Academic Spine

Professional Practice Experience

Junior Professional Practice Experience

Background

Junior Professional Practice (PROFPRAC 39XX or DEPT 39XX) provides third-year students who have completed between 60 and 90 credits with various professional practice activities so that they will be prepared for life after SAIC in a wide variety of professional contexts. The course emphasizes a hands-on, real-world curriculum. Students will engage in a semester-long, faculty-defined creative project, as well as an online project. Additional course activities may include preparing a CV, networking with alumni and other key figures in their fields of interest, or giving an artist talk or scholarly presentation.


The Junior Professional Practice course is usually a three-credit course, and, as determined by each department, can function as either a seminar or a studio. Depending on course format, each section will meet for either five hours weekly or for three hours weekly. The sections that meet for three hours weekly include the expectation that students are completing six hours of work outside class, which might include portfolio development, project development, proposal writing, and networking in fields of artistic or scholarly interest. Some Professional Practice courses integrate studio projects while others focus exclusively on the stated professional practice learning goals. Courses listed as PROFPRAC 39XX are open to all third-year students who have completed Sophomore Seminar or Research Studio for Transfer Students. PROFPRAC 39XX courses can be either interdisciplinary or discipline-specific with departmental prerequisites.


Junior Professional Practice is the second course in the three-course sequence of the Academic Spine (Sophomore Seminar, Junior Professional Practice, and Senior Capstone), which is required for all freshmen who began their undergraduate degrees at SAIC (transfer students must take Research Studio for Transfer Students, Junior Professional Practice, and Senior Capstone). Professional Practice is offered in both the fall and spring semesters, to give students flexibility in incorporating this requirement into their schedule. PROFPRAC 39XX should always be taken when students have between 60-90 credits completed (roughly third or junior year for a full-time student). This course is a prerequisite for all Senior Capstone courses, to ensure the Spine courses are completed in sequential order.
 

Course Description

In the Professional Practice Experience (PROFPRAC 39XX or DEPARTMENT 39XX) you will engage in a wide variety of professional practice activities to help prepare you for life after SAIC. Course assignments include preparing a CV, creating a website, writing a statement, attending events and more. Additional activities may include giving an artist talk, conducting an interview or hosting a community event. The course emphasizes hands-on, real-world professional activities and opportunities for emerging artists, designers, and scholars. You should plan to take Professional Practice Experience during your third year at SAIC.
 

Shared Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the Professional Practice Experience, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive and practiced understanding of professional writing and research skills. 
    Examples of evidence: a professional application packet of their choice. This is a required assignment that is consistent across all 39XX. Pre uploaded to canvas.
     
  2. Present a body of work online in a professional context, demonstrating critical awareness of audience and selection of work.
    Examples of evidence: website, canvas portfolio, substack, professional social media account, etc.     
     
  3. Network with relevant practitioners, organizations, and institutions in students’ field(s) of interest, with an attention to identifying key figures and situating their own work within these fields.
    Examples of evidence: Students are required to engage with CAPX at least three times. This on campus professional engagement should be supplemented with off-campus real world activities such as artist interviews, attendance at panel discussions, gallery openings, artist talks and more. 
     
  4. Implement a well-planned creative act that applies and enhances your professional skills. 
    Examples of evidence: design a personal logo, branding for your materials, host an open studio or present your artist statements in class
     

Professional Practice Courses

The information below updates twice a week—it is possible that changes may occur between updates. Up-to-the-minute information for enrolled students can always be found at PeopleSoft Self-Service.

Title Catalog Instructor Schedule

Description

This 6-credit (two day) design studio focuses on the role architecture plays in shaping public life. Students address the cultural, political, and material concerns that shape buildings through the development of a design proposal with a clear theoretical grounding and distinct topical focus. Teaching focuses on understanding architectural program and circulation; materiality and structure; and site and context. Students respond to topical briefs put forward by their teacher that incorporate knowledge from areas of architectural practice such as preservation, interior design, or urbanism; use advanced representation techniques to achieve a professional level presentation, and complete a portfolio and resume along with their design work. Class work includes architectural research; precedent study; and site analysis; all informing the completion of a design proposal with a complex program. This course requires 12 credits (two semesters) of Architecture Foundation Studio to register. This course requires students to have a laptop that meets SAIC's minimum hardware specifications and runs the department software template including Rhino and Revit.

