GENERAL STUDIES

The General Studies Department offers basic academic subjects for all programs. The purpose of the department is to provide the student with, a comprehensive overview of the principal disciplines of knowledge and analytical tools.
    Courses offered are common to all concentrations: Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Arts, Image and Design, and Art Education, and their fundamental purpose is to place the student within the wider context of the development of human knowledge. On completing this curricular component, students will:

  1. Have mastered oral and written communication skills in Spanish and reading in English.
  2. Think with a critical and creative mind.
  3. Know the culture and historic reality of Puerto Rico in a universal context.
  4. Reason quantitatively and apply mathematical knowledge in various situations.
  5. Understand the nature of social organization and his or her individual responsibility in the development of common good.
  6. Have knowledge of the main currents of human thought, particularly theories and schools in the arts.
  7. Have knowledge of and use computer technology in professional life and have the skills to carry out research using a computerized library.
  8. Maintain and preserve our cultural heritage and natural resources in harmony with the environment and a holistic development of health.
  9. Possess a critical, analytical, and constructive way of thinking with regard to professional practice and the social responsibility associated with that practice.
  10. Encourage an environment of collaboration in which effective personal relations are develop and be willing to work in a team.


COURSE DESCRIPTION
REQUIREMENTS

EG 001 STUDENT LIFE
0 credits
This is a core course to develop the necessary skills in the transition and adaptation to college life, emphasizing the particular characteristics of the Escuela de Artes Plásticas. Includes a unit of self-knowledge exercises and strategies for studying as well as a unit and safety in security in the studio.

EG-101-WRITING AS A REASONING PROCESS
3 credits
Focuses on the understanding and production of written discourse. Enables students to produce coherent, precise, and well-argued texts.

EG- 101B- BASIC WRITING
3 credits
Lab: $20.00
Study and writing of expository, narrative, descriptive, and argumentative texts. Enables students to produce coherent, precise, and well-argued texts. In addition, a review of Spanish spelling and grammar is offered in simple texts. Offered to new students with low CEEB scores.

EG-102 LITERARY GENRES AND CRITICISM
3 credits
The course takes an interdisciplinary approach directed at the critical analysis of the issues and conflicts of the human condition seen through narrative works, poetry and essays. Includes the study of literary theory for text analysis.

EG-103 and EG- 104 - HISTORY OF ART I and II
6 credits
A two-semester covering pre-history to Modernism. Examines history and stylistic development of architecture, painting, and sculpture as concrete to solutions to problems posed by artists in their creative activity. Periods, schools, movements, and principal figures in the history of art are studied from an analytical perspective.

EG-106-INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
3 credits
Discusses the origin and meaning of philosophy, from Greek civilization to the present. Also analyzes different perspectives, techniques, and methodologies developed in philosophical thought.

EG-107/108-ENGLISH I and II
6 credits
The courses study and analyze texts; a review of English spelling and grammar. A selection of expository and argumentative texts are used to raise the level of reading comprehension in English. The course includes reading comprehension exercises and writing simple texts, using the computer library.

EG-109- HISTORICAL PROCESSES OF PUERTO RICO
3 credits
Analysis and interpretation of the socioeconomic and political problems of Puerto Rico throughout the country's development. The principal issues of contemporary Puerto Rico are analyzed. The historic roots of current debates are emphasized, in order to develop an understanding of history as discourse and a continuing process.

EG-110 INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
3 credits
The course offers an integrated perspective of the Social Sciences. Emphasis will be made on scientific methodology as applied to the Social Sciences. Basic concepts of each discipline will be acquired and social problems will be analyzed from an interdisciplinary, historical, and critical perspective.

EG- 111 HUMAN BEINGS AND THEIR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
3 credits
The course offers a broad perspective of the problem of environmental pollution in all of its aspects on a global level. Emphasis is made on problems facing contemporary Puerto Rican society. Description and analysis of nature, causes and effects of pollution, based on an understanding and application of the scientific method. Problems are presented not only from a physical, chemical and biological point of view but also in view of their social and economic impact.

EG 112/113 INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED ENGLISH
6 credits
These courses are focused on critical analysis of narrative, poetry, and essays in English, and the production of coherent, precise, and well-argued texts. Broadens critical and conceptual abilities of students with a command of English and strengthens their language skills.

EG- 202- HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICAN, CARIBBEAN AND
PUERTO RICAN ART
3 credits
The course offers an overview of the unique and particular answers given by Latin American artists to issues of artistic creation. The movements, schools, styles and principal exponents of Latin American art from post-colonial times to the Twentieth Century will be discussed.
Pre-requisite: EG-103/104-History of Art I and II

EG 203-WRITING RESEARCH PAPERS
3 credits
The course further explores the techniques of expository writing, preparing students for the development of complex texts in which a diversity of issues are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the ability to do research for written work. The course includes the use of computers in writing.

