Return to Faculty of Art Program Guides
OCAD provides a student-centered learning environment in first-year where a common base of art theory and knowledge, skills and processes are acquired, with an emphasis on concept development and investigation rather than specialization.
First-Year is a time for exploration and exposure to OCAD's large community of practicing artists and designers. In addition, students benefit from the diversity of talent and wide experience of our faculty. Contacts and friendships established in first-year last throughout a student’s years of study at the university and often carry into his/her involvement with the professional world after graduation. The first year of study in the Faculty of Art, combined with students' developing creativity, commitment and passion for their practice, is important preparation for the advanced work and intense focus that students continue to encounter in their second, third and fourth years of study.
The studio curriculum for students entering the Faculty of Art consists of four required courses: Drawing, Colour Exploration, Form and Structure, and Time-Based Media. Students in the Faculty of Art complete their first-year studio curriculum requirements by taking two elective courses in the winter.
Elective courses are concept-driven and provide an opportunity to explore current issues in contemporary art. Each elective course has multiple sections. Individual sections approach the course through the lens of a specific discipline. For example, Nature & Culture might have several sections: one exploring the course content through printmaking, and another through sculpture/installation.
List of First-Year Art electives (PDF)
In addition, Liberal Studies courses form an integral part of a student's studies. All incoming first-year students are required to complete 1.5 Liberal Studies credits at the 100 level. Please refer to FIRST-YEAR LIBERAL STUDIES REQUIREMENTS for more details.
In 2007/2008 there are two options for fulfilling these requirements: Option One:
| Select one of the three writing courses, Essay and the Argument | 0.5 credit |
| LBST 1B11: The Essay and the Argument: Mechanics (Fall or Winter) |
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| LBST 1B12: The Essay and the Argument: ESL (English as a Second Language Fall and Winter semesters *) |
|
| LBST 1B13: The Essay and the Argument: Rhetoric (Fall or Winter) |
|
| And both Visual Studies courses | |
| LBST 1B03: Introduction to Visual Studies I: History and Ideas (Fall semester) |
0.5 credit |
| LBST 1B06: Introduction to Visual Studies II: Critical Frameworks (Winter semester) |
0.5 credit |
LBST 1B11 and LBST 1B13 course meets three hours per week: two-hour lecture with 30 students; one-hour tutorial with 15 students. LBST 1B12 meets two hours per week: one-hour lecture with 30 students; one-hour tutorial with 10 students, over both the Fall and Winter semesters (*students must complete both semesters in order to be granted the 0.5 credit in this course). Additionally, you'll take LBST 1B03 and LBST 1B06 in the Fall and Winter, respectively, at three hours per week: two-hour lecture of 150 to 200 students; one-hour tutorial of 30 students.
Option Two:
| LBST 1D01 | Liberal Studies One (Fall and Winter semesters) |
1.5 credits |
Some degree students will complete LBST 1D01 instead of The Essay and the Argument (LBST 1B11, LBST 1B12 or LBST 1B13), LBST 1B03 and LBST 1B06. LBST 1D01 meet 4.5 hours per week over the Fall and Winter semesters: two-hour lecture of 150 to 180 students; 1.5 hour seminar of 30 students, one-hour tutorial of six students. Students must complete both semesters in order to be granted the 1.5 credit in this course.
In the second semester of study, first-year students must submit an aplication to major. The program areas consist of Criticism & Curatorial Practice, Drawing & Painting, Integrated Media, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture/Installation. Information sessions on choice of major will be offered in early winter; please check the OCAD website for updated information.
Students complete 5.0 credits in their first-year of study:
| Six studio courses | 3.5 credits |
| Three liberal studies courses | 1.5 credits |
| Total | 5.0 credits |
REVISED SEPTEMER 19, 2007
Students may register for second-year courses when they have completed 3.0 first-year studio credits and 1.0 first-year Liberal Studies credits (including the Writing course) with an overall average of 60%.
