This course surveys the design challenges of contemporary urbanism. In so doing it focusses upon modern, postmodern, and postcolonial architecture and city planning from several standpoints of critical theory - such as Marxism, feminism, deconstruction, phenomenology, psychoanalysis, as well as the various modernisms and influential reactions to them. To complement the normative dimension of such critiques, interdisciplinary perspectives drawn from urban geography, history, sociology, anthropology, planning theory, and political economy will furnish an account of the social, cultural, political, and economic forces now shaping cities - with an optimistic view to creating alternative visions and forms of urban space.

Urban Design & Development is a course about the competing forces that shape our cities and communities. The course will involve students in the examination of the complex relationship between public policy and urban form and reveal the various ways that government policies, politics, and market forces shape the physical form of our cities and communities in both intentional and unintentional ways. In a seminar/lecture format students will examine how modern cities are designed and built and the mechanisms by which government and society attempt to understand, guide and regulate the individual buildings, neighbourhoods, open spaces and infrastructure that are the products of those forces. There is a natural tension between public and private forces – and the success or failure of cities often depends on the ability of opposing sides to work together to find an optimum development solution. In Ontario, when parties are unable to agree on the form of the proposed development -- developers are able to appeal their case to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) -- formerly the OMB and the LPAT.  

Starting with an understanding of the provincial, regional and local structures that form the framework for growth, students will examine the policies and guidelines that the various levels of government employ to shape their communities. This examination will include consideration of the numerous forces at play including policies, by-laws and guidelines and the ways in which they are interpreted and enforced by municipal staff, politicians, the general public and the OLT. During the term, students will have opportunities to engage with the dynamics of urban growth through in-class lectures; directed reading and research; presentations by individuals involved in proposing and planning for development; and individual or group seminar/presentations on relevant, selected topics.  

Selected Topics in History and Theory of Urban Design elective courses are typically conducted in seminar format, as focused investigations of history and theory of urban design. 

URD1200H - URD1210H: Rotating electives on the theme of History and Theory of Urban Design. For current offerings please see faculty website.

Selected Topics in Digital Urbanism elective courses are typically conducted in seminar format, as focused investigations of Digital Urbanism. 

URD1300H to URD1310H: Rotating electives on the theme of Digital Urbanism. For current offerings please see faculty website.

Selected Topics in Urban Design elective courses are typically conducted in seminar format, as focused investigations of Urban Design. 

URD1500H to URD1525H: Rotating electives on the theme of Urban Design. For current offerings please see faculty website.

Urban Design Studio Options is a set of advanced studios on various topics chosen by faculty based on their research and design interests. Topics vary from year to year. 

Supervised independent research on a topic defined b the student, leading to the formation of an urban design thesis proposal. Emphasis is on the completion of a comprehensive and critical review of literature and relevant works as well as the development of a clear proposal for the design thesis.

The course is taught in individual tutorial with the thesis advisor and following a program tailored to the particular research demands of the particular topic.

Execution of an independent design thesis to be undertaken by each student under the supervision of a thesis advisor and leading to the fulfillment of the requirements for an urban design thesis.

Provides an overview of the Canadian and U.S development industries within the real estate development process. The course covers the financial basis of urban development projects (private and public finance); the participants; land assembly procedures and land banking; mixed use projects, sectoral and scale differences within the development industry market and locational search procedures. Finally, it addresses the interface of the industry with the public sector.

The MVS Proseminar offers Visual Studies graduate students in Curatorial Studies and Studio Art the opportunity to connect and exchange with leading international and local artists, curators, writers, theorists, and other scholarly practitioners and researchers. Publicly presented as a programmed series of talks. Alongside the public talks, the MVS Proseminar speakers engage in a series of exchanges with the graduate students in a variety of potential forms, from masterclasses, to individual studio-visits, talks, and Q&As.

