i Please note:
To view the current calendar, go to
Visual Art Honours
The bachelor of fine arts (BFA) with a major in visual art prepares students to become practising artists. A combination of broad-based practical studio courses and theoretical and historical seminars prepares students to understand their production in relation to current visual art and other discipline developments. A strong emphasis is on an understanding of the position and responsibilities of the artist in contemporary society.
A Student must meet the requirements of a Visual Art Major to be eligible for the Honours degree. Entry to the Visual Art Major is granted based on an application after completion of FPA 160, 161 and 168. 丁香园AV to the Major is determined by both grades and portfolio assessment, usually scheduled at the end of the spring term. Contact the general office for further information.
Methods and concepts courses are offered simultaneously as upper and lower division courses; with the exception of FPA 269/369, these courses may only be completed once for credit, either as a lower division course or an upper division course, but not both.
The attention of students whose interest in visual art is related primarily to its historical, critical, or theoretical aspects, is directed to the program, leading to a bachelor of arts (BA) degree.
丁香园AV Requirements
Program and course admission is contingent upon University admission. Contact Student Services for admission procedures, requirements and deadlines. Entry to all programs and to many courses is by audition, interview or application. Contact the school’s office for information on procedures and deadlines.
Although the University operates on a trimester system, most FPA courses are planned in a two term (fall and spring) sequence. Consequently, students enter in the fall term (September) and are advised to contact the school in the preceding January for program entry and requirements information.
Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing
Unassigned or general elective (type 2 and 3, respectively) transfer credit awarded for courses completed at other recognized post-secondary institutions will not automatically entitle students to advanced standing in the school’s programs. Advanced standing is generally given on an individual basis as a result of an audition or interview.
About the School鈥檚 Course Offerings
Students are encouraged to take advantage of interdisciplinary offerings within the school. As many programs depend on a continuing sequence of courses completed in order, students should plan carefully to gain the maximum benefit and efficiency from their study. Note that not all courses are offered every term and several are offered on a rotational basis, i.e. every third or fourth term. An advisor is available to help plan study programs.
Students are reminded that the school is an interdisciplinary fine and performing arts department, and are strongly advised to acquaint themselves with the many disciplinary courses that are available.
Special Topics Courses
The subject matter (and prerequisites) of special or selected topics courses vary by term.
Prior Approval Prerequisite
Where a prerequisite is, or includes, 鈥榩rior approval,鈥� approval must be obtained before enrolling in the course. Contact the school for further information.
Program Requirements
Students complete 132 units, as specified below.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 39 units including
Four core courses below:
Introduction to acoustics, psychoacoustics, sound synthesis, audio sampling and signal processing, and sound production in general as relating to music, film sound, radio, new media, art installations and live performance. Quantitative.
Introduces innovations in the fine and performing arts to show the range of possibilities open to those who wish to employ or understand the use of moving images in their disciplinary and multidisciplinary art practices. By the completion of the course students should have a good sense not only of previous innovations and traditions, but of the contemporary scene as well.
An introduction to the techniques of artistic composition as experienced in a collaborative interdisciplinary studio environment. The emphasis is on the creation, analysis and critique of new compositions created in collaborative groups by students in dance, music, theatre, film/video and visual art. Prerequisite: FPA 111 and one of FPA 122, 130, 145, 150, 160, 170 or permission of the instructor.
Plus one additional FPA history course outside their major.
and all of
A hands-on studio course modeled on the progressive development of artistic practice from simple mark-making to full scale installation. Through a process of continuous transformation, an original idea is developed in a sequence of methods, materials and scales. Some research is required. A course materials fee is required.
A continuation of the work begun in FPA 160, with emphasis on particular problems in the visual arts worked through a series of projects, culminating in the Campus Project, a site-specific public work designed, built and installed at the end of the term. Some research is required. A course materials fee is required. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Prerequisite: FPA 160.
An introduction to the visual arts of the nineteenth century. Formal and thematic approaches to the arts will be introduced, with attention to the social, institutional, national, and international contexts of art. Breadth-Humanities. Breadth-Humanities.
A study of the visual arts from the twentieth century to the present, with attention to the artists, artworks, movements, and discourses that re-defined the functions and meanings of art. The debates of modernism, postmodernity, postcolonialism, feminism, and the avant-garde will be systematically explored. Breadth-Humanities. Breadth-Humanities.
Introduces theoretical concepts and historical issues that have informed the creation, perception, interpretation, and analysis of selected artworks in formative epochs, such as the Renaissance, Romanticism, Modernism, or Postmodernism. Prerequisite: 24 units including six in the history or theory of the fine or performing arts. Students with credit for FPA 211 Introduction to Contemporary Theory in the Arts may not take this course for further credit.
This course permits students to work extensively in a mature critical studio environment on a combination of freely chosen and assigned projects in various contemporary media. Reading will be required. Prerequisite: FPA 111, 161, 168 and prior approval. A course materials fee is required.
Continues work done in FPA 260-3. Work will combine freely chosen and assigned projects in a variety of contemporary media. Readings will be required as an integral part of studio work. Prerequisite: FPA 260 and status as an approved visual art major. A course materials fee is required.
and six units of
A studio course introducing drawing practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. Prerequisite: FPA 160 or permission from Visual Art Area. A course materials fee is required.
A studio course introducing painting practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. Prerequisite: FPA 160 or permission from Visual Art Area. A course materials fee is required.
A studio course introducing sculptural practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. Prerequisite: FPA 160 or Visual Art Area permission. A course materials fee is required.
A studio course introducing photographic practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. Prerequisite: FPA 161 and status as an approved major or extended minor in visual art or Visual Art Area permission. A course materials fee is required.