Prerequisites

Must have completed a sophomore seminar class and 12 credits of Architecture Foundation Studio

Class Number

1564

Credits

6

Department

Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects

Area of Study

Architecture, Interior Architecture, Public Space, Site, Landscape, Sustainable Design

Location

Sullivan Center 1255

Description

This 6-credit (two day) design studio focuses on the role architecture plays in shaping public life. Students address the cultural, political, and material concerns that shape buildings through the development of a design proposal with a clear theoretical grounding and distinct topical focus. Teaching focuses on understanding architectural program and circulation; materiality and structure; and site and context. Students respond to topical briefs put forward by their teacher that incorporate knowledge from areas of architectural practice such as preservation, interior design, or urbanism; use advanced representation techniques to achieve a professional level presentation, and complete a portfolio and resume along with their design work. Class work includes architectural research; precedent study; and site analysis; all informing the completion of a design proposal with a complex program. This course requires 12 credits (two semesters) of Architecture Foundation Studio to register. This course requires students to have a laptop that meets SAIC's minimum hardware specifications and runs the department software template including Rhino and Revit.

Prerequisites

Must have completed a sophomore seminar class and 12 credits of Architecture Foundation Studio

Class Number

1564

Credits

6

Department

Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects

Area of Study

Architecture, Interior Architecture, Public Space, Site, Landscape, Sustainable Design

Location

Sullivan Center 1255

Description

Relating contemporary and traditional artmaking approaches and culturally responsive pedagogy with curriculum, project, and instructional design methods, this course provides prospective teachers and teaching artists with knowledge and skills needed to structure learning experiences through which children and youth in elementary schools, middle schools and community settings enhance their creativity, develop technical skills, understand a range of artmaking practices, make personally meaningful works, and explore big ideas. Course participants will structure teaching plans that identify students¿ prior knowledge, scaffold learning, use multiple teaching and learning strategies to promote student engagement and differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students. They will learn to articulate clear and verifiable core learning objectives, select relevant national and state standards and design assessments that capture essential student learning without standardizing students¿ artworks. Teacher reflection based on critique, student input and assessment data will be used in an iterative process of editing and redesigning curriculum. Connecting visual and verbal literacies, prospective teachers will make use of reading, writing and speaking activities that engage students in interpreting art and analyzing visual culture as well as using picture books as a source of inspiration for their personal storytelling and artmaking. Teachers will learn to select and/or develop reading level-appropriate art and culture readings to support learning.

Studying a range of art education practices will provide teacher candidates with theoretical perspectives from which to build their own unique pedagogical approaches. Readings include works by Maria Montessori, Viktor Lowenfeld, Anne Thulson, Lisa Delpit, Vivian Paley, and Sonia Nieto as well as overviews of Reggio Emelia, Teaching for Social Justice, Teaching for Artistic Behavior, Studio Habits, Visual Thinking Strategies and Principles of Possibility

Course assignments will include readings and discussion responses and researching artists, artmaking approaches and pedagogical practices as well as writing project and lesson plans accompanied by teacher artwork examples, image presentations, readings, assessments, and other instructional materials, as well as documenting plans and student artworks. Participants will teach small groups of students in elementary schools with English Language Learners.

All student must complete and pass Chicago Public Schools Background Check.

Prerequisites

Must complete ARTED 3015, ARTED 3021 and any sophomore seminar course

Class Number

2074

Credits

3

Department

Art Education

Location

Sharp 404

Description

Relating contemporary and traditional artmaking approaches and culturally responsive pedagogy with curriculum, project, and instructional design methods, this course provides prospective teachers and teaching artists with knowledge and skills needed to structure learning experiences through which children and youth in elementary schools, middle schools and community settings enhance their creativity, develop technical skills, understand a range of artmaking practices, make personally meaningful works, and explore big ideas. Course participants will structure teaching plans that identify students¿ prior knowledge, scaffold learning, use multiple teaching and learning strategies to promote student engagement and differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students. They will learn to articulate clear and verifiable core learning objectives, select relevant national and state standards and design assessments that capture essential student learning without standardizing students¿ artworks. Teacher reflection based on critique, student input and assessment data will be used in an iterative process of editing and redesigning curriculum. Connecting visual and verbal literacies, prospective teachers will make use of reading, writing and speaking activities that engage students in interpreting art and analyzing visual culture as well as using picture books as a source of inspiration for their personal storytelling and artmaking. Teachers will learn to select and/or develop reading level-appropriate art and culture readings to support learning.

