Teaching Strategies in Art Education

Abstract

This thesis examines contemporary Fine-Art Photography teaching in universities. It is a multi-layered study on curriculums from the most reputable photography programs to analyse the current problems surrounding Fine-Art Photography degrees in higher art education. For this, I have used two methods of research: (1) literature review of books and essays that focus on the subject of teaching methods and art degrees in universities located in the western world, and (2) individual case studies of curriculums in reputable universities for their Fine-Art Photography programs. I have examined literature from contemporary artists who have given their opinions and proposed improvements on the education systems found in art schools, with the intention to present solutions for teaching and curriculum reform. This thesis aims to challenge the meaning of being an art student in photography in the contemporary art world, by questioning the definition of an artist-photographer, and introducing a multifaceted reform to the more traditional approach to photography in the art world.