PNCA : programs : bfa : liberalarts

Liberal Arts Program

We aim to stimulate students’ curiosity and to develop their minds

Artists emerge from PNCA as articulate creative thinkers, grounded in a solid liberal arts education and an understanding of their relationship to the world beyond art. In Liberal Arts courses, you’ll gain research, interpretation, observation, problem-solving, and communication skills, applying them to art-making, career advancement, and academic inquiry alike.

Classes include math, literature, art history, and natural science, and range from “Why History Matters” to “Illuminating Manuscripts,” where you’ll study and write graphic novels and comix. Advanced seminars will let you focus on areas of personal interest and your relationship to history, literature, and contemporary critical writing.

Liberal Arts Faculty

Emily Bosanquet
Instructor in Natural Science
MESM 2002 University of California, Santa Barbara (Environmental Science and Management)
BS 2000 University of Edinburgh (Geology) (Honors)

* Shawn Cardwell
Assistant Professor in Liberal Arts (Mathematics)
MA 1998 Pacific University (Teaching)
BA 1996 Pacific University (Mathematics, with Honors, cum laude)
BA 1996 Pacific University (Music, with Honors, cum laude)

Sunny Cohen
Instructor in Liberal Arts
Ph. D. 2005 Nova Southeastern University (Computing Technology in Education)
MA New York Univesity (Drama)
BA Reed College (English) (Honors)

Trevor Dodge
Assistant Professor in Liberal Arts
MA 1998 Illinois State University
BA 1995 University of Idaho
http://trevordodge.wordpress.com →

Monica Drake-Alonso
Assistant Professor in Foundation
MFA 1994 University of Arizona (Creative Writing)
BA 1988 Portland State University (General Studies)
http://monicadrake.com →

Norman Eder
Associate Professor in Liberal Arts
Ph.D. 1980 University of Illinois (Modern European History)
MA 1975 Portland State University (Modern European History)
BA 1973 University of Puget Sound (History)

Libby Farr
Associate Professor in Liberal Arts (Art History)
Ph.D. University of Oregon (Art & Architectural History)
MALS Reed College (Art History)
BA University of Oregon (English)

Catherine Glass
Assistant Professor in Liberal Arts (Natural Science)
Ph.D. 2003 University of Illinois (Plant Biology and Systematics)
BS 1994 California Polytechnic State University (Ecology and Systematic Biology)

Joan Handwerg
Associate Professor in Liberal Arts
Ph.D., ABD, 2002 University of British Columbia (Visual Art and Theory, Early Modern Print Culture and Theory)
MA 1994 Tufts University (Art and Art History) (with Honors)
Diploma 1991University of Glasgow (Decorative Art History)
BA 1986 Colby College (History of Art)

Bethany Ides
Instructor in Foundation, Liberal Arts
MFA 2006 Milton Avery Graduate School of the Arts (Writing)
1997 - 2001 Bard College (Philosophy, Theology, Writing)

Bob Martin
Associate Professor in Foundation, Liberal Arts
ABD 1982 Purdue University
MA 1977 Portland State University
BA 1971 Kentucky Wesleyan College

Vinh Mason
Instructor in Liberal Arts (Science); On leave SP08
BS 1992 University of California (Chemical Engineering with an Environmental Technology emphasis)

Paul Montone
Assistant Professor in Liberal Arts
MA 2000 Portland State University (English)
BA 1993 University of Oregon (English)

Seth Nehil
Instructor in Foundation, Liberal Arts
MFA 2005 Bard College (Music/Sound)
BFA 1998 University of Texas at Austin (Painting/Transmedia)
http://sethnehil.artdocuments.org →

Molly Newgard
Assistant Professor in Art History and Liberal Arts
MA 1997 The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Modern Art History, Theory, and Criticism)
BA 1992 University of California, Davis (French, Art History)

Joye Otto
Instructor in Liberal Arts
MFA 1991 Brandeis University (Playwriting and Criticism)
BA 1988 San Francisco State University (English, Creative Writing)

Mallory Pratt
Instructor in Natural Science
M Ed 1990 University of Massachusetts, Boston (Secondary Education)
BS 1985 Tufts University (Biology)

* Mary Preis
Assistant Professor in Foundation, Liberal Arts (Art History)
MA 2000 University of Oregon (Art History)
BA 1995 University of Delaware (Art History, Magna Cum Laude)

Margaret Richardson
Instructor in Liberal Arts (Communication Design History)
Teaching Certificate 1976 Garnett College, University of London (Further and Higher Education)
BA 1962 Mundelein College (English Literature)

* David Ritchie
Professor in Liberal Arts
Ph.D. 1986 University of California, San Diego (Modern European History)
MA 1981 University of California, San Diego (Modern European History)
BA 1978 University of Sussex (English in the School of European Studies)

* Mary Slowik
Liberal Arts Department Chair, Associate Professor in Foundation, Liberal Arts
Ph.D. 1975 University of Iowa (English)
MA 1971 University of Iowa (English)
BA 1968 Mary Grove College (English)

Kim Stafford
Instructor in Liberal Arts , Writer-in-Residence
Ph.D. 1979 University of Oregon (Medieval English Literature)
MA 1973 University of Oregon (English)
BA 1971 University of Oregon (English)

Janet Vorvick
Assistant Professor in Liberal Arts (Mathematics)
MS 1995 Portland State University (Computer Science)
BA 1982 St. Olaf College

* Morgan Walker
Assistant Professor in Drawing, Liberal Arts (Printmaking History), Painting
MFA 1995 University of Oregon (Printmaking)
BFA 1993 PNCA (Printmaking)
JD 1982 Tulane University School of Law (Law)
BA 1979 Washington and Lee University (Philosophy)

Christine Weber
Instructor in Art History, Liberal Arts
MA 2005 University of Washington (Art History)
BA 1998 Western Oregon University (Interdisciplinary Studies: Art History)

Linda Wysong
Assistant Professor in Liberal Arts (Art History)
MA 1974 University of Maryland (Art History)
BA 1972 University of Maryland (Art History)
http://www.lindawysong.com →