Arts Admin students listening to instructor in gallery space while looking at large, brightly colored tiles on floor.
Academic Spine

Capstone

Senior Capstone

Background

The Capstone course (CAPSTONE 4900 or DEPT 4900), recommended for the final semester of study at SAIC is an intensive mentoring class focused on the development and/or presentation of culminating student work at the end of their undergraduate studies. The course focuses on assessing the strengths and weaknesses of previous work, developing a focused project or body of work, preparing to present one's work publicly, and sustaining a creative practice after school.

Depending on the department, various Capstone course formats will be offered, including three-hour seminars, three-hour studio seminars, six-hour studios, and six-hour studio symposia. Courses listed as CAPSTONE 4900 are intended to be interdisciplinary and open to all seniors who have completed Professional Practice. Discipline-specific courses with departmental prerequisites are listed with the departmental heading, DEPT 4900.

Capstone is the third and final course in the three-course sequence of Academic Spine courses (Sophomore Seminar, Professional Practice , and Capstone ), which is required for all freshmen who began their undergraduate degrees at SAIC in Fall 2015 and after (transfer students must take Research Studio for Transfer Students, Professional Practice, and Capstone).

Senior Capstone courses are offered in both the fall and spring semesters, to give students flexibility in incorporating this required course into their schedule. CAPSTONE 4900 should always be taken when the student has at least 90 credits completed. Capstone courses do not have to be taken in the student’s last semester at SAIC, but many students plan for this outcome. A minority of Senior Capstone options are linked to the SAIC Undergraduate Exhibition, and the Undergraduate Division and Office of Registration and Records coordinates to ensure students registering in these courses will also be registered for the corresponding Exhibition (fall or spring).

Course Description

The Capstone course assesses your strengths and weaknesses in your studio, scholarly, and/or pedagogical practice through intensive mentoring. You will assemble and document your capstone body of work, and prepare a plan to present your work in a wider context, such as in a capstone exhibition/production/event, in an on-campus or off-campus venue, or in a print or online publication. Due to the demands of this work, you should plan to take Capstone during your final semester of coursework at SAIC.

Many Capstone courses are intended to be interdisciplinary in that students with various material interests could take any of the sections and be engaged by the class conversation and critique. However, Capstone courses may also be highly discipline-specific, reflecting their status as culminating courses in a larger path of study. Students should carefully consider whether they are seeking and eligible for a discipline-specific Capstone within a department, or would benefit from a more interdisciplinary option. SAIC plans to ensure all seniors have viable options when completing this requirement, regardless of how discipline-specific their focus has been. 

Students who wish to locate a faculty mentor within their particular area of study are advised to examine faculty bios and course descriptions in order to select a Capstone course that meets their identified goals and aspirations. Academic advisors can also be helpful resources for helping connect students’ interests and goals with relevant faculty, in this area of the curriculum and all others as well.

Course Learning Goals

At the conclusion of the Capstone course, students will be able to:

  1. Assemble and document a body of focused, self-initiated work that demonstrates conceptual understanding and technical ability (Evidence: Documentation of Practice Project).
  2. Engage in practices of critique that position one's own and others’ work in a diverse range of practices and their histories (Examples of evidence: optional documentation/notes related to student participation in critiques).
  3. Demonstrate the ability to think, speak, and write clearly and effectively with regard to the creative, scholarly, and/or pedagogical practice (Evidence: Documentation of Practice written contextualization).
  4. Prepare a plan to present work in a wider context, such as in a capstone exhibition/production/event, in an on-campus or off-campus venue, or in a print or online publication (Examples of evidence: Participation in an SAIC year-end event such as the Fashion Show or BFA Exhibition; presentation of academic thesis or teaching demonstration; submission of proposal to display work in an on-campus or off-campus venue; publication of work in print or online)
Title Catalog Instructor Schedule

Description

Acts of preservation are ancient and practiced broadly across cultures, from fermenting food, to telling and retelling stories, to fabricating and repairing clothing and shelter. In art and design, radical acts of preservation not only maintain part of the past, but imagine and enact new connections between past, present, and future. This Capstone studio will explore a range of contemporary radical preservation acts including critical architectural preservation and art conservation projects; institutional critiques of libraries, museums, and archives; and preservation of multiple, intersectional, and even contradictory pasts in any medium. Course work will include readings, in-class discussions, and critiques. Students will work individually throughout the course to research precedents of radical preservation acts, identify a subject of interest for preservation, and enact a preservation strategy for it in any art or design medium of their choice.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

