Photography

Surface, Space and Time is founded on the idea that visual design and its building blocks are universal across all creative applications. In this studio course students further their own ideas, experimenting with line, plane, shape, form, texture, value, color, space and time in relation to design principles. Students produce a range of projects diverse in media, acquire a broad set of basic studio skills and discover critical ways of thinking about their work. Students also encounter more mediums and applications through field trips and guest lectures (Course requires a $200 class fee)

Studio for Research and Practice introduces students to a focused and research driven coursework. Built upon foundations from Surface, Space & Time projects in this course are research and student driven to investigate contextual elements of language and image making as the language in various art forms including filmmaking. Projects will experiment with various image making/framing processes for investigation and interpretation of images as the language in different forms. (COR 101; Course requires a $200 class fee)

Digital literacy is associated with learning how to effectively find, use, summarize, evaluate, create, and communicate through digital technologies. This serves as a crash course in the technological tools necessary to produce digital artworks. Project assignments concentrate on the acquisition of basic skills and the aesthetics of digital media art as an expressive medium. Through the use of video, visual coding, 3D modeling, and digital imaging the nature of contemporary digital artworks will be introduced and discussed in the evaluation of work. (COR 102)

This course is a survey of the important events, ideas, images, and photographers in photographic history. Course information covers the invention of the camera and its impact on art and culture, major movements in photography, and significant artists from early development through contemporary works.

Course lectures concentrate on artists, essays, and an introduction to critical analysis of photographic genres and contemporary works. Students explore all aspects of the medium through discussion and individual research. (ENG 101, Co-requisite ENG 102)

This is an introduction to basic photography, providing a foundation in lens-based still photographic techniques and practices. Emphasis is placed on developing technical skills with digital and film cameras and digital printing, and with gaining a critical awareness of the photographic medium through assignments and critiques. A digital camera with manual exposure and RAW file capture is required. Film cameras may be loaned to students as needed. (COR 102)

In this introduction to the materials and techniques of color photography, students use medium format film cameras for assignments. Lectures explore color theory, technical aspects of negative films, color correction, and software applications for digital printing. The study of color photography is examined through group critiques, lectures, and discussions of contemporary photography. Students learn essential information needed to work successfully in color photography while concentrating on creative development. A medium format camera with manual exposure is required. (PHO 121)

Using 35mm, medium format or large format cameras, students gain a foundation in darkroom photographic techniques including film processing, black and white darkroom printing and other techniques. Students learn to utilize basic zone system techniques for pre-visualizing final prints. Using this technical information and through assessment and critique, students create a portfolio of silver gelatin prints. (PHO 121)

This is an intensive course in artificial lighting techniques. Lectures and demonstrations introduce students to tungsten and strobe lighting and its application to commercial and fine art photography. Students learn to control artificial light sources by applying learned skills to studio and location assignments. Emphasis is on technical control and creative applications for product, portrait, editorial, and fine art visual communication. (PHO 121)

Photography Faculty review projects completed in PHO 121 and 231. (PHO 121, may be taken concurrently with PHO 231)

Building on Introduction to Lighting, students develop a portfolio of advanced work using artificial lighting techniques. The portfolio consists of self-defined projects for commercial or fine art photography. Students participate in group critiques and discussions emphasizing technical skill, creativity, and presentation. (PHO 241)

This course is designed to expand students’ understanding and skills in photography into a time-based media. Class lectures discuss video artists and the impact of video art on photography and culture. Students learn the video operations of their camera and software for editing of audio and video. (DIG 185, PHO 121)

Students learn to make digital negatives and positives, and prepare chemicals and paper for cyanotype, VanDyke, photopolymer gravure, palladium, salt prints and other alternative processes. Lectures, demonstrations, and group critiques explore the visual possibilities of these processes. (PHO 121, 241)

Studio,  3 Credit Hours
This course introduces students to a variety of photographic genres. Students explore personal image making through self-assigned projects and discussions on ideas, content, and critical theory as it applies to the class topic and their own work. (PHO 231)

PHO 341 Large Format Photography
Studio,  3 Credit Hours
This course builds on knowledge of the large format camera and the operation and current practices introduced in PHO 234. Students learn more about lens selection, the use of camera swings and tilts, and processing procedures for sheet film. Students produce images in both black and white and color film and use the traditional darkroom and the digital lab.

PHO 373 Book Arts
Studio,  3 Credit Hours
This course provides an introduction to the theory and various technical processes of making books by hand. A strong emphasis is placed on exploring contextual themes and theories present in handmade book culture through a semester-long discussion of the definition of the book as art and the role of intention in the making of book-centric art. Also, in this course students strengthen hand skills and dexterity while learning about the importance of craftsmanship in all forms of art.  

PHO 375 Create, Curate & Exhibit
Studio,  3 Credit Hours
Students conceive of an exhibition to which they curate and create works of art and secure a venue for the show. Readings and writings are done in curatorial studies and an exhibition is produced and an exhibition catalog is written as the semester project.

PHO 376 Documentary
Studio,  3 Credit Hours
This course explores the elements of documentary photography— discuss legal and ethical issues that arise when making documentary work and look at photographs and films by and about historical and contemporary documentary photographers. The many branches of documentary photography (street, photojournalism, visual anthropology, etc) are discussed and investigated for methods that allow for an in depth experience using interviewing, writing, and editing, and giving subjects cameras to document their experiences. By the end of the course students have a strong, cohesive body of work.

PHO 379 Experimental Photography
Studio,  3 Credit Hours
Students explore non-traditional and creative approaches to making and transforming photographic images. Techniques could include using digital and darkroom, silver and non-silver processes, painting and drawing, printmaking, installation, video. Students research concepts and methods of their choosing.

