ACADEMIC CALENDAR | FRESHMAN SCHEDULE | ADVISING + DEPARTMENT SELECTION | SUGGESTED READINGS | LIBERAL ARTS | ACADEMIC POLICIES | ACADEMIC RESOURCES | BROWN UNIVERSITY

ACADEMIC CALENDAR>> Academic calendar 2008-09
>> Academic Calendar 2009-10.

Monday
8:30-10am English Composition and Literature
10-11am Art History section meeting
Tuesday
8-11am Two-Dimensional Design
11am-12:30pm Art and Architectural History
1:30-6pm Two-Dimensional Design
Wednesday
8:30-10am English Composition and Literature*
Thursday
8-11am Three-Dimensional Design
11 am-12:30pm Art and Architectural History
1:30-6pm Three-Dimensional Design
Friday
8:30am-12pm + 1-5pm Foundation Drawing

(*Students who have completed a course equivalent to English Composition and Literature somewhere else or who received Advanced Placement credit will be allowed to waive this course and register for an English elective.)

ADVISING + DEPARTMENT SELECTION

Advising
As you begin your studies at RISD, you’ll be assigned an academic advisor — one of your Foundation studio professors — who will be available to discuss your academic program. Your advisor will help you identify your strengths as a student. Feel free to seek out other faculty members, department heads and upperclass students, who may offer sound advice as you tackle new projects and/or begin thinking about your major. By talking things over, you’ll broaden your range of thinking, your possibilities and your options.

Department Selection
Once you become familiar with RISD and are engrossed in your Foundation Studies classes and studios, you’ll probably begin to focus on which discipline to choose as a major. Although some students are certain about their intended majors, others haven’t yet decided. No matter what your thoughts are now, you should take time this fall to learn more about the many departments at RISD. Freshmen declare their majors in early March. This decision is important since it greatly affects your education at RISD and your future career. Each department presents slide lectures, open houses and tours to help students prepare for this decision.

SUGGESTED READINGS
For those who are interested in summer reading that may be helpful preparation for RISD, here are some books:

· for studios
· Dunning, William. Advice to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era. University of Syracuse Press, 1998
· Elkins, James. Why Art Cannot be Taught: A Handbook for Art Students. University of Illinois Press, 2001
· McCreight, Tim. Design Language. Brynmorgen Press, 1997

· as background
· Chipp, Herschel. Theories of Modern Art: A Sourcebook for Artists. University of California Press, 1984
· Fleming, William. Art and Ideas. Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1994
· Tharp, Twyla. The Creative Habit. Simon & Shuster, 2003

LIBERAL ARTS
Liberal Arts at RISD consists of the departments of Art History, English, and History, Philosophy + Social Sciences and offers over 200 courses each year. RISD requires 42 credits in Liberal Arts (14 three-credit courses) for graduation. Students must successfully complete four courses in Art History (under catalogue listing ARTH), three courses in English (ENGL), three courses in History, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences (HPSS), and an additional four courses in any of the above departments, or courses in such disciplines as mathematics, science, theatre, film studies, among others (designated in catalogue as LAEL). In order to graduate, the college requires that all freshmen satisfactorily complete the two-semester course Art and Architectural History. One semester of English Composition and Literature (Engl 101) or an equivalent course is also required. English 101, a prerequisite for all further study in liberal arts, should be completed in the fall. In the spring, freshmen should take either an English or an HPSS elective. All courses in Liberal Arts meet three hours a week (at minimum) for three credits. Three specific courses are required to graduate: two introductory courses in Art + Architectural History (currently (ARTH H101, Introduction to Art History and ARTH H102, Topics in Art History) and English Composition and Literature (ENGL E101) or an equivalent course. Typically, ENGL E101, a prerequisite for all further study in liberal arts, and ARTH H102 are completed in the fall should be completed in the fall. In the spring, first year students should take ARTH H102 and either an English or a HPSS elective. All courses in Liberal Arts meet three hours a week (at minimum) for three credits. Click here for complete information about liberal arts at RISD, including the Liberal Arts concentration.

ACADEMIC POLICIES

Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty is defined as cheating on examinations either by copying other students’ work or through the use of unauthorized notes and materials; the fraudulent presentation of either the written or visual work of others, including that of other students, as one’s own (plagiarism); the theft, destruction or defacement of the work of other students. Such actions are taken as offenses against RISD and may result in penalties invoked by the faculty member teaching a course and the Academic Standing Committee, up to and including expulsion. (Refer to the Student Handbook for more information.)

Transfer Credits
If you were admitted as a transfer student, your transcripts from other institutions will be reviewed for Liberal Arts credits. You will receive a transfer analysis form from the Division of Liberal Arts indicating which credits have been transferred and how they have been applied to the Liberal Arts requirements. A maximum of 12 transfer credits will be accepted after you’ve matriculated at RISD. Courses in athletics, dance, musical performance, computer programming and business and secretarial studies are not accepted for Liberal Arts credit. RISD does not grant Liberal Arts credit for work or life experience.

Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement (AP) exams administered by the College Board during high school are accepted by RISD towards the fulfillment of liberal arts requirements. Exams in Art History, english, foreign languages, humanities, mathematics, and the natural and social sciences will be accepted provided that they are passed with a score of 4 or higher. A maximum of nine credits will be accepted for transfer. RISD accepts international Baccalaureate (IB) certificates with scores of 5, 6, or 7 and Oxford A-level exams with grades of C or better. A maximum of nine credits will be accepted for transfer. The Liberal Arts Division will evaluate your transcripts for courses applicable to liberal arts requirements.

ACADEMIC RESOURCES

The RISD Museum
The over 85,000 works of art in the Museum’s permanent collection represent some of the best examples of their kind from every part of the world, including extensive collections of fine and decorative arts ranging from antiquity to the present. As a RISD student you are a member of the Museum and may visit free of charge. For information about how to use the Museum or about opportunities for students in the Museum, call 401 454-6532 or e-mail Deborah Wilde. Clicke here for complete information about The RISD Museum.

RISD Library
Before classes begin, take time to explore the outstanding collection of over 100,000 books devoted to fine and applied art, architecture and design at the RISD Library. Click here to visit the RISD Library catalog online. For specific questions about the library, e-mail risdlib@risd.edu. Click here for complete information about the RISD Library.

Nature Lab: Named after an alumna and popular drawing instructor who taught at RISD for more than 50 years, the Edna Lawrence Nature Lab is an innovative and unique resource: it gives students the opportunity to examine, explore and understand the patterns, structures and interactions of design in nature. With that in mind, you can handle and examine specimens, and borrow many of the objects for use in classrooms or studios. Click here for complete information about the Edna Lawrence Nature Lab.

RISD Writing Center
The RISD Writing Center provides free peer tutoring in writing to all undergraduates and graduate students at RISD. Call 401 454-6486 for an appointment, come to the first floor of the College Building to ask for a writing tutor or e-mail Frances Shipps.

BROWN UNIVERSITY
RISD has a cooperative arrangement with its Ivy League neighbor Brown University that allows students to cross-register for courses. (Most Brown courses are credited toward Liberal Arts requirements.) You’ll find copies of the Brown course description catalogues in RISD divisional and departmental offices, the RISD Library, the Liberal Arts Office and the Registrar’s Office. Click here for complete information about Brown University.