58 undergraduate courses in the 2026–27 Undergraduate Calendar, and 17 graduate courses in the Fall 2026 Graduate Calendar.
This course introduces the basic principles of drawing as it relates to concepts of 2D, 3D, and time-based media, through a series of drawing exercises and projects.
This is a survey of the most representative works of Italian cinema, from the early 20th century to the present day. Students will gain an understanding of and appreciation for one of the most influential world cinemas. Movie screenings and exposure to the vocabulary, the history and the techniques of cinema will inform students' subsequent film analyses, delivered through class presentations and/or discussions. Special attention will be given to key Italian cinematic movements, the role of directors, and the making of Italian cult movies.
This online course is an introduction to current imaging software that students use to explore contemporary topics through digital imaging. This course is taught from a fine arts perspective.
The course delivers an introduction to a variety of basic techniques and concepts relevant to contemporary 2D, 3D, and digital art practices, through a series of structured studio exercises and assignments.
This course consists of topics in studio practice and is intended for non-Fine Arts majors. The topics can change from term to term.
Students will explore acrylic paint techniques through a series of lectures, demonstrations, and projects that address pictorial organization and representation as well as abstraction. An emphasis is placed on an introduction to skills development, such as building and preparing substrates for paint application, paint mixing, and colour relationships.
This course consists of topics in studio practice. The topics can change from term to term.
A study of art and architecture in European and American culture between 1780 and 1875. Some of the pertinent themes discussed include art and revolutions, art and the Industrial Revolution, the rise of landscape painting, the urban environment, the exotic, and the erotic. Cross-cultural influences and the complex relationship between the traditional and the "modern" are particularly emphasized.
An examination of the art of the 14th and 15th centuries in Europe. Amongst the many themes that will be explored in this course are mediums (including exploitation of oil paint), scientific perspective, humanism, court structures, art and mercantile sectors, and prominent collectors.
Some of the finest works of art in the western world were produced and some of the most successful artists flourished in this tumultuous century that saw the split in the western Christian Church and the continued rise of extraordinarily powerful court families and monarchs. This course will examine these works of art and the artists against this backdrop. Arranged according to patrons, the course also examines particular stylistic trends (Mannerism, the persistence of the Gothic, etc.) as well as other pertinent issues such as collecting, the writing of art history, the teaching of art, and the role of the artist in society.
This course explores the visual culture of medieval Europe from the fourth century to the 13th century. The primary focus of this course is the dynamic intersection of cultures and faiths with particular emphasis on emergent and evolving Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, as expressed in architecture, sculpture, manuscripts, metalwork, textiles, and more.
Art of the 17th century. This course focuses on art produced in Italy, Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands in the 17th century. Various types of art (history painting, portraiture, still life, etc.) and architecture (churches, palaces, city homes, etc.) are discussed in relation to the primary political, religious, and societal concerns that characterize the different geographical regions.
This course is designed to introduce students to the culture of 18th-century Europe. Particular attention is paid to France and Britain but these countries are discussed within the wider context of Europe and, at times, much of the world. By looking at the art, artists, patrons, and collectors, some of the issues that will be discussed include cosmopolitanism, nationalism, empire-building, "taste", consumerism, and women in society.
Various technical methodologies of oil painting and pictorial composition are developed in this course through a series of explorations in observation and abstraction. The plurality of approaches available to painters today is set within a contemporary critical context.
Through this course students will take a materially specific approach to painting through research and experimentation with acrylic paints, paint mediums, and supports. Students will engage with the concepts and techniques of contemporary painting through a series of exercises, lectures, and demonstrations. Projects and assignments will emphasize creative problem solving through an interdisciplinary approach to painting.
This studio course is designed to introduce students to a variety of traditional and contemporary approaches, materials, processes, and conceptual concerns related to working in sculpture. Through demonstrations, presentations, critiques, and discussions, students gain expertise and develop a sculptural vocabulary.