2360

Credits

3

Department

Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects

Location

Sullivan Center 1406B

Description

This course is a forum for in-depth critiques, technical, conceptual, and professional practice discussions based on the student?s practice and research. The goal of this class is to provide students information and guidance on how they can continue with their art practice after school. Each student enrolled in the course will be assigned a studio space within the department. The course is open to Seniors only who have previously taken 9 credit hours of Ceramics classes, 2000-level and above. Students signing up for this class must also be enrolled in any 3 credit hour Ceramics class, 2000-level and above. Seniors may enroll in this course for two consecutive semesters only. Some of the books we will use as a reference for this class may be Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 by Sharon Louden and 33 Artists in 3 Acts by Sarah Thornton. Additionally, students will present to the class about an artist or thinker. The format for this course is primary individual and group meetings, readings, presentations, field trips, exhibitions, and group critiques. Additionally, we will have a discussion with guest artists speaking and about their work and the technicalities of how to continue with their art practice. Students will learn how to document, install, and promote their work. It is expected of the students to self direct their own project culminating with a final exhibition project as part of their BFA or Gallery 1922.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

1815

Credits

3

Department

Ceramics

Location

280 Building Rm 109

Description

Students who enroll in Capstone 4900: Senior Exhibition must have been assigned the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. The Spring exhibition assignment takes place in the preceding term (Fall). Enrollment in this course will only be permitted for students eligible for the Spring exhibition. Students who fail to subsequently complete the Spring exhibition registration process may not ultimately participate in this exhibition-focused course. This interdisciplinary capstone class is designed to help students recognize patterns of inquiry within their practice and to help contextualize their work in preparation for their Senior Exhibition. The class will collaboratively organize a group curated section of the exhibition. Students will tackle both critical and practical aspects of exhibition planning from writing conceptual supporting texts to the nuts-and-bolts methods of installation and preparator work. An assessment of previous work will be the starting point for ongoing critical inquiry into your creative professional practice, and how you might position and locate your own work in the art-worlds of the 21st Century. Readings, screenings, and field trips will vary. Class visits by local artists will provide the opportunity to have a conversation about their lived experience sustaining a creative practice. With an emphasis on faculty mentorship, class meetings will support the development of a body of work or project for the Senior Exhibition, building a strong portfolio, and planning for post-SAIC life. Prerequisite: To enroll, students must be assigned to the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. Assignments take place in the preceding term (Fall). Students who fail to complete the registration process may not ultimately take this course.

Prerequisites

To enroll, students must be assigned to the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. Assignment and registration take place in the preceding term (Fall). Students who fail to complete the registration process may not ultimately take this course.

Class Number

1454

Credits

3

Department

Interdisciplinary Studies

Location

280 Building Rm 120

Description

This interdisciplinary critique seminar is designed to help students recognize patterns of inquiry within their studio work while proceeding toward an outward-facing practice beyond graduation. An assessment of previous projects will be the starting point for an ongoing critical examination of your creative practice, through which you will be asked to contextualize and position your work in the art-worlds of the 21st Century. This course is a forum for in-depth individual and group critiques with technical and conceptual discussions tailored to your practice and research. In addition to various readings, screenings, and field trips, class visits by local artists and curators will provide the opportunity for conversation about the lived experience of sustaining a creative practice. With an emphasis on faculty mentorship, class meetings will support the development of a focused, self-initiated Senior Project, a strong portfolio, and the tools for maintaining an independent studio practice.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

1459

Credits

3

Department

Interdisciplinary Studies

Location

MacLean 111

Description

This interdisciplinary capstone, with an emphasis on contemporary photography and visual culture, is structured as an intensive critique and mentoring class focused on the development and presentation of culminating work at the end of the BFA and the continued progression of studio work beyond the BFA exhibition. The course supports the production of self-initiated work, a successful BFA show and a road map for a sustainable art practice after graduation. Preparations for the BFA exhibition include workshopping project proposals, budgets, production schedules, the development of new work and an array of possible final presentation forms. Readings, screenings and discussions will examine useful models of participation in cultural production and a critical framework for analyzing a range of platforms to share work online, in print and exhibition. Studio visits will provide insight into the day-to-day life of artists at various stages in their career ranging from current SAIC grad students to working professionals. Online and printed portfolios utilizing an ever-evolving archive of work will be refined along with professional supporting materials such as statements, CVs and artist talks necessary for a professional practice beyond graduation.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

