OCA winter courses

Press Release:

The OCA is pleased to announce three new level one courses which we are adding to our portfolio this winter.

People and Place is an addition to our highly popular photography courses and will make it possible, for students seeking to progress towards a degree, to gain all the necessary credits through specialising in photography. Written by Michael Freeman, the course is suitable for anyone with an interest wishing to develop their photographic practice and gain an understanding of particular challenges of portraying human subjects and their environment.

The module will allow students to explore the meanings of portraiture and landscape photography and the nature of genre. They will develop their understanding of the relationships between subject, photographer and how their environment influences these relationships. 

Creative Digital Film is for anyone who has an interest in exploring the creative techniques used in producing moving image media. Students will be expected to produce short films, so must have the ability to record and edit digital video.

The course is concerned with developing an awareness of creative techniques and exploring artistic approaches. It provides a structured introduction to a range of visual and narrative devices used to create mood, atmosphere and an intended meaning within a moving image sequence. Students will be encouraged to view media critically, to identify the techniques that are employed and how they affect the audience and the course will enable students to employ these techniques effectively in their own work.

The course has been written for the OCA by Reuben Irving who will also tutor the first cohort of students. Interest in the course is expected to be high but since the course is a new area of study for the OCA student numbers will initially be limited.

Visual Studies is probably the most radical new addition to our portfolio. Written by Peter Haveland the course will be relevant to anyone with an interest in the theories underlying an understanding of visual culture. As such it will make an exciting and challenging addition to the programme of studies for students in fine art, photography and history of art.

The course preferences the practical application of those theories over a spectatorial approach and will provide a sound introduction to the subject in a truly interdisciplinary fashion. To this end it will provide:

• an understanding of the parameters of visual studies
• an introduction to the major themes that underpin the discipline
• experience in the application of theory to live projects.

Students will be introduced to and guided to a clear understanding of the key texts in the study of visual culture.  The course will also trial the use of blogging as a means to creating a personal learning log.

For more information about these courses go to the OCA website or call 0800 7312116.