PHO 380 Printmaking for Photographers
Studio,  3 Credit Hours
This studio course gives students an opportunity to learn a variety of printmaking processes that begin as photographs. Techniques include intaglio, lithography, photocopy transfers, photopolymer, and other techniques. Printing in black ink as well as color will be covered.

PHO 381 Electronic Media
Studio,  3 Credit Hours
Students build on knowledge gained in Core Studies and Time Media courses to explore other digital media which may include advanced image manipulation and coding. (PHO 352)

PHO 384 Photography and Performance
Studio,  3 Credit Hours
This course is a studio seminar that examines the potential for photography as a tool to document performances that are staged for the camera. Within the photographic medium, photography can play with notions of time and reality. While performance art traditionally emphasizes the presence of the body in a live action, this course looks beyond that tradition towards articulating a potential for performance with the absence of a live performing body, the photograph being the end result.

Building on conceptual and technical practices, students explore more demanding and open-ended studio projects, reading and writing assignments. Students will complete a comprehensive project proposal that leads into the senior year. Professional practices are discussed. (ENG 102; PHO 231, 241)

Students explore new concepts and techniques and develop a body of work that may carry over into their degree work. Experimentation with materials and ideas is required. Professional practices are introduced. (PHO 395)

In this advanced writing course, students develop strategies for writing about the humanities and fine arts as well as their own practice. This course addresses writing for different contexts—academic, exhibition, and the visual and creative marketplace. (ART 101, 102; ENG 102)

This course provides practical experience in preparing and producing a body of artwork for exhibition. Students continue to explore professional practices and business applications in preparation for a career in the arts. Students write a thesis paper, produce a body of work for exhibition, and make a public presentation to fulfill graduation requirements. (PHO 481)

An analysis of art, archeology and history in the Pre-historic, Ancient World, Middle Ages, into the Early Renaissance. The focus is on art, architecture and relevant cultural context in the development of Western Art using contemporary methods and theories. Some non-Western history and themes will be included for context.

This survey of art begins in the High Renaissance and continues through the 1990s, focusing on European and American Art. Using current methods and theories in art history, specific artworks, artists and styles are discussed stressing the social, political, philosophic and individual influences.

Principles and practices of effective oral communication. Readings, lectures, and in-class exercises focusing on the preparation and delivery of four major presentations. Emphasis is on research and critical thinking to develop and support ideas, effective organizational and presentational techniques, ethics and responsibilities in public communication, effective listening, and insightful critique.

An overview of the conventions of grammar and an emphasis on effective expository and persuasive writing, with attention on the principles of research techniques and expressing thoughts and ideas clearly.

English Composition II is a continuation of English Composition I. This course emphasizes critical reading, writing, and analysis of texts with particular attention to research methods and writing. This course also provides an introduction to the study of literature and students are expected to demonstrate understanding and use of essay techniques in the form of literary analysis. (ENG 101)

A survey of the cultural, social, economic, and political aspects of significant civilizations from prehistory through the Seventeenth Century.

A survey of the cultural, social, economic, and political aspects of significant civilizations from the Eighteenth Century to the present. (HIS 101)

A study of basic mathematics, algebra, and geometry as these show demonstrated use in modern life with applications to art and design.

Natural Science Requirement (select one)*

SCI 310 History of Scientific Thought
Lecture, 3 Credit Hours
An examination of some of the breakthrough theories in the history of science and of the minds that conceived them. The effect upon society and culture of these thinkers as well as the general course of empirical thinking is addressed. (ENG 102)

SCI 315 Biology in the Visual Arts
Lecture, 3 Credit Hours
This course combines formal instruction in the core concepts of biology with artistic exploration of biological phenomena, ideas, discoveries, questions, or research techniques to be selected by each student individually. (ENG 102)

Social Science Requirement (select one)

ANT 101 Anthropology
Lecture, 3 Credit hours
An overview of key elements in the study of early cultures, with an emphasis on selected early societies, their basic belief systems, myths, and values thereby generating respect for diversity. Can fulfill social science requirement or serve as a General Education elective.

HUM 210 Gender Studies
Lecture, 3 Credit hours
This course is a historical investigation of how specific cultures represent gender difference. Students examine a variety of cultural forms and phenomena including film, television, literature, music, popular movements, and institutions. Can fulfill social science requirement or serve as a General Education elective. (ENG 102)

PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
Lecture, 3 Credit hours
This course is an introduction of human mental processes and behavior. This course serves as an overview of the history of psychology and the major fields within psychology with an emphasis on developing an understanding of psychology as the science of human thought and behavior. Can fulfill social science requirement or serve as a General Education elective.

This course follows the development of modern art in Europe and North America from roughly 1800 to 1945. The course addresses the artistic responses to this tumultuous era of industrialism, disenchantment, revolution, and total war. This course discusses the ways artists embraced these developments and the ways they attempted to escape them. We examine their efforts to make an art that would capture the rapidly changing contours of modern life or reject them favor of art for art’s sake. The course will address important movements and look at key works of modern art, but we will also address the ways in which these works responded to modernity in its exhilarating and terrible extremes. (ART 102)

An emphasis on art since 1968. Postmodernism, multiculturalism, Earth Art, Installations, and New Media are examined. Rather than looking at the art as part of a chronological movement, the work and artists are discussed as a way of understanding various theoretical and cultural conditions. Although video and digital images will support discussion, this course is primarily a theory/readings course. (ART 102)

This course provides the fundamental knowledge and skills to develop a career in art, design and film. Students learn the elements needed to establish, fund, organize and manage self-employment, freelance opportunities and/or entrepreneurial endeavors as visual artists. Available to students in all programs. (ENG 102, MAT 101)

Select 3

Visual Arts Elective Exploration classes can be any studio class offered within The Film School or any other department, as long as its focus remains in the Visual Arts.