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)

Senior Capstone 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

It requires practical skills and an understanding of institutional pathways to bring artistic projects to life. In support of public exhibitions, performances and other community engagements, artists and their collaborators work as artistic directors, creative leads, and cultural project managers, often bridging multiple registers to make things happen. Including topics such as project planning, budgeting and documentation, as well as relationship management and conceptual mediation, this course teaches practical skills while exploring how they might be framed by disciplinary critical conversations and course participants¿ artistic practice. We will draw on case studies of individual projects that have been developed, funded and executed. To develop a broader context, we will study cultural funding models, for example the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Students will be exposed to project management practices; current cultural policy models (US) and resulting arts economies; and the related fundraising and programming models. In support of your own practices, students will situate themselves within the field and begin the process of project proposal writing, while exploring communication strategies. Course work will vary but typically will include weekly readings, and a gradually building semester-long project, including the development of a project plan, a budget, and working timeline.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Professional practice course

Class Number

1172

Credits

3

Department

Arts Administration and Policy

Area of Study

Economic Inequality & Class, Community & Social Engagement, Art/Design and Politics

Location

MacLean 617

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 ART/WORK: Everything You Need to Know (and Do) As You Pursue Your Art Career. Additionally, students will present to the class about an artist/thinker and/or participate in a skill sharing workshop. 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 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. This course requires instructor consent. Fill out the form found at this link, https://tinyurl.com/35b26s78, to submit your portfolio and list of ceramics classes taken in the ceramics department.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Professional practice course

Class Number

1163

Credits

3

Department

Ceramics

Location

280 Building Rm 109

Description

This fashion capstone course explores methods and processes for research, planning, and production leading up to the installation of a body of work. Students will consider the space, duration, audience, and partners as they develop mock-ups and draft proposals and pitches. Students contemplate curation for solo or group exhibits, work in teams, and gain professional practice as they lay the groundwork for development of a fully considered display. The class will have the opportunity to conceive, curate and build out a public facing installation, either in the Fashion Department Exhibition Space, or as part of the annual spring show.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Professional practice course

Class Number

1170

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Area of Study

Public Space, Site, Landscape, Exhibition and Curatorial Studies

Location

Sullivan Center 706

Description

This course provides an interdisciplinary forum for in-depth critiques and exploration of students' individual directions within the context of contemporary art. This is a team-taught class and will utilize both instructors for critiques and group activities. Emphasis is on individual studio practice and the development of a more cohesive body of work within a faculty mentorship and peer-to-peer learning structure. Technical and conceptual input will be provided on a tutorial basis. Group discussions, readings, field trips to current exhibitions, and visiting lecturers augment this class. Professional practices will focus on the creation and display of discrete objects and/or installation work for the BFA Exhibition, supported by developing or refining a professional resume and an artist statement. Documentation of individual work for inclusion on the Fiber & Material Studies web page is also required. The print, dye, sewing, and mixed media facilities of the department are available to enrolled students to use. This class is for a minimum of 6 credit hours and is held weekly over a two-day period on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Open to Juniors and Seniors with instructor permission and signature.

Course work varies but typically includes the production of major studio projects for critique, student presentations, professional development assignments, documentation of work, and the installation of work in the class display case and an open studio event.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Professional practice course

Class Number

1458

Credits

6

Department

Fiber and Material Studies

Location

Sharp 1001

Description

This course provides an interdisciplinary forum for in-depth critiques and exploration of students' individual directions within the context of contemporary art. This is a team-taught class and will utilize both instructors for critiques and group activities. Emphasis is on individual studio practice and the development of a more cohesive body of work within a faculty mentorship and peer-to-peer learning structure. Technical and conceptual input will be provided on a tutorial basis. Group discussions, readings, field trips to current exhibitions, and visiting lecturers augment this class. Professional practices will focus on the creation and display of discrete objects and/or installation work for the BFA Exhibition, supported by developing or refining a professional resume and an artist statement. Documentation of individual work for inclusion on the Fiber & Material Studies web page is also required. The print, dye, sewing, and mixed media facilities of the department are available to enrolled students to use. This class is for a minimum of 6 credit hours and is held weekly over a two-day period on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Open to Juniors and Seniors with instructor permission and signature.

