Introduction

Courses in the Department of Art are offered in two basic areas: lecture courses or seminars in the History of Art (FAH) and practical studios or seminars in Visual Studies (VIS). Minor, Major and Specialist programs are offered in both the History of Art and Visual Studies.

The FAH curriculum covers the Bronze Age to the present in several global regions: the Mediterranean area, Europe and North America, and Asia. FAH101H1 is an overview of the major periods and monuments in the history of art and architecture, and FAH102H1 serves as a practical and critical introduction to the practice of art history and is an integral component of the curriculum; students are encouraged to take this class early in their progress toward an FAH degree. Half courses at THE 200 level are more comprehensive surveys that thematically introduce the material from specific chronological periods, regional areas, or the history of archtiecture. Many of these courses, which are offered on a regular basis, serve as “gateway” preprequisites for courses at THE 300 AND 400 level; students are advised to check the prerequisites for each upper-level course carefully.

Visual Studies is the studio component of the Department of Art. Visual Studies Foundation courses are designed for Humanities and Social Science students who intend to seriously pursue Visual Studies upper level courses. There is a two-stage enrolment process. Humanities and Social Science students who have been accepted into a Visual Studies Program of Study may register for Visual Studies courses from mid-July until early August. First-year students and other upper-year students may apply for available spaces in late August.

Foundation courses: VIS120H1, Visual Concepts, a lecture-based course that investigates a wide range of topics situated in Modernism and Post-Modernism. This course rigorously examines diverse art concepts in order to prepare students for interdisciplinary perspectives on art practice and critical theory in upper level courses. VIS130H1, Visual Strategies, an H course taught throughout the Fall and Spring sessions, is an intensive interdisciplinary course that stresses the formulation and communication of visual ideas, primarily through a variety of media and must be taken in conjunction with VIS120H1, Visual Concepts.

Visual Studies emphasizes a strong commitment to the social, cultural and theoretical issues embodied in contemporary art practice. Some Visual Studies courses are credits in other programs, for example, Women in Visual Art, and Performance in the Women’s Studies program, Video for Artists in the Cinema Studies program and the Sexual Diversity program. . Students in these programs will need to fulfill the VIS120 and VIS130 prerequisites for upper level VIS courses and might consider entering a VIS Minor POSt. The scope and variety of available courses will provide students with preparation for careers in teaching, museum and gallery work, conservation and complementary fields, though further professional training will normally be necessary.

Courses in the history of art (FAH) and in the practice of art (VIS) are useful to students in other departments or faculties; history, literature, music, and philosophy are likewise concerned with systems of thought and imagery. Fundamental concepts in such disciplines are embodied or reflected in related works of art of the same general period and area. Students in architecture, geography, or city planning will find courses in the history of architecture of benefit. Those with a special interest in the practice of architecture will find studio courses of value.

At the same time, the Department directs the attention of its students to the wide range of offerings in other departments and urges them to acquire the broad cultural background essential to an understanding of the arts. Of special importance are familiarity with history, a knowledge of the various traditions of literature and mythology, and an acquaintance with philosophy. Courses in cultural, historical or urban geography may also be relevant in programs that include the history of architecture. It is imperative that students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in art history acquire the foreign languages necessary for such work. Although the choice of languages will be dependent on an individual’s program of study, it is generally recommended that students learn German and at least one other European language. The Department web site provides a list of courses in other departments that can be counted toward an art history degree.

In conjunction with Woodsworth College, the Department offers courses during the summer term at the University of Siena, Italy, and at other locations abroad. For information about these degree-credit courses, please consult the Department of Art web site or contact the Summer Abroad Program at Woodsworth College, 119 St. George Street (416-978-8713).

The Fine Art Student Union (FASU) sponsors a variety of lectures and other activities for members of the departmental community.

Many courses in the Department, whether history or studio, are offered in alternate years only, or on a three-year cycle. The studio program requires no prerequisite at the secondary school level, but enrolment is limited in all studio courses. For more detailed information on courses and degree programs, consult the Department of Art web site and Undergraduate Handbook at www.art.utoronto.ca. Counselling is available, by appointment, from the Undergraduate Coordinators.

