This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
The Department of Sculpture and Extended Media is a heterogeneous group of students and artists/teachers. Together, we examine the fundamental, philosophical, critical, technical, and historical components of art. We do so with an eye toward developing and advancing the discipline of sculpture in its broadest and most inclusive terms within an atmosphere of mutual respect.
Our charge is to create an environment of speculation and high expectation regarding self-motivation, intellectual capacity, and responsibility in order to establish conditions that promote student’s ability to construct a thinking self. It is to explore and grow with technology's parameters in the process of discovering applications to new modes of expression. It is to stress the links between art, science, the humanities, emerging philosophies and the conditions of an ever-changing world. And it is to provide students with tools of discernment, vocabulary, and the skills of analysis and synthesis to become participants in the critical dialogues of our age.
Within this context, students strive to measure up to the best performances modeled for them by history, by their peers and by faculty engaged in vital research.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:
- Students will demonstrate technical proficiency in the use of tools and materials.
- Students will understand the scope of practice of historic and contemporary sculpture.
- Students will apply critical thinking and conceptual problem-solving in their studio work.
- Students will demonstrate professional presentation of creative work visually and verbally.
Special requirements
Successful completion of the Art Foundation curriculum is required before continuing in the Department of Sculpture and Extended Media.
Degree requirements for Sculpture, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| SCPT 211 | Materials and Techniques | 4 |
| SCPT 212 | Basic Sculpture II | 4 |
| SCPT 215 | Sophomore Seminar | 3 |
| SCPT 311 | Process and Practice | 4 |
| SCPT 411 | Advanced Practice in Sculpture (Must be taken twice) | 8 |
| SCPT 415 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| Sculpture electives | 16 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| Art Foundation Program | ||
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 132 | Surface Research | 3 |
| ARTF 133 | Space Research | 3 |
| ARTF 134 | Time Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 139 | Project Studio | 2 |
| or ARTF 138 | Project Seminar | |
| ARTH 103 & ARTH 104 | Survey of Art I and Survey of Art II | 6 |
| Additional requirements | ||
| Art history (six credits must be 300 level or higher) | 9 | |
| Non-SCPT studio art electives (six credits must be 300 level or higher) 1 | 8 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 11 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Non-SCPT studio art electives may be chosen from COAR, CRAF, DANC, FASH, GDES, IDES, KINE, APPM/MHIS, PAPR, PHTO or THEA.
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Electives
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture electives | ||
| SCPT 321 | Figure Modeling | 3 |
| SCPT 322 | Flexible Molds | 3 |
| SCPT 323 | Foundry | 4 |
| SCPT 330 | Digital Fabrication | 3 |
| SCPT 331 | Plastics | 2 |
| SCPT 332 | Homes | 2 |
| SCPT 333 | Metals | 2 |
| SCPT 334 | Wood | 2 |
| SCPT 335 | Found Objects | 2 |
| SCPT 336 | Extended Media | 2 |
| SCPT 337 | Ceramics for Sculpture | 2 |
| SCPT 338 | Documenting Your Work | 2 |
| SCPT 339 | Bodies | 2 |
| SCPT 340 | Liquidity | 2 |
| SCPT 341 | Surfaces | 2 |
| SCPT 342 | Heat | 2 |
| SCPT 343 | Vibes | 2 |
| SCPT 411 | Advanced Practice in Sculpture | 4 |
| SCPT 417 | Seminar in Contemporary Sculpture | 4 |
| SCPT 491 | Advanced Topics in Sculpture | 1-4 |
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 133 | Space Research | 3 |
| ARTF 139 or ARTF 138 | Project Studio or Project Seminar | 1 |
| ARTH 103 | Survey of Art I | 3 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ARTF 132 | Surface Research | 3 |
| ARTF 134 | Time Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 139 or ARTF 138 | Project Studio or Project Seminar | 1 |
| ARTH 104 | Survey of Art II | 3 |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| SCPT 211 | Materials and Techniques | 4 |
| SCPT 215 | Sophomore Seminar | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Art history (200 level or higher) | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| SCPT 212 | Basic Sculpture II | 4 |
| Art history (300 or 400 level) | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Sculpture elective | 2 | |
| Open electives | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| SCPT 311 | Process and Practice | 4 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Non-SCPT studio elective 1 | 4 | |
| Sculpture elective | 4 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| SCPT 411 | Advanced Practice in Sculpture | 4 |
| General education courses | 3 | |
| Non-SCPT studio elective 1 | 4 | |
| Open electives | 2 | |
| Sculpture elective | 2 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| SCPT 411 | Advanced Practice in Sculpture | 4 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open electives | 3 | |
| Sculpture elective | 4 | |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| SCPT 415 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Art history (300-400 level) | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Sculpture elective | 4 | |
| Term Hours: | 13 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
200-level or higher from COAR, CRAF, DANC, FASH, GDES, IDES, KINE, APPM/MHIS/MUSC, PAPR, PHTO, THEA
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
SCPT 209. Introduction to Sculpture. 3 Hours.
