undergraduate program : self-designed

For those few students whose artistic goals are so interdisciplinary they fail to fit into an existing MECA program, there is the self-design major. Candidates need to be extremely independent, self-motivated, proactive,
and, perhaps most important, have a strongly grounded conception of what they want to pursue. They apply, in writing, at the end of their sophomore year, explaining the conceptual underpinnings of the work they will
explore, as well as lists of courses and readings that will drive their research. Writing is stressed – both in the application and a senior thesis. Self-design majors, whose work is overseen by two faculty members, are encouraged to anchor themselves in a department where they can participate in a seminar and have access to studio space.

Recent self-designed majors:

Fiber Arts

Intermedia

Metal Furniture

Museum & Curatorial Studies

Percussion Design / Sound Structure

Performance Art

Social Impact Art

Students submit an application for a self-designed major to the Scholastic Affairs Committee and the Dean of the College at the end of their sophomore year.  Majors take SD 301-302 in their junior year and SD 401-402 in their senior year.