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To view the Summer 2025 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2025/summer.html.
Art and Performance Studies Minor
Within the contemporary arts, there are lively debates about the meaning and significance of individual artworks, as well as their relationships to audiences and to other forms of culture. Art and performance studies investigates the arts with attention to the historically changing forms of class, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality and aesthetics. This interdisciplinary program provides a knowledge of and sensitivity to the specific qualities of diverse artforms. The program is an excellent foundation for a dynamic, lifelong interest in the contemporary arts, while complementing other programs of study.
丁香园AV Requirements
Students may apply to the art and performance studies minor after completing six units of CA 117, 118, 210W, or 217 and achieving a minimum 2.5 contemporary arts CGPA and a 2.0 CGPA.
To declare the minor, please fill out the SCA Program Declaration Form available on the SCA website.
Continuance Requirements
A minimum 2.4 SCA GPA and a 2.0 CGPA is required to remain in good standing in the minor program.
About the School's Course Offerings
Students are encouraged to take advantage of interdisciplinary offerings within the school. As many programs depend on a continuing sequence of courses completed in order, students should plan carefully to gain the maximum benefit and efficiency from their study. Note that not all courses are offered every term and several are offered on a rotational basis, i.e. every third or fourth term. An advisor is available to help plan study programs.
Program Requirements
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete all of
An introduction to the visual arts from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. Formal and thematic approaches to the arts will be introduced, with attention to the social, institutional, national, and international contexts of art. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Students with credit for CA 167 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sessional |
Sep 3 鈥� Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 2:30鈥�5:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
A study of the visual arts from 1945 to the present, with attention to the artists, artworks, movements, and discourses that re-defined the functions and meanings of art. The debates of modernism, postmodernity, postcolonialism, feminism, and the avant-garde will be systematically explored. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Students with credit for CA 168 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
Studies exemplary readings designed to introduce students to a wide range of theories and methods of visual analysis and historical interpretation of works of art. Prerequisite: CA 118. Students with credit for CA 210 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sessional |
Sep 3 鈥� Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 2:30鈥�5:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
Traces the interdisciplinary origins of performance studies and brings its concepts and methods to bear on dance, music, theatre, performance art, and media performance. Students with credit for CA 311 or CA 317 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 15 units, including three of
Investigates a selected thematic topic in art and performance studies such as: postcolonial theory and the arts; perception and embodiment; art activism and resistance; or urban art and culture. This course can be repeated twice for credit if the topic is different. Prerequisite: 45 units. Writing.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sessional |
Sep 3 鈥� Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.鈥�12:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
Investigates sound art as an interdisciplinary practice that draws its history and concepts from contemporary visual art, installation art, performance art, experimental music, and their various confluences. We will study historical precedents of experimental sound work as well as think critically and creatively about the themes and concerns that inform contemporary practices. Prerequisite: 45 units.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Eldritch Priest |
Sep 3 鈥� Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 9:30 a.m.鈥�12:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
Examines aspects of critical writing associated with the historical and contemporary arts and encourages students to participate as writers in the artistic and cultural debates of their day. Forms examined will include but not be limited to reviews, articles, descriptive synopses for exhibition and festival programs, curatorial essays, project proposals and artists' statements. Prerequisite: 45 units, including one of CA 210W, 216, 228W, 235, 236, 257W, 316, 318 or 344. Students with credit for CA 319 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Provides an in-depth investigation of a selected theoretical, historical or thematic topic in art and performance studies. This course requires independent research leading to a substantial paper, as well as directed reading preparation for seminars. Topics will vary from term to term. The course may be repeated four times for credit if the topic is different. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Prerequisite: Eight upper division units; and one of CA 210W (or 210), 316 (or 337), 318 (or 335), or 357W. Writing.
Remaining units can be drawn from the list below
A scholarly exploration of artistic traditions and practices in the country being visited, with special attention to cultural, theoretical, historical and political contexts. This course can be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: A minimum of 30 units and approval of Field School Director.
Investigates a selected thematic topic in art and performance studies such as: postcolonial theory and the arts; perception and embodiment; art activism and resistance; or urban art and culture. This course can be repeated twice for credit if the topic is different. Prerequisite: 45 units. Writing.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sessional |
Sep 3 鈥� Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.鈥�12:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
Investigates sound art as an interdisciplinary practice that draws its history and concepts from contemporary visual art, installation art, performance art, experimental music, and their various confluences. We will study historical precedents of experimental sound work as well as think critically and creatively about the themes and concerns that inform contemporary practices. Prerequisite: 45 units.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Eldritch Priest |
Sep 3 鈥� Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 9:30 a.m.鈥�12:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
Examines aspects of critical writing associated with the historical and contemporary arts and encourages students to participate as writers in the artistic and cultural debates of their day. Forms examined will include but not be limited to reviews, articles, descriptive synopses for exhibition and festival programs, curatorial essays, project proposals and artists' statements. Prerequisite: 45 units, including one of CA 210W, 216, 228W, 235, 236, 257W, 316, 318 or 344. Students with credit for CA 319 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
The relationship of music and culture, with emphasis on traditional and contemporary music in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Indigenous cultures of North America. Specific cultural areas may be selected for intensive study in any particular term. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Prerequisite: 45 units.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sessional |
Sep 3 鈥� Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 5:30鈥�8:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
The second of two courses in the Context cluster. Work will include reading, writing and experiments in live performance creation. With a grounding in performance studies, this course offers a variety of frameworks and approaches to the histories and theories of the avant-garde. live art, and theatre. With a new topic each term, students develop skills for analyzing, researching, and writing about contemporary performance. Prerequisite: CA 257W. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
A scholarly exploration of artistic traditions and practices in the country being visited, with special attention to cultural, theoretical, historical and political contexts. Prerequisite: A minimum of 30 units and approval of Field School Director.
Provides an in-depth investigation of a selected theoretical, historical or thematic topic in art and performance studies. This course requires independent research leading to a substantial paper, as well as directed reading preparation for seminars. Topics will vary from term to term. The course may be repeated four times for credit if the topic is different. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Prerequisite: Eight upper division units; and one of CA 210W (or 210), 316 (or 337), 318 (or 335), or 357W. Writing.
* may be repeated for credit if topic changes
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to 丁香园AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
| Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
| W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at 丁香园AV within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each) |
|
| Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more) | |
| B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth |
Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division: Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc |
|
6 |
Additional Breadth |
Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements). Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
|
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through 丁香园AV study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through 丁香园AV study.