Studying a range of art education practices will provide teacher candidates with theoretical perspectives from which to build their own unique pedagogical approaches. Readings include works by Maria Montessori, Viktor Lowenfeld, Anne Thulson, Lisa Delpit, Vivian Paley, and Sonia Nieto as well as overviews of Reggio Emelia, Teaching for Social Justice, Teaching for Artistic Behavior, Studio Habits, Visual Thinking Strategies and Principles of Possibility

Course assignments will include readings and discussion responses and researching artists, artmaking approaches and pedagogical practices as well as writing project and lesson plans accompanied by teacher artwork examples, image presentations, readings, assessments, and other instructional materials, as well as documenting plans and student artworks. Participants will teach small groups of students in elementary schools with English Language Learners.

All student must complete and pass Chicago Public Schools Background Check.

Prerequisites

Must complete ARTED 3015, ARTED 3021 and any sophomore seminar course

Class Number

2075

Credits

3

Department

Art Education

Location

Sharp 409

Description

This seminar introduces and develops professional practices for students pursuing a freelance career in comics, illustration, animation, or the like. By creating promotional material, portfolios, contracts, and invoices, students learn how to market themselves as freelance artists. In tandem with learning the ins and outs of industry standards, they have access to insight and advice from a variety of guest speakers whose careers and professional paths have paved the way for future creators.

Readings will vary but typically include 'The Freelancer's Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Have the Career of Your Dreams- On Your Terms' by Sara Horowitz, 'The Graphic Artist Guild Pricing and Ethical Guidelines Handbook,' and 'Burn Your Portfolio' by Michael Janda.

Students will create, revise, workshop, and submit a variety of professional documents that culminate in a compendium over the course of the semester. These are all documents that will prove to be necessary for a freelancing career. There will be weekly responses to readings, and rotating guest speakers to provide in-sight on their professional journeys.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1573

Credits

3

Department

Arts Administration and Policy

Area of Study

Books and Publishing, Comics and Graphic Novels

Location

Lakeview - 206

Description

This course will prepare students for developing project proposals in various contexts ranging from informal collaborations with artist run spaces to formal grant applications. We will focus not only the process of conceptualizing a project idea and persuasively organizing the necessary content around it, but also explore the pragmatic aspects of carrying it out and interfacing collaboratively with an art space, an institution, or other artists. In addition to workshopping the various elements needed for a hypothetical project, students will be required to conceptualize, propose and execute a proposal of some scale at the end of the semester to put into practice the skills and ideas explored in the course. In doing so, we will use the project proposal as a means to understand the broader ecosystem of the artworld and the different roles people play within them: artist, curator, programmer, institution, non-profit infrastructure, commercial and corporate factors, and more. Chicago?s landscape of artists, institutions and DIY spaces will provide ample case studies and first hand know-how for us to tap into as we build an understanding of the interrelationships between an artistic practice and the space within which it is presented or contextualized.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1574

Credits

3

Department

Arts Administration and Policy

Location

MacLean 111

Description

We all have something that we do to offset stress and practice care for the self, be it jogging, knitting, reading, or meeting with friends. Care is a radical action. This course will look at care for the individual and care for the community as a strategy for art-making in the studio. Students will discuss self-care strategies that work for them and bring those strategies into the studio. The culminating project will be presenting a plan of action for continued self-care at SAIC and beyond with concrete examples of these strategies at play in the student's studio work. Students will work on a series of small sample projects throughout the semester in preparation for a final presentation of a finished piece. We will look to alternative models of evaluation and build our own unique dynamic approach to critiquing these pieces.

Students will practice self-care by participating in the class reading group to discuss texts including All About Love by Bell Hooks, Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Marie Brown, Conversation with Mike Kelley, Keith Harring's Journals, Eva Hesse's notes and more. Texts will be selected to best reflect the student's interests and studio practices. We will look at artists and practitioners who bring care into their work across disciplines including Shana Moulton (film and performance), Aram Han Sifuentes (craft and participation), H. Melt (poetry and writing), Adrian Piper (research) and more. Students will be asked to contribute significantly to an extended bibliography of care for the class to share beyond the Spring semester.

