The academic requirements for design studies represent a specialized course of study within the larger context of a diverse liberal arts education. Not only are these requirements designed to provide a focused and rigorous approach to the core concepts of the discipline, but they also allow ample opportunities for exploration in other subjects and departments throughout the university. By studying design studies at DePauw, you will develop comprehensive expertise in your field while enjoying the benefits of a well-rounded education.
Ten
ARTD 120, ARTS 152, ARTD 495
One Design Studies course in each of the two areas below. One must be at 300+ level
Two additional Studio Art Courses, at least one at the 200 or 300 level
Two Art History courses, at least one at the 300 level
One elective "cognate" course from the following: ENG 267, UNIV 190, COMM 117, COMM 236, COMM 318, FLME 195, FLME 245, CSC 121, CSC 122 (or other cognate course, with major advisor approval)
Three
The senior comprehensive requirement consists of the completion of ARTD 495, Design Studies Senior Projects (spring semester senior year) with a grade of C or better, and a presentation of the student's portfolio at the end of the senior year. Throughout the semester students will review the major methodologies of design practice through sustained exploration of ideas, continued experimentation with materials and techniques, ongoing critiques with faculty and peers and the development of a professional design portfolio. Examples of contemporary design practice will be investigated through lectures, readings, and research presentations. At the end of the semester, students will present a cohesive, conceptually focused design portfolio and a formal public lecture.
300-level Art History courses provide the opportunity to satisfy the writing in the Design Studies major requirement. To do so, the student will produce a satisfactory 10-12 pp. paper which meets the following requirements: the effective marshaling of evidence in support of a compelling thesis; a methodological framework; critical use of original sources; interdisciplinary bibliography; Chicago Style footnotes.
Five
3 Design Studies courses, one at 300 level, from:
1 Art History class, at any level
1 Studio Art class, at any level
(Note: ARTS 152 may count for the Design Studies OR the Studio Art requirement for the minor, but not for both requirements)
One
Leveraging the resources of the Creative School, the design studies major at DePauw is housed in the Department of Art and Art History. This department empowers students to engage, critique and shape culture by understanding and applying the fundamentals of effective artistic expression.