1776

Credits

3

Department

Photography

Area of Study

Books and Publishing, Social Media and the Web

Location

280 Building Rm 215

Description

With an emphasis on production, this comics course focuses on developing and critiquing a culminating body of work that will be created from idea to completed printed publication. Students? work will be formatted, discussed, and placed in the context of their post-SAIC life and careers. This may include a variety of methods such as ashcans, pitches, conventions, tabling, anthologies, minicomics, and/or long form narratives. Experience in comics or illustration is highly recommended. Readings will supplement this course and provide context and expectations for producing high caliber work paralleled with managing a studio practice and your health. Selections will vary but typically include Growing Gills by Jessica Abel, Draw Stronger by Kriota Wilberg, Asterios Polyp by David Mazzuchelli, and How to Not Always Be Working by Marlee Grace Students will spend the semester creating a culminating body of work for publication as well as documenting their process throughout development and evolution.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

1912

Credits

3

Department

Painting and Drawing

Area of Study

Books and Publishing, Comics and Graphic Novels, Illustration

Location

280 Building Rm 306

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

1913

Credits

3

Department

Painting and Drawing

Area of Study

Community & Social Engagement, Exhibition and Curatorial Studies

Location

280 Building Rm 120

Description

Students who enroll in Capstone 4900: Senior Exhibition must have been assigned the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. The Spring exhibition assignment takes place in the preceding term (Fall). Enrollment in this course will only be permitted for students eligible for the Spring exhibition. Students who fail to subsequently complete the Spring exhibition registration process may not ultimately participate in this exhibition-focused course. This interdisciplinary capstone class is designed to help students recognize patterns of inquiry within their practice and to help contextualize their work in preparation for their Senior Exhibition. The class will collaboratively organize a group curated section of the exhibition. Students will tackle both critical and practical aspects of exhibition planning from writing conceptual supporting texts to the nuts-and-bolts methods of installation and preparator work. An assessment of previous work will be the starting point for ongoing critical inquiry into your creative professional practice, and how you might position and locate your own work in the art-worlds of the 21st Century. Readings, screenings, and field trips will vary. Class visits by local artists will provide the opportunity to have a conversation about their lived experience sustaining a creative practice. With an emphasis on faculty mentorship, class meetings will support the development of a body of work or project for the Senior Exhibition, building a strong portfolio, and planning for post-SAIC life. Prerequisite: To enroll, students must be assigned to the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. Assignments take place in the preceding term (Fall). Students who fail to complete the registration process may not ultimately take this course.

Prerequisites

To enroll, students must be assigned to the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. Assignment and registration take place in the preceding term (Fall). Students who fail to complete the registration process may not ultimately take this course.

Class Number

1455

Credits

3

Department

Interdisciplinary Studies

Location

MacLean B1-04

Description

This interdisciplinary critique seminar is designed to help students recognize patterns of inquiry within their studio work while proceeding toward an outward-facing practice beyond graduation. An assessment of previous projects will be the starting point for an ongoing critical examination of your creative practice, through which you will be asked to contextualize and position your work in the art-worlds of the 21st Century. This course is a forum for in-depth individual and group critiques with technical and conceptual discussions tailored to your practice and research. In addition to various readings, screenings, and field trips, class visits by local artists and curators will provide the opportunity for conversation about the lived experience of sustaining a creative practice. With an emphasis on faculty mentorship, class meetings will support the development of a focused, self-initiated Senior Project, a strong portfolio, and the tools for maintaining an independent studio practice.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

1965

Credits

3

Department

Interdisciplinary Studies

Location

280 Building Rm 120

Description

With an emphasis on production, this comics course focuses on developing and critiquing a culminating body of work that will be created from idea to completed printed publication. Students? work will be formatted, discussed, and placed in the context of their post-SAIC life and careers. This may include a variety of methods such as ashcans, pitches, conventions, tabling, anthologies, minicomics, and/or long form narratives. Experience in comics or illustration is highly recommended. Readings will supplement this course and provide context and expectations for producing high caliber work paralleled with managing a studio practice and your health. Selections will vary but typically include Growing Gills by Jessica Abel, Draw Stronger by Kriota Wilberg, Asterios Polyp by David Mazzuchelli, and How to Not Always Be Working by Marlee Grace Students will spend the semester creating a culminating body of work for publication as well as documenting their process throughout development and evolution.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

