The Furniture Design and Woodworking specialization is part of the Applied Design emphasis in the Art major. The goal of the program is to encourage students in the development of a mature artistic statement, based upon intellectual, aesthetic, and technical capabilities in conjunction with their career goals.<br><br>The curriculum is formulated to broaden understanding of the Woodworking field and its historical and contemporary context through research, experimentation, and reading on critical issues in art and design. Technique, innovation, and experimentation are stressed equally. While furniture design is the main focus, other approaches are also welcomed and encouraged. In addition, designing furniture and/or sculpture using non-conventional materials such as steel, glass, paper, concrete, and found objects is explored. Students are encouraged to explore cross-disciplinary work as well as take advantage of foreign study opportunities to reveal new perspectives.<br><br>While the core of the undergraduate curriculum is based on traditional woodworking and furniture making, it also emphasizes the development of ideas and designs that parallel current issues in art and design. Technique, innovation and experimentation are areas that are stressed equally. The teaching format is based on lectures, demonstrations, and slide presentations by faculty and visiting artists. While furniture design is the main focus for the program, other approaches are also welcomed and encouraged. In addition, designing furniture and/or sculpture using non-conventional materials such as steel, glass, paper, concrete and found objects is explored. The School of Art's structure is such that it allows cross-disciplinary work between different studios, a furniture student can easily work with disciplines in photography, sculpture, painting, among other programs within the School. A variety of processes for Woodworking and non-Woodworking materials are presented while exploring the content of art and studying contemporary aesthetic form and its historical antecedents. Course work places equal emphasis on creative problem solving and technical proficiency. The studio facility supports work in carving, joinery as related to linear design and case construction, plywood and veneer work, lathe turning and finishing. Eligible students can take independent studies in an area of particular interest as well as pursue opportunities for foreign exchange study.