Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CA 362 D100

Methods and Concepts: Drawing-based Practices (3)

Class Number: 6247

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    DT VSAR

  • Prerequisites:

    CA 160. A course materials fee is required.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Presents drawing practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. Additional assignments will be required for students taking the course at this level.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course concentrates on drawing as a practice fundamental and essential to a wide spectrum of visual expression and aims to instil an understanding of drawing as a means of formulating ideas for work in other disciplines as well as a unique and self sufficient visual expression on its own.

The program of study will be driven by studio workshops and longer, concrete projects varying in duration and complexity and may involve composition, conceptual visualization, working in collaboration and performative drawing among other things. At bottom, drawing is distinctively analogous to all visual experience and an active meditation on purposeful observation. In the interests of pure practice this course will regularly schedule sessions of plain studio exercises. This course of study will advance from the fundamentals of line and gesture and volume and mass and composition in studies in portraiture and some unfamiliar themes, methods and materials.

The classes are mainly structured to studio work so punctual attendance is absolutely essential to success. Each student is expected to maintain a folio of in-class studies for submission at the end of term. Most homework assignments will be extensions of projects established in class but bear in mind that more ambitious projects will require considerable attention outside of class time. Critiques, group discussions and slide presentations will round out the program. A final grade is based on observable progress and class participation, completed assignments and a final folio submission.

Grading

  • Attendance and Participation 10%
  • Studio Work and Final Folio 50%
  • Projects 40%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

There is a materials fee for this course and many to most supplies will be provided but students are expected to supply their own basic tools drawing tools like pencils, pens and erasers and small portable sketchbooks.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.