Mount Allison University Campus

Academic Calendar 2024-2025

Table of Contents

Fine Arts/Pierre Lassonde School of Fine Arts

The teaching of visual art at Mount Allison University can be traced back to the opening of the Women's Academy in 1854. It has been an important part of the curriculum since that time. In 1941 Mount Allison was the first university in Canada to give a B.F.A. degree in the visual arts. Much of the Department's history was, and is, directly related to the Owens Art Gallery. Until 1965, when the Department moved to its own quarters in the Gairdner Fine Arts Building, the Department was housed in the gallery. Since that time the gallery has been extensively remodelled into one of the largest in the Maritimes, serving both the university and community. We enjoy one of the best student/staff ratios of any art department in the country. In 2014 the department moved to a new contemporary state of the art studio facility in the Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts. We are proud of our tradition but prouder still of our ability to keep up with the changing needs of our students.

In 2020 the Pierre Lassonde School of Fine Arts was established through philanthropic support, and builds on the program's long-standing history in and support of the arts and will bolster new learning, scholarship, and arts initiatives. This will be achieved by increasing the department's capacity for new scholarly and artistic activity and support for students, offering increased entrance and upper-year scholarships as well as additional internship opportunities for upper-year students on campus and with external arts organizations, which will provide students with access to professionals and experts from the public and private sectors. A dynamic new Artist-in-Residence program will give students direct on-campus access to notable Canadian and International artists as part of their studies.

THE B.F.A. PROGRAM

A description of the program leading to the B.F.A. degree is given in Section 11.7 of the Calendar. Studio courses are offered in the following areas: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture and Open Media.

Disciplinary B.A. Programs

A Minor or Major in Fine Arts which includes a combination of Art History and Studio Art courses may also be completed on a B.A. degree. Students should submit a portfolio of artwork for assessment by February 15, to be considered for a Major or Minor in Fine Arts. Students completing a B.A. may earn a Minor or Major in Art History or a Minor in Museum and Curatorial Studies. These programs are outlined under Art History at the beginning of the section.

MINOR in Fine Arts is 24 credits earned as follows:

6from ARTH 2101, ARTH/MUSE 2111
6from FINA at the 1000 level
6from FINA at the 2000 level
6from FINA at the 3000 level

Note: Students admitted to a Minor in Fine Arts will be registered following consultation with the Fine Arts Department.

Note: Students must have appropriate prerequisites for 2/3000 level courses or permission of the Department

MAJOR in Fine Arts is 60 credits earned as follows:

6from ARTH 2101, ARTH/MUSE 2111
6from Art History and/or Museum and Curatorial Studies at the 2/3/4000 level
12from FINA 1101, 1111, 1921, 1931
27from FINA, including at least 9 at the 3/4000 level
6from FINA at the 4000 level
3from FINA 3701, 4701

Note: Students must have appropriate prerequisites for 2/3/4000 level studio courses or permission of the Department

Note:  The listing of a course in the Calendar is not a guarantee that the course is offered every year.

Note:  Students must obtain a grade of at least C- in all courses used to fulfill prerequisite requirements. Otherwise, written permission of the appropriate Department Head or Program Coordinator must be obtained.

STUDIO COURSES

The prerequisite for 2000 level studio courses is the successful completion of the appropriate 1000 level course; i.e. 1101, 1111, 1921, 1931. Any first year studio course that is failed will have to be passed by the end of the next academic year in which the student is enrolled.

The following studio courses will be charged Fine Arts Instructional Supplies Fees: FINA 1921, 1931, 2201, 2211, 2401, 2411, 2501, 2511, 3201, 3211, 3401, 3411, 3501, 3511, 4801, 4811, 4821, and 4831. This list is subject to change.

Studio Courses Open to Non-Fine Arts Students

Six credits chosen from FINA 1101, 1111, 1921, 1931 are open to students from other degree programs, dependent on available space, and by written permission of the Department only.

Preference will be given to students with a major in Art History or Drama.

Students who have no background or previous training in visual art should be advised that these courses are required for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program and that standards are set accordingly.