EG-204- HISTORY OF MODERN ART*
3 credits
The course begins with the art currents of the early 20th century, which laid the groundwork for Modern art. Discussion and analysis of movements and styles of Occidental art until the 1970s.
Pre-requisite: EG-103/104-History of Art I and II
* Students should take this course or EG-307 History of Contemporary Art


EG-209-MATHEMATICS
3 credits
Development and application of mathematical reasoning, emphasizing the ability to explore, reason logically and use a variety of methods to solve problems. Studies the fundamental operations of number systems, problem-solving, first degree equations with one and two variables, basic concepts of statistics and financial mathematics.

EG-212 CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION I
3 credits
Studies literary, philosophical, artistic, and cultural creating through reading and analyzing texts that have influenced and been determinant for contemporary civilization. Includes the beginnings of the historical tradition until the Middle Ages.

EG-213 CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION II
3 credits
Studies literary, philosophical, artistic, and cultural creating through reading and analyzing texts that have influenced and been determining for contemporary civilization. Includes reading and studying texts from 1500 until the present, through formal, thematic, symbolic, and philosophical analysis.

EG 290 THEORY OF CONTEMPORARY ART
3 credits
The course investigates and analyzes the most important theoretical and philosophical currents in the historiography of art, within different epistemological frameworks, from antiquity to the present, with particular attention to the convulsed 20th century. Explores theoretical and critical positions that have significantly radicalized the perception and practice of contemporary art.
*This course or EG-300 Aesthetics should be taken

EG 300 AESTHETICS
3 credits
The course emphasizes the historical or thematic aspect of philosophical reflections on art such as the problematic and formative nature of aesthetic thought. Analyzes what distinguishes artistic expression and the relationship between the artist and his or her work..


EG-304-CONTEMPORARY PUERTO RICAN LITERATURE
3 credits
The course describes the development of Puerto Rican literature from its origins, with a view to examining contemporary creation. Considers literary movements and outstanding figures.

EG-307- HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY ART*
3 credits
Analyzes Western art movements from the 1970s to the present. Includes reading or criticism and theory of contemporary artistic proposals.
Pre-requisite: EG-104-History of Art II
* Should take this course or EG-204 History of Modern Art

ELECTIVES

EG-105-INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY
3 credits
The concepts of culture and society are analyzed to give the student a vision of the evolutionary development of human beings. Art, religion, and the languages of different societies are examined from the perspective of cultural anthropology.


EG 114 BASIC GERMAN
3 credits
An immersion course. Basics of German grammar; classwork supplement with one hour a week in the laboratory. Emphasizes history and contemporary German culture.


EG 115 INTERMEDIATE GERMAN
3 credits
An immersion course continuing from basic German. More advanced aspects of German grammar; classwork supplemented with one hour a week in the laboratory. Emphasizes history and contemporary German culture.


EG 116 BASIC FRENCH
3 credits
An immersion course. Basics of French grammar; classwork supplemented with one hour a week in the laboratory. Emphasizes history and contemporary French culture.


EG 205 HISTORY OF PUERTO RICAN ART
3 credits
Explores the art of Puerto Rico since José Campeche until present. It presents a holistic and comprehensive vision of the artistic interpretations given by Puerto Rican artists and the development of a visual language of their own.

EG- 206-MUSIC APPRECIATION
3 credits
The main objective of this course is that students appreciate music as an art form. Students will be exposed to a variety of styles and musical periods, whose significance has made them enduring schools.

EG-208T-APPRECIATION OF ANOTHER ART: FILM
3 credits
The course focuses on the historic development of cinematography as the medium which characterizes our century. Technical and conceptual development are discussed as well as the various genres of film. Lectures are accompanied by projection of the films illustrating that development.


EG- 211- HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
3 credits
Overview of the most significant political, social, economic, and cultural events in the contemporary history of the United States of America.


EG 306 COMPARATIVE MYTHOLOGY
3 credits
The course integrates knowledge of principal methodologies with a view to developing a comparative analysis. The most important themes, personages, and mythological ambiances in Western cultures are described: Egypt, Greece, Rome, as well as Norse, Aztec, and Quiché mythology.


EG 310 INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING OF ART AND DESIGN
3 credits
The course prepares students to develop specific objects for different markets and explores the different media for marketing art, objects, and fashion. Analyzes the difference between markets and how to attract customers. Studies the concepts of supply and demand, niche marketing, cost/price ratios, profit margins, intellectual property rights, royalties, and other legal aspects. Also discusses marketing techniques according to the object or product (visual presentations, exhibitions, media events, among others).