English and the Visual Arts

To apply for admission to the English and the Visual Arts Program (EVA) for the Summer 2021 semester, applicants must submit the following materials:

• Application for Undergraduate Admission
• Statement of Intent
• Transcripts all high schools/colleges attended
• Portfolio (15–20 images) 
• Demonstration of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, Pearson PTE test results)

Accepted students who enroll will be required to submit financial documents. For more information about the financial documents requirement, please see the undergraduate application requirements.

Recommended Deadline: April 1

Applicants who apply directly to the undergraduate program, but do not meet the English proficiency requirements for degree study, will automatically be reviewed for admission to the English and the Visual Arts Program. 

Students who successfully complete the summer, fall and spring semesters of the English and the Visual Arts Program will continue their studies in the BFA program the following fall semester.

Students that begin the English and the Visual Arts Program in the summer may choose to test out of the program between the summer/fall and fall/spring semesters by submitting a new BFA-qualifying English proficiency exam score. Students are required to report the new test score to the Assistant Director of Special Programs, via email at eva@sva.edu in order to have their application reevaluated for placement in the BFA program. 

Accepted EVA students who have paid their enrollment fee should request the I-20 by submitting the Welcome Program. Once all required information has been submitted, the International Students Office will review your materials and contact you if any additional documents are required.

Please note that your I-20 will be issued with a Fall 2021 program start date. An electronic copy of the I-20 will be temporarily made available during the current COVID-19 pandemic. When your I-20 is issued, the notification will explain how to download your I-20. The original Form I-20 will not be shipped. More information regarding this process may be found here.

The U.S. Department of State has begun a phased resumption of routine visa services. Please check the website of the embassy or consulate in your country for its current operating status and reserve your visa interview appointment as soon as your I-20 is issued: usembassy.gov.

If you have any questions about the I-20 and F-1 visa process, please contact the International Students Office at iso@sva.edu.

In order to register for classes, incoming students must submit the SVA Student Health Form. You may find more information here.

For questions regarding the SVA Student Health form, please contact Student Health and Counseling Services at health@sva.edu.

English and the Visual Arts Summer Program

This immersion into the English language will also serve as an introduction to New York’s vibrant art scene. The studio courses grant 6 undergraduate studio credits upon successful completion.

The program includes six English and the Visual Arts classes per week.

EVD-0010 Acting and Improvisation

Summer semester: no credit

Through guided exercises in acting and improvisation, students will work on developing their pronunciation, fluency and confidence in speaking English.

EVD-0011 Internet-Based (iBT) TOEFL

Summer semester: no credit

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) integrates listening, speaking, note taking and essay writing. This course will improve test-taking skills and help students understand how the TOEFL exam applies to the academic skills needed in their college studies. Use of pronunciation and TOEFL software will be included.

EVD-0020 Writing and Speaking About Art

Summer semester: no credit

Through reading and research assignments, students will build the vocabulary to discuss and analyze art, including their own. We will also cover how to present artwork and write critiques.

EVD-0025 The Art of New York

Summer semester: no credit

This course will introduce students to New York City’s exciting art scene through field trips to museums and galleries. Lectures will be given at each exhibition and students will complete a written assignment in the museum or gallery.

EVD-0035 Developing the Essay

Summer semester: no credit

Students will develop the skills needed to write personal and persuasive essays. Reading, discussion, class presentations and assignments based on research will be part of this course.

EVD-0040 Themes in American Media

Summer semester: no credit

This course will explore select grammar topics and vocabulary elicited through readings and videos. Current events will be the basis of group discussions, student presentations and short writing assignments. English and the Visual Arts Summer Studio Art Courses

FII-1005 Drawing with Mixed Media

Summer semester: 3 studio credits

This course will help students to discard old habits and any fears about drawing, and discover the connection between the eyes (technique), the brain and the heart. A variety of mediums and subjects will be introduced to provide new perspectives and techniques in drawing. There will be additional sessions for drawing on location and special events.