Upper level studio courses will be open to students from other programs on a space available basis, provided that the student has met the prerequisite requirement, or been granted the permission of the Department.

Fundamentals of Drawing I

This course will introduce the student to drawing as a common language of expression in the visual arts. A variety of drawing media will be used. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Fundamentals of Drawing II

Prereq: FINA 1101; or permission of the Department
This course is a continuation of Fine Arts 1101. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Introduction to Media I

This course is designed to introduce the studio areas of painting and photography. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Introduction to Media II

This course is designed to introduce the studio areas of printmaking and sculpture. (Format: Studio 6 hours)

Examining Studio Practices

This course examines elements and conditions of what constitutes a studio art practice, to ground first year fine arts students' understanding of studio-based education within a contemporary cultural context. [Note: Open to only B.F.A. students; open on a space available basis to B.A. Majors and Minors in Fine Arts.](Format: Lecture/Seminar 3 Hours)

Exploring a Studio Practice

Prereq: FINA 1941; or permission of the Department.
This course supplements the Introduction to Media courses in painting, printmaking, sculpture, and photography, (FINA 1921 and 1931). It focuses on alternative media and processes and encourages a broad view of studio practice that moves beyond specific media boundaries. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Special Topic in Fine Arts

This course either focuses on topics not covered by the current course offerings in a department or program or offers the opportunity to pilot a course that is being considered for inclusion in the regular program. [Note 1: Prerequisite set by Department/Program when the topic and level are announced. Note 2: When a Department or Program intends to offer a course under this designation, it must submit course information, normally at least three months in advance, to the Dean. Note 3: Students may register for FINA 1991 more than once, provided the subject matter differs.] (Format: Variable)

Drawing I

Prereq: FINA 1101, FINA 1111; or permission of the Department
This course emphasizes drawing from the figure and also includes various other projects related to drawing. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Drawing II

Prereq: FINA 2101; or permission of the Department
This course is a continuation of Drawing I. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Intaglio and Relief

Prereq: FINA 1931; or permission of the Department
This course introduces intaglio and relief printmaking techniques. (Format: Studio 6 Hours) (Exclusion: Any version of FINA 2201 previously offered with a different title)

Lithography

Prereq: FINA 1931; or permission of the Department
This course introduces lithography printmaking techniques. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)(Exclusion: Any version of FINA 2211 previously offered with a different title)

Painting I

Prereq: FINA 1921; or permission of the Department
This course uses various media to focus on the fundamentals of basic painting. It explores colour and techniques and emphasizes observational painting, from various subjects including the figure. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Painting II

Prereq: FINA 2301; or permission of the Department
This is an exploration of painting materials and means, pictorial elements, and issues fundamental to expressive painting. Both traditional and contemporary painting will be considered. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Sculpture I

Prereq: FINA 1931; or permission of the Department
This course addresses the basic sculptural practices through a variety of sculptural traditions, including wire, wood, mesh, scavenged or natural materials and clay. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Sculpture II

Prereq: FINA 2401; or permission of the Department
This course is a continuation of FINA 2401 and emphasizes a more experimental approach to sculpture. This course investigates how the shape and form of a structure is imposed by the materials used. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Photography I

Prereq: FINA 1921; or permission of the Department
Fine Arts 2501 is intended to give the fine arts photography student a firm background both aesthetically and technically in the uses of photography as a fine art medium. The following will be covered: conceptualization of the image/technical review, exposing film for optimum results (slide & B&W), processing and proofing, storage and editing, introduction to the fine print portfolio presentation, evaluation criticism, and an historical perspective. Each student is required to own a 35 mm camera with manual metering. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Photography II

Prereq: FINA 2501; or permission of the Department
Fine Arts 2511 addresses itself both aesthetically and technically in small format photography as a component of your development as an artist. This course will deal with notions of the black and white "fine print", social, political and personal issues in the work and portfolio development as well as a number of other studio techniques. Assignments dealing with portraiture, self portraiture, landscape and photo fabrication will allow for personal investigation of a number of given subjects that may or may not contribute to the conceptualization of the final portfolio. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Special Topic in Fine Arts