Course work varies but typically includes the production of major studio projects for critique, student presentations, professional development assignments, documentation of work, and the installation of work in the class display case and an open studio event.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Professional practice course

Class Number

1458

Credits

6

Department

Fiber and Material Studies

Location

Sharp 1001

Description

This two day 6 credits studio course, taught by two faculty members (one on each day), is designed for students who made a serious commitment to animation as a major part of their art practice and who wish to focus on the completion of an animated project for public presentation. All animation techniques are welcome. The structure of the class consists of periodic workshops, regular critiques of student works as well as individual meetings. Additionally, students will be exposed to diverse examples of contemporary animated works and will participate in discussions of relevant critical topics. This course will give students the necessary time and resources to complete an elaborate animated work. Additionally, students will be exposed to diverse examples of contemporary animated works and will participate in discussions of relevant critical topics. This course will give students the necessary time and resources to complete an ambitious animated work.

Prerequisites

Any 3000-Level animation course and any professional practice course

Class Number

1500

Credits

6

Department

Film, Video, New Media, and Animation

Area of Study

Exhibition and Curatorial Studies, Animation

Location

MacLean 714, MacLean 714

Description

This two day 6 credits studio course, taught by two faculty members (one on each day), is designed for students who made a serious commitment to animation as a major part of their art practice and who wish to focus on the completion of an animated project for public presentation. All animation techniques are welcome. The structure of the class consists of periodic workshops, regular critiques of student works as well as individual meetings. Additionally, students will be exposed to diverse examples of contemporary animated works and will participate in discussions of relevant critical topics. This course will give students the necessary time and resources to complete an elaborate animated work. Additionally, students will be exposed to diverse examples of contemporary animated works and will participate in discussions of relevant critical topics. This course will give students the necessary time and resources to complete an ambitious animated work.

Prerequisites

Any 3000-Level animation course and any professional practice course

Class Number

1500

Credits

6

Department

Film, Video, New Media, and Animation

Area of Study

Exhibition and Curatorial Studies, Animation

Location

MacLean 714, MacLean 714

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: Professional practice course

Class Number

1167

Credits

3

Department

Photography

Area of Study

Books and Publishing, Social Media and the Web

Location

280 Building Rm 215

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. This course requires instructor consent. Please do not email the instructor directly. Instead, fill out the form found at this link, https://tinyurl.com/3mhcmx54, to submit your portfolio and list of Printmedia classes taken in the Printmedia department.

Class Number

1166

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

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. This course requires instructor consent. Please do not email the instructor directly. Instead, fill out the form found at this link, https://tinyurl.com/3mhcmx54, to submit your portfolio and list of Printmedia classes taken in the Printmedia department.

Class Number

1166

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Location

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

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.
Investigate alternative research methods specific to your practice. What do you do now? How might you improve/add complexity to your methods/be more precise in getting the info you need? Integrate these into your sketchbook/notebook & artist statement. Do a thorough self-analysis (handwriting, palm reading, Rorschach test, past life regression, use apps like sleep analyzer, pace counter, etc to develop further). Ongoing¿ we¿ll check in throughout the semester to see how that¿s going. Keep this in the form of a journal.
Participation in group discussions and active engagement in class critiques is essential. Students are required to contribute to critical discussions around their own work as well as to discussions relating the work of their peers. The assignments intend to develop critical thinking skills related to individual ongoing projects. They also intend to aid in the developing the ability to articulate ones¿ artistic motivations, be self-critical, and take risks in creating new work. The final critique will take into account these factors.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Professional practice course

Class Number

2178

Credits

3

Department

Printmedia

Area of Study

Books and Publishing

Location

280 Building Rm 203

Description

In this class we will prepare the student for life out of school through looking at at the lives of artists through their writings and biographies. Artists writings/biographies will include Joan Mitchell, Fairfield Porter, Andrey Tarkovsky, Seth Price, Laura Owens, among others. Group critiques and a field trip to an artist studio will be included, as well as practical advice on documenting work and writing artist statements.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Professional practice course

