Fine Woodworking
OCCUPATIONAL MAJOR
Curriculum Code No. 2092
Department of the Arts
Hicks Art Center • Phone (215) 968-8425
The Fine Woodworking Program provides students with courses that meet their interests and long-term professional goals. Studio hands-on, design, and historical courses give the student a view of the field from different perspectives. Traditional woodworking techniques through recent innovations in the field are covered. Students design their projects and carry them through to completion. Craftsmanship is a very important concern for the projects from the initial designs to the finished projects. Before entering the Fine Woodworking Program all students are required to meet with a Fine Woodworking Program Advisor to review a portfolio of their work (if available), discuss goals, and receive advising on course selection. Completion of this program of study will provide opportunities for securing an entry-level position in the field and for continuing educational experience in the field. Graduates could begin employment in positions with titles such as cabinetmaker, furniture maker, furniture designer, and machine operator.
Graduates of this program are able to
- develop a logical procedure of steps in which a concept becomes a drawing, which in turn becomes a three-dimensional finished product that meets structural and functional requirements and works within the physical properties of the selected media;
- use different materials, finishes, techniques, and forms to begin to explore and express their own creative voice;
- read about, write about, and analyze art, art history, and furniture history using basic research, critical thinking skills, and a visual arts vocabulary;
- prepare and present a formal, professional-quality portfolio of work which may be used to apply for an entry-level position in woodworking; and
- use and safely operate the many hand tools and machinery in the woodshop, and handle materials such as solvents, stains, and finishes in a safe manner.
Note: Studio courses can be expensive. Lab fees may be required.
Degree Course Requirements*
| VAFW101 | Fine Woodworking I | 6 |
| VAFW102 | Design in Woodworking I | 3 |
| VAFW103 | Fine Woodworking II G | 6 |
| VAFW104 | Design in Woodworking II G | 3 |
| VAFW190 | History of American Furniture | 3 |
| VAFA201 | Portfolio Seminar G | 3 |
| MGMT100 | Introduction to Business 3 | 3 |
| SCIE103 | Earth Science 4 | 3 |
| Select Five VAFW Courses F | 15 | |
| Art History D,1 | 3 | |
| Creative Expression B | 3 | |
| Personal Health B | 2 | |
| College level Writing A,C | 6 | |
| INTG285 | Integration of Knowledge E,G,2 | 3 |
| 62 |
Recommended Semester Sequence
| First Semester | ||
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Minimum |
| VAFW101 | Fine Woodworking I | 6 |
| VAFW102 | Design in Woodworking I | 3 |
| VAFW190 | History of American Furniture | 3 |
| College Level Writing I A,C | 3 | |
| 15 | ||
| Second Semester | ||
| Fine Woodworking II G | 6 | |
| VAFW104 | Design in Woodworking II G | 3 |
| MGMT100 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| College Level Writing II A,C | 3 | |
| 15 | ||
| Third Semester | ||
| SCIE103 | Earth Science 4 | 3 |
| VAFA191 | Art History Before l450 A.D.D,1 | |
| or | ||
| VAFA192 | Art History After l450 A.D. D,1 | |
| or | ||
| History of Modern Art D,1,3 | 3 | |
| Select Three F | 9 | |
| Personal Health: Select 1 B | 2 | |
| 17 | ||
| Fourth Semester | ||
| VAFA201 | Portfolio Seminar G | 3 |
| Select two F | 6 | |
| INTG285 | Integration of Knowledge E,G | 3 |
|
Creative Expression B | 3 |
| 15 |
A
Placement testing required.
B Consult the list of course approved for this subcategory. Any course may be chosen.
C Any two of the following may be chosen (with the proper prerequisites): OADM110, COMP110, COMP111, COMP114.
D Any of the following may be chosen: VAFA191, VAFA192, VAFA193
E Any INTG course may be chosen.
F Any selected from this list (with proper prerequisites): VAFW100. VAFW133, VAFW134, VAFW135, VAFW136, VAFW137, VAFW138, VAFW139, VAFW145, VAFW180, VAFW181, VAFW280.
G Course requires prerequisite.
1 Satisfies Cultural Perspectives.
2 Satisfies College Writing Intensive requirement.
3 Satisfies Social Perspectives.
4 Satisfies College Level Mathematics or Science.
*Students who do not seek the Associate of Arts Degree may earn the legend, “Major Requirements Satisfied”, on their transcripts by successfully completing all the courses listed in the major except credits in social perspectives, two credits of personal health, three credits in cultural perspectives, and six credits of writing. Credits exceeding the required minimum cannot be used to satisfy required credits in other course requirements.
Prerequisites: For VAFW135, VAFTW136, VAFW137, VAFTW139: either VAFW100 or VAFW101. For VAFW145: either VAFW100, VAFW101 or VAFA102. For VAFW181: VAFW180. VAFW138 is recommended for VAFW137. For VAFW280: VAFW103.
