of conditions or opportunities that might be temporary, for example, a course involving a visiting artist or local event

AVA309 - Digital Illustration

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

Digital Illustration is a standard and necessary manner of working with image generation. It is an efficient and professional set of skills to develop. This course is an introduction to the fundamental techniques used in digital illustration. Students will learn how to create effective images that retain a textural complexity while utilizing the various digital tools in an illustrative manner. The course will cover the use of digital collage, digital painting and generating professional work from the students own means. Students will construct effective communicative images. Students will use digital illustration methods to explore the use of tone, line, colour and texture.

AGD314 - Illustration and Visual Narrative

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

This course provides students with the opportunity to design and develop character and environment for visual narratives. Through examination of historical and popular culture narratives, students will learn to identify key aspects of character and environment design and to use visual storytelling techniques to communicate concepts to an audience. This course is suitable for students with an interest in animation, illustration, conceptual design, film, comics, motion graphics and visual communication.

AVA316 - Ceramics I

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

The emphasis of this introductory course is learning to create original work,while exploring the physical properties of clay. The expressive potential of clay becomes apparent through increased awareness of historical and contemporary ceramic art, and through the use of the basic ceramic techniques of forming, glazing and firing. A knowledge of basic tools and equipment is acquired through the hands-on use of basic equipment including : clay extruders, potters wheels, and electric kilns.

AVA317 - Storyboarding

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

This course emphasizes story and concept development. Various techniques for creating a storyboard will be explored. Students will also create animatics that will establish the story timing based on the previously created storyboards.

AVA318 - Three-Dimensional Design

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

This course is an introduction to three-dimensional design concepts. Students investigate the forces that influence the design of objects and spaces including, but not limited to, art objects. Natural forces such as the earths gravity affect our preception of balance,poise gesture and weight. Cultural influences, materials and structure are all areas of thought and information which can be directly applied to this course. The various assignments are intended to allow you to develop artistically and creatively within a given framework.

AVA319 - Introduction to Jewelry Design

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

This course offers an introduction to the basic principles and skills used in jewelry design. Students will be introduced to the fundamental technical, conceptual, and aesthetic issues involving jewelry. Through a series of explorations and technical exercises students will learn a broad range of processes and materials, progressing from the simpler to the more complex projects.

ADR328 - Cross Cultural Influences in Design

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

This course provided students with the opportunity to develop professional Arabic lexicon and language styles used by artists and designers. It provides an examination of cross-cultural influences in international art and design fields, and a study of the work of a selection of modern and contemporary Arab designers, and develop the ability to present the nuances of the Arab and other cultures through the use of visual language. The course strengthens students’ acquisition of technical terminology in Arabic

ART330 - Art Education

3 credits

Schedule Type: UG Lecture

This course is structured to introduce programs in education and art to the theory and practice of teaching art in elementary schools. It emphasizes art curriculum planning, motivational strategies, art room management, and methods motivational strategies, art room management, and methods of evaluation in art. It also focuses on art across the curriculum

AVA341 - Photography II

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

Through a wide array of topics, emphasis is placed on digital image capturing and the use of the computer as a parallel tool to traditional photographic practices. An introduction to non-silver processes such as photo screen-printing, van dyke brown, and cyanotype printing, are also explored. Students are expected to develop a solid understanding of digital imaging practices and an adaptable approach to emerging technologies.

Pre-requisite:AVA340

AVA342 - Introduction to Studio Lighting

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

This course is a survey of the effects of light on the photographic image – angle, brightness, contrast, color temperature, and diffusion/concentration. Explorations will include working with natural light on through to studio lighting.

Pre-requisite:AVA340

AVA346 - Digital Video II

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

Students create video projects based on individual direction. Additional development in the use of lighting,audio and editing software, as well as motion graphics and compositing techniques are explored.

Pre-requisite:AVA345 or MPS321

AGD351 - Graphic Design I

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

This course provides a basic understanding of Graphic Design roles and responsibilities. It explores the visual language and relationships, of typography and imagery, graphic design history, and introduces students to critical topics that affect the graphic design industry today. Students solve design problems, construct layouts using vector graphics and photography combined with type, and learn how to present to an audience.

Pre-requisite:ART251

AGD356 - Typography I

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

This is an introductory course on the subject of typography in which the principles of typography are examined through the study of letterform anatomy and construction, type composition, and the history of typography. Dealing with both the Latin and Arabic alphabets, students examine the use of type as a created social symbol for communication as well as type as object form.

Pre-requisite:ART251

AGD357 - Designing for the Web I

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

In this course the flexibility and potential of the Web are explored. The course instructs students in using text, graphics, sound, animation, and video for the web and considers their standards and application.

Pre-requisite:ART251

AGD358 - Design for Social Change

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

Over the past decade, the notion of “design for social change” has become a relevant component of professional practice, with designers utilizing creative tools and methodologies to address complex social, humanitarian, and environmental needs. Social design brings together designers from varying disciplines to collaborate with clients, educators, philanthropists, and corporations to address the complex needs of the diverse community. In response, this course places particular emphasis on how social responsibility is presented in an interdisciplinary professional design practice in the UAE, and how we, as designers, can contribute to positive social change. Students examine how design can be a significant driver in raising awareness on a global scale, while also focusing on local issues such as heritage, environment, cultural identity, and health.

Pre-requisite:ART201 or ART205

AVA363 - Printmaking II

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

This course will investigate contemporary trends in printmaking, building upon the traditional skills learned in Printmaking I. Students will investigate advanced color methods such as viscosity printing, 4 color separations, and will work with digital photomechanical processes through multiple plate printing and cross media applications. Students are expected to develop a body of work that articulates a sophisticated concept and clear personal vision.

Pre-requisite:AVA360

AVA365 - Digital Printmaking

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

This course will introduce students to the skills and processes of advanced digital printmaking techniques. Students will familiarize themselves with the print studio, exploring issues of printed multiples as they relate to their current body of work. Students will be introduced to pronto plate lithography, screen printing, inkjet printing, and solar plate intaglio. Learning these processes to create prints and transforming these processes into a mode for personal creative expression will be the main focus.

AVA366 - Book Structures I

3 credits

Schedule Type: Studio

This course builds upon previously learned skills and concepts, using various book structures as mediums of artistic creation. Students will familiarize themselves with a variety of binding techniques including basic codex creation, Japanese stab binding, accordion structures, and additional forms. Students’ use of diverse materials and methods to express themselves in an intelligent and creative manner is emphasized.

Pre-requisite:ART201;ART205