Dec 12, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Photography, BA


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Central to the Photography Department’s curricular structure is the idea that all undergraduate students will receive a core foundation in photography skills, which lead to the path of specialization through a range of photographic concentrations.

As a result of successfully completing program requirements, students should be able to:

  • produce photographic work consistent with high professional standards;
  • demonstrate an applied understanding of the visual grammar of photography and the ability to incorporate technical, formal and conceptual competencies in their creative work;
  • articulate in verbal and written form the key technical, formal and conceptual issues in their creative work and the work of others;
  • develop portfolios representative of their advanced photography coursework; and
  • demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the history of photography and contemporary photographic practice and be able to relate their work to this history and practice.

The BA is a liberal arts degree that focuses on photography in the context of a broad program of general studies at the college level. Students can choose to pursue a general photography degree or select from a list of 12-credit concentrations that include Commercial, Fashion and Fine Art. The BA allows for substantial interdisciplinary opportunities and the option of a minor or a double major in other departments. Students may choose to take additional electives in photography beyond the required 45 credit hours and may pursue those additional courses in a self-directed manner.

Students must earn a C or better in all major courses. The Photography Department also offers a Second Bachelor of Arts in Photography with no concentration, and a Minor in Photography.

CONCENTRATIONS


Commercial Photography


The Commercial concentration offers students the opportunity to study and practice multiple roles and skills in the increasingly diverse field of commercial photography. Students will take a core set of photography courses that focus on photographic principals and skills including digital imaging, studio lighting and photo history. Students will have the opportunity to study and practice the roles of photographer, stylist, digital technician and studio assistant at various points in the concentration preparing them for a variety of career opportunities. Advanced level commercial courses offer students the opportunity to refine their skills, create a personal vision, and build a unique body of work.

As a result of successfully completing program requirements for this concentration, students should be able to:

  • formulate and execute management strategies that are efficient in meeting individual or collaborative commercial photography projects;
  • investigate and implement visual grammar and formal elements of commercial photography in a historical and contemporary context;
  • identify and decipher photographic technical and conceptual problems pertaining to commercial photography in a systematic and efficient manner;
  • construct and contextualize individual or collaborative projects that draw on current research, historical knowledge and contemporary commercial photographic practices;
  • identify and analyze key ethical issues pertaining to commercial photography’s role in contemporary society; and
  • articulate and evaluate photographic works and methods of publication through basic research techniques, and collaborative critique methods.

Fashion Photography


The Fashion Photography concentration offers students a unique experience to work with industry professionals and collaborate with Photography Department partners as they explore what it means to be a fashion photographer in the 21st century. The Fashion Concentration includes a core set of photography courses that focus on photographic principals and techniques including digital imaging, studio lighting, and photo history. Advanced-level courses offer students the opportunity to refine their skills in the studio and on location in order to refine their personal vision and create a unique body of work.

As a result of successfully completing program requirements for this concentration, students should be able to:

  • formulate and execute management strategies that are efficient in meeting individual or collaborative fashion photography projects;
  • investigate and implement visual grammar and formal elements of fashion photography in a historical and contemporary context;
  • identify and decipher photographic technical and conceptual problems pertaining to fashion photography in a systematic and efficient manner;
  • construct and contextualize individual or collaborative projects that draw on current research, historical knowledge and contemporary fashion photographic practices;
  • identify and analyze key ethical issues pertaining to fashion photography’s role in contemporary society; and
  • articulate and evaluate their work and the work of others through basic research techniques, and collaborative critique methods.

Fine Art Photography


The Fine Art concentration offers students the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of contemporary art practice and photographic history supporting their development of a body of work in upper-level topical and seminar classes. The Concentration includes a core set of photography courses that focus on photographic principals and techniques including digital imaging, studio lighting and photo history. The Concentration in Fine Art prepares students for graduate school and/or a variety of careers centered on making, exhibiting and publishing photographs. Students progress through a rigorous and engaging curriculum in which they refine their personal vision and develop a unique body of work.

As a result of successfully completing program requirements for this concentration, students should be able to:

  • formulate and execute management strategies that are efficient in meeting individual or collaborative fine art photography projects;
  • investigate and implement visual grammar and formal elements of fine art photography in a historical and contemporary context;
  • identify and decipher photographic technical and conceptual problems pertaining to fine art photography in a systematic and efficient manner;
  • construct and contextualize individual or collaborative projects that draw on current research, historical knowledge and contemporary fine art photographic practices;
  • identify and analyze key ethical issues pertaining to fine art photography’s role in contemporary society; and
  • articulate and evaluate photographic works and methods of publication including exhibition through basic research techniques, and collaborative critique methods.

Integrated Photography


The Integrated Photography concentration offers students the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of contemporary photographic practice and photographic history supporting their development of a body of work in upper-level topical and seminar classes. The Concentration includes a core set of photography courses that focus on photographic principals and techniques including digital imaging, studio lighting and photo history. The Integrated Concentration prepares students for a variety of careers centered on making, marketing, exhibiting and publishing photographs for a variety of audiences including but not limited to commercial, fashion, fine art and other outlets. Students progress through a rigorous and engaging curriculum in which they refine their personal vision and develop a unique body of work.

As a result of successfully completing program requirements for this concentration, students should be able to:

  • formulate and execute management strategies that are efficient in meeting individual or collaborative fine art photography projects;
  • investigate and implement visual grammar and formal elements of fine art photography in a historical and contemporary context;
  • identify and decipher photographic technical and conceptual problems pertaining to fine art photography in a systematic and efficient manner;
  • construct and contextualize individual or collaborative projects that draw on current research, historical knowledge and contemporary fine art photographic practices;
  • identify and analyze key ethical issues pertaining to fine art photography’s role in contemporary society; and
  • articulate and evaluate photographic works and methods of publication including exhibition through basic research techniques, and collaborative critique methods.

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