A studio course introducing topics in art-making practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: FPA 160 or Visual Art Area permission. A course materials fee is required.
* may be completed more than once for credit under a different topic. Topics may change every term and include, but are not limited to, installation practices, performance practices, digital 2D practices, and time-based media practices. Contact the general office for further information.
+ See advisor for course options.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 46 units including all of
An open critical studio course. Students are required to have a program of work prepared at the beginning of the term. This program will constitute the basis of the student's work in the course, and will be the subject of continuing critical discussion. This discussion will be integrated with theoretical studies in the parallel seminar course, FPA 366. Those students who have satisfactorily completed the lower division requirements for the major may apply for entry into the third year studio/seminar stream. 丁香园AV is by portfolio assessment and course achievement review in the spring term before third year. A course materials fee is required. Prerequisite: FPA 167, 168, 210, and prior approval. Corequisite: FPA 366.
An open critical studio course. It will continue and extend work done in FPA 360. Students are required to have a program of work prepared at the beginning of the term. This program will form the basis of the student's work in the course, and will be the subject of continuing critical discussion. This discussion will be integrated with theoretical studies in the parallel seminar course, FPA 367. A course materials fee is required. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: FPA 360 and 366. Corequisite: FPA 367.
A seminar course to be taken by all students in FPA 360. It deals with visual art topics of an historical, critical and theoretical nature which concern practising artists in the contemporary context. Students will be required to present research papers. Each research subject will be studied in connection with the student's own artistic work. Senior students in other disciplines with appropriate background may request approval to take this course. Those students who have satisfactorily completed the lower division requirements for the major may apply for entry into the third year studio/seminar stream. 丁香园AV is by portfolio assessment and course achievement review in the spring term before third year. Prerequisite: FPA 167, 168, 210, and prior approval. Corequisite: FPA 360.
A seminar course to be taken by all students in FPA 361. It deals with visual arts topics of an historical, critical and theoretical nature which concern practising artists in the contemporary context. Students will be required to present research papers. Each research subject will be studied in connection with the student's own artistic work. Senior students in other disciplines with appropriate background may request approval to take this course. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: FPA 366. Visual art major students transferring into third year may request approval to take FPA 211 concurrently. Corequisite: FPA 361.
This course permits students to work in an open studio situation. Students propose an independent program of work in the media of their choice at the beginning of the term and develop it in critical dialogue with the instructor(s). A course materials fee is required. Prerequisite: FPA 361, 367 and status as an approved major in visual art.
Permits students completing the visual art major to work in an open and critical studio situation. Students continue to develop a body of work begun in FPA 460 for their graduating exhibition at the end of the term. Preparation and installation of the exhibition is part of the course requirement. A course materials fee is required. Prerequisite: FPA 460 and status as an approved major in visual art.
Individual studio work at an advanced and intensive level with a commitment to participation in group critiques. Students propose an independent program of work and develop this in critical dialog with instructor(s). Prerequisite: FPA 361, 367 and admission into the Visual Art Honors Program.
and six units of
Presents drawing practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. Additional assignments will be required for students taking the course at this level. Prerequisite: FPA 160 or Visual Art Area permission. A course materials fee is required.
Presents painting practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. Additional assignments will be required for students taking the course at this level. (studio). Prerequisite: FPA 160 or Visual Art Area permission. A course materials fee is required.
Presents sculptural practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. Additional assignments will be required for students taking the course at this level. Prerequisite: FPA 160 or Visual Art Area permission. A course materials fee is required.
Presents photo-based practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. Additional assignments will be required for students taking the course at this level. Prerequisite: FPA 160 or Visual Art Area permission. A course materials fee is required.
A studio course presenting topics in art-making practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. This course may be taken more than once for credit under a different topic. Prerequisite: FPA 160 or Visual Art Area permission. A course materials fee is required.
and nine FPA upper division units including one of
Investigates a selected thematic topic in art and culture studies, for example, postcolonial theory and the arts; perception and embodiment; art activism and resistance; or urban art and culture. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: Will vary according to the topic.
Investigates a selected historical topic in art and culture. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: Will vary according to the topic.
Traces the interdisciplinary origins of performance studies and brings its concepts and methods to bear on dance, music, theatre, performance art, and media performance. Prerequisite: Minimum of 45 units, including FPA 111 or another critical or history course within the School for Contemporary Arts; or by prior approval. Students with credit for FPA 311 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
Examines aspects of critical writing associated with the fine and performing arts and encourages students to participate as writers in the artistic and cultural debates of their day. Forms examined will include but not be limited to reviews, articles, descriptive synopses for exhibition and festival programs, curatorial essays, project proposals and artists' statements. Prerequisite: 60 units including at least six units in FPA history/theory courses. Students with credit for FPA 319 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Provides an in-depth investigation of a selected theoretical, historical or thematic topic in art and culture studies. This course requires independent research leading to a substantial paper, as well as directed reading preparation for seminars. Topics will vary from term to term. The course may be repeated when different topics are offered. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Prerequisite: Eight upper division units and FPA 210.
An in-depth investigation of a selected topic in the history of art and culture. Prerequisite: Will vary according to the topic.
and the remaining three required units chosen from FPA upper division courses (placement in courses is based on prerequisites and/or permission of the instructor)
* may be completed more than once for credit under a different topic. Topics may change every term and include, but are not limited to, installation practices, performance practices, digital 2D practices, and time-based media practices. Contact the general office for further information.
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to 丁香园AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
| Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
| W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at 丁香园AV within the student’s major subject | |
| Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
| B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
|
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) | |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 as upper division work.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.
For calendar technical problems or errors, contact calendar-sfu@sfu.ca | Calendar Changes and Corrections