School of Arts and Humanities
Art and Performance (BA)
Students who complete the major in Art and Performance (AP) pursue an interdisciplinary study of the arts by selecting among courses in historical context, studio practice, performance ensemble, creative writing, and ideas and interpretation of the arts. In the AP core course, students will experience the theory and practice of the arts in a workshop setting and, in studio or ensemble courses, will gain practical experience in at least one area of the visual or performing arts or creative writing. Courses in the historical context and interpretation of the arts will enable students to understand how style, subject matter, and materials may respond to different motivations and purposes. Students may also choose to enroll in courses associated with concentrations in communication, drama/dance, film, music, or visual arts.
Since the following catalog course descriptions are very general, students are urged to consult the detailed course descriptions available on the web site for the School of Arts and Humanities.
Unless otherwise noted, courses in Art and Performance are open to all students in the university.
Bachelor of Arts in Art and Performance
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)1
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours2
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
COMM 1311 Survey of Oral and Technology-based Communication
RHET 1302 Rhetoric
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
MATH 1306 College Algebra for the Non-Scientist
MATH 1314 College Algebra
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics core courses
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences core courses
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
HUMA 1301 Exploration of the Humanities
LIT 2331 Masterpieces of World Literature
PHIL 1301 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 2316 History of Philosophy I
PHIL 2317 History of Philosophy II
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture core courses
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
ARTS 1301 Exploration of the Arts
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern
AHST 2331 Understanding Art
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance
DRAM 1310 Understanding Theater
FILM 2332 Understanding Film
MUSI 1306 Understanding Music
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Two of the following:
HIST 1301 U.S. History Survey to Civil War
HIST 1302 U.S. History Survey from Civil War
HIST 2301 History of Texas
HIST 2330 Themes and Ideas in American History
HIST 2332 Civil War and Reconstruction
Government / Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
GOVT 2305 American National Government
GOVT 2306 State and Local Government
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences core courses
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
Two of the following:
ARHM 2340 Creativity
ARHM 2341 Global Media
ARHM 2342 Connections in the Arts and Humanities
ARHM 2343 Science and the Humanities
II. Major Requirements, Lower-Division: 7 semester credit hours
ARHM 1100 Freshman Seminar
UNIV 1010 Freshman Seminar
3 semester credit hours of lower-division preparatory course
And one of the following: 3 semester credit hours:
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern
AHST 2331 Understanding Art
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance
DRAM 1310 Understanding Theater
FILM 2332 Understanding Film
MUSI 1306 Understanding Music
III. Major Requirements, Upper-Division: 42 semester credit hours
Major Core Courses: 9 semester credit hours
AP 3300 Elements of Art and Performance
ARHM 3342 Advanced Topics in the Arts and Humanities
AP 3340 Writing in the Arts or COMM 3300 Reading Media Critically
Major Distribution and Elective Courses: 24 semester credit hours
3 semester credit hours of upper-division Historical Context courses
6 semester credit hours of upper-division courses from Studio and Ensemble courses
15 semester credit hours of upper-division Art and Performance electives
Major-Related Courses: 9 semester credit hours
Students may select any combination of upper-division courses in Arts and Humanities, Humanities, Historical Studies, Philosophy, Literature, Languages, and/or Emerging Media and Communication.
IV. Elective Requirements: 29 semester credit hours
Free Electives: 29 semester credit hours
Both upper- and lower-division courses may be used as electives, but students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation.