This course includes weekly text discussions, small group critiques on sample pieces and culminates in a full class critique of a self directed final project. Ideas for this project will be supported through individual meetings with the instructor and visiting guest self care experts.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1572

Credits

3

Department

Arts Administration and Policy

Area of Study

Art/Design and Politics, Community & Social Engagement

Location

Lakeview - 1427

Description

This interdisciplinary seminar introduces, deepens and extends writing skills and helps to develop concepts that can sustain, guide and propel artistic practice after graduation. Central to the class is the professional completion of two grant applications, followed by a mock jury event that simulates actual jurying procedure. In conjunction with the applications, students write artist statements and develop project proposals. We also discuss how the arts and the public intersect, whether in popular opinion, historic context or professional settings. This includes an assessment of the relations of artists and audiences, artists and administrators and curators, and artists and critics.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1571

Credits

3

Department

Arts Administration and Policy

Area of Study

Public Space, Site, Landscape

Location

MacLean 608

Description

This course is designed to provide students an opportunity to gain experience as interns in professional arts and design environments and prepare for professional life after SAIC. During the semester, faculty provide in-depth mentorship and act as liaison with the internship site supporting students meet their learning goals as outlined for the semester. Through group meetings and online discussions, students engage with a peer cohort of students participating in a variety of internships. Students work at internships for a total of 140 hours (approx 14 hours per week) for the term. In addition to successfully completing the internship, students will conduct an informational interview with their employer, attend 4 class meetings and a meeting with the faculty and supervisor, complete an internship supervisor evaluation, revise their resume, and update their online portfolio, website, or professional profile.

Students are required to secure an internship prior to the start of the semester. Internships must be approved by the Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) office. Students are encouraged to meet with a CAPX advisor for assistance with researching and applying for internships. In order to begin the internship approval process students should go to https://bit.ly/35vmTTM. Upon approval, course registration is managed by CAPX.

Note that international students must receive CPT authorization prior to participating in an off-campus internship.

Internships may be in-person, hybrid, or virtual; however all four class meetings are virtual. Class meeting day and time are determined by the faculty.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1565

Credits

3

Department

Career and Professional Experience

Location

Description

This course is designed to provide students an opportunity to gain experience as interns in professional arts and design environments and prepare for professional life after SAIC. During the semester, faculty provide in-depth mentorship and act as liaison with the internship site supporting students meet their learning goals as outlined for the semester. Through group meetings and online discussions, students engage with a peer cohort of students participating in a variety of internships. Students work at internships for a total of 140 hours (approx 14 hours per week) for the term. In addition to successfully completing the internship, students will conduct an informational interview with their employer, attend 4 class meetings and a meeting with the faculty and supervisor, complete an internship supervisor evaluation, revise their resume, and update their online portfolio, website, or professional profile.

Students are required to secure an internship prior to the start of the semester. Internships must be approved by the Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) office. Students are encouraged to meet with a CAPX advisor for assistance with researching and applying for internships. In order to begin the internship approval process students should go to https://bit.ly/35vmTTM. Upon approval, course registration is managed by CAPX.

Note that international students must receive CPT authorization prior to participating in an off-campus internship.

Internships may be in-person, hybrid, or virtual; however all four class meetings are virtual. Class meeting day and time are determined by the faculty.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1592

Credits

3

Department

Career and Professional Experience

Location

Description

This course is designed to provide students an opportunity to gain experience as interns in professional arts and design environments and prepare for professional life after SAIC. During the semester, faculty provide in-depth mentorship and act as liaison with the internship site supporting students meet their learning goals as outlined for the semester. Through group meetings and online discussions, students engage with a peer cohort of students participating in a variety of internships. Students work at internships for a total of 140 hours (approx 14 hours per week) for the term. In addition to successfully completing the internship, students will conduct an informational interview with their employer, attend 4 class meetings and a meeting with the faculty and supervisor, complete an internship supervisor evaluation, revise their resume, and update their online portfolio, website, or professional profile.

Students are required to secure an internship prior to the start of the semester. Internships must be approved by the Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) office. Students are encouraged to meet with a CAPX advisor for assistance with researching and applying for internships. In order to begin the internship approval process students should go to https://bit.ly/35vmTTM. Upon approval, course registration is managed by CAPX.

Note that international students must receive CPT authorization prior to participating in an off-campus internship.

