UG Liberal Arts Distribution

Programs > Programs in the Division of Liberal Arts

All undergraduate degree programs at the University of the Arts require a substantial commitment (42 credits) to work in the liberal arts and sciences. This work ensures that students develop critical thinking, communication and literacy skills, as well as a broad cultural literacy. The Liberal Arts curriculum reflects the University’s conviction that a broad general education is essential for the education of artists, designers, performers, and writers, as it is for all citizens in a complex and ever-changing world.

Liberal Arts Requirements (42 credits)

Art History (9 - 12 credits)

Art history courses are specific to each major and teach students about their chosen field of interest. Each program requires three discipline history courses; certain programs within the College of Art, Media, and Design require an additional art history elective. The requirements are different for each major and are listed on the program pages for each program.

First Year Writing (6 credits)

The Writing Program is designed to meet the individual needs of art students. A student’s path through the writing program will be tailored to suit specific reading and writing aims, providing opportunities to strengthen academic and artistic processes.

The University’s writing program requires all students successfully complete LACR 100 or LACR 101 and LACR 102 or LACR 103 . Some students may be required to complete additional developmental coursework. Assigned writing sequences are tailored to each student by evaluating SAT or ACT scores as well as English placement test scores.

After a student is placed into a writing class for their first semester, they typically will follow one of the following sequences to complete the frst year writing requirement.

Humanities Seminar (3 credits)

Select 1 course from subject HUMS

Period Interpretation (6 credits)

Period Interpretations are interdisciplinary courses that explore the process by which we understand cultural eras. Students consider both conventional and innovative interpretations of cultural history. All students are required to take two Period Interpretation courses, one pre-20th century, and one 20th century. Normally, these courses are completed in the Junior and Senior years.

Pre-20th Century

Select 1 course from subject LAPI, level 800

20th Century

Select 1 course from subject LAPI, level 900

Scientific Inquiry Foundation Track (3 credits)

Select 1 course from subject LACR, level 200 excluding LACR 210

Liberal Arts Electives (12 - 15 credits)

Students may choose electives from an extensive listing of courses. Some students concentrate their study in a single area such as literature or psychology, while others take an array of courses from across the range of liberal arts offerings. The liberal arts curriculum offers students a great deal of flexibility and freedom of choice. To make the best use of these opportunities, students should study the elective lists carefully, explore their educational opportunities with their advisors and with the Liberal Arts faculty and Dean, and create a coherent study plan. The number of liberal arts electives varies by program. Specific requirements are listed on the program pages for each program.

Select courses from subjects: HUMS, LAAH, LALL, LAPR, LASM, or LASS
Select courses from
course types
: Art History or LA Elective