This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

The Department of Photography and Film offers a variety of basic, intermediate and advanced photography and filmmaking classes leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Film.

The program provides students with the ability to intelligently express, investigate or document using photography and/or film and to interpret meaning in still and moving images. Emphasis is placed on photography and film as contemporary fine arts. The department promotes a fundamental and effective philosophy that students maintain creative freedom, have access to resources and are enrolled in courses in which they can refine their voices and skills through traditional and contemporary media, tools and professional working methods.

Student learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:

  • Historical perspectives

Students will clearly recall a functional knowledge of photographic and independent film history and theory, define the relationship of photography/film to the visual disciplines and relate the medium’s influence on culture. Students will incorporate a broad perception of cultural diversity including age, race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, etc., communicating insight and ownership of a personal meaning of diversity. 

  • Applied criticism/theory

Students can analyze, assess and debate contemporary sociopolitical issues and theoretical discourses within the context of contemporary photography and film as well as related media practice and research. Topics to be examined can include but are not limited to multiculturalism, environmentalism, queer theory, feminist and gender studies, postmodernism, modernism, psychoanalytical, Marxism, post-structuralism, post-colonialism and the post-digital. Students will incorporate a broad perception of cultural diversity including age, race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, etc., communicating insight and ownership of a personal meaning of diversity within applied criticism and theory.

  • Effective visual communication

Students can effectively author and present visual illustrations, representations, descriptions, explanations and/or contextualization of their artistic, research-based and career-oriented photography/film pursuits, ideas and emotions for a broad range of purposes and audiences.

  • Professional practice skills

Students demonstrate and apply broad knowledge of current business practices and resources of professional artists and independent commercial photographers and filmmakers. Students are capable of estimating costs, administering their legal rights as authors of visual art, establishing a professional network, generating and distributing marketing materials, establishing a reliable mode of art production, acquiring additional training, and devising business plans. Students can recognize ethical issues when presented within the context of professional practice.

  • Effective oral communication

Students can effectively deliver oral descriptions, explanations and/or contextualization of their artistic, research-based and career -oriented photography/film pursuits, ideas and emotions for a broad range of purposes and audiences.

Filmmaking concentration-specific outcome

  • Competency in filmmaking technique

Students effectively recognize, explain and deploy the use of basic to advanced film and digital media tools, techniques and processes sufficient to advance their work from concept to finished product. Students will display evidence of professional proficiency regarding the methods and modes of production presented in required courses covering technical mastery of analog and digital filmmaking.

 
 

Degree requirements for Photography and Film, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) with a concentration in filmmaking

Course Title Hours
General education
Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser.30
Major requirements
• Major core requirements
PHTO 280Moving Pixels3
PHTO 281Digital Imaging I3
PHTO 350Concepts I3
• Concentration requirements
PHTO 275Film as Material3
PHTO 295Revolutionary Cinema3
PHTO 361Sound and Color3
PHTO 362Lighting and Cinematography3
PHTO 377The Film Image3
PHTO 390Writing and Directing for the Screen3
PHTO 394Documentary I3
PHTO 436Senior Suitcase3
PHTO 475Advanced Production Workshop3
PHTO 484
PHTO 485
Thesis Film I
and Thesis Film II
6
PHTO 494Documentary II3
Ancillary requirements
Art Foundation Program
ARTF 131Drawing Studio3
ARTF 132Surface Research3
ARTF 133Space Research3
ARTF 134Time Studio3
ARTF 139Project Studio2
or ARTF 138 Project Seminar
ARTH 103
ARTH 104
Survey of Art I
and Survey of Art II
6
Additional requirements
ARTH 270
ARTH 271
History of the Motion Picture I
and History of the Motion Picture II
6
ARTH 374Studies in Film3
or ARTH 370 History of Animated Film
Art electives7
Open electives
Select any course.9
Total Hours120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Freshman year
Fall semesterHours
ARTF 131 Drawing Studio 3
ARTF 133 Space Research 3
ARTF 139
Project Studio
or Project Seminar
1
ARTH 103 Survey of Art I 3
UNIV 111 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry I Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Spring semester
ARTF 132 Surface Research 3
ARTF 134 Time Studio 3
ARTF 139
Project Studio
or Project Seminar
1
ARTH 104 Survey of Art II 3
UNIV 112 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry II Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Sophomore year
Fall semester
ARTH 270 History of the Motion Picture I 3
PHTO 275 Film as Material 3
PHTO 280 Moving Pixels 3
PHTO 281 Digital Imaging I 3
UNIV 200 Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
 Term Hours: 15
Spring semester
ARTH 271 History of the Motion Picture II 3
PHTO 362 Lighting and Cinematography 3
PHTO 377 The Film Image 3
PHTO 394 Documentary I 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 15
Junior year
Fall semester
PHTO 350 Concepts I 3
PHTO 390 Writing and Directing for the Screen 3
PHTO 494 Documentary II 3
Art elective 4
General education course 3
Open elective 3
 Term Hours: 19
Spring semester
PHTO 295 Revolutionary Cinema 3
PHTO 361 Sound and Color 3
PHTO 475 Advanced Production Workshop 3
General education course 3
Open elective 3
 Term Hours: 15
Senior year
Fall semester
ARTH 374 Studies in Film 3
PHTO 436 Senior Suitcase 3
PHTO 484 Thesis Film I 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 12
Spring semester
PHTO 485 Thesis Film II 3
Art elective 3
General education course 3
Open elective 3
 Term Hours: 12
 Total Hours: 120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.