Internships may be in-person, hybrid, or virtual; however all four class meetings are virtual. Class meeting day and time are determined by the faculty.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

2364

Credits

3

Department

Career and Professional Experience

Location

Description

This course is designed to provide students an opportunity to gain experience as interns in professional arts and design environments and prepare for professional life after SAIC. During the semester, faculty provide in-depth mentorship and act as liaison with the internship site supporting students meet their learning goals as outlined for the semester. Through group meetings and online discussions, students engage with a peer cohort of students participating in a variety of internships. Students work at internships for a total of 140 hours (approx 14 hours per week) for the term. In addition to successfully completing the internship, students will conduct an informational interview with their employer, attend 4 class meetings and a meeting with the faculty and supervisor, complete an internship supervisor evaluation, revise their resume, and update their online portfolio, website, or professional profile.

Students are required to secure an internship prior to the start of the semester. Internships must be approved by the Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) office. Students are encouraged to meet with a CAPX advisor for assistance with researching and applying for internships. In order to begin the internship approval process students should go to https://bit.ly/35vmTTM. Upon approval, course registration is managed by CAPX.

Note that international students must receive CPT authorization prior to participating in an off-campus internship.

Internships may be in-person, hybrid, or virtual; however all four class meetings are virtual. Class meeting day and time are determined by the faculty.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

2365

Credits

3

Department

Career and Professional Experience

Location

Description

In this class you will engage in a wide variety of professional practice activities to help prepare you for life after SAIC. In this course, each student will focus on advancing the design (layout, graphics, narratives, flow) of their portfolio so that it best conveys their individual design skills, experience and interests. Students will produce materials appropriate for delivery of their work across multiple formats (print, digital, web, etc), will learn how to edit/ arrange their materials to suit the specific context of application, and will create consistent design elements that can be shared across the full range of professional materials from portfolio, website, business cards, and other promotional materials. The course emphasizes hands-on, real- world professional activities and opportunities for emerging designers.

More information about Professional Practice and the Academic Spine curriculum can be found on the SAIC website: http://www.saic.edu/academics/departments/academicspine/

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1585

Credits

3

Department

Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects

Location

Sullivan Center 1226

Description

Intermediate Fashion studio is a co-taught immersive class that furthers the creative and technical development of the `thinking and making' involved in designing tomorrow's fashion. Students build a three look capsule collection based on their personal research, brought alive in shape and material development through garments. In-depth research and personal conviction infuse the conceptual stage, while translating this sensibility into garment concepts requires heightened attention to detail and execution. Students review and develop approaches to express and communicate design concepts, as well as their realization into fashion garments and collections. Throughout, garments and looks are fitted on models in both muslin and fabric.

Prerequisites

Student must complete sophomore seminar, FASH 3001, and FASH 3002 prior to enrollment.

Class Number

1566

Credits

6

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 702, Sullivan Center 703

Description

Intermediate Fashion studio is a co-taught immersive class that furthers the creative and technical development of the `thinking and making' involved in designing tomorrow's fashion. Students build a three look capsule collection based on their personal research, brought alive in shape and material development through garments. In-depth research and personal conviction infuse the conceptual stage, while translating this sensibility into garment concepts requires heightened attention to detail and execution. Students review and develop approaches to express and communicate design concepts, as well as their realization into fashion garments and collections. Throughout, garments and looks are fitted on models in both muslin and fabric.

Prerequisites

Student must complete sophomore seminar, FASH 3001, and FASH 3002 prior to enrollment.

Class Number

1566

Credits

6

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 702, Sullivan Center 703

Description

Intermediate Fashion studio is a co-taught immersive class that furthers the creative and technical development of the `thinking and making' involved in designing tomorrow's fashion. Students build a three look capsule collection based on their personal research, brought alive in shape and material development through garments. In-depth research and personal conviction infuse the conceptual stage, while translating this sensibility into garment concepts requires heightened attention to detail and execution. Students review and develop approaches to express and communicate design concepts, as well as their realization into fashion garments and collections. Throughout, garments and looks are fitted on models in both muslin and fabric.

Prerequisites

Student must complete sophomore seminar, FASH 3001, and FASH 3002 prior to enrollment.

