Course description
Major in Photography — 60 credits
Minor in Photography — 30 credits
Courses may include:
* Foundations in Photographic Vision: Theory and Practice I, II
* Black and White Photography
* Digital Photography
* Introduction to Contemporary Issues in Photography
* Development of Photographic Traditions
PHOT 201 Introduction to Colour Photography (3 credits)
An introductory-level course that covers fundamental techniques specific to colour photography including basic camera functions, film exposure, and printing.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of film stock, processing, printing, and other materials
NOTE: Students in a Major or Minor in the Photography program may not take this course for credit.
PHOT 210 Foundations in Photographic Vision Theory and Practice I (6 credits)
Prerequisite: Enrolment in the Major or Minor in Photography, or 24 credits in a Specialization/Major in the Faculty of Fine Arts. In this course, students investigate and examine the numerous aspects of photography’s complex history, aesthetics, and processes, as well as different camera and darkroom techniques specific to colour photography. Students learn how to control the camera, expose film properly (transparency and negative), develop good printing skills in colour, and produce a coherent body of work. They should become aware of how colour contributes to the structure and meaning of photographs. Other topics include the history of colour photography and aesthetic and conceptual issues in the work of contemporary photographers. Students are expected to work on technical exercises and produce a final portfolio which is content-driven, demonstrates technical proficiency, and expresses the individual’s artistic interest and vision.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for PHOT 200, 221, or 322 may not take this course for credit.
NOTE: Each student’s work is evaluated by a jury of Photography faculty at the end of each term.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of film stock, processing, printing, and other materials.
PHOT 211 Black-and-White Photography I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHOT 210 and 250 previously or concurrently; enrolment in the Major or Minor in Photography; or written permission of the program director. A studio course introducing the use of black and white as photographic process, parallel to colour production and practice taught in PHOT 210. Students are taught basic technical skills, film processing, darkroom techniques and printing. Students are also introduced to black-and-white photographic tradition and aesthetics. Students must produce a final portfolio that is content-driven, demonstrates technical proficiency, and expresses personal artistic interests and vision.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for PHOT 200 may not take this course for credit.
NOTE: Each student’s work is evaluated by a jury of Photography faculty at the end of the term.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of film stock, processing, printing, and other materials.
PHOT 221 Colour Photography I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHOT 200 and 250 previously or concurrently; enrolment in the Major or Minor in Photography; or written permission of the program director. In this course, students become aware of how colour contributes to the structure and meaning of photographs. Topics include the history of colour and aesthetic and conceptual issues in the work of contemporary photographers. Students are expected to achieve a basic level of expertise with the techniques of colour and to make high quality prints. The goal in this course is for each student to produce a final portfolio which demonstrates technical proficiency, is content-driven, and expresses the individual’s personal artistic interests and vision.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for PHOT 210 may not take this course for credit.
NOTE: Each student’s work is evaluated by a jury of Photography faculty at the end of the term.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of film stock, processing, printing, and other materials.
PHOT 250 Development of Photographic Traditions (6 credits)
Prerequisite: Enrolment in the Major or Minor in Photography; or 24 credits in a Specialization/Major in the Faculty of Fine Arts; or written permission of the program director. This lecture-based course is a critical examination of the development of photography from its historical origins to the present. Classes are organized thematically and include theoretical perspectives on photography as an artistic practice and as a socio-cultural phenomena. Topics include the relationship between photography and other forms of art, post-colonialist critique, issues of gender, institutional discourse, and the visual culture of modernity.
PHOT 300 Photographic Vision: Theory and Practice II (6 credits)
Prerequisite: PHOT 210 and 250 and enrolment in the Major or Minor in Photography; or written permission of the program director. The purpose of this studio course is to provide a framework within which students pursue their photographic practice at an intermediate level. Students are encouraged to explore concepts and technical components in a long-term project. They develop a photographic language which is specific to their own practice and learn from the work of other contemporary artists. The final portfolio is content-driven and expresses personal artistic vision.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of film stock, processing, printing, and other materials.
NOTE: Each student’s work is evaluated by a jury of Photography faculty at the end of each term.
PHOT 301 Black-and-White II Fine Art Printing (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHOT 210, 211, 331; enrolment in the Major or Minor in Photography; or written permission of the program director. A continuation of PHOT 211, this studio course explores further techniques in fine art black-and-white printing. Students are introduced to advanced darkroom processes, mural printing, and quad tone digital printing. Students must produce a final portfolio that is content-driven, demonstrates technical proficiency, and expresses personal artistic interests and vision.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for PHOT 200 may not take this course for credit.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of film stock, processing, printing, and other materials.
PHOT 311 Large Format Photography I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHOT 210, 211, 250; enrolment in the Major or Minor in Photography; or written permission of the program director. A studio course introducing large format photography, its techniques and application. Demonstrations cover the basics of view camera operation, light metering, sheet film exposure, development, and advanced printing. Assignments based on traditional genres encourage ease with all aspects of large format use and their personal applications.
NOTE: Each student’s work is evaluated by a jury of Photography faculty at the end of the term.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of film stock, processing, printing, and other materials.