Art and Performance with Communication Concentration (BA)
Bachelor of Arts in Art and Performance with Communication Concentration
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)1
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours2
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
COMM 1311 Survey of Oral and Technology-based Communication
RHET 1302 Rhetoric
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
MATH 1306 College Algebra for the Non-Scientist
MATH 1314 College Algebra
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics core courses
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences core courses
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
HUMA 1301 Exploration of the Humanities
LIT 2331 Masterpieces of World Literature
PHIL 1301 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 2316 History of Philosophy I
PHIL 2317 History of Philosophy II
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture core courses
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
ARTS 1301 Exploration of the Arts
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern
AHST 2331 Understanding Art
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance
DRAM 1310 Understanding Theater
FILM 2332 Understanding Film
MUSI 1306 Understanding Music
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Two of the following:
HIST 1301 U.S. History Survey to Civil War
HIST 1302 U.S. History Survey from Civil War
HIST 2301 History of Texas
HIST 2330 Themes and Ideas in American History
HIST 2332 Civil War and Reconstruction
Government / Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
GOVT 2305 American National Government
GOVT 2306 State and Local Government
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences core courses
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
Two of the following:
ARHM 2340 Creativity
ARHM 2341 Global Media
ARHM 2342 Connections in the Arts and Humanities
ARHM 2343 Science and the Humanities
II. Major Requirements, Lower-Division: 7 semester credit hours
ARHM 1100 Freshman Seminar
UNIV 1010 Freshman
Lower-division preparatory course from one of the following (3 semester credit hours):
COMM 2311 Topics in Communication
COMM 2313 Public Speaking
DRAM 1351 Acting 1
DRAM 1352 Acting 2
DRAM 2372 Improvisation
DRAM 2373 Languages of the Body
One of the following: 3 semester credit hours:
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern
AHST 2331 Understanding Art
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance
DRAM 1310 Understanding Theater
FILM 2332 Understanding Film
MUSI 1306 Understanding Music
III. Major Requirements, Upper-Division: 42 semester credit hours
Major Core Courses: 9 semester credit hours
AP 3300 Elements of Art and Performance
ARHM 3342 Advanced Topics in the Arts and Humanities
COMM 3300 Reading Media Critically
Major Distribution and Elective Courses: 24 semester credit hours
3 semester credit hours of upper-division Historical Context courses:
COMM 3351 History and Theory of Communication
6 semester credit hours of upper-division courses from the following communication performance courses:
COMM 3301 Business and Professional Communication
COMM 3311 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 4340 Small Group Communication
COMM 4313 Advanced Public Speaking
15 semester credit hours of upper-division Art and Performance electives
COMM 4360 Communication Ethics
COMM 4314 Persuasion
and 9 semester credit hours of COMM Electives
Major-Related Courses: 9 semester credit hours
Students may select any combination of upper-division courses in Arts and Humanities, Humanities, Historical Studies, Philosophy, Literature, Languages, and/or Emerging Media and Communication.
IV. Elective Requirements: 29 semester credit hours
Free Electives: 29 semester credit hours
Both upper- and lower-division courses may be used as electives, but students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation.
Art and Performance with Drama/Dance Concentration (BA)
Bachelor of Arts in Art and Performance with Drama/Dance Concentration
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)1
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours2
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
COMM 1311 Survey of Oral and Technology-based Communication
RHET 1302 Rhetoric
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
MATH 1306 College Algebra for the Non-Scientist
MATH 1314 College Algebra
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics core courses
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences core courses
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
HUMA 1301 Exploration of the Humanities
LIT 2331 Masterpieces of World Literature
PHIL 1301 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 2316 History of Philosophy I
PHIL 2317 History of Philosophy II
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture core courses
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
ARTS 1301 Exploration of the Arts
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern
AHST 2331 Understanding Art
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance
DRAM 1310 Understanding Theater
FILM 2332 Understanding Film
MUSI 1306 Understanding Music
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Two of the following:
HIST 1301 U.S. History Survey to Civil War
HIST 1302 U.S. History Survey from Civil War
HIST 2301 History of Texas
HIST 2330 Themes and Ideas in American History
HIST 2332 Civil War and Reconstruction
Government / Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
GOVT 2305 American National Government
GOVT 2306 State and Local Government
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences core courses
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
Two of the following:
ARHM 2340 Creativity
ARHM 2341 Global Media
ARHM 2342 Connections in the Arts and Humanities
ARHM 2343 Science and the Humanities
II. Major Requirements, Lower-Division: 10 semester credit hours
ARHM 1100 Freshman Seminar
UNIV 1010 Freshman
6 semester credit hours from the following:
DRAM 1351 Acting 1
DRAM 1352 Acting 2
DRAM 2364 Music Theater Workshop
DRAM 2372 Improvisation
DRAM 2373 Languages of the Body
DANC 2321 Stretch, Conditioning, Alignment
DANC 2331 Dance Technique 1
DANC 2332 Modern Dance 1
DANC 2333 Jazz Dance 1
DANC 2334 Ballet 1
3 semester credit hours from the following:
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern
AHST 2331 Understanding Art
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance
DRAM 1310 Understanding Theater
FILM 2332 Understanding Film
MUSI 1306 Understanding Music
III. Major Requirements, Upper-Division: 42 semester credit hours
Major Core Courses: 9 semester credit hours
AP 3300 Elements of Art and Performance
ARHM 3342 Advanced Topics in the Arts and Humanities
AP 3340 Writing in the Arts or COMM 3300 Reading Media Critically
Major Distribution and Elective Courses: 24 semester credit hours
3 semester credit hours of upper-division Historical Context courses
6 semester credit hours of 3000-level courses Drama or Dance Studio and Ensemble courses
3 semester credit hours of Drama or Dance electives
12 semester credit hours of upper-division Art and Performance electives
Major-Related Courses: 9 semester credit hours
Students may select any combination of upper-division courses in Arts and Humanities, Humanities, Historical Studies, Philosophy, Literature, Languages, and/or Emerging Media and Communication.