Class Number

1567

Credits

6

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 703, Sullivan Center 702

Description

Intermediate Fashion studio is a co-taught immersive class that furthers the creative and technical development of the `thinking and making' involved in designing tomorrow's fashion. Students build a three look capsule collection based on their personal research, brought alive in shape and material development through garments. In-depth research and personal conviction infuse the conceptual stage, while translating this sensibility into garment concepts requires heightened attention to detail and execution. Students review and develop approaches to express and communicate design concepts, as well as their realization into fashion garments and collections. Throughout, garments and looks are fitted on models in both muslin and fabric.

Prerequisites

Student must complete sophomore seminar, FASH 3001, and FASH 3002 prior to enrollment.

Class Number

1567

Credits

6

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 703, Sullivan Center 702

Description

This professional practice course that focuses on preparing for all things life after school. As scaffolding throughout the course we will explore the text, How to be an artist at night by Raqs media collective to explore a range of questions and themes in art practice at the intersection of contemporary life. What constitutes an education for the real world? How do we grow a community that supports and is in conversation with our work? What are the professional skills we need to sustain our practice outside the studio? How do we write about, talk about and present our work? What are the practices of self care we can cultivate to fuel our creativity?

Other readings will include teaching to transgress- Bell Hooks, The Artist's Guide: How to make a living doing what you love- Jackie Battenfield, The Social Production of Art- Janet Wolff. We will also watch and respond to short films. Course work will vary but will typically include writing an artist statement, bio and exhibition proposal.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1586

Credits

3

Department

Fiber and Material Studies

Area of Study

Exhibition and Curatorial Studies, Public Space, Site, Landscape, Social Media and the Web

Location

MacLean 301

Description

This professional practice seminar emphasizes sustainability (emotional, economic, and environmental) as key for living artists. Each student will develop a sustainable work flow for organizing opportunities, documenting expenses, and applying for exhibitions, grants and residencies. Emphasis will be placed on sustainable material sourcing, both for environmental concerns and our own economic needs. Discussions and readings will revolve around how to keep making art, even when life gets in the way. Students will learn practical skills that serve their work (tweaking artist statements for various opportunities, developing and maintaining a website, ongoing research ) along with stress-management techniques (organized work flow, time-management, knowing when to take a break and how to rest more effectively, peer-to-peer support, dealing with rejection). This course will address the myriad ways studio artists get paid outside the commercial gallery system via recorded interviews with living artists. Readings include 'Art and Fear' (David Bayles and Ted Orlando) and 'Artists Gotta Eat and Other Things We Forget to Remember' by Tempesst Hazel. Past Visiting Artists have included Selina Trepp, who uses and reuses the material in her studio, and Sadie Woods, who is an artist, curator and DJ. Similar Visiting Artists will be chosen in future semesters. Each student will create a personal opportunities database, create a submission for the opportunity of their choice, write an artist statement, bio and CV, build a portfolio website, give an artist talk and develop a sustainable plan for sourcing materials and managing stress.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1580

Credits

3

Department

Fiber and Material Studies

Area of Study

Exhibition and Curatorial Studies, Public Space, Site, Landscape, Social Media and the Web

Location

MacLean 301

Description

This Professional Practice course is designed for students with practical experience and understanding of the language and process of fiction, non-fiction, hybrid or experimental film production, and who would like to prepare themselves for professional survival and growth as emerging filmmakers outside of school. The topics covered at the class will include: producing project proposals for grants, fellowships and labs; learning about local, national and international film communities, networks and institutions; discussing festivals and other conventional or DIY distribution models; learning about programming and writing about film as career paths; and strategies for building film communities and production teams such as companies and collectives.
We will watch and discuss works by notable SAIC alumni such as Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and will have in-person and virtual visits and discussions with local and global filmmakers, programmers, distributors, centers and platforms. Selected successful recent film projects will be discussed as case studies; we will research the life of each project from ideation to fund-raising, production and distribution.
Students will practice professional development by working around one of their own past or in-progress film projects and producing a body of documents around it, including a proposal for a grant or a lab, an artist/director statement, visual treatment and mood-board, and a written festival and distribution plan.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1590

Credits

3

Department

Film, Video, New Media, and Animation

Area of Study

Animation, Playwriting/Screenwriting

Location

MacLean 517

Description

This course teaches students how to use language creatively and practically in the development of animated media. As well as the role of art direction in the development of animation works. Students will develop skills in writing for the animated short, in relation to dialogue and visual description, treatments, and full scripts. The class will also cover in-depth art direction and pre-production. The goal of this class is to make students literate in the use of language and visuals in the creation of their work, as well as the utilization of these skills in professional animation studios. The class will also cover skills like pitching stories, writing project proposals and creating look books, decks etc.. Books will include; Writing for Animation, Comics, and Games by Christy Marx; Art Direction for Film and Video by Robert Olson Students will complete a series of assignments, based on their own ideas, and adapting existing texts, as well as each other¿s writing into visuals. The class will culminate in a final project proposal that will contain a script, synopsis, and visual art direction for an animated work.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1570