Please note: effective 2007/2008 the minimum passing grade for the first-year writing course is 60%. The first-year requirements (3.5 studio credits and 1.5 liberal studies credits) must be successfully completed by May 31 of a student's second year of studies or they will not be permitted to continue in the upper years of their programs. REVISED SEPTEMER 19, 2007
Students who attempt 2.0 or more credits in an academic year and earn an average below 60% will be on probation during their next academic year. To proceed to second year probationary students must have the approval of the Faculty of Art office.
| COURSE CODE | COURSE NAME | CREDIT |
| FALL SEMESTER | ||
| Studio courses | ||
| GART 1C00 | Drawing | 1.0 |
| One section of GART 1C00 is offered in D1, year long course | ||
| Select two of the following required courses: | ||
| GART 1B04 | Colour Exploration | |
| GART 1B05 | Form and Structure | |
| GART 1B06 | Time-Based Media | 1.0 |
| Liberal Studies courses | ||
| LBST 1B03 |
Introduction to Visual Studies I: History, Culture and Ideas |
0.5 |
| One of the following three writing courses: | 0.5 | |
| LBST 1B11 or LBST 1B12 or LBST 1B13 |
The Essay and the Argument: Mechanics(Fall or Winter) The Essay and the Argument: ESL (Fall & Winter *) The Essay and the Argument: Rhetoric (Fall or Winter) |
|
| Or in place of the above courses take: | ||
| LBST 1D01 | Liberal Studies One ** (Continued in the Winter) |
|
| WINTER SEMESTER | ||
| Studio courses | ||
| Select the remaining required course not taken in the Fall: | ||
| GART 1B04 | Colour Exploration | |
| GART 1B05 | Form and Structure | |
| GART 1B06 | Time-Based Media | 0.5 |
Select any two electives: List of First-Year Art electives (PDF) First-Year electives provide students with an opportunity to experiment in the field in which they may specialize as well as explore areas in which they're less familiar. Students may take them simply out of curiosity, exploration and discovery. Do remember that the section number you chose will be taught from a specific media. When choosing your electives, have a copy of the elective offerings – PDF file – on hand. Please also note that you will be de-registered from the winter electives if you have not completed a minimum of 1.0 studio credits in the fall semester. | ||
| GART 1B07 |
Creative Process and Research Offered in the following disciplines: Painting;Printmaking; Sculpture/Installation; Material Art & Design |
|
| GART 1B08 |
Experimental Production Offered in the following disciplines: Printmaking - Digital; Material Art & Design; Sculpture/Installation; Photography; Integrated Media |
|
| GART 1B09 |
Narrative, Series and Sequences Offered in the following disciplines: Photography; Integrated Media; Drawing |
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| GART 1B14 |
Nature and Culture Offered in the following disciplines: Material Art & Design; Integrated Media; Sculpture/Installation; Drawing; Painting |
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| GART 1B15 |
Site and Intervention Offered in the following disciplines: Integrated Media; Criticism & Curatorial Practice; Sculpture/Installation; Drawing; Photography |
|
| GART 1B16 |
Art & Design in the Social Sphere Offered to both Art & Design students. First year Design students may take GART 1B16 Art & Design in the Social Sphere in lieu of GDES 1B26 Principles and Experience Design. |
1.0 |
| List of First-Year Art electives (PDF) | ||
| Liberal Studies courses | ||
| LBST 1B06 | Introduction to Visual Studies II: Critical Frameworks | 0.5 |
| One of the following three writing courses: | ||
| LBST 1B11 or LBST 1B12 or LBST 1B13 |
The Essay and the Argument: Mechanics(Fall or Winter) The Essay and the Argument: ESL (Fall & Winter *) The Essay and the Argument: Rhetoric (Fall or Winter) |
|
| Or continue with: | ||
| LBST 1D01 | Liberal Studies One ** (Continued from Fall for a credit value of 1.5) |
|
| Total Credits | 5.0 | |
*LBST 1B12 course meets two hours per week: one-hour lecture with 30 students; one-hour tutorial with 10 students over both the Fall and Winter semesters (*students must complete both semesters in order to be granted the 0.5 credit in this course).
**Some degree students will complete LBST 1D01 instead of The Essay and the Argument (LBST 1B11, LBST 1B12 or LBST 1B13). LBST 1B03 and LBST 1B06. LBST 1D01 meet 4.5 hours per week over the Fall and Winter semesters: two-hour lecture of 150 to 180 students; 1.5 hour seminar of 30 students; one-hour tutorial of six students. Students must complete both semesters in order to be granted the 1.5 credit in this course.
Return to Faculty of Art Program Guides
Last Modified:2/25/2008 10:51:16 AM