Curriculum

Learn to communicate powerfully and explore new ways of thinking about image making. You'll build a strong foundation of skills and a high degree of professional proficiency in analog and digital techniques while focusing on critically examining the challenges of photographic expression, and developing a vocabulary to discuss and critique your work and the work of others.

  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
ID Course Title Course Req
Liberal Arts (6 cr. required)
LA122  Writing in Context 3
LA225  Perspectives on Society & Culture 3
Art History (6 cr. required)
AH125  Exploring Visual Culture 3
AH210  Intro to World Art History 3
Studio Courses (3 cr. required)
Studio Elective 3
Seminar (1 cr. required)
FD100  First Year Seminar* 1
Foundation Studio (15 cr. required)
FD101  Visual Elements: 2D 3
FD102  Visual Elements: Digital Tools 3
FD105  Drawing 1 3
FD111  3D Design 3
FD112  Time Arts 3
Total 31
At the completion of First Year: 31 cr. earned to date 31

*FD100 First Year Seminar is required of all freshman with fewer than 30 transfer credits.

ID Course Title Course Req
Art History (3 cr. required)
AH217  History of Photography 3
Liberal Arts (9 cr. required)
LA225  Perspectives on Society & Culture 3
MTH101 Math or SCI223 Science 3
MTH101 Math or SCI223 Science 3
Studio Courses (18 cr. required)
PH272  Concept / Capture / Print I 3
PH274  *Photographic Investigations 3
PH273  Studio Lighting Essentials 3
PH265  Intro. to the Photographic Image 3
Studio Elective 3
IM201  Theory & Practice 200-level 3
TOTAL 30
At the completion of Second Year: 61 cr. earned to date 61

*Photographic Investigations menu:

Analog Processes
Alternative Processes
Product Photography
Fashion Photography
Documentary Photography

ID Course Title Course Req
Art History (3 cr. required)
Art History 200/300-level 3
Liberal Arts (6 cr. required)
LA321  Social Science Seminar 3
Liberal Arts 300/400-level elective 3
Seminar (3 cr. required)
TH300  Media Arts Professional Practice 3
Studio Courses (18 required cr.)
PH371  Photographic Practice and Research 3
PH372  The Photographic in the Contemporary Art 3
PH375  Concept / Capture / Print II 3
PH374  Studio Lighting 3
Studio Elective 3
IM301  Theory & Practice 300-level 3
TOTAL 30
At the completion of Third Year: 91 cr. earned to date 91

ID Course Title Course Req
Art History (3 cr. required)
Art History 300/400-level 3
Liberal Arts (9 cr. required)
LA325  Literature Seminar 3
LA421  Research for Creative Practice 3
Liberal Arts 300/400-level elective 3
Studio Courses (12 required cr.)
*400-level studio course (from menu) 3
Studio Elective 3
Studio Elective 3
Studio Elective 3
Thesis (6 cr. required)
TH401  Thesis Critique Seminar (semester 1) 3
TH499  Thesis (semester 2) 3
TOTAL 30
At the completion of Fourth Year: 121 cr. earned to date 121

Learning Outcomes

Establish a disciplined individual creative practice where conceptual intent is aligned with formal choices. Develop a personal voice through a rigorous practice rooted in research, writing, and an expansive understanding of the photographic medium.

Situate work within a historic and contemporary artistic and social context. Consider the language of photography as a tool for social justice and cultural analysis, and examine the ethics and personal responsibility that comes with using a camera.

Move fluidly between digital and analog photographic practices, embrace a multitude of approaches, or use photography to engage in a dialog with other media.

Develop robust technical skill sets in capture, editing and presentation that are aligned with industry standards in both commercial and fine art fields of photography.

Produce and showcase work in a portfolio format: in a sequenced series, online, in print form, and accompanied by a clear project statement. Explore formats, platforms and strategies to reach target audiences.

Foundation Year

A time to explore

In your Foundation Year, you’ll be immersed from day one in media and making of all kinds from drawing, design, and sculpture, to digital tools, video, and performance. It’s a year of discovery, a time to explore new ways of thinking and making, meet new friends, and get to know your new community.

Foundation Year

Thesis

Preparing for graduation

Your senior year is an exciting time of tranistion from student to working artist or designer. The focus of your senior year is conceiving a thesis project of your own design and producing it with the support of faculty, your peers, and a mentor who works with you one-on-one.

Senior Thesis

Areas of Study

Freedom to focus

PNCA offers ten undergraduate majors, all of which offer you choices in your electives and liberal arts courses. This means that whatever your major, you have the freedom to focus many of your course choices around your particular area of interest. We've outlined the following Areas of Study to give you a sense of the scope of courses available at PNCA.

Areas of Study

Liberal Arts

Fortify your intellectual foundation

Liberal Arts courses round out your education, helping you become a more thoughtful, well-rounded artist or designer. Explore widely or select your courses to focus on one of what we call Areas of Study.

Liberal Arts

Come tour PNCA today

Come explore and experience how PNCA is dedicated to empowering students to reimagine what art and design can do in the world.

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