Discover the Visual Arts Curriculum
Visual Arts at USD guides majors and non-majors alike to a practical understanding of many of the languages and traditions of visual expression. Encouraging a holistic exploration of the arts, the curriculum requires art majors to develop advanced skills in several sub-disciplines. Visual Arts majors who are considering graduate study are encouraged to complete a minor in art history.
39 units
Major
The visual arts major provides a holistic study of the arts through a variety of course offerings in art theory, history and more. The curriculum requires art majors to develop advanced skills in one of six sub-disciplines.
22 units
Minor
The visual arts minor provides foundational offerings in visual arts theory, history, culture and a range of elective courses.
- Major
- Minor
The Visual Arts Major
The Visual Arts major requires eleven 4-unit classes, three 3-unit classes, and one 1-unit class to complete. It is recommended that the student choose their classes in consultation with an advisor in the Visual Arts program within the Department of Art, Architecture + Art History.
Preparation for the Major
Select three lower-division 4-unit courses from the following: | 12 | |
ARTV 101 | Introduction to Drawing | |
ARTV 102 | Introduction to Color | |
ARTV 103 | Introduction to Graphic Design | |
ARTV 104 | Introduction to Animation | |
ARTV 105 | Introduction to Sculpture | |
ARTV 107 | Introduction to Photography | |
ARTV 108 | Introduction to Video Art | |
ARCH 101 | Introduction to Architecture Studio | |
Select one lower-division Art History (ARTH) course | 3 | |
Total Units | 15 | |
Visual Arts students are strongly encouraged to complete the above four courses by the end of their sophomore year.
The Major
Select six upper-division (300- or 400-level) 4-unit Visual Arts (ARTV) courses (NOTE: ARTV 350 is intended for Liberal Studies majors and should not be taken by Visual Arts majors) | 24 | |
ARTH 395 | Methods in Art History | 3 |
or ARTH 490 | Image World/Written Word | |
Select one upper-division Art History (ARTH) course: | 3 | |
Capstone Sequence | ||
ARTV 395 | Junior Seminar (second semester junior year) | 4 |
ARTV 490 | Senior Thesis Studio Seminar (first semester senior year) | 4 |
ARTV 495 | Senior Thesis (second semester senior year) | 1 |
Total Units | 39 | |
Concentration: Film, Performance + Media Art
Film, Performance + Media Art is the interdisciplinary study of media, art and culture, supporting a wide range of projects and practices, in partnership between the Departments of Art, Architecture + Art History, Music and Theatre. It is structured to encourage students to apply multiple media and disciplines into new forms of expression. Integrating the production of art and critical studies, the requirements are drawn from a greater ratio of history/theory courses to production courses than with the general Visual Arts Major. It is designed specifically for creative uses of media that encompass photography, film/video, sound, music, sculpture, performance and theater.
Students choosing a concentration in Film, Performance + Media Art must complete the following requirements. Please note certain courses may be counted per approval from a faculty advisor, and that certain 494 courses can count toward the major when offered.
Students choosing a concentration in Film, Performance + Media Art must complete the following requirements:
Film, Performance + Media Art: Preparation for the Major
Students are required to take the following course: | 4 | |
ARTV 108 | Introduction to Video Art | |
as well as two of the following Studio and Production courses: | 6-8 | |
ARTV 101 | Introduction to Drawing | |
ARTV 102 | Introduction to Color | |
ARTV 103 | Introduction to Graphic Design | |
ARTV 104 | Introduction to Animation | |
ARTV 105 | Introduction to Sculpture | |
ARTV 107 | Introduction to Photography | |
ARCH 101 | Introduction to Architecture Studio | |
THEA 220 | Fundamentals of Theatrical Design | |
THEA 230 | Fundamentals of Acting | |
as well as two of the following History and Theory courses: | 6 | |
ARTH 101 | Introduction to the History of Art | |
ARTH 144/FILM 101 | Introduction to Cinema | |
MUSC/ARTH 109 | Introduction to Sonic Arts | |
Total Units | 16-18 | |
Film, Performance + Media Art: The Major
Select two Film-Centered Production studio courses: | 8 | |
ARTV 308 | Virtual Reality and 3D Studio | |
ARTV 320 | Topics in Video Art | |
ARTV 323 | Film and the Female Gender | |
ARTV 324 | Intermediate / Advanced Video Art | |
ARTV/ARCH 355 | Architecture, Film & Media: The Space of the Screen | |
Select two upper-division courses from the following list: | 6-8 | |
ARTV 300 | Intermediate Graphic Design | |
ARTV 302 | Intermediate Drawing | |
ARTV 304 | Printmaking | |
ARTV 306 | Book Arts | |
ARTV 308 | Virtual Reality and 3D Studio | |
ARTV 320 | Topics in Video Art | |
ARTV 323 | Film and the Female Gender | |
ARTV 324 | Intermediate / Advanced Video Art | |
ARTV 329 | Fundamentals of Painting | |
ARTV 333 | Interdisciplinary 2D Studio | |
ARTV 344 | Figure Drawing | |
ARTV 353 | Color Photography | |
ARTV 354 | Intermediate Photography | |
ARTV/ARCH 355 | Architecture, Film & Media: The Space of the Screen | |
ARTV 356 | Between Me and You: Representing the Self and the Other | |
ARTV 357 | Line in the Sand | |
ARTV 361 | Advanced Photography | |
ARTV 362 | Studio Photography | |
ARTV 369 | Intermediate / Advanced Sculpture | |
