Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
Visual and Performing Arts (BA) with Visual Arts 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 Visual Arts concentration focuses on student work in design, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Students will learn traditional and cutting-edge techniques as well as acquiring a broad base of knowledge in art history.
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 Visual Arts Concentration
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
Professors: John J. Pomara, Marilyn Waligore
Assistant Professor: SV Randall
Clinical Associate Professor: Lorraine Tady
Associate Instructor of Record: Diane Durant
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
Choose one course from the following:
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval2
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
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Option Core courses
II. Major Requirements, Lower-Division: 12 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum
ARTS 2380 Visual Design Foundations
Select any 3 semester credit hours from the following history/theory courses:
AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval2
AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern2
Select any 9 semester credit hours from the following studio courses:
ARTS 1316 Drawing Foundations
ARTS 2315 Topics in Visual Art
ARTS 2316 Painting Foundations
ARTS 2350 Photography: Design
ARTS 2381 Introduction to Sculpture
III. Major Requirements, Upper-Division: 42 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 School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (excluding the ARTS prefix)
Select 3 semester credit hours of Professional Development Courses from the following:
ARTS 3311 Contemporary Art Practices
ARTS 4310 Studies in Contemporary Exhibitions
Visual Arts Concentration: 27 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from the following:
AHST 3318 Contemporary Art
AHST 3319 Twentieth Century European Art: Avant-Garde and Aftermath
AHST 3324 History of Photography
or upper-level FILM course
3 semester credit hours of upper-level AHST or FILM course
6 semester credit hours of 3000-level courses from Visual Arts studios
3 semester credit hours of upper-courses from Visual Arts studios
6 semester credit hours of 4000-level courses from Visual Arts studios
6 semester credit hours of upper-level Visual and Performing Arts electives
IV. Elective Requirements: 24 semester credit hours
Free Electives: 24 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 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 Visual Arts
18 semester credit hours
Arts Foundations: 3 semester credit hours
Choose any 3 semester credit hours of lower-level ARTS courses.
Art History Foundations: 3 semester credit hours
Choose any 3 semester credit hours of AHST or FILM courses.
Studio Courses: 12 semester credit hours
Choose any 12 semester credit hours of upper-level ARTS 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. A required Preparatory course that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. Semester credit hours may be counted in Core Curriculum.