Bachelor of Fine Arts

Fine Arts Compulsory Courses

0701100 Introduction to Fine Arts (1-3-3)

This course introduces students to the discipline of Fine Arts by exploring a wide range of venues, practitioners, organizations and other resources that facilitate research, personal development and professional opportunities for Fine Arts that exists in the United Arab Emirates. Students are introduced to topics, workshops and writing exercises dealing with the relevant local cultural resources and contemporary art infrastructures in the UAE. Visits to artist studios are organized to give students a clear idea of the professional ethics and requirements of contemporary Fine Arts studio practice through direct interaction with professional artists.

Prerequisite: 0700111- Arts and Design Foundation I

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0701122 Drawing for Fine Arts (1-3-3)

This course investigates the technical and conceptual issues of drawing within the context of contemporary fine arts practice. Classes and studio projects will be structured to address the articulation of form, space, light, figure/ground relationships, mark making, and pictorial structure. Problems in abstraction will also be introduced. Development of a critical vocabulary and visual analysis shall be nurtured through daily discussions and regular critiques. Students will be expected to develop an understanding of the language of drawing and to initiate a personal approach to its unique expressive capabilities.

Prerequisite: 0700113-Drawing Fundamentals

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0701123 Photography Studio I (1-3-3)

The course is an introduction to the process of making two-dimensional images using the equipment, resources, and methods of photography. Students apply various experimental and analog photographic techniques, materials, and methods to produce a sequential body of work. They acquire core skills related to the photographic camera and lens, exposure, and film, processing the negative and printing the positive, and other analog techniques. The study of the fundamentals of analog photography is necessary to imagine and produce images created with chemical, optical, and digital technologies. Students are further trained in basic health and safety procedures.

Prerequisite: 0700114-Color Theory

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0701212 Photography Studio II (1-3-3)

This course emphasizes the technical and creative skills of digital photography. Assignments are designed to develop knowledge and practice of digital editing and printing to produce a research-based body of work. Students are expected to create works that emphasize framing, composition, and narrative.

Prerequisite: 0701123-Photography Studio I

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0701215 Fine Arts Videography (1-3-3)

This course introduces the fundamentals of video as a medium for documentaries, interviews, and contemporary art form. A diverse range of moving image concepts and practices are discussed. The course offers students the opportunity to learn skills and techniques of video and audio production and post-production. Students work on individual and collaborative projects in term of shooting, directing, and editing.

Prerequisite: 0701212-Photography Studio II

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0701221 Printmaking Studio I (1-3-3)

This course is an introduction to Printmaking through studio work, lectures, workshops, discussions, and technical demonstrations. The course introduces students to printmaking techniques and applications, the usage of tools and equipment, and the safe handling of materials utilized in the media. Emphasis is on the achievement of technical competence in relief, intaglio, and silk-screen, along with image development, visual literacy, and craftsmanship.

Prerequisite: 0701122-Drawing for Fine Arts, 0700112-Arts and Design Foundation II, and 0700114-Color Theory

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0701231 Painting Studio I (1-3-3)

This course is an introduction to the materials and processes of painting. This course aims to apply drawing skills in painting, composition, and technical abilities through exercises such as still life, landscape, cityscape. Project media include pastel color and water-based paint. Studio projects are augmented with lectures and discussions on history, concepts, form, colors, space, and light pertaining to the discipline of painting. Students will introduce canvas stretching process and the practice of recycling canvas.

Prerequisite: 0701122-Drawing for Fine Arts, 0700112-Arts and Design Foundation II

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0701232 Painting Studio II (1-3-3)

This course focuses on the development of technical and expressive painting skills and concepts through observational drawing and painting from live models. Emphasis is given on figurative painting covering traditional approaches to painting as a foundation that gradually develops into contemporary language of art making. Project media include acrylic color and oil-based paint. Students are expected to practice on recycled canvas.

Prerequisite: 0701231-Painting Studio I

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0701241 Sculpture Studio I (1-3-3)

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to various sculpture techniques. It addresses sculpture history and the language of the three-dimensional artworks, understanding proportions of shapes and volumes together with the relation to space and basic anatomy for classical realism as a foundation for sculptural art. Projects includes medallion, bust and full figures in the media of clay, gypsum, and silicon. Students are expected to practice using recycled clay.