2533

Credits

3

Department

Painting and Drawing

Area of Study

Books and Publishing, Comics and Graphic Novels, Illustration

Location

280 Building Rm 306

Description

This interdisciplinary critique seminar is designed to help students recognize patterns of inquiry within their studio work while proceeding toward an outward-facing practice beyond graduation. An assessment of previous projects will be the starting point for an ongoing critical examination of your creative practice, through which you will be asked to contextualize and position your work in the art-worlds of the 21st Century. This course is a forum for in-depth individual and group critiques with technical and conceptual discussions tailored to your practice and research. In addition to various readings, screenings, and field trips, class visits by local artists and curators will provide the opportunity for conversation about the lived experience of sustaining a creative practice. With an emphasis on faculty mentorship, class meetings will support the development of a focused, self-initiated Senior Project, a strong portfolio, and the tools for maintaining an independent studio practice.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

1966

Credits

3

Department

Interdisciplinary Studies

Location

MacLean B1-04

Description

This interdisciplinary critique seminar is designed to help students recognize patterns of inquiry within their studio work while proceeding toward an outward-facing practice beyond graduation. An assessment of previous projects will be the starting point for an ongoing critical examination of your creative practice, through which you will be asked to contextualize and position your work in the art-worlds of the 21st Century. This course is a forum for in-depth individual and group critiques with technical and conceptual discussions tailored to your practice and research. In addition to various readings, screenings, and field trips, class visits by local artists and curators will provide the opportunity for conversation about the lived experience of sustaining a creative practice. With an emphasis on faculty mentorship, class meetings will support the development of a focused, self-initiated Senior Project, a strong portfolio, and the tools for maintaining an independent studio practice.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

2286

Credits

3

Department

Interdisciplinary Studies

Location

Online

Description

Students who enroll in Capstone 4900: Senior Exhibition must have been assigned the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. The Spring exhibition assignment takes place in the preceding term (Fall). Enrollment in this course will only be permitted for students eligible for the Spring exhibition. Students who fail to subsequently complete the Spring exhibition registration process may not ultimately participate in this exhibition-focused course. This interdisciplinary capstone class is designed to help students recognize patterns of inquiry within their practice and to help contextualize their work in preparation for their Senior Exhibition. The class will collaboratively organize a group curated section of the exhibition. Students will tackle both critical and practical aspects of exhibition planning from writing conceptual supporting texts to the nuts-and-bolts methods of installation and preparator work. An assessment of previous work will be the starting point for ongoing critical inquiry into your creative professional practice, and how you might position and locate your own work in the art-worlds of the 21st Century. Readings, screenings, and field trips will vary. Class visits by local artists will provide the opportunity to have a conversation about their lived experience sustaining a creative practice. With an emphasis on faculty mentorship, class meetings will support the development of a body of work or project for the Senior Exhibition, building a strong portfolio, and planning for post-SAIC life. Prerequisite: To enroll, students must be assigned to the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. Assignments take place in the preceding term (Fall). Students who fail to complete the registration process may not ultimately take this course.

Prerequisites

To enroll, students must be assigned to the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. Assignment and registration take place in the preceding term (Fall). Students who fail to complete the registration process may not ultimately take this course.

Class Number

1457

Credits

3

Department

Interdisciplinary Studies

Location

MacLean B1-04

Description

Students who enroll in Capstone 4900: Senior Exhibition must have been assigned the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. The Spring exhibition assignment takes place in the preceding term (Fall). Enrollment in this course will only be permitted for students eligible for the Spring exhibition. Students who fail to subsequently complete the Spring exhibition registration process may not ultimately participate in this exhibition-focused course. This interdisciplinary capstone class is designed to help students recognize patterns of inquiry within their practice and to help contextualize their work in preparation for their Senior Exhibition. The class will collaboratively organize a group curated section of the exhibition. Students will tackle both critical and practical aspects of exhibition planning from writing conceptual supporting texts to the nuts-and-bolts methods of installation and preparator work. An assessment of previous work will be the starting point for ongoing critical inquiry into your creative professional practice, and how you might position and locate your own work in the art-worlds of the 21st Century. Readings, screenings, and field trips will vary. Class visits by local artists will provide the opportunity to have a conversation about their lived experience sustaining a creative practice. With an emphasis on faculty mentorship, class meetings will support the development of a body of work or project for the Senior Exhibition, building a strong portfolio, and planning for post-SAIC life. Prerequisite: To enroll, students must be assigned to the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. Assignments take place in the preceding term (Fall). Students who fail to complete the registration process may not ultimately take this course.

