School of Arts and Humanities
Visual and Performing Arts with Music Concentration (BA)
Students who complete the major in Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) pursue an interdisciplinary study of the arts by completing a major core that includes courses in writing, interdisciplinary studies, professional development, historical context, theory, and practice. The VPA major culminates in a Senior Capstone. Students who are majoring in VPA can focus their studies by choosing from nine possible concentrations.
The Music concentration allows students to develop a strong musical background through private study of their primary instrument or voice, along with music theory, composition/digital music, and history/literature. Opportunities to perform include solo performance, chamber music and large ensembles. Ensembles are available for voice, guitar, strings, winds, percussion, mixed chamber groups, and orchestra.
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. At least one-half of the total semester credit hours for major requirements must be taken at UT Dallas.
Unless otherwise noted, courses in Visual and Performing Arts are open to all students in the University.
Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts with Music Concentration
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)1
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
Professors: Enric Madriguera, Robert Xavier Rodríguez
Clinical Professor: Catherine Parsoneault
Clinical Associate Professor: Gregory Hustis, Linda Salisbury
Clinical Assistant Professor: Michael McVay
Associate Professors of Instruction: Kelly P. Durbin, Kathryn C. Evans, Mary Medrick
Senior Lecturer: Lori Gerard
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours2
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
RHET 1302 Rhetoric
And choose one course from the following:
COMM 1311 Survey of Oral and Technology-based Communication
COMM 1315 Public Speaking
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
Select 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
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture Core courses
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
MUSI 2322 Music in Western Civilization3
or select any 3 semester credit hours from Creative Arts Core courses
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from American History Core courses
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
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Option Core courses
II. Major Requirements: 65 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum
History and Theory Courses: 15 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum
MUSI 2328 Music Theory I
MUSI 2329 Music Theory II
MUSI 2330 Music Theory III
MUSI 2322 Music in Western Civilization3
MUSI 3330 Music Literature: Romantic to Modern
MUSI 3328 Advanced Theory and Keyboard Skills
Practice and Performance Courses: 38 semester credit hours
12 semester credit hours of Applied Music courses in primary instrument or voice (at least 8 semester credit hours must be upper-level)
8 semester credit hours of MUSI ensemble participation. Placement by audition
15 semester credit hours of upper-level MUSI Electives
MUSI 4390 Senior Project in Music
Visual and Performing Art Requirements: 12 semester credit hours
VPAS 3340 Writing in the Arts
VPAS 4389 Theory and Practice of the Visual and Performing Arts
Select 3 semester credit hours of Related Courses from the following:
ARHM 3342 Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies in the Arts and Humanities
VPAS 3300 Elements of Art and Performance
Or Related Upper-Level Course from the School of Arts and Humanities4
Select 3 semester credit hours of Professional Development Courses from the following:
ARTS 3311 Contemporary Art Practices
ARTS 4310 Studies in Contemporary Exhibitions
COMM 4370 Communication and Leadership
COMM 4371 Communication and Professionalism
ENTP 3301 Innovation and Entrepreneurship
ISAH 4V50 Internship
VPAS 4310 Entertainment Law
III. Elective Requirements: 13 semester credit hours
Free Electives: 13 semester credit hours
Both upper- and lower-division courses may be used as electives, but students must complete at least 51 semester credit hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation. Students are encouraged to enroll in lower-level courses in other performance areas, such as dance and theatre.
Incoming freshmen must enroll and complete requirements of ARHM 1100.1
1. Incoming freshmen must enroll and complete requirements of UNIV 1010 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.
3. A required Preparatory course that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. Semester credit hours may be counted in Core Curriculum.
4. Course cannot come from the MUSI prefix.