Art, B.A.: Art History and Visual Studies Concentration

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Art, B.A. Program (120 units)

Program Description

The Art Department offers three programs of study in the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree. The Art History and Visual Studies concentration develops students’ skills in research, visual analysis, and argumentation, leading to a range of careers in the arts or to graduate study. The concentration in Studio Arts and the concentration in Design provide broad survey art and design practices in preparation for continued professional development or creative and design careers.

The B.A. Degree Concentrations:

Art History & Visual Studies
Studio Arts
Design

The program core plus concentrations require 51 units of study in the Department to complete the major. Students of Design or Studio Arts who wish to meet full professional expectations or attend Graduate School are encouraged to choose one of the concentrations in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A). program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art will be able to:

Demonstrate proficiency in appropriate art-making skills and tools.
Imagine, ideate and create using an open, confident, and flexible method through creative processes and design thinking.
Critique and think critically about art works using appropriate concepts from art history and theory, in the context of culture, contemporary art, and in public and global spheres.
Communicate clearly and persuasively through their work.
Integrate arts-related skills in developing professional practices and planning for ethical, sustainable civic engagement.

Program Roadmaps

These program roadmaps represent recommended pathways through the program. Please see an advisor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.

4-Year Freshmen Roadmaps

2-Year ADT Roadmaps

Career Opportunities

Graduates from our Bachelor of Art degree program go on to pursue careers as:

Artist • Designer • Art Librarian • College Professor • Curator • Development Coordinator • Digital Asset and Rights Manager • Director of Cultural Affairs • Gallery Director • Gallery Sales Consultant • Museum Educator • Museum Visitor Services Specialist • Public Art Program Manager • Registrar or Collections Manager.

Degree Requirements Unit-Outline

A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
- The major requirements consists of 51 units;
- General Education (GE) & Graduation Requirements (GR) consists of 57 units;
- Free Electives may consist of 12 units (actual number of free elective units may depend on GE/GR units).

Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program and AACE advisors for information.

Art, B.A. Major Requirements (51 units)

Art Core Coursework

The following 27 core units are required:

ART 100 - Fundamentals of Drawing Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C1
ART 101 - Photography I Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C1
ART 102 - 2D Processes Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C1
ART 103 - 3D Processes Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C1
ART 104 - 4D Processes Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C1
ART 220 - Art of the Early Mediterranean World Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C1
ART 221 - Art of the Transatlantic Modern World Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C1
ART 326 - Contemporary Visual Studies I Units: 3
Plus

One (1) of the following Senior Project courses depending upon the student’s concentration:
ART 493G - Art History and Visual Studies Senior Project Units: 3
ART 493H - Fine Art Practice Senior Project Units: 3
ART 493I - Graphic Design Senior Project Units: 3

Art Concentrations

Students must choose at least one (1) of the following concentrations for 24 units:

Art History and Visual Studies Concentration

The concentration in Art History and Visual Studies trains students in the critical and historical study of art and other visual media. Students in this concentration learn how to approach art objects and images with respect to the socio-political and cultural conditions of their making and reception. This fosters sensitivity for diverse viewpoints and promotes critical awareness of the ethical and aesthetic dimensions of how we see the world. Coursework introduces comparative studies of world cultures, critical investigations of old and new media technologies, and examination of the global impacts of contemporary visual cultures. Students are also encouraged to broaden the scope of their studies by locating cognate courses on visuality and visual practices outside the department. The concentration prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in the arts or for graduate work in art history, film and media studies, law, and education.

Art History and Visual Studies Core

The following courses for 18 units are required:

ART 120 - Art of Asia and the Pacific World Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C1
ART 320 - Comparative World Art I Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C4
ART 323 - Modern Media, Art, and Culture I Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: Social Justice
ART 420 - Comparative World Art II Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C4
ART 423 - Modern Media, Art and Culture II Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C4
ART 426 - Contemporary Visual Studies II Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: C4

Upper Division Electives

Take two (2) upper-division University courses for 6 units, with Advisor Approval.

Other Undergraduate Degree Requirements

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate requirements for graduation, which are described in the Requirements, Exams & Testing chapter of this catalog.