Prerequisite: 0701122-Drawing for Fine Arts and 0700112-Arts and Design Foundation II

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0701242 Sculpture Studio II (1-3-3)

This course aims to bring together thinking and practice that responds to a thematic project. Students utilize tools and techniques while understand pottery and glazing processes. Art history, and contemporary practice subjects will be explored. Students explore a variety of sculptural concepts and approaches to relief, free standing as well as more expressive forms.

Prerequisite: 0701241-Sculpture Studio I

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0701251 Theories in Contemporary Art (3-0-3) (Shared with Art History & Museum Studies Courses)

This course teaches students how to use theoretical and critical methods in the interpretation of contemporary art. The historical scope of the course ranges from 1945 to the present and includes recent trends in digital and postcolonial art. An emphasis shall be placed on investigating the complexities of historical and cultural context. Students shall further enhance their skills in reading and writing critically about art through a series of short weekly assignments as well as a longer research paper. Students shall also learn other genres of art writing, such as artist / curator statement or exhibition review.

Prerequisite: 0700116-History of Art and Design II and 0701100-Introduction to Fine Arts or 0203172-Introduction to Museum and Heritage Studies

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0701313 Photography Studio III (1-3-3)

This course examines advanced research-based concepts as well as staged photography. emphasizing the use of artistic approaches. Students extend their knowledge in key genres of contemporary photography to produce conceptual work with professional applications of color management, digital printing and exhibition practice.

Prerequisite: 0701212-Photography Studio II

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0701325 Printmaking Studio II (1-3-3)

This is an intermediate course designed to further extend student’s abilities in printmaking processes and techniques as well as introduce them to new techniques and applications such as color separations (CMYK) and lithography. Emphasis is on the achievement of technical competence in the techniques introduced, along with image development, visual literacy, craftsmanship and conceptual ability.

Prerequisite: 0701221-Printmaking Studio I

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0701326 Printmaking Studio III (1-3-3)

This is an advanced course that emphasizes conceptual approaches to printmaking and includes large scale collaborative projects. Students are introduced to the basics of wheat paste murals, portfolio exchange and professional presentation of their work (different framing methods).

Prerequisite: 0701325-Printmaking Studio II

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0701333 Painting Studio III (1-3-3)

This course emphasizes on the refinement of students’ technical and conceptual sensibilities in the development and realization of projects in the context of painting. The emphasis is on the discourse of contemporary art in relation to the discipline and practice of painting. Through lectures, discussions, critiques and exploration of studio methods and materials, students engage in analysis and reflection broadening their knowledge in studio practice and furthering their individual development. Students will be working on conceptually led project assignments designed to challenge their imagination in the investigation of forms, methods, various materials, and processes to develop a series of large-scale painting projects. Students are expected to practice on recycled canvas.

Prerequisite: 0701232-Painting Studio II

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0701343 Sculpture Studio III (1-3-3)

This course explores advanced level sculptural techniques and concepts emphasizing an experimental approach in three-dimensional art. It involves intense sculptural exercises based on current practices in contemporary art to produce large scale works in mixed media. Projects include indoor or outdoor installations.

Prerequisite: 0701242-Sculpture Studio II

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0701352 Fine Arts Seminar I (3-0-3) (Shared with Art History & Museum Studies Courses)

This course is an advanced seminar on current topics in art history and theory. It gives conceptual and contextual tools with which to understand contemporary art. Themes, which shall change regularly, include topics such as popular culture, globalization, postcolonialism, media theory, art institutions, sustainability, and aesthetics.

Prerequisite: 0701251-Theories in Contemporary

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0701418 Professional Practice in Fine Arts (3-0-3)

This course prepares students to enter the professional world of creative industry. It focuses on complementing students’ employability skills through the enhancement of their professional skills and concentrate on career development. It centers on identifying and developing skills associated with students’ acquired degree work and opportunity to building their professional profile. It further prepares them for a gradual transition into their training program within a professional environment.

Corequisite: 0701461-Fine Arts Graduation Project I

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0701453 Fine Arts Seminar II (3-0-3) (Shared with Art History & Museum Studies Courses)

This seminar addresses the complex cultural phenomena of museums, exhibitions and curating from historical and practical perspectives. It discusses concepts of museums, galleries, and non-profit art and cultural institutions. Attention is placed on investigating possible themes of how art and artifacts are curated and displayed. In addition to a research paper, the final submission includes the task of curating and designing an exhibition.