IV. Elective Requirements: 26 semester credit hours
Free Electives: 26 semester credit hours
Both upper- and lower-division courses may be used as electives, but students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation.
Art and Performance with Film Concentration (BA)
Bachelor of Arts in Art and Performance with Film Concentration
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)1
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours2
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
COMM 1311 Survey of Oral and Technology-based Communication
RHET 1302 Rhetoric
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
MATH 1306 College Algebra for the Non-Scientist
MATH 1314 College Algebra
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics core courses
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences core courses
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
HUMA 1301 Exploration of the Humanities
LIT 2331 Masterpieces of World Literature
PHIL 1301 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 2316 History of Philosophy I
PHIL 2317 History of Philosophy II
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture core courses
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
ARTS 1301 Exploration of the Arts
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern
AHST 2331 Understanding Art
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance
DRAM 1310 Understanding Theater
FILM 2332 Understanding Film
MUSI 1306 Understanding Music
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Two of the following:
HIST 1301 U.S. History Survey to Civil War
HIST 1302 U.S. History Survey from Civil War
HIST 2301 History of Texas
HIST 2330 Themes and Ideas in American History
HIST 2332 Civil War and Reconstruction
Government / Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
GOVT 2305 American National Government
GOVT 2306 State and Local Government
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences core courses
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
Two of the following:
ARHM 2340 Creativity
ARHM 2341 Global Media
ARHM 2342 Connections in the Arts and Humanities
ARHM 2343 Science and the Humanities
II. Major Requirements, Lower-Division: 7 semester credit hours
ARHM 1100 Freshman Seminar
UNIV 1010 Freshman
Lower-division preparatory courses (6 semester credit hours):
FILM 2332 Understanding Film
and 3 semester credit hours of lower-division preparatory course
III. Major Requirements, Upper-Division: 42 semester credit hours
Major Core Courses: 9 semester credit hours
AP 3300 Elements of Art and Performance
ARHM 3342 Advanced Topics in the Arts and Humanities
AP 3340 Writing in the Arts or COMM 3300 Reading Media Critically
Major Distribution and Elective Courses: 24 semester credit hours
6 semester credit hours from the following:
FILM 3321 Film in Historical Context
FILM 3325 Film Authorship
6 semester credit hours from the following:
Upper-division film electives
AHST 3324 History of Photography
6 semester credit hours of upper-division courses from Studio and Ensemble courses
6 semester credit hours of upper-division Art and Performance electives
Major-Related Courses: 9 semester credit hours
Students may select any combination of upper-division courses in Arts and Humanities, Humanities, Historical Studies, Philosophy, Literature, Languages, and/or Emerging Media and Communication.
IV. Elective Requirements: 29 semester credit hours
Free Electives: 29 semester credit hours
Both upper- and lower-division courses may be used as electives, but students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation.
Art and Performance with Music Concentration (BA)
Bachelor of Arts in Art and Performance with Music Concentration
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)1
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours2
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
COMM 1311 Survey of Oral and Technology-based Communication
RHET 1302 Rhetoric
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
MATH 1306 College Algebra for the Non-Scientist
MATH 1314 College Algebra
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics core courses
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences core courses
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
HUMA 1301 Exploration of the Humanities
LIT 2331 Masterpieces of World Literature
PHIL 1301 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 2316 History of Philosophy I
PHIL 2317 History of Philosophy II
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture core courses
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
ARTS 1301 Exploration of the Arts
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern
AHST 2331 Understanding Art
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance
DRAM 1310 Understanding Theater
FILM 2332 Understanding Film
MUSI 1306 Understanding Music
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Two of the following:
HIST 1301 U.S. History Survey to Civil War
HIST 1302 U.S. History Survey from Civil War
HIST 2301 History of Texas
HIST 2330 Themes and Ideas in American History
HIST 2332 Civil War and Reconstruction
Government / Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
GOVT 2305 American National Government
GOVT 2306 State and Local Government
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences core courses
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
Two of the following:
ARHM 2340 Creativity
ARHM 2341 Global Media
ARHM 2342 Connections in the Arts and Humanities
ARHM 2343 Science and the Humanities
II. Major Requirements, Lower-Division: 10 semester credit hours
ARHM 1100 Freshman Seminar
UNIV 1010 Freshman
Lower-division preparatory courses (6 semester credit hours):
MUSI 2322 Music in Western Civilization
MUSI 2328 Music Theory I
One of the following (3 semester credit hours):
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern
AHST 2331 Understanding Art
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance
DRAM 1310 Understanding Theater
FILM 2332 Understanding Film
MUSI 1306 Understanding Music
III. Major Requirements, Upper-Division: 42 semester credit hours
Major Core Courses: 9 semester credit hours
AP 3300 Elements of Art and Performance
ARHM 3342 Advanced Topics in the Arts and Humanities
AP 3340 Writing in the Arts or COMM 3300 Reading Media Critically
Major Distribution and Elective Courses: 24 semester credit hours
6 semester credit hours from the following:
MUSI 3322 Music in Historical Context
MUSI 3328 Music Theory II
6 semester credit hours of 4000-level MUSI Studio/Ensemble courses
9 semester credit hours of upper-division MUSI Electives
and MUSI 4390 Senior Project in Music
Major-Related Courses: 9 semester credit hours
Students may select any combination of upper-division courses in Arts and Humanities, Humanities, Historical Studies, Philosophy, Literature, Languages, and/or Emerging Media and Communication.
