Since its invention, photography has radically influenced the way people understand and experience the world. As a key medium within current art production, photography figures centrally in theoretical discussions and exhibition practices. Moreover, recent technological and global cultural developments are challenging and altering our relationships with the photographic image on many levels.
Approached as a fine-art medium within contemporary art, the OCAD University Photography program develops the student’s position relative to a wide range of art practices. The curriculum is designed to provide students with an understanding of what it means to be a photographic artist today, supported by the development of a high level of proficiency in film-based and digital processes. Through an intensive experience of photographic production and the examination of the history and theory of the medium, as well as broader issues of contemporary art, students will be prepared to participate in the ongoing development of photography as an artistic practice in an increasingly media-based culture.
At the 200 level, students are introduced to photographic concepts and processes, photographic history, as well as studio/seminars on contemporary issues. Processes investigated include: black and white, colour, non-silver, experimental and digital photography.
At the 300 level, students progress from development to production as they work through a guided research process resulting in a photographic body of work. Studio/seminars on current practices and thematically-focused studio electives provide an opportunity to explore a variety of approaches.
At the 400 level, students must choose between the Thesis and the Directed Studio options. Both Thesis and Directed Studio options lead to a BFA in Photography.
Thesis Option
Students work with a thesis panel to research, produce and present a coherent body of work that is of professional exhibition quality. The artistic development process offers the students an opportunity to work comprehensively on their ideas and photographic skills. Students are required to contextualize their artwork with reference to historical and contemporary issues.
1.0 credit of PHOT 4C01 PHOT Studio Thesis: Research
1.0 credit of PHOT 4C02 PHOT Studio Thesis Presentation
1.0 credit of 400-level Photography courses
1.0 credit of 200, 300, or 400 level Art electives
1.0 credit of liberal studies courses
Directed Studio Option:
In the Directed Studio option, students pursue a major project and refine their technical skills and conceptual understanding of art in the context of thematic discussions and critiques. Topics related to professional practice are addressed. This option allows students greater breadth and flexibility in their final year of studies.
0.5 credit of PHOT 4B06 Directed Photography Studio/Seminar
0.5 credit of PHOT 4B13 Directed Photography Studio
2.0 credits of 400 level Photography courses
1.0 credit of 200, 300, or 400 level Art electives
1.0 credit of liberal studies courses
Laptop Program:
Photography is part of the Laptop Program (software only). Students are required to pay the associated fees for software and support. Please see the Laptop Program guide for Integrated Media and information on Laptop Program fees.
Students must fulfill all requirements listed in the major program guide the year they were admitted to OCAD U. For example, a student admitted to OCAD U in 2012 must follow the major program guide published in the Fall/Winter 2012/2013 Course Calendar. However, if program requirements change, students must adhere to the new requirements for their next learning year level.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree students must complete the requirements listed below, including 5.0 liberal studies credits. See the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences for an outline of the degree and diploma liberal studies requirements.
NOTE: At the 400 level, students must choose between the thesis and the directed studio options. Both thesis and directed studio options lead to a BFA in Photography. Visit Photography for more information.
Photography is part of the Laptop Program (software only). See the Photography Laptop Program guide for information and fees.
