UT Dallas 2024 Undergraduate Catalog

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.

Updated: 2024-07-19 14:36:49 v10.5bccb4