Art Degrees Online

Documentary Studies

The Documentary Studies Program at the College of Santa Fe offers a Bachelor of Arts Degree in documentary studies emphasizing the collaborative application of documentary methodologies – especially photography, film, and non-fiction writing – to the study of society. The Documentary Studies program is inherently interdisciplinary and draws upon the perspectives offered by literature, history, and the social and environmental sciences to generate fresh understanding of social and cultural change and the challenges faced by people and communities throughout the Southwest, the nation, and the world. The program particularly encourages cross-cultural and international fieldwork, utilizing a close partnership with Sebastião Salgado and the Instituto Terra in Aimorés, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

It is not enough to “get” the story. One needs to be able to tell it, powerfully and persuasively. Documentary Studies majors will hone their abilities as writers, photographers, filmmakers, and aural historians. They will learn to produce and disseminate their projects by means of the internet and digital technologies and more traditional forms-books, articles, photographic portfolios, and conventional films and videos. They will become communicators of the first rank.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is the initial professional degree in art. The primary objective is the development of skills, concepts and historical awareness essential to the professional artist. Students in the B.F.A. program concentrate on in-depth study through studio instruction, practicum experiences and internships with artists, museums, galleries and for/nonprofit arts organizations. Extensive study of history of photography, theory and ethics as related to the past and contemporary issues is a focus of our curriculum as well. The development of each student’s expressive abilities, ethical judgment and professional standards is central to our B.F.A. degree.