Students will undertake and present self-directed research and artistic production that demonstrates well-developed ideas and practical expertise within the specific field chosen by the student. A single body of work is expected to be completed during the first year of study and this course ends with a faculty-wide critique of work-in-process at the end of the Fall term. Weekly student-led seminars are important sessions for individuals to learn to share their research processes and refine presentation strategies, while inversely participating and engaging in colleagues’ research seminars. The course manages the logistics of the studio program, fosters a community of research and production, and provides feedback on individual studio production over a sustained period of time. The course meets weekly and is run in tandem with VIS2001H to facilitate interaction across the first- and second-year cohorts.

Students continue the body of artistic research and production started in the Fall term, engaging in one-on-one meetings with faculty, visiting artists, and scholars. The course culminates in a group critique assessing a resolved body of work conducted over the entire year.

Master of Visual Studies students are required to participate in an internship over the summer term of their first year. Though compulsory, the internships are flexible in form. They are chosen by the student to ensure that they receive access to a resource, experience, or knowledge that will benefit their Thesis or subsequent work in an exchange with the internship host. The internships will necessarily be diverse in nature with opportunities based on the research and production areas of the students in both Studio and Curatorial Studies.

This course focuses on defining moments in the development of contemporary art after 1960, both in Canada and internationally. Examining critical events, turning points, practices, and artwork, the course includes topics such as the relationship between contemporary art and its markets, institutions, the development of media, and new post-colonial and global contexts for the visual arts. The course is offered as a series of seminars, with assigned readings, research papers, and presentations by students.

This course engages major developments in contemporary theory and criticism as pertinent to the history of contemporary art. The course attends closely to the relationship between art practice and its interpretation. The course has a particular focus on critical writing, close readings of artistic practices, and the development of pertinent frameworks and methodologies for the explanation and interpretation of contemporary art and artistic research. The course is offered as a series of seminars with assigned readings, research papers, and presentations by students.

This course traces the history of exhibitions and their historical contexts. Using various case studies, the course examines the assumptions, theoretical considerations, and critical undertakings that underwrite the making of exhibitions from the 18th century onward with particular focus on the contemporary period.

The course sets in motion the conceptualization of an exhibition and its review by a panel. The course focuses on research methodologies as set by the instructor, as well as development of subject matter pertinent to the students’ areas of interest. It is designed to lead students toward the conceptualization of a major project/exhibition in their second year of study.

The MVS Proseminar offers Visual Studies graduate students in Curatorial Studies and Studio Art the opportunity to connect and exchange with leading international and local artists, curators, writers, theorists, and other scholarly practitioners and researchers. Publicly presented as a programmed series of talks. Alongside the public talks, the MVS Proseminar speakers engage in a series of exchanges with the graduate students in a variety of potential forms, from masterclasses, to individual studio-visits, talks, and Q&As.

Students will undertake and present self-directed research and artistic production that demonstrates well-developed ideas and practical expertise within the specific field chosen by the student. A body of work is to be produced with development toward the final MVS studio project. Weekly student-led seminars are important sessions for individuals to learn to share their research processes and refine presentation strategies, while inversely participating and engaging in colleagues' research seminars.

The course manages the logistics of the studio program, fosters a community of research and production, and provides feedback on individual studio production over a sustained period of time. The course meets weekly and is run in tandem with VIS1001H to facilitate interaction across the first- and second-year cohorts.

A weekly seminar that focuses on research methodologies and writing strategies. In parallel with studio and curatorial production, the students complete the first draft of their MVS qualifying paper. The course is made up of directed and self-directed readings, writing exercises, and seminar discussions arising from contemporary art issues and from the studio and curatorial work produced by the students.

As the culminating course for the degree, students produce a project consisting of two components: a substantial resolved body of studio work and a written research text. The studio work will be exhibited near the end of the Winter term where an Advisory Panel will adjudicate the exhibition along with the written text and an oral defence. The written component, along with appropriate supporting visual documentation, will be archived in the Faculty library.

This course offers theoretical and practical training on how to collaborate with an institution. It is designed to lead the student through the Winter term towards all logistical phases of the final exhibition. The course is developed in tandem with and support of VIS2101Y.

This course allows students to independently explore a visual studies topic through in-depth reading in close consultation with a faculty member.

This course allows students to independently explore a curatorial studies topic through in-depth reading in close consultation with a faculty member.