Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 University Catalog 
    
2018-2019 University Catalog [Archived Catalogue]

BFA in Animation


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Karl Staven, Program Director
kstaven@uarts.edu
215.717.6552

C O N T E N T S

Description

The Animation program supports traditional hand-drawn, 3D computer, stop motion and any animation techniques that can be imagined or explored. Looking around, animation is seen everywhere: theaters, television, smartphones, advertisements, and all over the web. Students will explore the variety of techniques available to the current animator, hone traditional skills, learn how to tell engaging stories, create memorable characters, and bring their concepts to life. Animation alumni work on blockbuster special effects films, animated television series, commercials, and video games in a variety of roles–from director to animator to storyboard artist to editor to many other positions.

As an undergraduate, students are able to create a sophomore piece, a junior animated film and a senior animated thesis–three distinct opportunities to work through the complete process from concept to design to storyboard to rough animation to a final animated film with a full soundtrack. The skills learned as an Animation major allow students to adapt to evolving industry technical needs while working to create their own quality content as ideas become even more valuable than the techniques needed to realize them.

Program Objectives

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation will:

  • Develop the ability to articulate and realize a strong personal artistic vision - combining informed meaningful content creation with unique visual approaches to produce engaging sound/image work.
  • Master both traditional and digital animation skills and concepts; utilizing motion and time understanding with drawn, stop motion, and computer generated creative practices.
  • Demonstrate critical and analytical thought couched within a historical context; and be able to communicate this using written, visual, oral, web or hybrid means.
  • Learn to collaborate with artists, peers, and professionals; effectively managing time, planning, and work relationships.

Academic Plan

Academic plans provide a semester by semester suggested course sequence. Plans can be customized through discussions with academic advisors.

Program Requirements (120 credits)

Discipline History (12 credits)


Critical Studies (30 credits)


Students will complete a writing placement exam to determine their composition sequence. Students who do not complete the exam may be placed based on standardized tests scores (if available) or high school GPA. Some students may be required to complete additional developmental coursework.

Students will complete one of the following sequences:

First Year Writing (6 credits)


Developmental


ESL


Critical Approaches to the Arts and Culture (9 credits)


  • Select 3 courses from subject CRIT

Scientific Inquiry Foundation Track (3 credits)


  • Select 1 course from subject SIFT

Critical Studies Electives (12 credits)


  • Select courses from subjects:
    • AHST (Art History), HIST (History)
    • FRCH (French), ITAL (Italian), LITT (Literature)
    • PHIL (Philosophy), RELI (Religion)
    • MATH (Math), SCIE (Science)
    • ANTH (Anthropology), PHIL (Philosophy), PSYC (Psychology), SOCI (Sociology)
    • STCU (Cultural Studies), STDA (Dance Studies), STGS (Gender & Sexuality Studies),
      STMU (Music Studies), STPF (Performance Studies) 
  • Select courses from  : Art History or Critical Studies Elective.

Electives (18 credits)


  • Complete 18 credits of free electives. This requirement is satisfied by any undergraduate course that isn’t required by the program.

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