Enquiries:
FAH: Ms. Ilse Wister, Undergaduate Secretary, Sidney Smith Hall, ROOM 6036 (416-978-7892)
VIS: George Hawken, Number 1, Spadina Crescent, ROOM 226 (416-946-8153)

Art Programs

History of Art (Arts program)

Students may enroll in the Major or Minor program in Art History after completing at least four courses; there is no minimum GPA required. Students may enroll in the Specialist Program in Art History after completing at least four courses, including four half FAH courses with a mark of at least 70% in each and must also have obtained a a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

Specialist program:

(11 FCES)

At least nine FAH FCE’s, and two FCE’s in one or more languages (including at least one German, French, or Italian), fulfilling the following distribution requirements:
First Year:
FAH102H1
Higher Years:
1. At least one half course in each of Groups A, B, C, and D (see below for definitions).
2. One additional half course in Group A and Group B.
3. No more than 3.5 FCEs may be taken at THE 200-level.
4. 3.5 FCEs at THE 300+level
5. 1 FCE at THE 400 level.
6. No more than 1.5 FCEs at THE 400-level will be counted toward fulfilling program requirements.
7. No more than 10 FCEs of FAH courses may be taken in total.

Notes:
1. It is strongly recommended that students acquire a reading knowledge of German, French, or Italian by the end of the Third Year.
2. No more than 13 FAH and VIS FCEs may be taken in combination.
3. Approved courses in other programs may be substituted for up to two FAH FCEs. See Department web site for details.

Major program:
(6 FCEs)

At least six FAH FCEs fulfilling the following distribution requirements:
First Year:
FAH102H1
Higher Years:
1. At least one half course in three of the four FAH Groups (see below for definitions).
2. Three FCEs at THE 300+ level.
3. At least one half-course at THE 400-level.
4. No more than 1.0 FCE at THE 400-level will be counted toward fulfilling program requirements.
5. No more than 7.5 FCEs of FAH courses may be taken in total.

Notes:

1. No more than 13 FAH and VIS FCEs may be taken in combination; of these, no more than 7.5 may be FAH FCEs.
2. Approved courses in other programs may be substituted for up to one FAH FCE. See Department web site for details.

Minor program:
(4 FCEs)

At least four FAH courses fulfilling the following distribution requirements:

1. FAH102H1
2. At least one half course in two of the four FAH Groups (see below for definitions)
3. At least one FCE at THE 300-level.
4. No more than 5 FCEs of FAH courses may be taken in total

FAH Course Groups

Group A: Ancient, Medieval

FAH courses numbeRED 200–229, 300–329, 400–429

Group B: Renaissance–Baroque, Modern–Contemporary–Canadian

FAH courses numbeRED 230–59, 330–59, 430–59

Group C: Asian

FAH courses numbeRED 260–69, 360–69, 460–69

Group D: History of Architecture

FAH courses numbeRED 270–79, 370–79, 470–79, plus FAH300, 309, 328, 362, 364, 404, 421

Note:
1. Certain courses, including FAH101H1, do not satisfy the requirement for any group, but do count toward any FAH degree program.
2. Students who have already taken FAH100Y1 are encouraged, but not required, to take FAH102H1 for the fulfillment of degree requirements.
3. Courses used to satisfy one group requirement, e.g., FAH300, cannot be counted toward another group requirement.

Visual Studies Program (Arts program)

Enrolment in the VIS program is limited. To apply to the program, students must have completed at least four full course equivalents including VIS120H1 and VIS130H1; must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.80; and must have at least a B in each of VIS120H1 AND130H1. Achievement of these minimum marks does not guarantee enrolment in the program.

Specialist program:

(Ten full courses or their equivalent, including fOUR 300/400 VIS half courses, two of which must be VIS401H1 and VIS402H1, and two FAH full courses or their equivalent including FAH102H1 and three other FAH half courses)

Requirements as follows: at least eight VIS and two FAH full courses or their equivalent including FAH102H1 and three other FAH half courses

First Year:
VIS120H1, FAH102H1 and VIS130H1
Higher Years:
1. 14 half-courses in VIS
2. Thesis Text/Critique VIS401H1; Thesis project VIS402H1

Notes:
1. A full 400-series course is mandatory
2. Prerequisites for all courses beyond first year will be VIS120H1 and VIS130H1
3. No more than 13 FAS/VIS and FAH full courses may be taken in combination

Major program:

(Six Visual Studies full courses or their equivalent, including at least TWO 300+ half courses)

First Year:
VIS120H1 and VIS130H1
Higher Years:
Ten half-courses in VIS

Notes:
No more than 13 FAH and FAS/VIS full courses may be taken in combination

Minor program:

(No more than four Visual Studies full courses or their equivalent, including at least one fULL 300-level course or its equivalent.)

Note:
No more than 4 full courses may be taken in a Minor Subject POSt
1. VIS120H1 and VIS130H1
2. Six half-courses in VIS
3. Note: VIS minors are not permitted to take any Independent VIS courses