Prerequisites

To enroll, students must be assigned to the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. Assignment and registration take place in the preceding term (Fall). Students who fail to complete the registration process may not ultimately take this course.

Class Number

2287

Credits

3

Department

Interdisciplinary Studies

Location

280 Building Rm 325

Description

This interdisciplinary critique seminar is designed to help students recognize patterns of inquiry within their studio work while proceeding toward an outward-facing practice beyond graduation. An assessment of previous projects will be the starting point for an ongoing critical examination of your creative practice, through which you will be asked to contextualize and position your work in the art-worlds of the 21st Century. This course is a forum for in-depth individual and group critiques with technical and conceptual discussions tailored to your practice and research. In addition to various readings, screenings, and field trips, class visits by local artists and curators will provide the opportunity for conversation about the lived experience of sustaining a creative practice. With an emphasis on faculty mentorship, class meetings will support the development of a focused, self-initiated Senior Project, a strong portfolio, and the tools for maintaining an independent studio practice.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

2510

Credits

3

Department

Interdisciplinary Studies

Location

Lakeview - 203

Description

Students who enroll in Capstone 4900: Senior Exhibition must have been assigned the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. The Spring exhibition assignment takes place in the preceding term (Fall). Enrollment in this course will only be permitted for students eligible for the Spring exhibition. Students who fail to subsequently complete the Spring exhibition registration process may not ultimately participate in this exhibition-focused course. This interdisciplinary capstone class is designed to help students recognize patterns of inquiry within their practice and to help contextualize their work in preparation for their Senior Exhibition. The class will collaboratively organize a group curated section of the exhibition. Students will tackle both critical and practical aspects of exhibition planning from writing conceptual supporting texts to the nuts-and-bolts methods of installation and preparator work. An assessment of previous work will be the starting point for ongoing critical inquiry into your creative professional practice, and how you might position and locate your own work in the art-worlds of the 21st Century. Readings, screenings, and field trips will vary. Class visits by local artists will provide the opportunity to have a conversation about their lived experience sustaining a creative practice. With an emphasis on faculty mentorship, class meetings will support the development of a body of work or project for the Senior Exhibition, building a strong portfolio, and planning for post-SAIC life. Prerequisite: To enroll, students must be assigned to the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. Assignments take place in the preceding term (Fall). Students who fail to complete the registration process may not ultimately take this course.

Prerequisites

To enroll, students must be assigned to the Spring exhibition at SAIC Galleries. Assignment and registration take place in the preceding term (Fall). Students who fail to complete the registration process may not ultimately take this course.

Class Number

2303

Credits

3

Department

Interdisciplinary Studies

Location

MacLean B1-04

Description

Designed for advanced-level Printmedia students, this course centers the studio as a site for physical and conceptual production. A combination of independent work time, individual meetings, group critiques and assigned prompts form the bulk of course programming. Students are expected to set personal goals informed by dialogue with course faculty and studio peers. Attention will be paid to independent practices and/or professional strategies beyond school. The course supports student production of a focused body of creative work. Students accepted into this section will be given an undergraduate studio in the 280 Building. Please note that during class time, students in this section don't have access to any print facilities other than their studio space. Application is required for consideration.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

1949

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 203

Description

This course facilitates students who have progressed beyond the advanced 3000 level classes offered by the Department of Printmedia. Students are expected to be self-motivated and capable of working in an interdisciplinary and mature fashion. Application is required for consideration.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

1950

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 203, 280 Building Rm 221, 280 Building Rm 222, 280 Building Rm 223

Description

This course facilitates students who have progressed beyond the advanced 3000 level classes offered by the Department of Printmedia. Students are expected to be self-motivated and capable of working in an interdisciplinary and mature fashion. Application is required for consideration.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 3900 course

Class Number

1950

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

280 Building Rm 203, 280 Building Rm 221, 280 Building Rm 222, 280 Building Rm 223

Contact Us

For all questions about the undergraduate Academic Spine curriculum, please email saic-academicspine@saic.edu.