The Book minor at Pratt is a unique offering that brings together courses in design, history, art and theory to investigate the forms and functions of the book in our society. The book has served as a record of human existence and, over thousands of years, has changed in form and meaning. What does it mean to be a book in the twenty first century? Exposure to both critical theory and physical construction techniques prepare students to explore their interests in the history and theory of the book, as well as book design and book arts. Through a varied selection of course offerings that combine studio work with intellectual rigor, students in Pratt’s Book Minor receive grounding in the conceptual, craft, historical and aesthetic foundations of the contemporary fields related to the book as idea, object, artwork and cultural artifact.
Outcomes
- Students will be able to identify the importance of the book as a cultural artifact and in different historical and cultural contexts.
- Students will be able to conceive and make an artist’s book and potentially use the book as a contemporary medium in conjunction with other forms.
- Students will be able to use various analog and digital tools to create book formats that convey specific ideas and images.
- Students will be able to bring their own vision to some aspect of the book as an art piece/communication device.
- Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the history of printed media and the book, familiarity with its varieties, and a critical understanding of its possibilities past, present and futures.
Contact
Miriam Schaer
Minor Coordinator:
mschaer@pratt.edu
Amir Parsa
Associate Provost for Interdisciplinary and Integrative Learning
Founding Director, The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies
Curator, Individualized Learning
aparsa@pratt.edu