PHI-1005 New York City Through Digital Photography

Summer semester: 3 studio credits

Using digital photography to see and to explore New York City, students will visit various sites and neighborhoods and work on specific photographic assignments. Each student will produce a book that documents these experiences and that also represents the student’s artistic vision. Presentation of work and critiques will be included.

English and the Visual Arts Studio Program

In the fall and spring semesters, students in the EVA/Studio Program must register for a weekly minimum of 12 hours of study in English and the Visual Arts per semester.

Students must register for EVD-0050/EVD- 0055, Reading Strategies I and II, and EVD-0060/EVD-0065, Writing Strategies I and II. Students must also register for two EVA elective courses per semester in both the fall and spring semesters.

Students must register for studio and art history requirements in their field of study. Please refer to your studio department on these required courses. Three semesters of English and the Visual Arts must be completed, beginning with the EVA/Studio Summer Program. Please refer to the EVA/Studio Summer Program.

GENERAL COURSE LISTING

EVD-0050 / EVD-0055 Reading Strategies I and II

Two semesters: no credit

Students will develop their vocabulary and critical reading and thinking skills through discussion of essays, short stories and related media. Students will be required to keep a reading journal.

EVD-0060 / EVD-0065 Writing Strategies I and II

Two semesters: no credit

These courses will focus on essay writing using class readings and discussions as a basis for writing. Students will learn the fundamentals of grammar, sentence and paragraph logic, idea development, organization and sentence structure, as well as how to cite sources appropriately.

EVD-0070 The Language of Art I: The New York Art Scene and You

One semester: no credit

This course will highlight the art of emerging NY artists as well as famous and lesser-known artists from around the globe as a springboard for art discussion and critique strategies improvement. Students will view images by these artists, followed by in-depth discussions. They will develop critiquing skills, ask and answer thought-provoking questions, and build a substantial art vocabulary. Students will also give commentary on artists of their choice and engage in critiques of their own artwork.

EVD-0070 The Language of Art I: World Culture in Character- and Time-Based Art

One semester: no credit

This course will explore character logic and continuity—what makes a good cartoon, film or animation based on elements of character, conflict and surprise, and the many ways in which artists tell their stories, from single-panel cartoons that encompass a world of meaning to longer works like graphic novels, short animations, feature-length films and high-concept movies. We’ll discuss how language affects imagery and vice-versa, how culture is reflected in visual media like cartoons, and why humor is often difficult for a non- native reader to understand. We’ll critique artworks based on questions like handmade vs. digital, low-tech vs. high-tech, and the use of manipulated vs. ‘pure’ imagery. Each session will include one or more of the following: Museum and gallery visits, presentations, peer critiques, hands-on projects, viewing and discussion of films and animation, a short reading, review and practice of important vocabulary and concepts in these major fields, and your critical and reflective writing.

EVD-0070-C The Language of Art I: Developing a Narrative Point of View

One semester: no credit

The personal narrative is what defines us as artists and reflects our inner voices. The central focus of this course is to help students develop an individual point of view while engaging with the themes of artistic struggle, identity and the historic movements that helped shape the cultural landscape. Museum visits, in- class readings and selected films will provide fertile ground for discussion and debate. Students will also write about and give structured presentations, which help to expand each student’s personal voice.

EVD-0071 The Language of Art II: Character- and Time-Based Art

One semester: no credit

In this course students will explore more exemplars and broaden the discussion of the many artistic forms of character- and time-based media. We will delve into the artistic and philosophical questions surrounding the use of manipulated imagery, and visit exhibitions and artists’ projects. Students will keep a journal or blog of their reactions and collaborative experiences, and create a hands-on group project and an individual project for live and/or web presentation and videotaping.

EVD-0071 The Language of Art II: Literature, Performing and Visual Arts

One semester: no credit

We will explore how different art genres interrelate from World War II to the present. Students will be encouraged to examine their own artistic, social and cultural influences. We will use readings, films and museum visits as a springboard for discussion and class presentations.

