The main educational goal of the Department of Visual and Environmental Studies (VES) is to provide students in the College of Arts and Sciences with an opportunity to learn about visual art and expression through study and practice. The department aims to promote dialogue among producers, critics and theorists, so its teachers are composed of individuals representing all these fields. The courses they offer are divided into several fields, including studio art, photography, film production, film research, environmental research and critical theory. The symbolic and functional home of this department is the Carpenter Center for Visual Arts, which was built in 1963 and is the only building designed by le corbusier in North America. The building includes an art studio, a photographic darkroom, film and video screening facilities, a teacher's office and a department administrative office. In addition, the department occupies the server halls on the top and bottom floors, including teachers' offices, film and video editing equipment, film and video projection facilities and an extensive film research library.
All the curriculum areas in the concentration start from an introductory project, then move to more advanced courses, and may reach a climax in thesis or senior tutoring. The study of a course can be adjusted according to any visual or theoretical method of artistic practice.
Students apply for VES concentration; In order to be admitted, students must do two things. 1. They must choose a course in the department, preferably one related to their field of interest. This course must be completed before application. 2. They must also keep the average grade of B. For those who want to apply for studios and film/video fields, an introduction of studios or production courses is needed before applying. In order to help choose the right first course, we encourage students to consult the director of undergraduate study, the director of undergraduate study in film studies (for those who are interested in film studies) or the academic service coordinator of the department.
Generally speaking, the elementary courses of Virtual Institute use 2-digit course numbers, and the advanced courses use 3-digit course numbers. People interested in the field of studio can choose from several introductory courses of studio art and photography, which are usually numbered VES 10-49. Students interested in the field of film/video should take photography, video or animation courses, which are usually VES 40-59 (Note: VES 50 is a one-year introductory course for film production, usually taken by sophomores). Students interested in film studies should take literature and art as elective courses. Art B- 1 1, (film art); VES 7 1 (silent movie), or VES 72 (talking movie). These three courses are compulsory and provide a good introductory course for film research.
VES has no formal tutoring courses. Because most VES courses are small studio courses or seminars, and there is close interaction between students and fa culty, the preparation of advanced papers begins in these studios and seminars, and is usually completed in VES 99 tutoring for senior students.
If you are interested in talking with people in VES about specific courses, making study plans, or the possibility of paying attention, you should talk with the director of undergraduate study (Robb Moss, 6 17-496-66 14, robbmoss@fas.harvard.edu) and the director of undergraduate study in film studies (JD Connor, 6 17-496-6799, jdconnor@fas.harvard.edu) or academic service coordinator (michael lawrence). They can discuss any questions you may have or any plans you are considering all year round. JD Connor will take a vacation in the fall semester of 2006-07.