Instructional methods
Lecture
Didactic instruction delivered by a faculty member in a classroom (not studio) setting. Student discussion is limited due to class size. Student progress is typically evaluated in written work, testing, oral presentations. Large format lectures may use a portion of contact time for smaller review/discussion sections, e.g THAD-H101 and THAD-H102.
Contact time: 3 hours per week FA/SP. Explicitly stated in FTFA Bargaining Agreement.
Credit: 3
Capacity standard: 25-440 (in RISD’s auditorium)
Seminar
Instructor leads, prompts, and mediates student discussion on topic(s). Class size is limited to permit each student opportunity to directly participate. Student progress is typically evaluated in written work and oral presentations.
Contact time: 3 hours per week FA/SP. Explicitly stated in FTFA Bargaining Agreement.
Credit: 3
Capacity standard: 15 students
Studio
Supervised learning incorporating practical experiences, project prompts, individualized instruction and group and individual critique. Projects may be collaborative. Student progress is typically evaluated in critique of completed projects and may involve guest practitioners and/or other faculty in addition to the faculty of record. Class activities build on each other and emphasize personal intellectual development, as well as evidence of skills acquisition and concept and context learning.
Contact time: 5 hours per week FA/SP per 3 credits*. Explicitly stated in FTFA Bargaining Agreement.
Credit: 3-6* 9-12 credit studio courses typically graduate tutorial model with 5 contact hours per week for faculty.
Capacity standard: 15-22 students for 3-6 credit courses.
Workshop (Liberal Arts discipline)
Faculty leads student-centered framework for development of written genres. Work is typically shared amongst students for critique. Typically intensive production of creative written work by students. Class size is limited to permit each student opportunity to directly participate.
Contact time: 3 hours per week FA/SP.
Credit: 3
Capacity standard: 15 students
Workshop (studio discipline, 3 credits)
Hands-on training in specific complex technology, materials or tools. Evaluation is based on acquisition of skills related to the same; may or may not include complex use of the same for creative projects. Class size** is limited due to shop/computer lab capacity and environmental health and safety concerns.
Contact time: 3 hours per week FA/SP.
Credit: 3
Capacity standard: **
Workshop (studio discipline, 1 credit)
Intensive month of hands-on training in less complex technology or introduction to more complex technology, materials or tools. Evaluation is based on acquisition of skills related to the same; Class size** is limited due to shop/computer lab capacity and environmental health and safety concerns.
Contact time: 5 hours per week FA/SP.
Credit: 1
Capacity standard: **