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Major Requirements

Frosh entering 2023-24

Curriculum chart

(Frosh entering 2022-2023 should complete their lower division foundation requirements in their first year at UCSC)

LOWER-DIVISION REQUIREMENTS

(Students complete nine courses as follows):

Foundation Requirements (3 Courses)

ART 10D: 2D Foundation (Fall 2023)

ART 10E: 3D Foundation (Winter 2024)

ART 10F: 4D Foundation (Spring 2024)

Digital Tools (1 Course)

ART 80T: Digital Tools for Contemporary Art Practice (Online Course - Winter 2024)

Critical Theory and Historical Context
Two courses from the History of Art and Visual Culture, HAVC, (one with a Western emphasis and one with a non-Western emphasis).
Note: Students may use Advanced Placement (AP) in Art History in lieu of the Western-emphasis history of art and visual culture requirement.

Introduction to Contemporary Art Practices
(to be completed in the sophomore year):

Any 3 of the following studios:

ART 20G: Introduction to Print Media and Drawing

ART 20H: Introduction to Sculpture and Public Art

ART 20I: Introduction to Photography

ART 20J: Introduction to Drawing and Painting

ART 20K: Introduction to New Media and Digital Artmaking

ART 20L: Introduction to Drawing (Online Course)

UPPER-DIVISION REQUIREMENTS:

Students complete eight courses as follows:

Studio Work (35 credits required)

7 upper division studio courses (100+ numbered) are required; Art 190B may be used to satisfy one of your upper division studio requirements as well as your senior comprehensive requirement.

Comprehensive Requirement (10 credits required) 
All art majors satisfy the capstone/comprehensive requirement with the following:

ART 190A: Writing for Artists (meets the Disciplinary Communication requirement for the Art B.A.)

Plus one of the following options:

  • Presenting an exhibition and, by appointment, meeting with a faculty member for review and critique of the exhibition; or
  • Submitting a portfolio and, by appointment, meeting with a faculty member for review and critique of the portfolio; or
  • Completing the following course: ART 190B: Senior Project (Only offered in Spring quarter)

No course credit is given for either the exhibition or portfolio submission. Consequently, students choosing one of these options must complete seven upper-division studios. Students utilizing Art 190B, Senior Project, for their comprehensive requirement may use this as one of their seven upper-division studios. 

Senior majors should meet with their faculty advisor about this requirement. 

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement in art is satisfied by completing Art 190A, Writing for Artists. 

A total of 85 credits are required for the Art B.A.; students are advised to plan in advance if they are interested in the program. Some requisite courses may be offered during Summer Session.

If you are planning to attend an abroad program at another university in your senior year, contact your college advisor about your senior residency requirement in advance. 

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JUNIOR TRANSFERS (2023 - 2024)

Transfer students who will be juniors should have passed the portfolio review held in April 2021

Lower-division requirements for junior transfers (7 courses):

Any 3 of the following (or community college/university equivalent):

ART 20G: Introduction to Print Media and Drawing

ART 20H: Introduction to Sculpture and Pubilc Art

ART 20I: Introduction to Photography 

ART 20J: Introduction to Drawing and Painting

ART 20K: Introduction to New Media and Digital Artmaking

ART 20L: Introduction to Drawing (Online Course)

Please remember that three studios is a minimum requirement and may not be enough studio work undertaken to pass the highly competitive nature of the portfolio review.

Two courses from the History of Art & Visual Culture (or community college/university equivalent). 
One must have a Western emphasis, one must have a non-Western emphasis.

1 Foundation course from: 

  • ART 10D: 2D Foundation (Fall 2023)
  • ART 10E: 3D Foundation (Winter 2024)
  • ART 10F: 4D Foundation (Spring 2023)

DIGITAL TOOLS: ART 80T: Digital Tools for Contemporary Art Practice (Online Course - Winter 2024)

Upper-division requirements for junior transfers (8 courses):

7 Upper Division Studio Courses (100+ numbered) are required; Art 190B may be used to satisfy one of your upper division studio requirements as well as your senior comprehensive requirement.

Art 190A (REQUIRED): Writing for Artists (Disciplinary Communications requirement - Only offered in Winter quarter)

Art 190B: Senior Project or upper division studio. Students utilizing Art 190B, Senior Project, for their comprehensive requirement may use this as one of their seven upper-division studios. 

Comprehensive Requirement: Art 190B satisfies the Art Department comprehensive requirement.  Senior students should meet with their respective advisors regarding this requirement if they do not enroll in this class. 

 

For More Information

Contact the Art Department undergraduate advisor Cyrus Howard

Email: artadvisor@ucsc.edu  

Office: E-104 Baskin Visual Arts Studios