Global Positioning Studies

School of Art & Design students are encouraged to engage the world around them. Global Positioning Studies is an interdisciplinary visual art and design initiative that positions students at the crossroads between a local sense of place and a global understanding of that place in the world.

Courses

Through direct experience, Global Positioning Studies (GPS) courses encourage students to engage the world as a fertile ground for creativity and critical research. GPS courses are open to all students and some majors are required to take at least one GPS-designated course.

19th-Century Art History in France

This spring-break study abroad art history course examines a variety of geographical locations and types of landscapes, artistic schools and a wide selection of artists, through the media of painting and photography.

The Architect Frank Lloyd Wright

This course provides an opportunity to look closely at Wright’s life and work and place it in the context of developments in modern architecture.

Art and Environment

Art and Environment is a multidisciplinary graduate and upper division undergraduate studio/seminar course open to Art, Art History and Art Education majors.

Art and Environment: Ireland

West Virginia University’s Art and Environment: Ireland course is a six-credit, two-week long summer semester course that takes place on the beautiful and rugged west coast of Ireland.

The Art of Andy Warhol

The Art of Andy Warhol is a three-credit GPS course that provides an overview of the ground-breaking and controversial art of Andy Warhol (1928-1987). We look closely at Warhol’s life and work putting it in the context of both the Pop Art movement and American history of the second half of the twentieth century.

Ceramics in China

China’s roots in ceramic art history are strong and deep. For thousands of years, Chinese artisans have developed and mastered techniques and artistry that has set the standard of excellence in ceramics throughout the world. High fired porcelains, underglaze and overglaze techniques, celadons, copper reds, temmoku, yaoware carving, ash glazes and tri-colored lead glazes are just a few of the contributions made by Chinese artisans over the centuries.

Disegno Italia

Join us in this four week, six-credit hour summer study abroad program in Italy!

Global Museum Practice: London

This course introduces students to museums as global institutions, emerging out of 18th and 19th century Western Europe and, later, the United States. As such, they reflect a historic and culturally specific set of values about how to organize and share knowledge. The course will interrogate these knowledge systems and how they have evolved over time, both on the European continent and across the globe.

Jackson Hole Photography Workshop

The Jackson Hole Photography Workshop explores the diverse and remote region of northwestern Wyoming, including Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Painting in China

The international Painting in China program provides an opportunity for tudents to study landscape painting in Chinese ink style in Nanjing and Tangka (scroll painting in Tibetan) in Tongren, Qinghai Province with extensive traveling to major historical and cultural sites throughout China.

Photography in France

West Virginia University’s GPS-Photography in France course is a Spring semester field course that explores the landscape and culture of France. Daily excursions exploring this stunning region are complemented by digital work sessions, critiques of work in progress, lectures and numerous gallery/museum visits.

San Gemini Preservation Studies

The San Gemini Preservation Studies GPS course is a four-week, 6-8 credit hour course in San Gemini, Umbria, Italy. This program is a series of courses, field projects and media and place-based experiences aimed at fostering the preservation of cultural heritage. The program offers students both theoretical knowledge in the class- room and hands-on skills on field projects and workshops.

Space: Atacama

Space: Atacama is a six credit, four-week multimedia, adventure art course that will take students into the remote, northern desert region of Chile to investigate themes of perception, space, positioning, self-awareness and environmental appreciation.

Resources

Award Funding

Student award funding is available to help fund full-time outstanding School of Art & Design students to take a GPS course. Funding preference is given to those planning to attend off-campus courses with greater travel expenses.

Learn more and apply now for a GPS Award

Passport Application

West Virginia University maintains a passport acceptance facility on the Downtown Campus located in Purinton House (1505 University Ave.), room 102 (at the main entrance). The facility is open to WVU students, faculty, and staff, as well as the general public for passport application services and passport photo services.

More About Passports