EVD-0073 TOEFL Strategies

One semester: no credit

Using the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), students will study test-taking strategies, listening comprehension, grammar, reading comprehension and vocabulary. Strategies and language topics will vary each semester.

EVD-0078 Speak Fluently

One semester: no credit

Students will build fluency through acting and improvisation techniques. These exercises will help students to feel at ease with public speaking and class discussion of significant topics. Themes will vary each semester.

EVD-0081 Listening and Note-Taking Strategies

One semester: no credit

Students will enhance their academic performance by listening to, taking notes on and summarizing a variety of English language lectures and other spoken materials. Themes will include climate change, social media and future employment. Note-taking strategies, including the use of standard English symbols and abbreviations will be presented. An overview of note-taking systems will be given throughout the course. In addition, the process of paraphrasing effectively will be discussed. Weekly written summaries of lecture topics are required.

EVD-0082 English Through the American Situation Comedy

One semester: no credit

American television comedies are a source of idioms, conversational English and humor, and are entrenched in American popular culture. In this course students will watch and understand excerpts of popular situation comedies, acquire new vocabulary and enrich their language while appreciating this exciting genre.

EVD-0226-A IBT TOEFL Reading Skills

One semester: no credit

This course will focus on the reading portion of the iBT TOEFL exam. Through practice in reading passages and in-class exams, students will learn strategies and vocabulary to foster the comprehension skills necessary for the iBT exam and academic material. Speed-reading techniques will also be discussed. Home assignments will be given.

EVD-0231 Improve Your Fluency

One semester: no credit

Through listening skill exercises that include Ted Talks and note taking, students will become better at understanding English conversation. There will be structured debate and class discussions that respect each person’s opinion, and students will develop confidence with public speaking as well as responding to ideas with appropriate language and spontaneity.

EVD-0283 Improve Your Vocabulary

One semester: no credit

This course will help you to increase your word power through TED Talks and news broadcasts, short video clips and articles, as well as participation in engaging discussions, presentations and exercises that elicit the natural use of words. You will study a wide variety of vocabulary words used in academic settings, and learn about word forms (noun, verb, adjective, adverb). A personal vocabulary journal will be required.

EVD-0288 Acting the Memoir

One semester: no credit

In this course, students will read published memoirs, write their own memoirs and enact them within the structure of the improvisational techniques of the famed acting technique, The Method. This multi-faceted learning experience will enrich each student’s communication and speaking skills. Readings will vary each semester.

EVD-0311-A Improve Your Pronunciation

One semester: no credit

Using state-of-the-art pronunciation software, students will improve their English pronunciation through interactive exercises that focus on target speech sounds, as well as acting and improvisation techniques. Presentation and discussion skills will be included.

EVD-0334 The New York Times Language Experience

One semester: no credit

Experience contemporary English language through The New York Times, one of the most respected newspapers in the United States. Immerse yourself in exciting stories and opinion pieces presented by a cross-section of opinion molders as you absorb American culture. This course is designed to boost reading comprehension, speaking and vocabulary. Topic vary each semester.

EVD-0336 English Through Popular Music

One semester: no credit

Drawing on materials from contemporary music, this course will focus on song lyrics as a means of targeting vocabulary and grammatical forms. These materials will also prompt discussions about arts and culture. The semester is divided according to genre, beginning with ballads and folk songs, and followed by classic rock & roll, hip-hop and recent music hits. There will be weekly vocabulary and grammar quizzes, and each student will give a multimedia presentation of a song of his or her choice during the semester.

EVD-0338 English for Everyday Use

One semester: no credit

In this course students will learn useful idiomatic vocabulary and grammar while acting out real-life situations, such as shopping, a job interview, being at the airport, ordering food at a restaurant and negotiating apartment rentals in NY. We will dramatize a new real-life scenario in each session and students will see their communication skills grow. Note: Topics vary each semester.