Eastern Mennonite University
Visual and Communication Arts

PHOTOGRAPHY Major at Eastern Mennonite University

Eastern Mennonite University offers one of the only photography majors at a Christian college. Our unique program emphasizes proficiency in the digital arena (with an introduction to traditional darkroom techniques). Students learn studio/field practices, study visual theory, and engage the community through documentary work. The EMU photo major unfolds in the context of our Christian liberal arts community, a multicultural, peace-oriented environment that values effective cross-cultural communication and passionate engagement with the world. We prepare students for a range of photographic possibilities from studio/freelance positions to further graduate training.

NEW! View student photography and digital media imagery in our online gallery (opens in new window)

Internship opportunities abound in the EMU/Harrisonburg area. Several of our visual and communication arts students have gained important work experience as photo interns for Fairfield Language Technologies, makers of Rosetta Stone, the world's leading language learning software. Other students have gone further afield to intern for newspapers in Washington, DC or at National Geographic Adventure in New York City. Students also have cross-cultural photo opportunities such as Professor Jerry Holsopple's Lithuania trip.

Students have access to our collection of Canon digital SLRs and lenses at no charge. Film cameras are also available for a modest rental fee. Our digital media lab features the latest Adobe CS4 Creative Suite and 20 inch (Intel based) iMacs for digital photo editing. The Advanced Production Lab, home to our Advanced Photoshop classes, video editing and 2-D animation classes, features 24 inch (Intel based) iMacs, a large HD display, and Final Cut Pro, Adobe Photoshop and After Effects.

Career Possibilities

Curious about the vocational possibilities for EMU alums? Visit our VACA careers page.

See our faculty page for examples of faculty work.

Media Coverage

VaCa student work has received attention from national and international media. The Washington Post covered our class documentary on the Kurdish community in Harrisonburg, and the BBC ran student photos from the documentary on their Web site.

Carrie Keagy
Photographs by Carrie Keagy, Senior (part of a book project for Color Photo class)

PHOTOGRAPHY Major

The major in photography consists of
51 SH.

VaCA Core  (12 credits)

ART 111 Foundations of Design . . . . 3
COMM 332 Visual Communication Theory. . 3
DIGM 213 Graphic Design . . . . . . . . 3
PHOTO 112 Digital Photography . . 3

*ART 323 Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art. . . 3
ART 492 Senior Studio Practicum. . . . 4
COMM 231 Pop Culture and Mass Communication OR
COMM 433 Film and Culture . 3
COMM 434 Senior Thesis. . . . . . . . . . 2
DIGM 261 Web Design. . . . . . . . . . . . 3
*DIGM 453 Documentary
Production. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PHOTO 241 Black and White Photography. . . 3
PHOTO 352 Color Photography. . 3
PHOTO 464 Advanced
Photoshop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
*PHOTO 489 Studio Photography. . . 3

VaCA Capstone
ART 482  Senior Studio Practicum  (Advanced Studio)  …4
COMM 482  Senior Thesis ….2

Electives: 

Choose three courses from the following list:
ART 141 Drawing. . . 3
ART 321 Survey of Western Art. . . . . . 3
COMM 241 News and Feature. . . 3
*DIGM 362 Flash Animation. . . . . . . . 3
*PHOTO 375 Photography Print and
Portfolio Workshop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
*PHOTO 376 Alternative Photo Processes. . . 3

Kurdish

Photograph by Dustin Galyon (Documentary Photography Class)

 

Gallus gallus and Homo sapien

Gallus gallus and Homo sapien
Steven David Johnson, Assistant Professor of Visual and Communication Arts