First Year Curriculum


Liberal Arts & Sciences >	Capstone Course/Credit Breakdown Course Information	Honors Program Integrated Learning Interdisciplinary Concentration
	First Year Curriculum	Otis Student Writers

As a Foundation student at Otis College of Art and Design, you are encouraged to explore all facets of the creative world and develop critical skills through a variety of Liberal Studies courses.

First Year Initiative

Mission: FYI helps diverse art and design students successfully transition into the Otis community.

Goals:
By the end of FYI, students should be able to -

Identify campus resources and individuals who support student success at Otis
Understand the Foundation and LAS curriculum along with the registration, bursar and financial aid processes
Understand the fundamental academic skills that are critical to student success
Understand the school policy on Academic Integrity
Experience activities, readings and presentations that addresses cross intercultural communication
Engage in group activities and excercises that promote community, mutual respect and appropriate social conduct
Understand issues related to diversity
Understand the importance of a balance between academic, health and social interests

The activities of FYI are directly linked with the academic course work in English 104 and connects with activities in other First Year courses. The modules explored this upcoming fall 2008 semester include: time management, locus of control, health and wellness, fiscal responsibility, social responsibility and diversity.

Art History >

AHCS 120 Introduction to Visual Culture

You will be introduced in this course to issues that are critical to the field of Visual Culture and representation in Fine Arts and Design.

You will investigate various historical and contemporary representational practices that societies have developed to define, maintain, and institutionalize different categories of visual culture and visual producers.

AHCS 121 Modern Art History

In this class you will explore the major modern artistic movements of Europe and North America from 1840 to 1960, covering Romanticism through Abstract Expressionism.

You will be challenged to investigate the crucial issues, arguments, artists and works of the avant-garde during the modern period.

English >

ENGL 104 CriticalAnalysis and Semiotics

Semiotics is the study of symbols and signs. Within this course you will be exposed to the world of semiotics (cultural signs) and the topics examined will concern popular culture with a special emphasis on gender studies, media literacy, the American national character, and issues of power and ideology.

You will be challenged to "question everything" and see that "everything is connected."

Student Handbook (PDF)

ENGL 106 Composition and Critical Thought

The theme for this course is “The Self and Others,” exploring issues of social responsibility in a world of globalization.

The intent of this course is to help you express ideas and convey information in writing with logical reasoning, critical reflection and adequate factual support with clarity of purpose, organization and language. In addition students will be critically exploring online writing including blogs and emails. Check out these class blogs for a real look inside!

ENGL 106 Resources

Composition Handbook (PDF)
Sample MLA Essay (PDF)
Sample Portfolio (PDF)

Social Science >

SSCI 130
Cultural
Studies

Here is a course in a new field where you will learn a new way to study culture! Cultural studies has emerged as an exciting discipline as it seeks to view cultures using an interdisciplinary approach which sheds further light upon the human condition and its behaviors.

You will enter into this interdiscursive space in order to view the fluid world of cultures, both singular and multiple, in a new and less traditional manner.