PHOT 312 Large Format Photography II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHOT 210, 211, 250, 311; enrolment in the Major or Minor in Photography; or written permission of the Department. A studio course directed towards the development of an individual approach to view camera photography. Various uses of advanced techniques are also discussed. Emphasis is put on the development of a coherent portfolio of prints expressing personal concerns.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of film stock, processing, printing, and other materials.
PHOT 322 Colour Photography II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHOT 210, 250; PHOT 221 or 321; and enrolment in the Major or Minor in Photography, or written permission of the program director. A continuation of PHOT 221, this course explores further techniques in colour photography and advanced colour printing. Aesthetic issues such as changing attitudes towards the colour medium and its role in documentary work are discussed. A final portfolio reflects the students’ personal approach to colour photography.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for PHOT 210 may not take this course for credit.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of film stock, processing, printing, and other materials.
PHOT 331 Digital Photography I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHOT 210; PHOT 221 previously or concurrently; and enrolment in the Major in Photography, or written permission of the program director. An introductory studio course investigating the technical and creative aspects of digital photography. This course provides students with an understanding of the digital image and a practical application of the tools within their personal approach to photography. Students will explore the production of digital photographs, emphasizing the manipulation of images with software and the preparation for different formats. Issues related to the use of digital imagery within the larger context of photography will be explored.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for this topic under a PHOT 498 number may not take this course for credit.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of removable storage devices, printing, and other materials.
PHOT 332 Digital Photography II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHOT 331 and enrolment in the Major or Minor in Photography, or written permission of the Department. This advanced course expands on the basic control skills and creative aspects of digital technology by implementing personal approaches to the use of technology. Emphasis is on the creative development and advanced use of technology for the production of a portfolio.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for this topic under a PHOT 498 number may not take this course for credit.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of removable storage devices, printing, and other materials.
PHOT 341 Introduction to Contemporary Issues in Photography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHOT 250 and enrolment in the Major or Minor in Photography, or written permission of the program director. This seminar course explores diverse theoretical approaches relevant to current photographic practice. Students learn about critical discourses that inform the reception of images. Readings form the basis of discussions, which are complemented by lectures, guests, visits to exhibitions, and other pertinent activities. Students are expected to produce short essays and complete one major research paper. Required texts vary from year to year.
PHOT 398 Special Topics in Photography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Written permission of the Department. An opportunity for the study of limited and more specialized aspects of photography.
PHOT 399 Special Topics in Photography (6 credits)
Prerequisite: Written permission of the Department. An opportunity for the study of limited and more specialized aspects of photography.
NOTE C/See §200.3
PHOT 400 Advanced Workshop in Photography (6 credits)
Prerequisite: 48 credits in the Major in Photography including PHOT 300, or written permission of the program director. A studio course in which students pursue one or more extended photographic projects in black and white and/or digital. Topics related to contemporary photography are presented in a seminar fashion. A group exhibition at the end of the year is part of the curriculum of this course.
NOTE: Each student’s personal work is evaluated by a jury of Photography faculty at the end of each term.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of film stock, processing, printing, and other materials.
PHOT 470 Professional Internship (6 credits)
Prerequisite: 48 credits in the Major in Photography and written permission of the Department. A student wishing to work in an apprentice capacity with an established photographic artist, or wishing to pursue research in photographic criticism, museum work, publication, or other related endeavours may apply for academic credit. The internship will be carried out under the joint supervision of a qualified professional (from within or without the University) and a full-time Photography faculty member. A clearly defined agreement between the Department, the student, and the artist or institution involved will be arrived at before the internship is undertaken. This agreement should state clearly the nature of the student’s participation and the hours of work expected. Projects receiving approval for the internship credits must demonstrate appreciable learning potential for the student.
PHOT 471 Professional Internship I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: 48 credits in the Major in Photography and written permission of the Department. A student wishing to work in an apprentice capacity with an established photographic artist, or wishing to pursue research in photographic criticism, museum work, publication, or other related endeavours may apply for academic credit. The internship will be carried out under the joint supervision of a qualified professional (from within or without the University) and a full-time Photography faculty member. A clearly defined agreement between the Department, the student, and the artist or institution involved will be arrived at before the internship is undertaken. This agreement should state clearly the nature of the student’s participation and the hours of work expected. Projects receiving approval for the internship credits must demonstrate appreciable learning potential for the student.
PHOT 472 Professional Internship II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: 48 credits in the Major in Photography and written permission of the Department. Students who wish additional internships in a professional milieu may take this course.
PHOT 481 Independent Study I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Written permission of the Department. A course of independent study in which the student explores a specific area of photography.
PHOT 482 Independent Study II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHOT 481 and written permission of the Department. A student repeating PHOT 481 registers for credit under PHOT 482.
PHOT 498 Special Topics in Photography (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Written permission of the Department. A course for advanced students which provides an opportunity for the study of limited and more specialized aspects of photography.
PHOT 499 Special Topics in Photography (6 credits)
Prerequisite: Written permission of the Department. A course for advanced students which provides an opportunity for the study of limited and more specialized aspects of photography.