This course either focuses on topics not covered by the current course offerings in a department or program or offers the opportunity to pilot a course that is being considered for inclusion in the regular program. [Note 1: Prerequisite set by Department/Program when the topic and level are announced. Note 2: When a Department or Program intends to offer a course under this designation, it must submit course information, normally at least three months in advance, to the Dean. Note 3: Students may register for FINA 2991 more than once, provided the subject matter differs.] (Format: Variable)

Intermediate Drawing

Prereq: FINA 2101; 2111; or permission of the Department
This course demands an advanced approach to drawing to further students' understanding of the cultural, historical, and theoretical issues related to drawing through refinement of technical and conceptual skills. It provides for increased responsibility to work independently, apply research, and generate subject matter. (Format: Studio 6 Hours) (Exclusion: Any version of FINA 3101 previously offered with a different title)

Topics in Intermediate Drawing

Prereq: FINA 2101; FINA 2111; or permission of the Department
This course emphasizes individual direction and style in drawing, using a variety of traditional and non-traditional media. (Format: Studio 6 Hours) (Exclusion: Any version of FINA 3111 previously offered with a different title)

Intermediate Printmaking I

Prereq: FINA 2201; FINA 2211; or permission of the Department
Fine Arts 3201 and 3211 survey traditional and non-traditional printmaking for students with a background in printmaking. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Intermediate Printmaking II

Prereq: FINA 3201; or permission of the Department
Fine Arts 3201 and 3211 survey traditional and non-traditional printmaking for students with a background in printmaking. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Intermediate Painting I

Prereq: FINA 2301; FINA 2311; or permission of the Department
This course focuses on the study of figurative and non-figurative painting, using various painting methods and mixed media. Consideration will be given to contemporary artists and to the cultural context of painting. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Intermediate Painting II

Prereq: FINA 3301; or permission of the Department
Students will explore uses of various painting and mixed media, and work from figurative and non-figurative sources as they complete projects with diverse formal, thematic or conceptual objectives. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Intermediate Sculpture I

Prereq: FINA 2401; FINA 2411; or permission of the Department
This course emphasizes contemporary attitudes, theory, and non-traditional approaches to sculpture. It addresses a mixed media approach, installation, and outdoor or environmental art. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Intermediate Sculpture II

Prereq: FINA 3401; or permission of the Department
This course investigates student initiated work, public sculpture proposals, and model making which combines and/or extends approaches from previous courses and which lead into the fourth year tutorial program. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Intermediate Photography I - the View Camera

Prereq: FINA 2501; FINA 2511; or permission of the Department
This course covers the use of medium and large format cameras in the context of landscape and studio work, through use of colour and black and white materials. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Intermediate Photography II - Colour and Photofabrication

Prereq: FINA 3501; or permission of the Department
A continuation of 3501 with colour printmaking and photo fabrication assignments. Processes covered include RA4 and Ilfochrome colour printmaking, Platinum, Cyanotype, Van Dyke and other alternate printing methods. Further exploration will include advanced view camera and studio technique. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Intermediate Open Media I

Prereq: 12 credits from FINA 2101, 2111, 2201, 2301, 2311, 2401, 2411, 2501, 2511; or permission of the Department
Fine Arts 3601 and 3611 will offer the opportunity to integrate various media with which the student is already familiar. They will also introduce technical skills and a conceptual framework to facilitate this investigation. Performance and installation may be components of the course. Either or both courses may be taken for credit. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Intermediate Open Media II

Prereq: 12 credits from FINA 2101, 2111, 2201, 2301, 2311, 2401, 2411, 2501, 2511; or permission of the Department
Fine Arts 3601 and 3611 will offer the opportunity to integrate various media with which the student is already familiar. They will also introduce technical skills and a conceptual framework to facilitate this investigation. Performance and installation may be components of the course. Either or both courses may be taken for credit. (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Third Year Seminar in Fine Arts

