Studio Art: Photography

Creating a language with a lens and a vision.

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Studio Art: Photography Degree

As a digital native, you have grown up in the time of the image, with camera phones producing better photos and more sophisticated editing options. So much so that everyone is calling themselves a photographer. But, you know there is more to the art of photography than the quality of the equipment. Photography is a form of communication, and it is a language that each photographer creates for themselves.

At Susquehanna University, you will learn both about art and the technical aspects of lighting, directing and editing photography. You will have 24/7 access to computer labs with the most up-to-date technology, editing software and printers. The digital photography classroom is equipped with high-end professional studio lighting, seamless cloth and paper backgrounds, and dedicated lecture, critique and production spaces — everything you need to create and execute your vision.

By studying photography in Susquehanna University’s liberal arts setting, you can combine your artistic vision and cultural aesthetic with your academic interests ranging from ecology to social justice to history to anthropology. Or, you could merge your photographic interests with journalism, creative writing or graphic design, just to name a few majors that would create a robust professional portfolio as you enter the creative job market. Additionally, before you graduate, you and your fellow photographers will mount a public exhibition of your work in The Lore Degenstein Gallery, where you will gain experience in a professional gallery with museum standards.

department of art and design

AT SUSQUEHANNA, THE ARTISTIC POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS

Explore the vibrant community of creators who enjoy our state-of-the-art facilities and mentorship from esteemed faculty members.

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A group of people crouched and standing, all holding cameras, focus on something outside the frame. They are gathered in an outdoor space with a reflective glass building in the background.

99%

of students receive financial aid through academic merit scholarships and need-based grants

95%

of students study abroad

100%

of students work with a faculty advisor all four years

24/7

Access to state-of-the-art design labs

Explore Your Studies

Program Resources

ARTS 111

Foundations of Art I

Introduces the principles, theories and aesthetics of two-dimensional artwork. Emphasizes the exploration of a variety of artistic media, development of creative concepts, and understanding of form and composition. Required as a beginning course for all art and graphic design majors. 4 SH.

ARTS 112

Foundations of Art II

Introduces the principles, theories and aesthetics of three-dimensional artwork. Emphasizes conceptual expression, as well as understanding of the physical world of form, space and texture as related to art objects. 4 SH.

ARTS 113

Drawing

Introduces the principles, theories and aesthetics of drawing. Focuses on visual perception and delineation incorporating traditional and nontraditional drawing media. Also addresses life drawing and conceptual expression. 4 SH.

ARTS 221

Painting

Introduces the principles, theories and aesthetics of painting. Focuses on understanding color, composition, light, illusion, abstraction and other visual expressions using oil and/or acrylic paint. Prerequisite: ARTS-111. 4 SH.

ARTS 231

Printmaking

Introduces the principles, theories and aesthetics of printmaking. Focuses on aesthetic intentions and techniques of producing multiple prints through various processes such as woodcut, linocut, monotype, collagraph and etching. Prerequisite: ARTS-111. 4 SH.

ARTS 241

Black and White Photography

Introduces the principles, theories and aesthetics of black and white photography. Focuses on the fundamentals of observation, composition, camera use and darkroom work, including film processing and printing. Requires a 35mm camera (SLR) with manual override. 4 SH.

ARTS 243

Digital Photography

Introduces the principles, theories and aesthetics of digital photography. Focuses on the fundamentals of observation, composition and camera use, as well as digital image manipulation and printing using computer software. Requires a minimum 5-megapixel digital camera. 4 SH.

ARTS 244

Advanced Photography

Advanced course that expands upon the principles, theories and aesthetics of photography and photographic processes introduced in ARTD-241 or ARTD-243. Requires a 35mm camera (SLR) with manual override or a 5-megapixel digital camera. Prerequisite: ARTS-243. 4 SH.

ARTS 314

Topics in Studio Arts

This course will vary in content with each offering as areas of particular relevance in studio art are explored. Each course title under this offering will bear a specific subtitle indicating the content to be presented. May be repeated with permission of the department head when course content changes. Prerequisite: ARTS-111. 4 SH.

ARTS 341

Topics in Photography

This course will vary in content with each offering as areas of particular relevance in photography are explored. The course will require either a 35mm SLR camera with manual override or a 5-megapixel minimum digital camera, depending on the nature of the course topic. Each course title under this offering will bear a specific subtitle indicating the content to be presented. May be repeated with permission of the department head when course content changes. Prerequisite: ARTS-243. 4 SH.

ARTS 400

Independent Study

1-4

Independent work in advanced studio art or graphic design projects with faculty supervision and guidance. (May be repeated.) Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and department head’s permission. 1-4 SH.

