Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fibers & Materials Studies
Fibers & Materials Studies
Jesse Harrod, Program Head
Tyler School of Art Building, Suite 250N
215-777-9136
jessica.harrod@temple.edu
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Fibers & Materials Studies program at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture introduces students to a bold, interdisciplinary approach to the exploration of one of the world's oldest and most accessible traditions: working with fibers. Students explore the expressive potential and social meaning of fiber materials as they learn technical skills that prepare them for focused, graduate-level study and a variety of careers.
Tyler Fibers & Materials Studies majors join a close-knit, inclusive community led by a strong, diverse faculty that pushes students to experiment and collaborate. Students learn traditional skills and activate them in a contemporary context, contributing to vital discussions on history, identity, current social issues and more. Through dynamic events and projects such as the annual Wearable Art Show and the Natural Dye Garden, Fibers & Materials Studies majors create exciting conversations with artists and students throughout Tyler.
Students take full advantage of Philadelphia's vibrant fibers community and DIY scene and opportunities to engage global social challenges, working closely with professors to engage in community-based projects that challenge them as critical, reflective participants in a broader creative culture. These experiences prepare Fibers & Materials Studies majors to flourish in top graduate programs and production design careers.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fibers & Materials Studies may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 126 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. All Fibers & Materials Studies majors must complete the BFA curriculum and General Education requirements.
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Students must earn a C- or better in ART 2201 and ART 2202 to enter the Fibers & Materials Studies major.
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The seven required Junior/Senior studio courses, ART 4205 and ART 4096 (capstone) must be completed with a C- or better to fulfill major requirements.
Major Requirements for B.F.A. in Fibers & Materials Studies
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Prerequisites | ||
| ART 2201 | Introduction to Fibers and Material Studies | 3 |
| ART 2202 | Dyeing for Color I | 3 |
| Junior and Senior Requirements | ||
| Three 22xx/32xx level Specialized Fibers & Material Studies courses (see specialized list below) | 9 | |
| Four 32xx/42xx level Specialized Fibers & Material Studies courses (see specialized list below) | 12 | |
| ART 4205 | Senior Seminar in Fibers and Material Studies (spring only) | 3 |
| ART 4096 | Professional Practices in Crafts (Capstone, WI) | 3 |
Specialized Fibers & Material Studies Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ART 2203 | Alternative Materials | 3 |
| ART 2204 | Woven Structure I | 3 |
| ART 3201 | Threading the Needle: Drawing with Stitch I | 3 |
| ART 3202 | Soft Sculpture | 3 |
| ART 3203 | Alternative Materials II | 3 |
| ART 3204 | Woven Structure II | 3 |
| ART 3205 | Body Art and Adornment | 3 |
| ART 3206 | Sewn | 3 |
| ART 3207 | Intermediate Fibers and Material Studies | 3 |
| ART 3208 | Jacquard I | 3 |
| ART 3209 | Screen Print on Fabric I | 3 |
| ART 3210 | Special Topics in Fibers and Material Studies | 3 |
| ART 3211 | Cultivating a Collection | 3 |
| ART 3212 | Digital Drawing and Pattern Making | 3 |
| ART 3213 | Experimental Costume and Performance | 3 |
| ART 3214 | History of Wearable Art and Costume | 3 |
| ART 3085 | Field Internship | 3 |
| ART 4201 | Threading the Needle: Drawing with Stitch II | 3 |
| ART 4202 | Dyeing for Color II | 3 |
| ART 4203 | Jacquard II | 3 |
| ART 4204 | Woven Structure III | 3 |
| ART 4209 | Screen Print on Fabric II | 3 |
| ART 4210 | Special Topics in Fibers and Material Studies | 3 |
Suggested Academic Plan
Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fibers & Materials Studies
Requirements for New Students starting in the 2021-2022 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| FDPR 1511 | Foundation Drawing1 | 3 |
| FDPR 1521 | 2D Foundation Principles | 3 |
| FDPR 1531 | 3D Foundation Principles/W | 3 |
| FDPR 1503 | Woodshop Fundamentals | 1 |
| ARTH 1155 or 1955 | Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300 | 3 |
| ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| Term Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| FDPR 1512 | Foundation Drawing | 3 |
| FDPR 1522 | 2D Foundation Principles | 3 |
| FDPR 1532 | 3D Foundation Principles/C | 3 |
| FDPR 1502 | Investigations of Art and Design | 1 |
| ARTH 1156 or 1956 | Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century1 | 3 |
| IH 0851 or 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 2201 | Introduction to Fibers and Material Studies | 3 |
| ART or GAD 2000-2999 Sophomore Studio Elective | 3 | |
| ART or GAD 2000-2999 Sophomore Studio Elective | 3 | |
| IH 0852 or 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] | 4 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 2202 | Dyeing for Color I | 3 |
| ART or GAD 2000-2999 Sophomore Studio Elective | 3 | |
| ART or GAD 2000-2999 Sophomore Studio Elective | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 22xx/32xx (Specialized Fibers Course) | 3 | |
| ART 22xx/32xx (Specialized Fibers Course) | 3 | |
| ART or GAD Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Art History Elective2 | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 22xx/32xx (Specialized Fibers Course) | 3 | |
| ART 32xx/42xx (Specialized Fibers Course) | 3 | |
| ART or GAD Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Art History Elective [WI] | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 4096 | Professional Practices in Crafts [WI] | 3 |
| ART 32xx/42xx (Specialized Fibers Course) | 3 | |
| ART 32xx/42xx (Specialized Fibers Course) | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Non-Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 4205 | Senior Seminar in Fibers and Material Studies3 | 3 |
| ART 32xx/42xx (Specialized Fibers Course) | 3 | |
| ART or GAD Studio Elective | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Open Elective2 | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 126 | |
| 1 | These 2 courses constitute the waiver for the GenEd Arts category if the courses are completed with a C- or better. |
| 2 | Students completing a 3 credit Art History 2000+ elective must select a 4 credit open elective to reach the minimum 126 credits to earn the BFA degree. |
| 3 | ART 4096 and ART 4205 may be taken in spring of third or fourth year. |
Please Note: An approved study abroad program waives the GenEd Global/World Society (GG) requirement; however, these credits must be made up with academic coursework taken outside of Tyler departments to be in compliance with BFA accreditation. Fibers and Materials Studies majors interested in studying abroad should consult with an academic advisor to determine if a semester (generally spring semester of second year) or a summer program would be the best option to remain on track for graduation.