This studio course emphasizes practical applications of traditional and contemporary materials, processes, and conceptual concerns.
Expressive drawing techniques are emphasized through study with the life model. Conceptual drawing projects provide the student with the opportunity to produce bodies of work.
Observational techniques are used to develop an understanding of the principles and concepts of drawing practice.
Experimental drawing is a course for those who wish to challenge their ideas about drawing and image making. An emphasis will be placed on contemporary approaches to drawing and the development of individual forms of expression.
In this introductory course students will engage with the concepts and techniques of contemporary photographic practices covering a range of studio, documentary, experimental, and street photography. The focus is on still imaging, allowing students to explore digital and analogue processes through a series of exercises, lectures, and demonstrations.
In this course students will explore the fundamentals of design through a series of exercises and assignments that cultivate artistic expression and technical skill. Through an exploration of both analogue and digital processes, students will learn to apply the principles of aesthetic design to a variety of contexts, including two-dimensional space, three-dimensional form, and digital frameworks.
Students are introduced to a variety of printmaking processes. Techniques explored include etching, engraving, monoprinting, collograph, and lithography. Training in traditional skills is combined with opportunities for individual expression.
The course examines the field of traditional printmaking which has expanded to include new and emerging photo-based technologies and ideas that focus on the concept of the multiple.
This course explores time-based media within a contemporary art context focusing on video and sound. Students learn how to record and edit material through a series of short self-directed projects. Approaches range from stop-motion animation, live-action, and performance to sound and installation.
This course enables Fine Arts students to gain valuable work experience within an art-related environment. Collaboration between students, professional artists, and art institutions creates a unique learning experience that complements the student's program of study.
In this course students will use an interdisciplinary approach to explore expanded media practices such as performance art, relational art, social practice, land-based art, and site-specific intervention. Content may centre on diverse approaches through issues of Indigeneity, gender, sexuality, race, and/or diasporias, depending on the instructor. Students will be encouraged to engage in experimental and experiential approaches to produce artworks for both inside and outside of the studio and gallery setting.
In this course students will learn to create interactive artworks using a variety of hardware and software. Following an interdisciplinary approach, students will explore topics such as kinetic sculpture, wearable technologies, and responsive environments.
This course takes a historical and thematic approach to analyzing the history, context, and various practices of cinema in the Americas.
This course offers a wide-ranging set of approaches to historical, contextual, and practical topics in the history of European cinema production.
A survey of some of the principal novels of 20th century Italy as they have been adapted in film by Italian directors. Students will study literary and cinematic representations of themes such as the rise of the Italian bourgeoisie, the economic boom of the 1960s, domestic violence, and organized crime.
Students will explore how ideas by Italian designers in the last 150 years have developed into innovative products. Through an analysis of a range of media and advertisements, students will gain insight into the history of Italian design and assess the role of designers as storytellers in Italy's industrial aesthetics.
Students will explore ceramic material practice as a method for creative expression. The course will focus on visual and conceptual problem solving, while acquiring technical skills and knowledge of ceramic material. The assignments will incorporate hand building, mold making, surface treatments, and glazing techniques.
Students will explore the creative development of clay and examine cultural, historical, and personal modes of expression using a variety of construction techniques. Students will explore figurative and abstract sculptural concepts to develop a working knowledge of clay as a sculptural medium. The emphasis is on design, form, and visual thinking.
A survey of developments in Italian late Medieval and Renaissance culture and civilization. Students will critically assess the emerging Italian short story (novella), paintings, sculptures, architectural styles, theatrical performances and opera in its nascent form. Students will be able to distinguish artistic styles of various genres pertaining to the late Medieval and Renaissance eras and understand how these reflect the cultural zeitgeist of these periods.
This course hones critical analysis skills and develops research practices (by exploring artists, materials, techniques, readings, etc.) that will enhance the student's knowledge of contemporary art practice, as well as equipping students to articulate their area of interest within contemporary art. Gallery visits and artists' talks are components of this course.