IV. Elective Requirements: 26 semester credit hours
Free Electives: 26 semester credit hours
Both upper- and lower-division courses may be used as electives, but students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation.
Art and Performance with Visual Arts Concentration (BA)
Bachelor of Arts in Art and Performance with Visual Arts Concentration
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)1
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours2
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
COMM 1311 Survey of Oral and Technology-based Communication
RHET 1302 Rhetoric
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
MATH 1306 College Algebra for the Non-Scientist
MATH 1314 College Algebra
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics core courses
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences core courses
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
HUMA 1301 Exploration of the Humanities
LIT 2331 Masterpieces of World Literature
PHIL 1301 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 2316 History of Philosophy I
PHIL 2317 History of Philosophy II
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture core courses
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
One of the following:
ARTS 1301 Exploration of the Arts
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern
AHST 2331 Understanding Art
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance
DRAM 1310 Understanding Theater
FILM 2332 Understanding Film
MUSI 1306 Understanding Music
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Two of the following:
HIST 1301 U.S. History Survey to Civil War
HIST 1302 U.S. History Survey from Civil War
HIST 2301 History of Texas
HIST 2330 Themes and Ideas in American History
HIST 2332 Civil War and Reconstruction
Government / Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
GOVT 2305 American National Government
GOVT 2306 State and Local Government
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences core courses
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
Two of the following:
ARHM 2340 Creativity
ARHM 2341 Global Media
ARHM 2342 Connections in the Arts and Humanities
ARHM 2343 Science and the Humanities
II. Major Requirements, Lower-Division: 10 semester credit hours
ARHM 1100 Freshman Seminar
UNIV 1010 Freshman
Lower-division preparatory courses (6 semester credit hours):
ARTS 2380 2D Design Foundations
And one of the following:
ARTS 1316 Drawing Foundations
ARTS 2316 Painting Foundations
ARTS 2350 Digital Photography and Design
ARTS 2381 Introduction to Sculpture
One of the following (3 semester credit hours):
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern
AHST 2331 Understanding Art
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance
DRAM 1310 Understanding Theater
FILM 2332 Understanding Film
MUSI 1306 Understanding Music
III. Major Requirements, Upper-Division: 42 semester credit hours
Major Core Courses: 9 semester credit hours
AP 3300 Elements of Art and Performance
ARHM 3342 Advanced Topics in the Arts and Humanities
AP 3340 Writing in the Arts or COMM 3300 Reading Media Critically
Major Distribution and Elective Courses: 24 semester credit hours
3 semester credit hours of upper-division Art History courses
6 semester credit hours of 3000-level courses from Visual Arts studios
3 semester credit hours of 4000-level courses from Visual Arts studios
12 semester credit hours of upper-division Art and Performance electives
Major-Related Courses: 9 semester credit hours
Students may select any combination of upper-division courses in Arts and Humanities, Humanities, Historical Studies, Philosophy, Literature, Languages, and/or Emerging Media and Communication.
IV. Elective Requirements: 26 semester credit hours
Free Electives: 26 semester credit hours
Both upper- and lower-division courses may be used as electives, but students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation.
1. Incoming freshmen must complete and pass UNIV 1010 Freshman Seminar and the corresponding school-related freshman seminar course. Students, including transfer students, who complete their core curriculum at UT Dallas must take UNIV 2020.
2. Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.