This course provides MFA candidates with a broader and deeper historical, critical, and theoretical knowledge base for working in the interdisciplinary field of contemporary photography and image-based practices, with an eye on their development as emerging artists, thinkers, and effective communicators. The course will take full advantage of the unique resources provided by the New York art and cultural communities. Through lectures, readings, writing assignments, and field visits to artist studios, galleries, and institutions, students will gain the necessary professional skill sets to develop a robust foundation to their evolving practice.