9421 - Explorations of Children's Art

Course Description

In this course, students will investigate how children use symbolic language to make meaning through analysis of children’s art, with an underlying emphasis on understanding children’s art as a social practice. Beginning with an analysis of the history and discovery of child art, we will use original children’s artworks to examine contemporary theories of children’s development in art and the implications of these theories for educational contexts and for research. We will consider children’s making in various mediums, and explore their implications for various pedagogical settings and strategies related to art education (i.e.: classrooms, museums, and community programs).

Learner Outcomes

Following completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Develop an understanding of children’s art as a social practice.
• Understand contemporary theories of children’s art, and their origin in historic theories of artmaking and children’s art.
• Make connections between these understandings and broader issues in art education.
• Observe, document, and analyze the social contexts of children’s art-making.

Notes

For RISD Students:

RISD Continuing Education (CE) credit is treated as transfer credit by RISD’s undergraduate degree programs. If approved, satisfactory completion of this Teaching and Learning in Art and Design (TLAD) course with a ‘C’ or better can count as 3 transfer credits toward Liberal Arts Elective (LAEL) elective requirements. Complete the Prior Approval for Liberal Arts Credit form in etrieve before completing the online course registration.

Students from institutions other than RISD: 

Students seeking academic credits are urged to contact their home institution to arrange prior approval before registering. Policies on transfer credit vary by institution and by program, and it is at the discretion of your home institution to determine what credits it will accept and how they might meet individual academic requirements.

For additional information about RISD Summer Intensives and Transfer Credit Policies, visit our webpage.