DIY College: Designing Your Own Major and Curriculum
January 13, 2010 | Nathaniel
Ever think about doing whatever you want in college? I thought so. Just make sure you’re not harming yourself…or others…or property…You know what? Let me start over.
Ever thought about studying around your own custom major? I know I did. Then I realized I was already almost complete with mine so it was just easier to take the predetermined degree. If you’re planning on designing your own curriculum I’d advise you to start early. Talk to the dean of the department you want to hang around in and decide which classes would benefit you the most. And to help inspire you, let’s talk to someone who actually did it…
“I’m still doing my custom major. I’m going to Greece in a month to continue my major.”
Says Dolores, a student at Redlands University in California.
“My major is titled (for the moment) Writing and Making Things: Art for Children and Everyone Else.”
Awesome. Apparently she started with her own major as a freshman in school. She could argue that it began as soon as she realized that she could write and draw. So, according to her, when did she start her education?
“…Like, when I was nine.”
She goes on to elaborate that it may have more likely began while taking Russian Literature and Post-Modern aesthetics classes. Also, these were taken during her freshman year. Coincidence? I think not!
“I realized the importance of creation and the significance in struggling societies.”
Dolores approached the heads of the art department with a curriculum she designed herself consisting of various studio art classes, art history classes, and general ed courses. The higher ups signed off on it and she was on her way learning what she wanted.
So how exactly does a major in “writing things” or “making” said things carry one across an ocean? Apparently, if you do your research, you could possibly find programs all around the world that fall into your curriculum. And they could legitimately educate you in ways that you fancy.
In Greece, Dolores found a program that can be summed up as an art commune that wonderfully and fortunately issues college credit. Whodathunkit? But that’s not the only place she’s been.
“Well, I went to Poland, Latvia, Estonia, and Russia last May to do street art and research the childhood art academies.”
She’ll be studying poetry and ceramics while working with artists in Greece. who will in turn provide insight and expertise along her journey. As luck would have it she’ll be included in the student art show at the end of the term. Always a good thing for an artist to exhibit work. And after all is said and done where does she hope to be?
“I want to take a role as an artist to work with children as they practice art and encourage the importance of procedure. Really, I’ve based almost everything I do on Augusto Boal and his Theatre of the Oppressed.
Impressive. Studying abroad on a major she made up. Now, THAT’S…
STUDYING HARD.