A seminar course on contemporary art issues in Fine Arts, usually taught in the second term of each year. Students will lead seminar discussions on selected topics and produce research papers. The course is required of all third year B.F.A. students. [Note 1: Open to only B.F.A. students and open to other students on a space available basis with preference given to students in the BA degree program with a Major or Minor in Art History or Fine Arts; or permission of the Department.](Format: Seminar)

Special Topic in Fine Arts

This course either focuses on topics not covered by the current course offerings in a department or program or offers the opportunity to pilot a course that is being considered for inclusion in the regular program. [Note 1: Prerequisite set by Department/Program when the topic and level are announced. Note 2: When a Department or Program intends to offer a course under this designation, it must submit course information, normally at least three months in advance, to the Dean. Note 3: Students may register for FINA 3991 more than once, provided the subject matter differs.] (Format: Variable)

Advanced Seminar in Fine Arts

An advanced seminar on contemporary art issues in Fine Arts, taught in the first term of each year. Students will lead seminar discussions on selected topics and produce research papers. The course is required of all fourth year B.F.A. students. [Note 1: Open to only B.F.A. students and open to other students on a space available basis with preference given to students in the BA degree program with a Major or Minor in Art History or Fine Arts; or permission of the Department.](Format: Seminar)

Advanced Studio I: Critique

Prereq: Registration in the fourth-year of the BFA Degree or BA Degree with Major in Fine Arts
This course requires regular class critiques for fourth year students to workshop and develop an independently produced body of studio work thereby meeting students' needs for critical feedback in a single medium or in various media.(Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Advanced Studio II: Critique

Prereq: Registration in the fourth-year of the BFA Degree or BA Degree with Major in Fine Arts
This course requires regular class critiques for fourth year students to workshop and develop an independently produced body of studio work thereby meeting students' needs for critical feedback in a single medium or in various media (Format: Studio 6 Hours)

Advanced Independent Studio I

Prereq: Registration in the fourth-year of the BFA Degree or BA Degree with Major in Fine Arts
This course requires that students create studio work independently while working with one faculty advisor thereby meeting a student's needs for critical feedback in a singe medium or in various media. [Note: This course is arranged by a student with a faculty member on an individual basis.] (Format: Studio)

Advanced Independent Studio II

Prereq: Registration in the fourth-year of the BFA Degree or BA Degree with Major in Fine Arts
This course requires that students create studio work independently while working with one faculty advisor thereby meeting a student's needs for critical feedback in a single medium or in various media. [Note: This course is arranged by a student with a faculty member on an indidual basis.] (Format: Studio)

Independent Study in Fine Arts

This course permits senior students, under the direction of faculty members, to pursue their interest in areas not covered, or not covered in depth, by other courses through a program of independent study. [Note 1: Permission of the Department/Program Advisor. Students must obtain consent of an instructor who is willing to be a supervisor and must register for the course prior to the last day for change of registration in the term during which the course is being taken. Note 2: A program on Independent Study cannot duplicate subject matter covered through regular course offerings. Note 3: Students may register for FINA 4950/51 more than once, provided the subject matter differs.] (Format: Independent Study)

Independent Study in Fine Arts

This course permits senior students, under the direction of faculty members, to pursue their interest in areas not covered, or not covered in depth, by other courses through a program of independent study. [Note 1: Permission of the Department/Program Advisor. Students must obtain consent of an instructor who is willing to be a supervisor and must register for the course prior to the last day for change of registration in the term during which the course is being taken. Note 2: A program on Independent Study cannot duplicate subject matter covered through regular course offerings. Note 3: Students may register for FINA 4950/51 more than once, provided the subject matter differs.] (Format: Independent Study)

Special Topic in Fine Arts

This course either focuses on topics not covered by the current course offerings in a department or program or offers the opportunity to pilot a course that is being considered for inclusion in the regular program. [Note 1: Prerequisite set by Department/Program when the topic and level are announced. Note 2: When a Department or Program intends to offer a course under this designation, it must submit course information, normally at least three months in advance, to the Dean. Note 3: Students may register for FINA 4991 more than once, provided the subject matter differs.] (Format: Variable)

Art History Courses

See Art History