Faculty Resources

FNDT 165: Course Description

• Foundation Core is an introduction to a breadth of conceptual, technical and disciplinary approaches that includes 2D, 3D and 4D disciplines. Exploring different forms of conceptual and material-based inquiry, this studio course focuses on the understanding and articulation of core values shared across contemporary art, design, and media disciplines. Foundation Core emphasizes practices and concepts that provide a solid platform for any of the degree-focused studio cores offered in the second semester.

Foundational Values and Principles

Foundation Core is a required studio class common to all Foundation students in the first semester of studies at Emily Carr University. By providing a common and shared experience, this course functions as an important introduction to the school community and to approaches and values shared across curriculum and program areas.

Underscoring discussion of needed resources, structural and institutional changes, and innovative pedagogy is a sense of these principles or key values:

Critical Core Practices (Making, Thinking, Writing)

Ecological, Social, and Institutional Sustainability

Cross-Faculty Exchange and Dialogue

Contextual Awareness and Engagement

Working with and in Public(s)

Holistic Educational Experiences

Foundation Core models a holistic teaching and learning approach that emphasizes connections among thinking / making / writing, and emphasizes links among creative and critical practices. It combines the development of technical and creative skills with articulation that serve across a breadth of all the majors offered at the university.

This course introduces students to the expectations and demands of university level studies and the importance of developing a strong and independent work ethic and sense of agency, while allowing students to develop combined visual, verbal, and intercultural literacies, as well as ethical practices in research and production. These shared literacies provide a strong basis for the disciplinary focus of the Spring Semester of first year and critical development across all degree streams.

This new framework introduces students to 2D, 3D, and 4D approaches that integrate digital technology and material practice in creative problem solving. Students will have better opportunities to connect, conceptually and materially, with Foundation Forums and a broader range of shared themes, approaches, or problems.

FNDT 165 Learning Objectives

FNDT 165 Learning Objectives:

By the end of the course, successful students will have introductory knowledge of, or experience working with the following:

Technical & Material:

two-dimensional approaches to visualization, such as drawing, collage, photography, or other contemporary practices, that explore composition, colour theory, perspective, light and shadow, proportion, and texture through mark-making and media exploration.

three-dimensional approaches to making that explore form and function, additive and subtractive processes, and modeling as these relate to making and working with objects, assemblages or other techniques used to create objects in space.

four-dimensional approaches such as video production, sound  + sound recording, animation, script writing, and performance as well as other time-based techniques.

Critical & Reflexive

critical and reflexive writing approaches that situate their own work or the work of others.

collaborative creative approaches that help to foster a sense of community, socio-cultural and environmental awareness

vocabulary and language supportive to engage and participate in critiques

language, materials and methods integral to communicating and fabricating project/assignment concepts.

safe working methods particular to the use of tools, techniques and material processes.

Learning Outcomes and Approaches: 3D

3D exercises and assignments Forum

This Q & A forum is designed as a means for those teaching FNDT 165 to share interests and approaches. Recognizing that the focus of this course requires a broad range of disciplinary skills and experiences, it is hoped that you will describe and share different exercises or assignments that respond to the following learning objectives.

By the end of the course, successful students will have introductory knowledge of or experience working with three-dimensional approaches to making that explore form and function, additive and subtractive processes, and modeling as these relate to making and working with objects, assemblages or other techniques used to create objects in space.

Learning Outcomes and Approaches: 4D

4D (time-based) exercises and assignmentsForum

This Q & A forum is designed as a means for those teaching FNDT 165 to share interests and approaches. Recognizing that the focus of this course requires a broad range of disciplinary skills and experiences, it is hoped that you will describe and share different exercises or assignments that respond to the following learning objectives.

By the end of the course, successful students will have introductory knowledge of or experience working with four-dimensional approaches such as video production, sound  + sound recording, animation, script writing, and performance as well as other time-based techniques.