Hey guys! I'm really into visual and media studies, and I've been looking into Duke as one of my potential college choices. What can you tell me about their program? Are there any notable faculty members or unique courses that set it apart from other schools?
Duke University is known for its strong Visual and Media Studies program, which is housed within the Art, Art History, and Visual Studies Department. The program is interdisciplinary in nature, and thus encourages students to explore various aspects of visual media, such as film, photography, digital imaging, and visual arts.
Duke's program is unique in that students have various opportunities for hands-on learning through classroom projects, independent skills development, and access to resources like the university's on-campus art studios and state-of-the-art digital facilities. Some notable faculty members in the Visual and Media Studies program at Duke include:
1. Kristine Stiles, an expert in contemporary art and its cultural, social, and political contexts. She has made significant contributions to the study of performance and conceptual art and is known for her research on artists such as Yoko Ono and Marina Abramovic.
2. Pedro Lasch, a multidisciplinary artist and scholar whose work deals with political and cultural issues, exploring themes like globalization, migration, and nationalism. He has exhibited his work across the globe and has been involved in various collaborative art projects.
In addition to the courses taught by these renowned faculty members, Duke's Visual and Media Studies program offers unique and engaging courses such as "Digital Storytelling," "Virtual Reality and Empathy," and "Visual Culture and Money." These courses enable students to explore different areas of interest within the field, while simultaneously developing a rich understanding of the overall landscape of visual media.
Outside of the classroom, Duke offers a range of extracurricular opportunities for students interested in visual and media studies, such as film clubs, art exhibitions, and workshops. Moreover, the Nasher Museum of Art located on Duke's campus provides a unique space for students and faculty to engage with contemporary and historical visual art.
Overall, Duke's Visual and Media Studies program offers an excellent environment for students to explore their passion for visual media, develop their skills and knowledge, and engage with renowned faculty members and dynamic coursework.
If you end up applying and want tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle Duke's school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-duke-university-essays/. After all, Duke is highly selective, and the essays are often just the thing that distinguishes one talented applicant from another.
Alternatively, you might consider participating in an internship or summer program related to visual and media studies. CollegeVine's blog has a list of reputable ones for high schoolers: https://blog.collegevine.com/high-school-film-internships-summer-programs/. Admissions officers love to see that you're taking initiative and pursuing your interests outside of the classroom!
Good luck with your college search and future artistic endeavors!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.