Class Number

1165

Credits

3

Department

Painting and Drawing

Area of Study

Community & Social Engagement, Exhibition and Curatorial Studies

Location

280 Building Rm 120

Description

This interdisciplinary studio seminar provides a grounding in concepts, histories, practices, and potentialities of the field as reflected in the department's four curricular themes: Permanence and Ephemerality, Public Practice, Space and Place, and Systems. It is designed to help students develop, document and position a body of focused, self-initiated work that demonstrates conceptual understanding and technical ability in relation to the evolving field of contemporary sculpture. In-depth faculty mentoring and peer discussion supports students as they prepare a public presentation or exhibition of their work. In addition to addressing specific themes identified by individual faculty, the class examines tensions and connections between sculpture, architecture, designed objects and new media as they extend and complicate our notions of an expanded sculptural field.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Professional practice course

Class Number

1171

Credits

3

Department

Sculpture

Location

280 Building Rm 032

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: Professional practice course

Class Number

1168

Credits

3

Department

Undergraduate Studies

Location

Online

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: Professional practice course

Class Number

1173

Credits

3

Department

Undergraduate Studies

Location

Online

Description

Students who enroll in Capstone: Senior Exhibition (Fall) will participate in the fall exhibition at SAIC Galleries and will be ineligible to participate in the spring exhibition. Students enrolling in this course must have senior status--90 credits or more completed--when the Fall semester begins.

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. 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.

Prerequisites

Students enrolling in this course must have senior status--90 credits or more completed--when the Fall semester begins. Students must have also completed a professional practices course

Class Number

1160

Credits

3

Department

Undergraduate Studies

Location

MacLean B1-04

Description

Students who enroll in Capstone: Senior Exhibition (Fall) will participate in the fall exhibition at SAIC Galleries and will be ineligible to participate in the spring exhibition. Students enrolling in this course must have senior status--90 credits or more completed--when the Fall semester begins.

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. 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.

Prerequisites

Students enrolling in this course must have senior status--90 credits or more completed--when the Fall semester begins. Students must have also completed a professional practices course

Class Number

1161

Credits

3

Department

Undergraduate Studies

Location

MacLean B1-04

Description

Students who enroll in Capstone: Senior Exhibition (Fall) will participate in the fall exhibition at SAIC Galleries and will be ineligible to participate in the spring exhibition. Students enrolling in this course must have senior status--90 credits or more completed--when the Fall semester begins.

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. 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.

Prerequisites

Students enrolling in this course must have senior status--90 credits or more completed--when the Fall semester begins. Students must have also completed a professional practices course

Class Number

1162

Credits

3

Department

Undergraduate Studies

Location

MacLean B1-04

Description

Students who enroll in Capstone: Senior Exhibition (Fall) will participate in the fall exhibition at SAIC Galleries and will be ineligible to participate in the spring exhibition. Students enrolling in this course must have senior status--90 credits or more completed--when the Fall semester begins.

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. 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.

Prerequisites

Students enrolling in this course must have senior status--90 credits or more completed--when the Fall semester begins. Students must have also completed a professional practices course

Class Number

1169

Credits

3

Department

Undergraduate Studies

Location

MacLean B1-04

Description

In this course students further develop their ability to undertake complex design problems involving typography and imagery to create meaningful solutions. Emphasized is the development of a point of view through a professional lens. It is the culmination of the beginning graphic design and intermediate graphic design course thread by taking a deeper exploration of visual communication design through the creation of systems, interventions, and speculations.

In this course, students will be exposed to the work of contemporary print and digital designers and studios such as Second Story, Studio A and Appetite Engineers. Readings, lectures and course work will address the role of applicable design theory and methodologies to create, develop and articulate a concept based on extensive research and strategic thinking for clear communication objectives

Coursework will vary as determined by the instructor, but will comprise a minimum of two projects. Basic parameters will be established by the instructor with final outcomes resulting in fully functional digital interactions and/or printed and possibly bound experiences. Assigned projects are user-centered, come with constraints, and have targeted audiences. Outcomes are open-ended physical experiences or digital interactions. Professional practice components are addressed, including making visual audits, writing project briefs, crafting strategies, presenting concepts, and thoroughly developing visual iterations and refinements.

Prerequisites

Student must have completed VISCOM 3001 and 3011, must also have completed a professional practice class or be a graduate student.

Class Number

1881

Credits

3

Department

Visual Communication Design

Area of Study

Digital Communication, Graphic Design, Books and Publishing

Location

Sharp 1115

Contact Us

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