Prerequisite: 0701352-Fine Arts Seminar I, 0700333-Research Methodology in Art and Design

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0701455 Internship in Fine Arts (0-3-3)

Internships open opportunities to apply, in a professional environment, the knowledge and skills gained throughout the curriculum. It offers a chance to gain experience in a professional setting which informs their career decisions and plans for further learning. Working with professionals provides an experience of professionalism and opportunities for learning methods and practices commonly used in the profession. This experience shall vary depending on the individual student’s placement within the creative industry’s various venues. Students shall complete 320 hours at the training site.

Prerequisite: 0701418-Professional Practice in Fine Arts

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0701360 Studio Research Project (1-3-3)

This course enables students to define and analyze areas of interest within studio research, reflecting their individual development. Students initiate and develop a focused and self-directed concept-based studio research project, articulating their ideas through both one medium and mixed media. Students will apply critical thinking in relation to art research, construction of meaning and understanding of contemporary art.

Prerequisite: 0701325-Printmaking Studio II and 0701352-Fine Arts Seminar I, co-req. 0700333-Research Methodology in Art and Design

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0701461 Fine Arts Graduation Project I (1-3-3)

This course aims to develop a focused and effective practice in studio work and research, whereby students are required to produce a major body of studio work that synthesizes theory into practice. Students examine discourses in contemporary art to cultivate a coherent line of intellectual inquiry in fine arts practice. Students are required to initiate, plan, develop, research, realize and present a body of studio work. They will formulate a written project proposal, which will guide their research, studio work and time management. Students should demonstrate individual growth and independent thinking in research and technical skills. Students are required to produce an art statement and professional display of the final project.

Prerequisite: 0701313-Photography Studio III, 0701333-Painting Studio III, 0701326-Printmaking Studio III, 0701360-Studio Research Project, and 0700333-Research Methodology in Art and Design

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0701462 Fine Arts Graduation Project II (1-3-3)

This course builds on the student’s proposal in Graduation Project 1. It engages students in the realization of a body of studio work for an exhibition, curatorial planning, and organization within a specific exhibition space. The students' final graduation project should exemplify their ability to work confidently as a contemporary artist.

Prerequisite: 0701461-Fine Arts Graduation Project I

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Fine Arts Elective Courses

0701308 Writing about Art (3-0-3) (Shared with Art History & Museum Studies Courses)

This course aims to develop the capacity to read, think, and write about art critically. Emphasis shall be placed on various genres of writing about art. An overview of the history of art criticism shall be introduced, as shall discipline-specific terminology. Students shall learn how to look at and analyze works of art, using both classical and contemporary examples. This shall serve as the basis for thinking and writing about art as a professional, which shall give students the opportunity to broaden their art vocabulary.

Prerequisite: 0701251-Theories in Contemporary

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0701309 Video Installation (1-3-3)

This studio course introduces video installation as an evolving contemporary art form that extends the conversation of video art beyond the frame and into live, hybrid media, site-specific, and multiple- channel environments. The course brings a brief introduction in critical thinking about temporal and spatial relationships, narrative structure, viewer perception and the challenges of presenting time- based work. Students develop projects and apply their skills sets to self-directed projects for gallery and exhibition contexts.

Prerequisite: 0701215-Fine Arts Videography

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0701311 Introduction to Museum and Curatorial Studies (1-3-3)

The course aims to shed light on the complex cultural phenomena of museums, exhibitions and curating from several aspects. First, it examines the birth and development of the concept of museums from its beginnings – e.g. aristocratic collections, Kunst- und Wunderkammer – through the first large-scale encyclopedic institutes of the early nation states until today's global and post-colonial, inclusivist exhibition spaces. In the second part of the course, attention is paid to investigating the history and possible ways how the items in a museum collection can be displayed, thus there is a strong component analyzing questions of curating. Here the survey broadens up to include not only non-profit institutes, but also for-profit commercial gallery spaces or even the so-called “curated booths” in art fairs. Through site-visits students get to see the aspects discussed in class also implemented in actual examples, and towards the end, as part of the final assessment they are given the task of curating a small section of an exhibition in the CFAD Rewaq gallery.

Prerequisite: 0701251-Theories in Contemporary

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0701344 Special Topics in Fine Arts (1-3-3)

 The course offers a dynamic exploration of specialized themes, trends, and emerging concepts in fine arts and related fields. Participants shall engage in topics that bridge the realms of art and creative expression.

Prerequisite: 0701242-Sculpture Studio II or 0701325-Printmaking Studio II