Semester courses; 2 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3, 3 credits. Open to non-art majors only. The course will offer an opportunity for students to work with some of the ideas and materials of sculpture through slides, lecture and studio involvement.
SCPT 211. Materials and Techniques. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133 and ARTF 134. Enrollment is restricted to students in the departments of Sculptu Education, Craft and Material Studies or Painting and Printmaking. The primary goal of this course is to survey the terrain of inherited materials, processes and techniques of the discipline. The student is introduced to historical tools and materials, with attention given to deep engagement.
SCPT 212. Basic Sculpture II. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. The primary goal of this course is the effective expression of ideas. The student uses advanced techniques that build upon the basic skills taught in Basic Sculpture I with attention given to problem-solving.
SCPT 215. Sophomore Seminar. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133 and ARTF 134. Corequisite: SCPT 211. Enrollment is restricted sculpture majors. This course familiarizes students with contemporary artworks, as well as modern and postmodern concepts. Emphasis is placed on articulating and expanding upon individual interests in relation to studio practices.
SCPT 290. Concepts and Issues. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: completion of Art Foundation. A lecture course that familiarizes students with contemporary artworks, as well as modern and postmodern concepts. This class presents contemporary issues in art through the presentation of media and visiting speakers. Visits to outside events and lectures will be required.
SCPT 292. Concepts and Issues II. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 290 or SCPT 290. A lecture course that builds on the prerequisite and covers contemporary art from recent decades. Students will be introduced to issues in contemporary art, including recent debates in the field. Crosslisted as: PAPR 292.
SCPT 301. Speculative Futures. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. The primary goal of this course is to survey the terrain of inherited materials, processes and techniques of the sculpture discipline. The student is introduced to historical tools and materials, with attention given to deep engagement.
SCPT 311. Process and Practice. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 301. Enrollment is restricted to majors or minor in the Department of Sculpture and Extended Media. This course develops the student’s studio practice through a deep dive into creative processes and research methods for sustained independent investigation using a variety of materials.
SCPT 321. Figure Modeling. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: completion of Art Foundation. This course provides instruction in fundamental figure modeling skills working with clay and from live models.
SCPT 322. Flexible Molds. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: completion of Art Foundation. This course provides instruction on a variety of moldmaking techniques, including plaster and flexible moldmaking materials.
SCPT 323. Foundry. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 322. This course provides instruction in bronze and aluminum metal casting using the lost wax process, ceramic shell.
SCPT 330. Digital Fabrication. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 4.5 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. This is a studio course that focuses on computer modeling, 3D scanning and several forms of digital fabrication.
SCPT 331. Plastics. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. A seven-week course that prioritizes the re-use of plastic waste to create new materials. Students will work with specialized plastic shredding and sheet forming equipment to create endlessly recyclable materials for sculptural creation.
