Cycles and Epicycles Requirements and Inquiry at Mass. College of Art

Major Cycles Staff intern Fall 06 Curriculum Migration Fall 06 - now Student Typography Project Spring 07

EpiCycles I: Student Information Design Project Student problem identification Student perspective based approaches

Prof. Joe Quackenbush Invested Faculty Graphic Designer Typography II Sophomore Information Architecture Visual Communication Asgmnt 2 month work Faculty and students define problems, re-design Discuss client issue, business implications Invited Advising Director, Faculty and VPs –To final presentations

1 Students: Excited about Problem Based Learning Enjoyed contributing to solving real problem Allows for measurable success, feedback Intelligent Problem Definition! It is not only the form!

2 Each student presentation served as epicycle Re-defined problem in specific combinations Open discussion with VP, Director, Faculty and Staff

Ideas for Tally 3 Use Color to Clarify

4 Use Tufte to Simplify

5 Graph & Grid to Identify

6 Outline Thought Process & Problem Solving

EpiCycles II: Departmental requirements Hogging the board Depth of preparation

Constraints Depth of department Breadth of exposure Time, space, scheduling restrictions –132 to 120 credits, more preparedness –What to require, what to sacrifice –Example state budget too thin v. important cause

Timing & Free Elective Students and Faculty united complaint: –First year single elective Doesn’t allow for exploratory major find If students choose wrong major 1 yr behind No flexibility to switch –Often stick in wrong major v. choice of wasting whole year

Uphill Battle Recipe for perfection Disaster, not success –must pass 15 credits every term –1 incomplete or failure = 18cr next term When you can’t manage 15, how to do 18? What standards are held for no room for error?

5.5 years Currently its taking students 5.5 years to graduate Accessibility mission v. preparedness or workforce Double major Change of major can take 7.5 years

Next Steps Curriculum Migration Committee problem of requirement,electives & majors Action Research is now open, on the table and agenda for student, faculty and staff MCA Recognition of HOW we ask questions, Migration Team now using Action Research.