Last week, Vassar's Art Department announced in an email to all art faculty, majors and students currently or previously enrolled in its courses that the department plans to create a correlate sequence in Studio Art [see "Addressing long-standing interest, VC to allow correlate in studio art"]. Consisting of six total credits, the correlate will provide a new level of opportunity and commitment to the many Vassar students who are interested in pursuing their passion for art but who are unable to commit to the department's varied and intensive major requirements. The Miscellany News Editorial Board would like to endorse the Art Department's decision to create this correlate sequence, and to encourage other departments at Vassar to follow suit and consider creating similar programs within their own fields.
A correlate sequence will only strengthen the Studio Art Department and its capacity to offer attention, guidance and resources to its students. The department—which falls under the Art Department's curricular umbrella, alongside its well-established counterpart Art History—is a relatively new program at Vassar. In recent history, the Studio Art Department has worked hard to procure more resources for its students and demonstrate its growing popularity at the College.
The Miscellany Editorial Board believes that a studio art correlate sequence will only increase that popularity among artists on campus. Tracked correlates like this one allow greater specificity within academic pursuits: After completing the Art 102 and 103 classes required for the correlate, students can choose their succeeding classes based on their own personal interests and talents, whether that be in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, or architectural design.
We find the introduction of a Studio Art correlate sequence particularly promising in light of the current economic climate. The College's funding constraints have resulted in the cutting of a number of courses and sections from the catalogue. Creating a correlate sequence in Studio Art is an innovative and effective way to use the remaining classes in new ways and foster new academic benefits for the department and Vassar students.
Most importantly, a correlate sequence in Studio Art allows students to formally pursue their focused artistic passions without necessarily having to take all fields required of a Studio Art major. We hope that this will allow more of Vassar's talented artists to receive greater creative guidance, attention and resources, and ultimately showcase their talents on campus.
Notwithstanding the benefits of a Studio Art correlate sequence, the Miscellany Editorial Board understands the potential conflicts involved. Because Studio Art courses teach through the production and examination of art, the department's many disciplines—drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, video and architecture—all require materials, equipment and space for its classes to function effectively. This makes the department particularly sensitive to fluctuations in funding and facility availability. It seems fair to suggest, however, that each is quite contingent upon the given major's popularity at Vassar, as well as its demonstrated longevity. We anticipate that the creation of a correlate will both integrate more students into the department and fortify its curriculum.
The advantages of a correlate, however, extend beyond the Studio Art Department. The Miscellany Editorial Board encourages other departments currently without correlate sequences, such as the Sociology or Film Departments, to weigh the benefits of instituting one in their own fields. Correlates signify more than just another accomplishment on a student's transcript. As we foresee the Studio Art correlate sequence will demonstrate, tracked correlates in any given department allow students to pursue specific subjects within a field of study, developing an existing passion or fostering a new one. While Vassar's breadth of curriculum allows students to take classes in a variety of departments and explore many of their academic interests, correlate sequences serve to officialize a student's partiality to a particular area.
We also understand, however, that a department's addition of a correlate sequence is not an effortless process. Distribution of funds and resources must go into consideration. And, ultimately, some departments and programs are simply not suited for correlate sequence offerings. Nevertheless, the Miscellany Editorial Board considers the benefits of a correlate sequence—the ability to formally pursue a number of personal academic passions—the essence of a liberal arts education. The addition of a Studio Art correlate sequence supports Vassar's continued dedication towards providing its students with a well-rounded, diverse education.
—The Staff Editorial represents the opinion of at least two thirds of the 23-member Miscellany News Editorial Board.
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