Serious study of art and design, in the context of contemporary culture and society, requires familiarity with a broad range of historical, critical and methodological perspectives. Creative practices and their study draw on many disciplines including literature, visual arts and design histories, anthropology, cultural studies and professional practices. Liberal Studies courses place an emphasis on critical discourse and methods that support students engaging with the practice of interpretation in a contemporary context. The goal is to support students becoming confident art and design practitioners by helping them to situate their professional practices within society in an ethical and responsible manner.
Liberal Studies offers an integrated series of courses that create direct links with studio practice. Designed to support studio-based education in fine arts, crafts, media technologies and design, Liberal Studies curriculum is organized across five divisions: Visual Arts History, Humanities, English, Social Sciences and Professionally Related courses. Students in First Year Studies take two visual arts history survey courses, AHIS110, Visual Arts: Survey I and AHIS120, Visual Arts: Survey II, and two humanities courses: HUMN124, Critical Practice: Interpretive Research, and FDTN110, Art + Design Now. In subsequent years, the Liberal Studies component of degree programs includes courses in the five previously mentioned divisions.
Liberal Studies instructors represent a cross-section of expertise and experience including artist researchers in art and design professions, creative writers, curators, and scholars. Our faculty thrives on the creative environment offered at ACAD and is characterized by its active engagement in creative practice, academic research and publication.
Liberal Studies Header | Photographer Dwayne Norman
