Undergraduate Projects in Critical and Creative Practices


Fall 2013, Winter 2014 and Spring 2014 quarters

Taught by

media arts, media and film, experimental media
visual arts, painting, drawing
aesthetics and philosophy, critical theory, psychoanalysis
(W,S)
academic and creative writing, U.S. literature, research methods in the humanities

This is an opportunity for students to work with faculty from a diverse set of disciplines on creative and scholarly projects. Students will come away with invaluable skills in library and archival research practices, visual arts studio practices, laboratory practices, film/media production practices, critical research and writing, and much more. Critical and Creative Practices is comprised of a diverse group of artists, theorists, scientists, mathematicians, writers, filmmakers and other cultural workers whose interdisciplinary fields of study sit at the crossroads between critical theoretical studies and creative engagement.

Kathleen Eamon (social and political philosophy, aesthetics, philosophy of art) has interests in German idealism (Kant and Hegel), historical materialism (Marx, 20 th C Marxists, and critical theory), and psychoanalysis (Freud and Lacan). She is currently working on an unorthodox project about Kant and Freud, under the working title “States of Partial Undress: the Fantasy of Sociability.” Students working with Kathleen would have opportunities to join her in her inquiry, learn about and pursue research in the humanities, and critically respond to the project as it comes together. In addition to work in Kantian aesthetics and Freudian dream theory, the project will involve questions about futurity, individual wishes and fantasies, and the possibility of collective and progressive models of sociability and fantasy.

Naima Lowe (experimental media and performance art) creates films, videos, performances and written works that explore issues of race, gender, and embodiment. The majority of her work includes an archival research element that explores historical social relationships and mythic identities. She is currently working on a series of short films and performances that explore racial identity in rural settings. Students working with Naima would have opportunities to learn media production and post-production skills (including storyboarding, scripting, 16mm and HD video shooting, location scouting, audio recording, audio/video editing, etc) through working with a small crew comprised of students and professional artists. Students would also have opportunities to do archival and historical research on African-Americans living in rural settings, and on literature, film and visual art that deals with similar themes.

Shaw Osha (visual art) works in painting, photography, drawing, writing and video. She explores issues of visual representation, affect as a desire, social relationships and the conditions that surround us. She is currently working on a project based on questions of soul in artwork. Students working with Shaw would have opportunities to learn about artistic research, critique, grant and statement writing, website design, studio work and concerns in contemporary art making.

Joli Sandoz (creative nonfiction) draws from experience and field, archival and library research to write creative essays about experiences and constructions of place, and about cultural practices of embodiment. She also experiments with juxtapositions of diagrams, images and words, including hand-drawn mapping. Students working with Joli will be able to learn their choice of: critical reading approaches to published works (reading as a writer), online and print research and associated information assessment skills, identifying publishing markets for specific pieces of writing, or discussing and responding to creative nonfiction in draft form (workshopping). Joli’s projects underway include a series of essays on place and aging; an essay on physical achievement and ambition; and a visual/word piece exploring the relationship of the local to the global.

Please go to the Research Opportunities catalog view for specific information about each option.

Fields of Study

Preparatory for studies or careers in

creative writing, writing, education, editing, media studies, media production, visual arts, film studies, web development, and the humanities.

Location and Schedule

Campus location

Olympia

Schedule

Offered during: Day, Evening and Weekend

Books

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Online Learning

Enhanced Online Learning

More information about online learning.

Registration Information

Credits: Variable Credit Options

Variable Credit Options

Seat availability and credit options vary per quarter.

Class standing: Sophomore–Senior

Fall

Signature Required

Contact Individual Faculty.

Course Reference Number not yet available.

Winter

Accepting New Students

Signature Required

Contact Individual Faculty

Course Reference Number not yet available.

Spring

Accepting New Students

Signature Required

Contact Individual Faculty.

Course Reference Number not yet available.

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