A recent internal review of the University's art department calls to phase out visual communications and printmaking, while strengthening photography and new forms of media.
The department of fine arts and art history finalized a report this semester that assesses equipment, personnel and space needs.
"This plan has as its goal a review of what the department considers to be its strengths, what it considers to be its weaknesses and which areas we would choose to hire more faculty members in," said Jeffrey Anderson, the department's interim director.
The report is unavailable to students.
Visual communications courses, an area of concentration which teaches students about design in art packaging and advertising, will be dissolved gradually over the next few years. Key aspects of design will be integrated into existing courses, Anderson said.
Printmaking, the practice of duplicating an image, will also disappear from the department's curriculum in the coming years.
"Like all such plans, this one requires some hard decisions about the viability of certain programs, and I will work with the department to manage these difficult matters," said William Frawley, dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, in an e-mail. "The department should be commended for taking on this difficult task and coming to realistic solutions."
Anderson said he is firm on ensuring that students currently engaged in either area will be allowed to complete their studies. Classes that students need to fulfill requirements in will continue to be offered.
A small number of undergraduate students and four graduate students are studying visual communications. There are no majors or graduate students involved in printmaking.
"This is a strong department, and I think it can be one of GW's best," said Anderson, who cautioned that no plans are final and explained that changes would be made during the next four to five years.
In addition to the cuts, the department seeks to add "new media" to its curriculum. New media is computer-based animation and filmmaking.
The department of fine arts and art history finalized a report this semester that assesses equipment, personnel and space needs.
"This plan has as its goal a review of what the department considers to be its strengths, what it considers to be its weaknesses and which areas we would choose to hire more faculty members in," said Jeffrey Anderson, the department's interim director.
The report is unavailable to students.
Visual communications courses, an area of concentration which teaches students about design in art packaging and advertising, will be dissolved gradually over the next few years. Key aspects of design will be integrated into existing courses, Anderson said.
Printmaking, the practice of duplicating an image, will also disappear from the department's curriculum in the coming years.
"Like all such plans, this one requires some hard decisions about the viability of certain programs, and I will work with the department to manage these difficult matters," said William Frawley, dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, in an e-mail. "The department should be commended for taking on this difficult task and coming to realistic solutions."
Anderson said he is firm on ensuring that students currently engaged in either area will be allowed to complete their studies. Classes that students need to fulfill requirements in will continue to be offered.
A small number of undergraduate students and four graduate students are studying visual communications. There are no majors or graduate students involved in printmaking.
"This is a strong department, and I think it can be one of GW's best," said Anderson, who cautioned that no plans are final and explained that changes would be made during the next four to five years.
In addition to the cuts, the department seeks to add "new media" to its curriculum. New media is computer-based animation and filmmaking.