ARTV 370 | Designing for Social Space | |
ARTV 371 | Sculpture / Landscape | |
ARTV 382 | Public Art Studio | |
ARTV 400 | Advanced Graphic Design | |
ARTV 403 | Advanced Drawing/Painting Seminar | |
ARTV 410 | Black Mirror: Self-Representation in the African Diaspora | |
ARTV 429 | Intermediate/Advanced Painting | |
ARTV 494 | Special Topics in Visual Arts | |
MUSC/ARTV 420 | Digital Audio Composition | |
MUSC/ARTV 421 | Interactive Digital Music and Arts | |
THEA 320 | Scenic Design | |
THEA 340 | Voice and Speech | |
THEA 345 | Physical Actor | |
THEA 430 | Contemporary Acting | |
THEA 435 | Classical Acting | |
as well as select three of the following upper-division History and Theory courses: | 9 | |
ARTH 336 | History and Theory of Photography | |
ARTH 345 | The Avant-Garde and Mass Culture: Art and Politics | |
ARTH 356 | Race, Ethnicity, Art and Film | |
ARTH 357 | Global Film and 'Asia' | |
ARTH 358 | Mexican Cinema | |
ARTH 395 | Methods in Art History | |
ARTH 490 | Image World/Written Word | |
FILM 301 | Introduction to Film Theory | |
MUSC/ARTV 424 | Art and the Soundscape | |
THEA 370 | Performance Studies | |
Capstone Sequence | 12 | |
ARTV 395 | Junior Seminar (second semester junior year) | |
ARTV 490 | Senior Thesis Studio Seminar (first semester senior year) | |
ARTV 495 | Senior Thesis (second semester senior year) | |
Total Units | 35-37 | |
Please note that some courses may be taken more than once for course credit and that under certain circumstances substitution of classes will be allowed with advisor approval. Certain courses not on this list also may satisfy this requirement (consult with advisor).
Visual Arts Study Abroad
The Visual Arts Program offers study abroad studio courses during the summer and intersession. Studio courses offered through USD’s Visual Arts Program satisfy the Artistic Inquiry (EARI) Core requirement and count towards the Visual Arts major or minor. Study abroad studio courses have included: Drawing in London: Meditations on the History of Visual Culture Through the Art of a City. (ARTV 101, 302, 403); and Visualizing Jamaica Through the Practice of Drawing (ARTV 101).
No more than a total of two study abroad courses offered through USD affiliated institutions can be counted towards the Visual Arts major or minor. Please discuss study abroad opportunities with your advisor.
Double Majoring in Visual Arts and Architecture or Visual Arts and Art History
Students are allowed to double count units toward two majors within the Department of Art, Architecture + Art History in a limited manner: they must complete a total of at least 48 upper-division units in the two majors while fulfilling all of the requirements for both majors.
Concentrations
Film/video
Film/video courses focus on the representation of time in contemporary video art and experimental film. They examine how the moving image aligns and differentiates itself from the other artistic disciplines and from cinema — and how artworks activate curatorial spaces for spectatorship. Instruction centers on producing and editing videos with unique consideration of time and narrative. Upper-level courses further expand definitions of time-based art — including sound art, media installation, performance, participatory forms and social practice.
Painting and drawing
Painting and drawing courses enable students to discover and articulate their creative voice in the expressive languages of painting and drawing. Rigorous technical and conceptual training helps students to develop images that are visually, emotionally and intellectually compelling while emphasizing honest and meaningful exploration of each artist's concerns.
Photography
The photography discipline encourages the development of individualized pathways through the medium. Technical training includes analog, digital and experimental technologies and conceptual training provides space and time for students to reimagine the future of photography based on a solid understanding of its past.
Sculpture
Sculpture is designed for students wishing to explore sculpture through a multidisciplinary approach to methods and materials. Students will develop not only technical proficiency in working with mediums including metal, wood, concrete and clay, but moreover the conceptual foundation from which their unique creative practice will be built. Experimentation with object making, installation and intervention are actively encouraged and explored as a means of facilitating critical engagement.
Visual communications
Visual communications courses focus on developing an in-depth understanding of the visual design language, and how to use this language to solve design problems through projects to acquire conceptual, theoretical and practical knowledge in design, while exploring and examining the role of design history in shaping contemporary design practice.
Film + Media Art Studies
Film + Media Art Studies courses focus on the interdisciplinary study of art, technology and culture, supporting a wide range of projects and practices. Structured to encourage students to apply multiple media and integrate disciplines into new forms of expression, Film + Media Art Studies prepares students to be independent artists and cultural producers in a world of new media representations and strategies. Integrating the production of art and critical studies, the lower- and upper-division requirements are drawn from equal amounts of studio art and art history courses.