Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
Visual and Performing Arts (BA) with Communication Studies 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 Communication Studies concentration focuses student work on the theories, concepts, and skills of oral, written, and mediated communication. Communication courses teach students how to engage in critical thinking and problem solving, to participate effectively in meetings and in teams, and to communicate competently in relationships and in public speaking contexts.
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 Communication Studies Concentration
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
Clinical Professors: Carie King, Maribeth (Betsy) Schlobohm
Professor of Instruction: Christopher (Chris) Ryan
Assistant Professors of Instruction: Barbara Baker, Janece Glauser, Patricia Totusek
Senior Lecturer: Allison Templeton
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours1
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
RHET 1302 Rhetoric II
And choose one course from the following:
COMM 1311 Introduction to Communication Studies
COMM 1315 Public Speaking
Or 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 (see advisor)
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
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
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Option Core courses (see advisor)
II. Major Requirements, Lower-Division: 0 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum2
RHET 1302 Rhetoric II
And choose one course from the following:
COMM 1311 Introduction to Communication Studies
COMM 1315 Public Speaking
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 COMM prefix)
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
Communication Studies Concentration Requirements: 24 semester credit hours
COMM 3351 History and Theory of Communication
COMM 4360 Communication Ethics
COMM 4314 Persuasion and Interpersonal Influence
And 9 semester credit hours of COMM Electives
And 6 semester credit hours of VPA Electives (any upper-level course with a prefix from AHST, ARTS, COMM, DANC, FILM, MUSI, THEA, and VPAS).
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 Communication Studies
18 semester credit hours
Foundations: 6 semester credit hours
Choose two courses from the following:
COMM 1311 Survey of Oral and Technology-based Communication
COMM 1315 Public Speaking
COMM 1320 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 2314 Oral Interpretation
Upper-Division Requirement in Communication: 3 semester credit hours
COMM 3351 History and Theory of Communication
Communication Electives: 15 semester credit hours
9 semester credit hours of upper-level COMM courses.
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. 0 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum, if the student has not previously completed other courses to satisfy these core curriculum requirements.