Please note:
To view the Fall 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/fall.html.
Visual Art Major
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.
Entry to the Visual Art Major is granted based on grades and portfolio assessment. Students who are not granted entrance into the major before starting their first year at SFU are encouraged to complete CA 160 and CA 161. Contact the general office for further information.
Methods and concepts courses are offered simultaneously as upper and lower division courses.
The attention of students whose interest in visual art is related primarily to its historical, critical, or theoretical aspects, is directed to the Visual Culture and Performance Studies program, leading to a bachelor of arts (BA) degree.
Admission 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 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 all first year Visual Art courses required for the major is by portfolio. Contact the school prior to attendance at the university to request details and dates.
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
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Academic Continuance Policy
Policy:
All students who successfully complete the acceptance process within the School for the Contemporary Arts are offered the status of “Major” in a specific area of study entering the first year. In order to remain a major, all students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA in CA courses of 2.67. Students that fall below the 2.67 will have a limited time (see process below) to bring the average up before losing their status as a major.
Process:
All SCA student GPA levels will be evaluated at the end of each academic year, normally at the end of the Spring semester. A student who falls below the required cumulative GPA in CA courses of 2.67 will be notified of their probation status as a major with a limited time to adjust their CA GPA. Students will need to meet with the Area Coordinator and Advisor and plan their academic career for either re-establishing the Major or pursuing an FCAT BA with a double minor program. If the student does not bring the cumulative GPA in CA courses to 2.67 in the allotted time, he/she will be dropped from the major. If the student is in first or second year of study within the major and falls below the required cumulative GPA in CA courses of 2.67, the student will have two semesters to bring up their average to 2.67. If the student is in third year of their major, they will have one semester to bring their average to 2.67. Students who lose their status as a major in the SCA will have the option of pursuing the extended minor as part of the double minor BA option in FCAT, or via other options in the university. In extraordinary circumstances, the area coordinator and director of the school will review academic continuance policy cases.
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 course outside their major+
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 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 38 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, CA 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. Admission is by portfolio assessment and course achievement review in the spring term before third year. A course materials fee is required. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 117 (or 167), 118 (or 168), 210W (or 210), 261 and status as an approved Visual Art Major. Corequisite: CA 366. Students with credit for FPA 360 may not take this course for further credit.
An open critical studio course. It will continue and extend work done in CA (or 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, CA 367. A course materials fee is required. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 360 and 366. Corequisite: CA 367. Students with credit for FPA 361 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Sabine Bitter |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 9:30 a.m.–4:20 p.m.
|
DT VSAR |
A seminar course to be taken by all students in CA 360. It deals with visual art topics of an historical, critical and theoretical nature that concern practicing 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. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 117 (or 167), 118 (or 168), 210W (or 210), 261 and status as an approved Visual Art Major. Corequisite: CA 360. Students with credit for FPA 366 may not take this course for further credit.
A seminar course to be taken by all students in CA 361. It deals with visual arts topics of an historical, critical and theoretical nature that concern practicing 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. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 366. Corequisite: CA 361. Students with credit for FPA 367 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Sabine Bitter |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
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: CA (or FPA) 361, 367 and status as an approved major in visual art. Students with credit for FPA 460 may not take this course for further credit.
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 CA (or 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: CA (or FPA) 460 and status as an approved major in visual art. Students with credit for FPA 461 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Kathleen Slade |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
DT VSAR |
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: 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 of
Investigates a selected thematic topic in art and performance studies such as: postcolonial theory and the arts; perception and embodiment; art activism and resistance; or urban art and culture. This course can be repeated twice for credit if the topic is different. Prerequisite: 45 units.
Investigates a selected topic in the history of art, performance and cinema. This course can be repeated twice for credit if the topic is different. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 117 (or 167), 186, and 210W (or 210).
Examines aspects of critical writing associated with the historical and contemporary 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 CA (or FPA) history/theory courses. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 319 may not take this course for further credit. Students with credit for FPA 319W may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| E100 |
Sessional |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
An in-depth investigation of a selected topic in the history of art, performance and cinema. This course can be repeated four times for credit if the topic is different. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 117 (or 167), 186, 210W (or 210) and 45 units.
* 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 Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements 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 Simon Fraser University within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each) |
|
| Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more) | |
| B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth |
Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division: Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc |
|
6 |
Additional Breadth |
Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements). Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
|
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.