Program Overview

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography

The Photography program provides in-depth experience in black and white and color fine art photography utilizing film and digital technologies as well as commercial photography and alternative approaches to the medium. Technical mastery and advanced conceptual thinking are emphasized, along with a solid grounding in historical and contemporary issues.

Purpose

The photography area has a primary aim to provide a high-quality professional undergraduate education in fine art photography. The program's curriculum centers on mastery in film and digital technologies as well as strong conceptual development towards a final portfolio and exhibition.

Goals

• Education of the student in the field of fine art photography.
• Understanding of historical and conceptual developments in the field.
• Understanding of the tools, materials, and processes used in the field today.
• Development of the students' career as a professional artist working in the gallery/museum world.
• Personal development for the student, to increase self-awareness and to provide a means for self-expression.

Distinctions

Students are presented with a broad range of facilities and opportunities while pursuing their BFA in Photography, such as:

• Competitive scholarships available for partial tuition, fees, tools, research, materials, and travel
• Travel to the Society for Photographic Education's Regional and National Conferences
• After-hours access to darkrooms, lighting, and digital labs
• Exhibit on campus, locally, and regionally
• Gain hands-on experience with visiting artists in residence programs
• Participate in activities led by the campus student organization, Folk Photography Association

Requirements

Summary

• General Education Requirements: 36 hours
• Art History Requirements: 15 hours
• Foundation Core: 12 hours
• Photography Requirements: 33 hours
• Printmaking Requirements: 0-3 hours
• Studio Electives: 18 hours
• Additional Credits for Graduation: 6-3 hours
• Total Hours: 120 hours

General Education Courses

Students pursuing a bachelor's degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major.

• Academic Foundations: 12 hours
  • Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours
  • Speaking: 3 credit hours
  • Writing: 6 credit hours
• Breadth of Knowledge: 22 hours
  • Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours
    • ART 101: Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE
    • ART 102: History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE
  • Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours
  • Social Sciences: 6 credit hours
• Diversity
  • Domestic Diversity
  • Global Diversity
    • ART 101: Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE
• Integrated and Applied Learning: 2 hours
  • Select one class from one of the following subcategories
    • Complex Issues Facing Society
    • Capstone

College of Arts & Sciences Requirement

Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either:

• Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student's major
• Other courses outside the major department approved by the student's major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops

Art History Requirements

• ART 101: Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE (3 hours)
• ART 102: History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE (3 hours)
• ART 103: History of Global Art 3: 1850 CE - Today (3 hours)
• ART 370: History of Photography (3 hours)
• ART XXX: Advanced Art History Elective (3 hours)
• Total Hours: 15 hours

Foundation Core

• ART 100: Arts Orientation (0 hours)
• ART 131: Foundation Drawing I (3 hours)
• ART 144: Foundation 2D Design (3 hours)
• ART 145: Foundation 3D Design (3 hours)
• ART 250: Foundation Lecture (1 hour)
• ART 252: Foundation Studio (2 hours)
• Total Hours: 12 hours

Photography Requirements

• ART 275: Introduction to Photography (3 hours)
• ART 276: Introduction to Commercial Photography (3 hours)
• ART 318: Portrait Lighting (3 hours)
• ART 320: Product Photography (3 hours)
• ART 375: Photography II (3 hours)
• ART 377: Medium and Large Format Photography (3 hours)
• ART 473: Photography III: Color (3 hours)
• ART 475: Advanced Photography 1 (9 hours)
• ART 476: Photography Portfolio Review (0 hours)
• ART 479: Professional Photographic Practices (3 hours)
• ART 495: Senior Exhibition (0 hours)
• Total Hours: 33 hours

Printmaking Requirements

Complete one course:

• ART 213: Introduction to Printmaking
• ART 214: Relief/Screenprint
• ART 216: Intaglio/Lithography
• ART 317: Print Matrix
• ART 319: Printmaking Review
• ART 418: Multiples and Multiplicity
• Total Hours: 0-3 hours

Studio Electives

Complete 18 credits:

• ART xxx
• Total Hours: 18 hours