Statement of Purpose
The BA in Visual Studies is a liberal arts degree for the creative, entrepreneurial and self-directed individual. Graduates will enter the “creative class” with a unique liberal arts degree embedded in the studio model of teaching—thinking through making. The studio model of teaching nurtures innovation— students will learn to approach problems from unique perspectives, the basis of creative problem solving. Visual Studies is for students whose work bridges disciplines and media that exist outside program and department structures, students who are truly interested in collaborative and crossdisciplinary work, or who are working in combinations of two and three dimensional, time-based and writing-based forms. Visual Studies allows students to design and follow an individualized program of study, including Minors. Students must demonstrate that they are self-directed, motivated and capable of working outside departmental structures.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Artistic Discernment: Demonstrate the ability to discern artistic merit of diverse forms of art/design in their contexts.
- Process and Technique: Demonstrate the ability to use the appropriate tools and materials in the creative process to achieve the desired results.
- Critical Analysis: Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze and interpret the significance of artistic expression.
- Communication: Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, making workable connections between concept and media.
General Education Curriculum
Liberal Arts
General Education
Art and Design History
Program Curriculum
First Year Community
Visual Studies Major
Art and Design Electives or Minors
Eleven (11) from the following.
Liberal Arts or Business Electives
Seven (7) courses from any of the elective categories.
Liberal Arts Electives (recommended: ARHU 270 Arts in Context: Comparing the Arts; LMST 272 Myth & Symbol in Media; SBSC 270 Visual Anthropology; ENVI 263 Sustainability; ENVI 345 Communicating the Environment; ENVI 375 Applied Environmental Design; SBSC 221 Psychology of Social Interaction; SBSC 245 Psychology of the Arts; SBSC 250 Gender, Race and Culture; SBSC 316 Ethics of Art and Design; SBSC 331 Human Factor in Design; ARHU 295 Dangerous Ideas; ARHU 380 American Creativity I; ARHU 381 American Creativity II; LIBA 110 Contemporary Issues in Fine Arts and Photography; LIBA 111 Contemporary Design Culture; LIBA 112 Film & Narrative)
Business Electives (recommended: BOAD 151 Introduction to Creative Business Management; BOAD 201 Accounting and Finance for Creative Businesses; BOAD 210 Personal and Freelance Finance; BOAD 254 Principles of Marketing; BOAD 260 Project Management)
Open Electives
It is recommended that students majoring in Visual Studies take one or more of the available minors.
Note: VISU 350 can be taken in place of one of the Art and Design Electives.