Credits

3

Department

Film, Video, New Media, and Animation

Area of Study

Animation, Comics and Graphic Novels, Illustration

Location

MacLean 717

Description

How does a performance artist create a sustainable career and create a sustainable community in the world after college? This course will provide the nuts and bolts of how to build a career as a performance artist. We will delve into the politics of curating and representing diverse practices. Students will create their own public performance festivals in public or in site-specific spaces learning the mechanisms of getting funding and writing proposals.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1584

Credits

3

Department

Performance

Location

MacLean 2M

Description

Junior Seminar helps students build essential professional skills for life after graduation, focusing on developing a sustainable practice based on their strengths and working style. This five-hour studio seminar offers flexible time for individual mentoring, guest speakers, field trips, extended critiques, and dedicated work time, fostering both professional growth and creative community. Through hands-on projects, students create websites, CVs, grant proposals, and artist statements while learning how to tailor these materials for different opportunities. As one of SAIC's four required Junior Seminars, this course provides structure and support within the school's open, interdisciplinary curriculum, helping students confidently navigate their future careers.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1576

Credits

3

Department

Photography

Area of Study

Digital Imaging

Location

280 Building Rm 214

Description

Students will develop professional practices including collaborative and independent work situations, via roles as commissioned artist, master printer, or artist-designer. Students will seek real-world clients to complete assignments, foster relationships with graphic designers, small presses, or their artist peers. Contemporary alternative print production and distribution models such as the integration of art, music and publishing prevalent in DIY scenes (1990s and 2000s), to emerging artist multiple/subscription programs and book/print fairs will be also be studied.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

2196

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Area of Study

Books and Publishing, Collaboration, Community and Locality, Comics and Graphic Novels, Social Media and the Web

Location

280 Building Rm 203

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1582

Credits

3

Department

Painting and Drawing

Location

280 Building Rm 120

Description

This course investigates painting materials, application, color, form, and ideas through contemporary and traditional methodologies. Designed to accommodate many skill levels, students can explore various creative strategies through a skill-based curriculum as well as individual projects. This course serves as a requirement and preparation for topic-based Painting Studio Multi-Level B classes. This course also fulfills the 3900 Professional Practice course requirement. http://www.saic.edu/academics/departments/academicspine/professionalpracticeexperience/

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1578

Credits

3

Department

Painting and Drawing

Location

280 Building Rm 321

Description

In 'I Made a Thing', a Professional Practice Experience course offering, you will engage in a wide variety of activities designed to help prepare you for life after SAIC. Course activities may include creating a website, preparing a CV, attending networking events with alumni, and writing of a project statement. The course emphasizes hands-on, real-world professional activities and opportunities for emerging studio artists.

This course will be broken into six units, each of which addresses a particular concern about what to do with studio work once it has been made. Each unit will typically contain a reading assignment, a writing assignment, and a project assignment. This course would be best suited for artists who are considering a career centered around an individually driven studio practice. Units include: I Made a Thing and I think I want to make more: how to develop a practical, long-term studio practice. I Made a Thing and I think it failed: how to embrace inevitable challenges and let your work be your teacher. I Made a Thing and I think I want people to look at it: how to cultivate a supportive creative community both physically and virtually. I Made a Thing and I think I want to use it to apply to/for stuff: how to get your work 'out there.' I Made a Thing and I think I want people to talk about it: how to engage your work with dialogue and criticism. I Made a Thing and I think I want someone to buy it: how to create your own art market.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1591

Credits

3

Department

Painting and Drawing

Location

280 Building Rm 120

Description

In this course, students will explore and create their own definitions of success, starting with their preconceived notions of what it means to be a successful artist. We will break down outdated expectations and myths and will rebuild unique, personal, and fulfilling plans for a creative life. Through writing, mentoring, and research students will explore career paths and what it means to live the flexible and nuanced life of an artist.

