Registration opened in March for Summer Intensive courses at Lang, the first of its kind. Each course utilizes the university’s unique NYC location, providing opportunities for students to learn on field trips and from professionals in their field. Registration is available online until April 15, and is open to students from other schools as well.
“A summer intensives allows a different kind of pedagogy — one that has time for daily engagement with the city, with theory and practice, with immersion in a project,” said Stephanie Browner, Dean of Lang.
According to Browner, all of the new classes are going to allow students to have a “deep learning experience that comes from a four-week every-day intensive, practice in a field with professionals at their side.”
Lang will be offering intensives on filmmaking, choreography and improvisation techniques, environmental action and research, and writing criticism.
The school “put out a call to professors at Lang, The New School, and beyond,” Browner said. “We wanted courses that tapped the riches of NYC, including people, projects, places, ideas. We also wanted courses across a range of topics, disciplines, pedagogical approaches.”
According to independent filmmaker Caveh Zahedi, who will be teaching the filmmaking intensive, the idea of summer intensives came up in a 2012 faculty retreat, but “kicked around for some time.”
The university plans to continue intensives in years to come, “assuming there is sufficient enrollment and the economics are viable,” said Zahedi.
Students interested in summer housing can apply for New School housing. Residing in the dorm will cost $1,980 for the four-week course.
Parsons also offers a five-week summer course for students interested in careers in architecture, interior design, or lighting design. Another program, Parsons Summer Intensive Studies is a four-week, four-credit program where students spend their days in studio classes. The course includes an exploration of NYC’s museums, galleries, studios, and design-related businesses. This Intensive is open to high school students.
Parsons also provides a Summer Intensive Study in Paris, which takes place in Parsons’ new campus near the Louvre and Notre Dame cathedral. Students will be experiencing the city through exploration and study of the history, art, and design throughout Paris. This intensive is also open to high school students.