Foundations in Critical Studies introduces critical thinking skills essential to college-level work in the humanities and sciences. Students develop their critical capacities through close reading and active response to cultural texts and phenomena drawn from multiple disciplines and reflecting diverse perspectives on major themes or topics in contemporary life.This research, discussion, making, and writing based course examines social critique as a disposition and discourse within art and design practice. From graphic political activism, to radical challenges to ideology and identity in the made thing, to speculative, and discursive work; this course looks closely at both critique, and alternative modes of interaction and making. The role of art and design in that matrix is not simply to function efficiently but to change lives either in direct material ways or in conceptual ones, by changing the way people think. We will read wide ranging theory and consider the opportunities to engage these ideas in our work. Students will be invited and required to bring their own examples and interests to class, as well as to pursue their own research.

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