We will investigate a number of topics and tools that support a career in the arts, including: mind-mapping, goal-setting, creating professional materials (CV, statement, bio), applying to professional opportunities such as grants and residencies, studio visits, and working with galleries. Course material will include artists¿ personal accounts of leading a creative life and tools they use to make projects more rich.

This course involves numerous written assignments; students must be prepared to write and edit their work. Students will choose from a vast menu of short projects in order to tailor their experience in the class to their career goals. Final assignments will include 1) a clear personal vision of success; 2) steps for achieving short and long-term goals, and 3) refined professional materials suitable for application.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1568

Credits

3

Department

Undergraduate Studies

Location

MacLean 112

Description

This course includes guidance on the preparation and design of a resume and business card; the planning, development and design of an online portfolio; interview strategies and techniques; professional connections with practicing designers; and resources and advice for locating and contacting various types of design employers. This course is ideal for visual communication students preparing for internships or seniors preparing for entrance into the design profession. This course may be repeated.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: VISCOM 3001 and 3011 and a sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1587

Credits

3

Department

Visual Communication Design

Area of Study

Digital Communication, Graphic Design

Location

Sharp 1115

Description

This class will have as its focus the development of support materials and methods for professional practice relating to the work of writers and artists who engage in interdisciplinary projects with writing as a central element. This section is open to both BFAW Program students as well as non-BFAW students who are interested in developing professional practices strategies from that perspective.

Across the semester, you will work to generate and fine-tune professional practice support materials such as artist statements and artist resumes, tap into SAIC's CAPX and research other current online resources for funding, publication and exhibition opportunities, and align and present your body of work in order to further define and articulate central lines of concept and inquiry. Additionally, we'll discuss assigned relevant readings and meet and speak with a local writer/artist concerning their own body of work and professional practice.

Course work results in creating professional practice materials supporting a digital portfolio of your work and collaboratively participating in an exhibition and literary reading event.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

1583

Credits

3

Department

Writing

Area of Study

Books and Publishing

Location

Lakeview - 808

Description

This course focuses on the intersecting ways artists engage people individually and collectively through the arts, including activism, education, therapy and social practice. Students will partner with galleries and organizations to realize a collectively developed project. Throughout the course close attention will be given to critical practices and methods, the ethics or working with community participants, self-reflexivity, the nature of professionalism within arts contexts, and the goals and impacts of art made with a participating public.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

2080

Credits

3

Department

Art Therapy

Area of Study

Community & Social Engagement

Location

Sharp 402

Description

In the Professional Practice Experience (PROFPRAC 39XX or DEPARTMENT 39XX) you will engage in a wide variety of professional practice activities to help prepare you for life after SAIC. Course assignments include preparing a CV, creating a website, writing a statement, attending events and more. Additional activities may include giving an artist talk, conducting an interview or hosting a community event. The course emphasizes hands-on, real-world professional activities and opportunities for emerging artists, designers, and scholars. You should plan to take Professional Practice Experience during your third year at SAIC.
This iteration of Professional Practice specifically prepares students for work in the broad field of art handling.
Students will learn formal installation techniques and best practices for storage and shipment. The class will focus on real world industry standards and engage with numerous local businesses via site visits, guest speakers and more. The writing and research components of the class will focus on resume development and letter writing in pursuit of these real world opportunities.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

2375

Credits

3

Department

Undergraduate Studies

Location

Sharp 310

Description

Leadership in the Creative Economy is a transformative course designed for creators, entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators who are ready to lead with intention. This course bridges the gap between creative passion and strategic leadership ¿ equipping students with the mindset, tools, and community to build something that lasts. Upon completing this course you will have a business plan and a blueprint for life as a leader.
Students will be given several opportunities to meet with leaders working in creative spaces. Offsite visits include Gertie, The Land School, Monday Coffee, and Norman Teague (Max), Sam Lim (marketing executive). Students will also research three creative entrepreneurs or brands they admire, document their leadership style, business structure, and public positioning, while writing a reflective comparison to their own vision.
Students will design a fully conceived creative organization from the ground up. They will produce a founding document that includes a mission statement, core values and an organizational structure with key roles and leadership positions. They will identify their audience or community and write a narrative on the cultural gap or need their organization addresses.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Sophomore seminar course

Class Number

2378

Credits

3

Department

Undergraduate Studies

Area of Study

Community & Social Engagement

Location

Homan 1200

Contact Us

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