This special topics course addresses a variety of themes and practices in studio art which can change from term to term.
This course will broaden the scope of students' ideas and techniques in two-dimensional media (including, but not limited to printmaking, drawing, collage, photography, painting). Through experimentation and individual research, students will be encouraged to take a personal approach to developing thematically connected independent works.
This advanced course exposes students to the expansive field of three-dimensional artistic expression. Students can choose to work in the areas including, but not limited to ceramics, sculpture, installation, site specific work, and kinetic sculpture. Through thematically driven prompts, individual research, and experimentation students will develop an independent body of works.
The course will expand students' engagement with interdisciplinarity across media, techniques, and practices. Working in response to thematic assignments provided by the instructor, students will create artworks in the area(s) of their choosing, including, but not limited to performance, time-based media, media art, and others. Designed to expand artistic vocabulary, the course encourages independent, experimental, and ambitious approaches to art making.
This advanced studio course is designed to support students as they pursue self-directed studio-led research. Building on previous experience in studio practice, and under the guidance of the instructor, students will be encouraged to develop independent approaches to studio practice, and to present their work through individual and group critiques.
This course examines the history of the institutionalization of the teaching of art. The course is organized as a series of case studies dealing with various formal academies of art and less formal gatherings of artists from the Renaissance to the 20th century. The aims of the course are to analyze why these institutions were formed, how they were organized, what were their mandates, and what was their status in their contemporary worlds. Some of the themes that will be investigated throughout the course include: art in the service of power and politics, the status of the artist, the ideal human form, the classical and medieval traditions, the impact of the avant-garde, the conflict with authority, and the academy as community.
This course enables Fine Arts students to gain valuable work experience within an art-related environment. Collaboration between students, professional artists, and art institutions creates a unique learning experience that complements the student's program of study.
This experiential learning course is intended to enable Fine Arts students to gain valuable work experience within an art related environment. The course is designed to complement the student's academic program by providing an opportunity for the practical application of skills and concepts.
Selected topics in German film.
Masterpieces of German film from the silent era to present.
An examination of the work of filmmakers who have made a mark in both European and American cinema.
An examination of early German and Russian cinema, and the way these two film industries influenced each other. Influential theories of film from the period will also be studied.
This course will examine the interconnections of comics (graphic novels, manga, etc.) and animated film, forms of visual communication particular to the 20th and 21st centuries, in the historical and social contexts of various national traditions.
An upper-level studio course to create computational projects that function as art works and aesthetic experiences. Students will work in an interdisciplinary environment to combine computer science principles with fine art technical and conceptual skills.
This unique upper-level course is focused on interdisciplinary collaboration. Students work in teams to create aesthetically and technically engaging works of art that bridge the worlds of fine art and engineering. Students learn about conceptual development and critical analysis, prototyping, iterative design, and interactivity. The course provides the opportunity for students to share knowledge and develop skills outside of their discipline. Through lectures and presentations students are exposed to a history of art that uses different forms of technology and interactivity.
This course is intended to help Fine Arts students make the transition from art school to professional practice by providing an opportunity to examine their own practice within the larger context of the professional art world.
The subject and content for this course will vary, depending on the instructor. These special topics studio courses can change from term to term.
This seminar course explores aspects of art theory, history, and visual culture that will assist students in situating their work within contemporary art practice.
This thesis course involves an intensive exploration and development of individual studio research through practice and experimentation, resulting in the production of a significant body of work. Students will be guided by the work of relevant artists and theorists. In addition to embedded professional practice, an important part of the culminating year is critiques by other faculty members, graduate students, visiting artists, and fellow students.
This thesis course will continue to guide students in the development of their individual studio research as they work towards completion of a significant body of work supported and complemented by appropriate documentation. In addition to embedded professional practice, an important part of the culminating year is critiques by other faculty members, graduate students, visiting artists, and fellow students.