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT | |
| 200 Level Requirements | |||
| PHOT 2B03 | ***Introductory Photography: Black & White (see below note) |
0.5 | |
| PHOT 2B05 | Introductory Photography: Colour | 0.5 | |
| PHOT 2B07 | Introductory Photography: Digital | 0.5 | |
| PHOT 2B12 | Contemporary Issues: Art Today | 0.5 | |
| PHOT 2B13 | Concept and Process | 0.5 | |
| VISA 2B13 | History of Photography | 0.5 | |
| 200 Level | Art electives | 1.0 | |
| Liberal studies course | 0.5 | ||
| Liberal studies course | 0.5 | ||
| Total Credits | 5.0 | ||
| 300 Level Requirements | |||
| PHOT 3B13 | Intermediate Photography I: Development | 0.5 | |
| PHOT 3B14 | Intermediate Photography II: Production | 0.5 | |
| PHOT 3B17 | Current Practice | 0.5 | |
| 300 Level | PHOT courses | 1.0 | |
| 200 or 300 Level | Art electives | 1.5 | |
| VISA 3B43 | Into the 21st Century: Photographic Practices, Theory and Criticism | 0.5 | |
| Liberal studies course | 0.5 | ||
| Total Credits | 5.0 | ||
| 400 Level Requirements Towards a Thesis Major | |||
| PHOT 4C01 | PHOT Studio Thesis: Research | 1.0 | |
| PHOT 4C02 | PHOT Studio Thesis: Presentation | 1.0 | |
| 400 Level | PHOT courses | 1.0 | |
| 200, 300 or 400 Level | Art electives |
1.0 |
|
| Liberal studies course | 0.5 | ||
| Liberal studies course | 0.5 | ||
| Total Credits | 5.0 | ||
| 400 Level Required Toward a Directed Studio Major | |||
| PHOT 4B06 | Directed Photography Studio/Seminar | 0.5 | |
| PHOT 4B13 | Directed Photography Studio | 0.5 | |
| 400 Level | PHOT courses | 2.0 | |
| 200, 300 or 400 Level | Art electives |
1.0 | |
| Liberal studies course | 0.5 | ||
| Liberal studies course | 0.5 | ||
| Total Credits | 5.0 | ||
Photography Majors should consider taking courses outside Photography appropriate to their developing practices, particularly in Integrated Media, Fabrication Studios and Sculpture/Installation. Some recommended Art courses are: |
| INTM 2B02 The Moving Image: Cinematic Form & Practice |
| INTM 2B29 The Moving Image: Documentary, Performance, Activism |
| INTM 3B10 Lighting for Production |
| INTM 4B21 Documentation Media |
| CROS 2B02 Introduction to Cross-Disciplinary Studio |
| PRNT 2B15 Digital Photo-Based Printmaking |
| PRNT 2B20 Book Arts: Bookbinding |
PHOT 2C02 Contemporary Photography Studio is equivalent to the combination of PHOT 2B03, PHOT 2B05 and PHOT 2B07. Students who successfully completed PHOT 2C02 in 2008-2009 will have these requirements.
Eligibility to Graduate
Please note that students are eligible to graduate if they:
• Have fulfilled all program requirements.
• Are in good academic standing (if 2.0 or more credits taken since last academic performance review require minimum 60% average for those courses).
• Have an overall average of 60% or higher.
• Have an average of at least 65% in designated courses of their major/program (Design only).
• Have no outstanding accounts at the University.
All Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences courses are available to Faculty of Art students and a wide range of study is encouraged. Photography students who are seeking liberal studies courses to deepen their disciplinary knowledge may be interested in the following (not all courses are offered every year):
| VISA 2B07 | History of Modern Art |
| HUMN 2B01 | Aesthetics (not offered 2013/2014) |
| HUMN 2B16 | 20th Century Ideas |
| HUMN 3B01 | Reading Popular Culture |
Students declaring a Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences or Interdisciplinary Studies minor are strongly urged to complete the full complement of studio courses for their major, including all studio electives.
* An elective may be chosen from any of the following subject areas: ASOC, BUSI, CRCP, CROS, DIGF, DRPT, FABR, INTM, MAAD (maximum 1.5 credits for program), PHOT, PRNT, SCIN. Students wishing to take an elective in any other subject area must meet with their program Chair for approval. The proposed elective course should have relevance to the student’s studies.
**Liberal studies courses (ENGL, HUMN, SCTM, SOSC, VISA, VISC, VISD, VISM and some INVC) are listed under the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences and designated course type LST in the course schedule.
***Students who completed PHOT 2B03 in first year may not repeat this course andmust instead select an additional 0.5 credit year 2 level Art elective.
Last Modified:11/26/2013 11:33:04 AM