General Catalog - John F. Kennedy University

School of Holistic StudiesA&C _____________________________________________________________________5260 Transformative Arts Teaching Practicum 3The field of transformative arts offers a new way to think ofteaching as a primary activity related to the promotion of humangrowth. Students combine theoretical information with hands-onexperience of teaching. Class lectures introduce relevant materialto be used as the basis for a practical demonstration by eachstudent of an approach to teaching that is directly related to thatstudent’s own experience of the transformative power of creativeexpression. A written proposal for a course or community artsproject is required.A&C _____________________________________________________________________5300 Applied Alchemy 3An introduction to the transformational symbolic image systemof alchemy and its powerful applications to studio art-making.Discussion of historical alchemical processes and the modern useof alchemical metaphor and symbol in art. This course includesassigned reading and studio assignments.A&C _____________________________________________________________________5305 Art and Altered States of Consciousness 2This course introduces subtle states of consciousness and alteredstates of consciousness where inspiration, creativity, and insightmight arise. Students explore practices meant to access states ofheightened lucidity and multidimensional awareness. This classrequires studio exercises involving music, movement, and visualarts as well as lecture, readings, and written assignments.A&C _____________________________________________________________________5307 Visual Communication A 3An introduction to the skills and conceptual foundations ofeffective visual communications. Using a combination of digitaland traditional art materials, the class will explore the technicaltools and philosophical assumptions regarding the nature of communicationthrough symbol, image, text, color, and composition.Through weekly assignments and critiques, class members willdevelop skills and insights needed for further exploration of thefield. Basic competence in appropriate digital media will be a centraloutcome as will broadened awareness and ability in the use ofcultural signifiers and signs in visual art.A&C _____________________________________________________________________5308 Visual Communication B 3Continuation of work in A&C 5307, this course emphasizesadvanced skills in digital image-making. Develops further abilityto integrate conceptual skills into development of powerful andeffective visual images. Expands digital skills to include websitedesign and the use of appropriate software for the creation of basiconline venues for visual communication. Individual projects andindividual work with the instructor strengthen the links betweengraphic work and primary artistic interests and direction for eachstudent. Students develop improved technical ability and clearlymarketable career skills in design and digital art.A&C _____________________________________________________________________5310 Art and the Symbolic Process 3Students in this course explore the philosophy of symbolism.Philosophical and experiential insight into the nature of symbolfrom a variety of cultural and individual perspectives is the goal.Students are led to the discovery of their own archetypal visualvocabulary through a combination of personal practice and theacademic investigation essential to creative process. Experientialexercises, required reading, and written project. Required for MAand MFA.A&C _____________________________________________________________________5312 Creativity and Consciousness 3Students will engage the essential questions associated with thecreative process: “Why do we make art? What is the mysterysubstance emerging from emptiness? What is creativity?” In- andout-of-class studio assignments, group discussions, and assignedreadings help students explore the essence of their individualcreative process from cultural, psychological, and spiritualperspectives. Class will emphasize development of personalapproaches to creative process and the identification and eliminationto blocks to creativity. Required for MA and MFA.A&C _____________________________________________________________________5315 Dreams and the Arts 3This course explores the connection between the dreaming mindand the act of creation. Slide lectures, experiential exercises, andstudio work will help students understand the transition betweensymbolic dream imagery and the multidimensional spaces of theinner world. Reading, written project, and studio assignments arerequired.A&C _____________________________________________________________________5325 Faces of the Soul 3Students undergo an intensive exploration of the relationshipbetween Asian traditions of Qi Gong and energetic healing withmask-making, movement, and other individual creative acts.Special emphasis is placed on the use of creative self-expressionto develop and heal the body and to develop stronger self-image.A&C _____________________________________________________________________5328 Inner Dynamics of Drawing and Color 3This course combines the system of color developed by JohannesItten (The Art of Color) with energetic principles inherent inmeditation and therapy, finding the roots of color theory andcomposition in forms and visual vocabulary that bridges aestheticform with the transformative healing powers inherent in color.Studio and reading assignments are required.School ofHolistic StudiesJohn F. Kennedy UniversitySchool of Holistic Studies 127