SCPT 332. Homes. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. A seven-week course that is designed to cover the skills and techniques required to build a housing structure. This includes basic building, framing, introduction to wiring, plumbing and maintenance.
SCPT 333. Metals. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. A seven-week course that introduces students to working with metals. Techniques covered may include welding, cold connection, milling and others.
SCPT 334. Wood. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. A seven-week course that introduces students to advanced techniques for working with wood. Techniques covered may include shaping, construction, milling and surface finishing.
SCPT 335. Found Objects. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. A seven-week course that prioritizes capitalizing on the innate qualities of found objects. Work made will consider how existing materials and objects can be manipulated to create new narratives.
SCPT 336. Extended Media. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. A seven-week course introduces students to the use of performance, sound and/or video to expand and extend their studio work.
SCPT 337. Ceramics for Sculpture. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. A seven-week course that introduces students to basic techniques for working with clay; techniques covered will include hand-building, glazing and firing.
SCPT 338. Documenting Your Work. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 3 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. This course will provide professional lighting, shooting and strategies for the student to capture the nature of their work, from micro to macro.
SCPT 339. Bodies. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. A seven-week course that explores a number of topics in sculpture which may include performance, prosthetics, the figure and other embodied practices.
SCPT 340. Liquidity. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. A seven-week course that allows for the exploration of numerous fluid processes which may include fluid dynamics, casting, plastics and mold-making.
SCPT 341. Surfaces. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. A seven-week course that explores the application of final layers. Processes covered include color, surface finish, texture and other exterior issues.
SCPT 342. Heat. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. A seven-week course that allows students to explore topics where the application of heat allows for transformation of materials. Some topics include foundry, melting and cooking.
SCPT 343. Vibes. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 211. A seven-week course that introduces students to using sound, electricity and vibration in their studio projects. Topics may cover various software used for sound and learning to wire devices and spaces for sound or vibration.
SCPT 411. Advanced Practice in Sculpture. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 311. Students work on advanced studio projects with critical feedback to develop a personal studio vocabulary of form. Faculty may introduce themes based on their expertise in the field.
SCPT 415. Senior Seminar. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 311. Enrollment is restricted to majors in the Department of Sculpture and Extended Media. This capstone course prepares students to navigate the profession. A focus on portfolio development, writing proposals and working with a mentor is completed in a problem-based simulation.
SCPT 417. Seminar in Contemporary Sculpture. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 4 lecture hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 301. A forum for consideration and discussion of recent developments.
SCPT 419. Professional Studio Practicum. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 9 studio hours. 3 credits. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Enrollment requires permission of departmental chair. A studio class that provides a continuation of the student's work in sculpture. This course will be recorded as an elective for a sculpture major.
SCPT 480. Critical Issues. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture and 2 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, 132, 133 and 134. Enrollment is restricted to students with junior or senior standing in the School of the Arts. This advanced course comprises two parts. The first examines diverse critical and aesthetic issues through the study of a select group of highly innovative international artists. In the second part, students will participate in studio visits. Crosslisted as: PAPR 480.
SCPT 491. Topics in Sculpture. 1-4 Hours.
Semester course; 1-4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 16 credits. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. A seminar or workshop on a selected issue or topic in the field of sculpture. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.
SCPT 492. Independent Study in Sculpture. 1-4 Hours.
Semester course; variable hours. 1-4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum total of 8 credits. Prerequisites: senior standing as a major in sculpture and approval of department chair and instructor. Individual instruction and supervision of a special project. Learning experiences should be designed with the supervising faculty member in the form of a contract between student and instructor. This course is limited to those students who have demonstrated an exceptional level of ability and intense commitment to their discipline.
SCPT 493. Sculpture Internship. 1-6 Hours.
Semester course; 40 contact hours per credit. 1-6 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisite: SCPT 311 or SCPT 312. Open to junior- and senior-level sculpture majors only. A practicum in which students work with professionals in the field.