Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
Visual and Performing Arts (BA) with Art History Concentration
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 Art History concentration allows students to gain depth in the global arts, ranging across geography, chronology, and medium. Students in the concentration learn how to critically look and evaluate visual images and our built environment, assessing complex objects and their historical, social, and aesthetic meaning. Communications skills are developed through in-depth reading, writing, and presentation. The program makes use of the area's many terrific museums as well as the resources of UT-Dallas's Edith O'Donnell Institute for Art History. The degree allows for the study of complementary disciplines within the Visual and Performing Arts.
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 Art History Concentration
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours1
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Communication Core courses (see advisor)
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
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
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture Core courses
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval2
or AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern2
Or select any 3 semester credit hours from Creative Arts Core courses (see advisor)
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from American History Core courses
Government/Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Government/Political Science Core courses (see advisor)
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
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern2
or AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval2
Or select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Option Core courses
II. Major Requirements, Lower-Division: 0 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum
Lower-division preparatory courses (0 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum)
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval2
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern2
III. Major Requirements, Upper-Division: 39 semester credit hours
Major Core Courses: 15 semester credit hours
VPAS 3340 Writing in the Arts
VPAS 4389 Theory and Practice of the Visual and Performing Arts
VPAS 4390 Senior Capstone
or VPAS 4V99 Senior Honors in Visual and Performing Art
3 semester credit hours of upper-level Related Courses from the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (excluding the AHST prefix)
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
Art History Concentration Requirements: 24 semester credit hours
15 semester credit hours of upper-division Historical Context courses
9 semester credit hours of upper-division Visual and Performing Arts electives
IV. Elective Requirements: 39 semester credit hours
Free Electives: 39 semester credit hours
Both upper- and lower-division courses may be used as electives.
The plan must include sufficient upper-division courses to total 45 upper-division semester credit hours.
Incoming freshmen must enroll and complete requirements of AHTC 1100.
Minors
Students must take a minimum of 18 semester credit hours for the minor. Students who take a minor will be expected to meet the normal prerequisites in courses making up the minor, and should maintain a minimum GPA of 2.000 on a 4.00 scale (C average). Semester credit hours may not be used to satisfy both the major and minor requirements; however, free elective semester credit hours or major preparatory classes may be used to satisfy the minor. Core courses offered by the school may count as lower-division semester credit hours toward the minor. Topics courses must be approved by the school. The Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology will substitute courses as necessary. At least one-third of the semester credit hours for a minor must be taken at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Minor in Art History
18 semester credit hours
Choose any 18 semester credit hours from all AHST courses, ARTS 1301, and VPAS 3300.
9 semester credit hours must be upper-division.
1. 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.
2. A required Preparatory course that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. Semester credit hours may be counted in Core Curriculum.