For more information on our course offerings, please go to the York Course Website.
Calendar Year
Term
Course #
Course Title
2025
F
gs/visa 5600A
Contemporary Theory in the Visual Arts
Instructional Format: SEMR
2025
W
gs/visa 5610M
Theoretical Issues in Contemporary Art
Examines recent theoretical interventions in the formulation of critical practice in the field of the visual arts. Working from the premise that 'art' and theory are social constructions and therefore, are historically specific practices, this course addresses the intersection between theory and practice at particular moments in time, taking into consideration the implicit and explicit references of artists, critics, historians and contemporary cultural theorists. Course credit exclusion: GS/ARTH 5160 3.00.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): D. Adler
2026
W
gs/visa 5610M
Theoretical Issues in Contemporary Art
Examines recent theoretical interventions in the formulation of critical practice in the field of the visual arts. Working from the premise that 'art' and theory are social constructions and therefore, are historically specific practices, this course addresses the intersection between theory and practice at particular moments in time, taking into consideration the implicit and explicit references of artists, critics, historians and contemporary cultural theorists. Course credit exclusion: GS/ARTH 5160 3.00.
Instructional Format: SEMR
2025
F
gs/visa 5620A
Graduate Seminar
Weekly meetings with guest artists and faculty will provide a forum for peer critiques and critical discussion of student's work and the issues arising from that discussion. This venue will lead to development of the thesis support paper.
Instructional Format: SEMR
2025
F
gs/visa 5640A
Graduate Seminar
Weekly meetings with guest artists and faculty will provide a forum for peer critiques and critical discussion of student's work and the issues arising from that discussion. This venue will lead to development of the thesis support paper.
Instructional Format: SEMR
2026
W
gs/visa 5650M
Methods in Practice-Based Research
The focus of the course is how to characterize research in the context of art practice. Course materials and discussions will address the terminology, categorization and goals of practice-based research (or research-creation). Students will consider the formal and conceptual strategies required for producing artwork in parallel with scholarly reading of historical and theoretical texts and individuated forms of writing.
Instructional Format: SEMR
2025
SU
gs/visa 6020A
Contemporary Visual Arts Summer Institute
The Summer Institute is structured around a specific thematic focus each year and features international and nationally renowned lecturers (artists and theorists in residence) and members of the Toronto Arts Community. Included are presentations of chosen readings and individual studio critiques. Visual Arts PhD students are required to enrol in this course in term three and term six in as part of the residency requirement.
Instructional Format: SEMR
2025
SU
gs/visa 6030A
Contemporary Visual Arts Summer Institute
The Summer Institute is structured around a specific thematic focus each year and features international and nationally renowned lecturers (artists and theorists in residence) and members of the Toronto Arts Community. Included are presentations of chosen readings and individual studio critiques. Visual Arts PhD students are required to enrol in this course in term three and term six in as part of the residency requirement.
Instructional Format: SEMR
2025
F
gs/visa 6300A
Directed Reading
A supervised reading course on a topic for which there is no current course offering. Permission of the Graduate Program Director is required
Instructional Format: DIRD
2025
SU
gs/visa 6300A
Directed Reading
A supervised reading course on a topic for which there is no current course offering. Permission of the Graduate Program Director is required
Instructional Format: ISTY
2025
W
gs/visa 6300M
Directed Reading
A supervised reading course on a topic for which there is no current course offering. Permission of the Graduate Program Director is required
Instructional Format: DIRD
2026
W
gs/visa 6300M
Directed Reading
A supervised reading course on a topic for which there is no current course offering. Permission of the Graduate Program Director is required
Instructional Format: DIRD
Learn More
The Graduate Program in Visual Art at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.