This course provides Fine Arts students with an opportunity to study a range of topics that will explore, expand, and refine personal areas of interest in studio practice. Students will be required to undertake a range of classroom assignments in addition to working independently on an area of focus. Submitted studio work will be evaluated by a committee of Fine Arts faculty.
Students will research and execute a series of self-directed projects, addressing historical precedents in the context of the concerns of contemporary art practice, and supported and complemented by appropriate documentation. Submitted studio work will be evaluated by a committee of Fine Arts faculty.
From the Fall 2026 Graduate Calendar.
This course consists of directed individual studio work in the student's chosen area of concentration, as indicated in their original statement of intention. Regular critiques and discussions will be scheduled by the Graduate Committee. Open to Fine Arts part-time graduate students only.
This course consists of directed individual studio work in the student's chosen area of concentration, as indicated in their original statement of intention. Regular critiques and discussions will be scheduled by the Graduate Committee. Open to Fine Arts part-time graduate students only.
Students will carry out independent studio work under the supervision of Fine Arts faculty members. Work done during this course will be exhibited early in the Fall term. Open to part-time Fine Arts graduate students only.
This course consists of directed individual studio work in the student's chosen area of concentration, as indicated in their original statement of intention. Regular critiques and discussions will be scheduled by the Graduate Committee. Open to Fine Arts part-time graduate students only.
This course consists of directed individual studio work in the student's chosen area of concentration, as indicated in their original statement of intention. Regular critiques and discussions will be scheduled by the Graduate Committee. Open to Fine Arts part-time graduate students only.
Students will carry out independent studio work under the supervision of Fine Arts faculty members. Work done during this course will be exhibited early in the Fall term. Open to part-time Fine Arts graduate students only.
This course consists of directed individual studio work in the student's chosen area of concentration, as indicated in their original statement of intention. Regular critiques and discussions will be shcedule by the Graduate Committee. Open to Fine Arts part-time graduate students only.
A seminar course in which the various issues, motives and concerns of contemporary art will be presented and discussed. In addition to lectures on contemporary art, visiting artists and critics will speak on various aspects of the field, and participate in group discussions. Students will carry out research on individual topics and will make an extended presentation of their findings towards the end of the term. Open to Fine Arts graduate students only.
A continuation of FINE 680. The research begun in FINE 680 will be continued in greater depth and consolidated in a major written paper. Open to Fine Arts graduate students only. Prerequisite: FINE 680.
This course will meet coterminously with FINE 680 . Students at this level will help to organize parts of the course and will serve as commentators and respondents for the critiques and presentations of the students in FINE 680. Open to Fine Arts graduate students only. Prerequisite: FINE 680, 681.
This course is a continuation of FINE 682. Open to Fine Arts graduate students only. Prerequisite: FINE 682.
This course consists of directed individual studio work in the student's chosen area of concentration, as indicated in their original statement of intention. Appropriate studio space will be provided for all students enroled in this course, and regular critiques and discussions will be scheduled by the First Year Graduate Committee. Open to Fine Arts graduate students only.
A continuation of FINE 690 ; directed individual studio work in the student's chosen area of concentration. Open to Fine Arts graduate students only. Prerequisite: FINE 690.
Students will carry out independent studio work under the supervision of Fine Arts faculty members. During half of the term, students may serve as interns in the studios of professional artists, under the terms of the Keith and Win Shantz Summer Internship Program. Work done during this course will be exhibited early in the Fall term. Open to Fine Arts graduate students only.
Reading courses in art history and criticism, to be arranged subject to Fine Arts Department approval. Open to Fine Arts graduate students only.
Studio practice courses in various media, to be arranged subject to Fine Arts Department approval. Open to Fine Arts graduate students only.
This professional practice course looks as the art school from a pedagogical perspective. It examines some of the practicalities of teaching a studio-based course (developing a course syllabi and assignments), as well as historical and theoretical underpinnings.