Courses and Curriculum

Photography classes at La Verne are always changing and always designed to hone basic skills. Even in the upper division courses we regularly revisit the techniques of darkroom and digital photography in ways that continually add to our repertoire of techniques. We often choose technical topics based on the needs of class members for the semester.

Darkroom craft and digital editing are intertwined in the contemporary craft of photography. For this reason all courses now involve aspects of each technique base. We always choose the most appropriate techniques for the pictures that are on our minds.

Photography is a compelling storytelling medium. For this reason many of the assignments we offer in our classes represent opportunities for personal expression. As we pursue our work we continually share in careful and supportive critique. Critique helps us grow; it's one of the ways by which we learn how others perceive our work.

There is a difference between seeing physiologically and seeing photographically. To know the extent of this difference, to understand the power of photography for visual revelation always slightly beyond our physiological capacity and physical presence, we develop our courses to help us reach ideas in our own, individual, conceptual continuity, then apply techniques to reach these expressive ideas.

Photography is fun. It's interesting to see how life looks if we photograph it.

Who can take the courses?

Photography is a craft, applicable across the breadth of human experience and in service to every academic discipline. For this reason we invite anyone at any class level interested in taking pictures to participate. This sometimes also inspires the enrollment of other University faculty and staff members.

Is there a photography major?

There are elective opportunities...

Many students deeply involved with photography are not majors or minors, but take the courses as electives and use the lab for personal work. Some of this work is published in Prism, the creative arts magazine.

Everyone in photography at La Verne begins with Photo 210, Elementary Photography. The course is written to involve students who have no experience with students who have lots of experience. After Photo 210 there's Photo Staff, Color Photography, Photoshop, Web Design, Computer Drawing and many other opportunities, some formal and some informal.

There is the Photography Concentration in Art...

This major offers an opportunity to develop not only advanced techniques in the craft of photography, but also an awareness of the history of art, especially modern and contemporary art as it's affected by photography. The experience concludes with a senior exhibition. Students in this type of major are prepared to enter graduate school, often enrolling in MFA programs. Many continue in industry, working in design. Some pursue education degrees.

There is the Photojournalism Concentration in Journalism...

This major is designed to give students first-hand experience with photography assignments for regular publication. This major concludes with an internship and a senior project. Students in this type of major are prepared to enter graduate school. Some work as free-lancers, many work as staff photographers at newspapers and some continue in other professions, such as marketing, design and advertising.

There is the Photography Minor...

The minor enables a student with a major outside Art or Journalism to participate fully in the photography experience at La Verne. This path enables students to participate in publications production, art history, and the development of their own personal and professional applications of photography. These students, as others, use photography in their everyday lives, to record their personal experiences and as an added perspective on their chosen disciplines.

What will I be taking for the Photography Concentration in Art?

Always refer to the current catalog for the most accurate list of courses required in a major. These lists offer an informal review of opportunities. Although changes are infrequent, the curriculum continuously evolves; these lists may not be accurate at this time.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art, Concentration in Photography

Core Requirements:

ART 120 2-D Design (4)
ART 121 3-D Design (4)
ART 140 Drawing Techniques and Materials (4)
ART 499 Senior Project Seminar (4)
PHOT 210 Elementary Photography (4)
History of Western Art courses (8)
History, non-Western Art course(s) (4)

Photography Concentration:
PHOT 310 Photoshop (4)
PHOT 350 Color Photography (4)
ART/PHOT 356A Digital Portfolio (4)
PHOT 450 Special Projects in Photography (4+4)
ART 390 Art History Selected Topics: History
of Photography (4)

What will I be taking for the Photojournalism Concentration in Photography?

Always refer to the current catalog for the most accurate list of courses required in a major. These lists offer an informal review of opportunities. Although changes are infrequent, the curriculum continuously evolves; these lists may not be accurate at this time.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism, Concentration in Photojournalism

Core Requirements:
JOUR 100 News Reporting (4)
JOUR 115 News Editing (2)
JOUR 315 Syntax and Grammar for the Professional Writer (4)
JOUR 317 Graphic Production Processes and Design for Publications (4)
JOUR 460 Law and the Mass Media (4)
JOUR 467 Ethics of Mass Media, Printed and Electronic (4)
JOUR 499 Senior Seminar (4)
PHOT 210 Elementary Photography (4)
PHOT 310 Photoshop (4)

Photojournalism Concentration:
Program Chairperson: Gary Colby

PHOT 327 Staff Photography (2+2)
PHOT 350 Color Photography (4)
PHOT 356 Digital Portfolio (4)
PHOT 450 Special Projects in Photography (4)
PHOT 497 Internship (1-4)

Supportive Electives:
PHOT 327 Staff Photography (2+2)

What will I be taking for the Photography Minor?

Minor, Photography

Core Requirements:
ART 390 Art History Selected Topics: History of Photography (4)
PHOT 210 Elementary Photography (4)
PHOT 310 Photoshop (4)
PHOT 327 Staff Photography (2)
PHOT 350 Color Photography (4)
PHOT 356 Digital Portfolio (4)
PHOT 450 Special Projects in Photography (4)