Foundations Program | American University of Sharjah

Foundations Director's message

Students will learn these things and more throughout their foundations year so that they are well-equipped with the technical and intellectual skills they need to succeed in the program of their choice.
Philip Sheil

Foundations is a unique and rigorous program that introduces students to the fundamentals of design and prepares them for all fields of study that are offered in the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD).  Within the program, students are encouraged to develop a basic critical and practical understanding of design principals. Experimentation and exploration with materials, tools and techniques provides students with a strong background in basic design.

The program consists of two semesters of drawing studios that focus on free-hand observational drawing skills as well as measured, constructed drawing. In addition to drawing studios, students will take two semesters of design studios that explore ways of representing design ideas in two and three dimensions using compositional strategies and organizational explorations in a variety of both digital and analog media. In parallel to the studios, two semesters of architecture, art and design history provides students with a broad understanding of historical concepts and precedent that informs design ideas. Rounding out the foundations year with courses in writing and math, students are well prepared for their chosen major in design.

Philip Sheil
Director of Foundations

News

Award-winning filmmaker returns to American University of Sharjah as teacher and mentor

Life has come full-circle for award-winning filmmaker Mohammed Mamdouh, who began his foray into film as an undergraduate student at American University of...
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More than 100 AUS students have participated in the National Pavilion UAE's Venice Internship Program at the Venice Biennale since 2009

The internship program run by the National Pavilion UAE - La Biennale di Venezia (NPUAE) at the Venice Biennale has become a springboard to success for more...
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Arada teams up with students at American University of Sharjah to design facades for infrastructure at Aljada

Published by: ARADA Research-based, student design studio Thick Skins was sponsored by Arada Collaboration provides students with practical, hands-on learning...
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Meet the AUS research and design team behind the National Pavilion UAE in Venice this year

Tens of thousands of visitors have flooded the National Pavilion UAE at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia this summer to...
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Setting the stage for success: AUS welcomes new students during Fall 2023 Orientation

The start of the academic year is always brimming with excitement, anticipation and eagerness, especially for first-time university students who are taking...
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Events

25
Sep

OSA Scholarship Ceremony

Main Building | Lecture Hall A
September 25, 2023
16:30 - 18:00
Free
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25
Sep

Saudi National Day

Main Building Rotunda
September 25, 2023
18:00 - 22:00
Free
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07
Sep

Manbat Farmers Market at AUS

East Gazebo (Between AUS campus and Women's Residence Halls)
September 7, 2023
17:00 - 21:00
Free
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03
Oct

From Grammarly to ChatGPT: How to Use Writing Apps Ethically and Effectively

Main Building, Lecture Hall B
October 3, 2023
14:00 - 15:00
Free
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04
Oct

Climbing the Ladder from Academic Probation to Dean’s List

Main Building, Lecture Hall B
October 4, 2023
15:30 - 16:30
Free
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05
Oct

Professors to Entrepreneurs | How to Create Entrepreneurs in a University

CEN auditorium | ESB 0037
October 5, 2023
11:00 - 12:00
Free
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