OCAD U to offer new Honours BA in Visual and Critical Studies

 

Thursday, September 26, 2013 - 4:00am

(Toronto—September 26, 2013) For the first time in OCAD University’s 137-year history, students who love art and design and want the opportunity to study its history and context in depth will be able to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Visual and Critical Studies with a specialization in art history.

The BA in Visual and Critical Studies offers students an exceptional educational experience through the study of art history in the creative and dynamic environment of Canada’s premier art and design university; the opportunity to pursue Liberal Arts and Sciences and Interdisciplinary minors; and access to designated studio courses and minors.
  
“This is an exciting moment in the history of our institution,” said OCAD University President, Dr. Sara Diamond. “The new BA recognizes the academic depth of our students and provides even more pathways for those wishing to come to OCAD University to pursue careers in digital and cultural industries such as gallery and exhibition management, arts and entertainment promotion, curating, publishing and arts management.”

OCAD U’s unique BA program’s academic specialization and breadth — with more than 90 visual culture courses and over 80 breadth courses in English, Humanities, Social Sciences and Science/Technology to choose from — also prepares students for post-graduate study in art history and related fields.

The emphasis of the BA in Visual and Critical Studies is on the expanded field of modern and contemporary art history, which includes the theory and history of design, photography, architecture, performance and new media as well as painting and sculpture. This mix provides an innovative approach to the discipline.

Core program faculty are recognized scholars in the fields of art, design and new media art histories, and are professionally active in the fields of curating and publishing. The range of their scholarly expertise in Asian, Latin American, African, Islamic, Indigenous, Canadian, Medieval, Renaissance and modern European visual culture ensures that the study of art history at OCAD University is genuinely global in scope.

Students can apply for direct entry into first-year beginning in the 2014-15 academic year. Advanced entry is also available for second-year transfer students from other OCAD U programs or other universities.

Detailed information on the admissions process and requirements can be found on the OCAD University website.

Students are also welcome to learn more about the new BA by speaking to OCAD University representatives at the Ontario Universities’ Fair this weekend, September 27 to 29, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

This program is offered under the written consent of the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for the period from 26 June 2012 to 25 June 2017.  Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (e.g., acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies or other educational institutions). 

About OCAD University
OCAD University (www.ocadu.ca) is Canada’s “university of imagination.” The university, founded in 1876, is dedicated to art and design education, practice and research and to knowledge and invention across a wide range of disciplines. OCAD University is building on its traditional, studio-based strengths, adding new approaches to learning that champion cross-disciplinary practice, collaboration and the integration of emerging technologies. In the Age of Imagination, OCAD University community members will be uniquely qualified to act as catalysts for the next advances in culture, technology and quality of life for all Canadians.

# # #

For more information please contact:

Sarah Mulholland, OCAD U Marketing & Communications
416 977 6000 x327
mobile: x1327

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Thursday, September 26, 2013 - 4:00am

(Toronto—September 26, 2013) For the first time in OCAD University’s 137-year history, students who love art and design and want the opportunity to study its history and context in depth will be able to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Visual and Critical Studies with a specialization in art history.

The BA in Visual and Critical Studies offers students an exceptional educational experience through the study of art history in the creative and dynamic environment of Canada’s premier art and design university; the opportunity to pursue Liberal Arts and Sciences and Interdisciplinary minors; and access to designated studio courses and minors.
  
“This is an exciting moment in the history of our institution,” said OCAD University President, Dr. Sara Diamond. “The new BA recognizes the academic depth of our students and provides even more pathways for those wishing to come to OCAD University to pursue careers in digital and cultural industries such as gallery and exhibition management, arts and entertainment promotion, curating, publishing and arts management.”

OCAD U’s unique BA program’s academic specialization and breadth — with more than 90 visual culture courses and over 80 breadth courses in English, Humanities, Social Sciences and Science/Technology to choose from — also prepares students for post-graduate study in art history and related fields.

The emphasis of the BA in Visual and Critical Studies is on the expanded field of modern and contemporary art history, which includes the theory and history of design, photography, architecture, performance and new media as well as painting and sculpture. This mix provides an innovative approach to the discipline.

Core program faculty are recognized scholars in the fields of art, design and new media art histories, and are professionally active in the fields of curating and publishing. The range of their scholarly expertise in Asian, Latin American, African, Islamic, Indigenous, Canadian, Medieval, Renaissance and modern European visual culture ensures that the study of art history at OCAD University is genuinely global in scope.

Students can apply for direct entry into first-year beginning in the 2014-15 academic year. Advanced entry is also available for second-year transfer students from other OCAD U programs or other universities.

Detailed information on the admissions process and requirements can be found on the OCAD University website.

Students are also welcome to learn more about the new BA by speaking to OCAD University representatives at the Ontario Universities’ Fair this weekend, September 27 to 29, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

This program is offered under the written consent of the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for the period from 26 June 2012 to 25 June 2017.  Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (e.g., acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies or other educational institutions). 

About OCAD University
OCAD University (www.ocadu.ca) is Canada’s “university of imagination.” The university, founded in 1876, is dedicated to art and design education, practice and research and to knowledge and invention across a wide range of disciplines. OCAD University is building on its traditional, studio-based strengths, adding new approaches to learning that champion cross-disciplinary practice, collaboration and the integration of emerging technologies. In the Age of Imagination, OCAD University community members will be uniquely qualified to act as catalysts for the next advances in culture, technology and quality of life for all Canadians.

# # #

For more information please contact:

Sarah Mulholland, OCAD U Marketing & Communications
416 977 6000 x327
mobile: x1327