ARTS 402

Senior Portfolio and Exhibition

Required capstone course for studio art majors, to be taken during the senior year. Students will complete a cohesive body of artwork and exhibit to the public. Students will work with a faculty member to select and professionally present their art, write an artist statement and produce an exhibition catalog and announcement. Prerequisite: Senior standing. 4 SH. Capstone. CC: Team Intensive.

ARTS 404

Internship

1-4

Internships offer a valuable experience for all art department majors and are traditionally taken during the summer between the junior and senior years or during the academic year. Art history majors may work with a museum, gallery or other art institution; studio art majors may intern at professional studios, galleries or museums; and graphic design majors normally take internships with design firms or advertising agencies. Some interns work for the university’s Lore Degenstein Gallery. Prerequisite: Department head’s permission.

When you enroll at Susquehanna, you’ll be paired with an advisor and application tool to guide you in your course planning and scheduling. The following is an excerpt from the complete course catalog. Enrolled students follow the requirements of the course catalog for the academic year in which they declare each major and/or minor, consult with their advisor(s).

Learning Goals

Studio Art majors will prepare a cohesive body of work that demonstrates artistic proficiency and/or professional competency, in either painting and drawing, or photography.
Studio Art majors can clearly and critically articulate the formal and conceptual aspects of their work relative to their educational experience.
Studio Art majors will understand how to navigate professional activities in preparation for a career in the arts.

Double-counting rules within the department of Art & Design

Students may double count 16 SH BA to BA.
Students may double count 8 SH department minor to BA or BFA.
Students may double count 4 SH department minor to department minor.
Students may not have a photography minor and a studio art major.
Students may not have a BA and BFA within the department.

Double-counting restriction

Students in the Art and Design Department may, with department head approval, complete more than one major and/or minor in the department.

Departmental Honors

The department awards honors status for graduation for students receiving a 3.70 or higher GPA in the studio art, graphic design or art history major.

Off-Campus Study

Junior and senior studio art and art history majors are encouraged to spend a semester studying away from campus as part of the university’s GO program. Susquehanna studio art and art history majors have access to art centers all over Europe, particularly in London, Florence, the south of France and Paris. A liberal arts program at Regent’s College in London is one of the special programs available to art majors. Others may choose extended off-campus study in New York or Washington, D.C. This experience enriches the artistic spirit and opens up avenues for future careers. Students with modern language interests can combine language and art studies abroad.

Art History, Studio Art and Graphic Design Internships

The department encourages its majors to complete internships, which provide a valuable introduction to the professional art world. Studio art and art history majors typically complete internships at museums and galleries, while graphic design majors are expected to pursue internships at design firms, publishing houses and advertising agencies. All students may receive major credit for approved internships.

Major in Studio Art

The Bachelor of Arts in studio art requires 46 semester hours of art department courses with grades of C- or better.

20 General Requirements

4 ARTH-101 Introduction to World Art I: Prehistory to 1400
4 ARTH-102 Introduction to World Art II: 15th to 20th Century
4 ARTS-111 Foundations of Art I
4 ARTH-300 or higher Art History Elective
4 ARTS-402 Senior Portfolio

6 Art Electives:

Choose 6 semester hours from art department courses.
Additional independent study and internship credits are applicable.

Photography Concentration: 20 hours

4 ARTS-243 Digital Photography
4 ARTS-244 Advanced Photography
8 ARTS-341 Topics in Photography
4 ARTS-400 Independent Study (combination of two- or four-semester-hour sections)

Minor in Photography

The minor in photography requires five courses, totaling 20 semester hours, with a grade of C- or above.

Required courses

ARTS-243 Digital Photography
ARTS-244 Advanced Photography
ARTS 341 Topics in Photography

One elective course chosen from the following:

ARTS-113 Drawing
ARTG-251 Computer Applications in Graphic Design

One art history course chosen from the following:

ARTH-215 History of Photography
ARTH-310 Modernism and the Avant-garde
ARTH-412 Contemporary Art
ARTH-313 Women in Art

“I’ve had the opportunity to take photographs for the music department, which has been a great environment for learning and growth. It’s very rewarding to see my photos on their Instagram feed and used to promote the department to prospective students. I’ve also photographed various university events, providing valuable additions to my portfolio for future employers.”

— Ella Collura ’25

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Studio Art: Photography

EXQUISITE CAMPUS GALLERY FOR CONTEMPORARY ART

Lore Degenstein Gallery exhibits artwork by both student and professional creators. It also hosts an annual national juried Figurative Drawing and Painting Competition, further elevating its collection and giving emerging artists a chance to shine.

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