Please note:
To view the Fall 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/fall.html.
Visual Art Extended Minor
This program may interest those who wish to obtain a bachelor of arts (BA) degree by completing an extended minor program. The program offers studio, history and theory courses in visual art, giving a good introduction to contemporary art issues and practices. A extended minor may be used for the purpose of teaching in public and private schools.
Methods and concepts courses are offered simultaneously as upper and lower division courses.
Admission Requirements
Program and course admission is contingent upon University admission. Contact Student Services for admission procedures, requirements and deadlines. Entry to all programs in the School for the Contemporary Arts is by audition, interview or application. Contact the school’s office for information on procedures and deadlines or visit our website.
Although the University operates on a trimester system, most CA 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.
Entry to the Visual Art Extended Minor is granted based on grades and portfolio assessment. Contact the general office for further information.
A minimum 2.4 SCA GPA and 2.0 CGPA is required to remain in good standing in the program.
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’s 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 contemporary 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 ‘prior approval,’ approval must be obtained before enrolling in the course. Contact the school for further information.
Program Requirements
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 39 units including
Three 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. Students who have taken CA (or FPA) 184 cannot take CA (or FPA) 149 for further credit. Students with credit for FPA 149 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| OL01 |
Stefan Smulovitz |
Online |
Introduces the many ways artists have employed moving images across artistic disciplines. By the completion of the course students should have a good sense of both the historical innovations and traditions in moving-image arts as well as the use of moving images in the contemporary art scene. Students with credit for FPA 186 may not take this course for further credit.
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: One of CA (or FPA) 122, 130, 145, 150, 160, 170. Students with credit for FPA 285 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Erika Latta |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
plus one additional CA history/theory course outside their extended minor
and all of
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. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 167 may not take this course for further credit. 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. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 168 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Denise Oleksijczuk |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
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. Students with credit for FPA 160 may not take this course for further credit.
A continuation of the work begun in CA (or 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: CA (or FPA) 160. Students with credit for FPA 161 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Raymond Boisjoly |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
| D200 |
Raymond Boisjoly |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
A course based on exemplary readings designed to introduce students to a wide range of theories and methods of visual analysis and historical interpretation of works of art. Prerequisite: 21 units including six in CA (or FPA) history/theory courses and CA (or FPA) 168 or CA 118. Students with credit for CA (or FPA 210) may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
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: CA (or FPA) 118 (or 168) and 161. A course materials fee is required. Students with credit for FPA 260 may not take this course for further credit.
Continues work done in CA (or 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: CA (or FPA) 260. A course materials fee is required. Students with credit for FPA 261 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Kathleen Slade |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
DT VSAR |
and two of
A studio course introducing drawing practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 160. A course materials fee is required. Students with credit for FPA 262 may not take this course for further credit.
A studio course introducing painting practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 160. A course materials fee is required. Students with credit for FPA 263 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Sessional |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
DT VSAR |
A studio course introducing sculptural practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 160. A course materials fee is required. Students with credit for FPA 264 may not take this course for further credit.
A studio course introducing photographic practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 160. A course materials fee is required. Students with credit for FPA 265 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Sessional |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
DT VSAR |
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: CA (or FPA) 160. A course materials fee is required.
* May be repeated for credit if the topic is different.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 15 units including 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: CA (or FPA) 160. A course materials fee is required. Students with credit for FPA 362 may not take this course for further credit.
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: CA (or FPA) 160. A course materials fee is required. Students with credit for FPA 363 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Sessional |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
DT VSAR |
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: CA (or FPA) 160. A course materials fee is required. Students with credit for FPA 364 may not take this course for further credit.
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: CA (or FPA) 160. A course materials fee is required. Students with credit for FPA 365 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Sessional |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
DT VSAR |
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: CA (or FPA) 160. A course materials fee is required.
and nine CA upper division units including one history/theory course.
* May be repeated for credit if the topic is different.