College Catalog: 2011-2012

The Contemporary Arts major is an interdisciplinary contract major that allows students to design their own major to reflect their particular interests and career goals.  Working in consultation with a faculty advisor, students select courses from the offerings across the School of Contemporary Arts and across the whole college.  For example, a student interested in pursuing a career in arts management may elect to take courses from the fine arts programs of Music, Theater, and Visual Arts, combined with courses from the Communication Arts program, as well as courses from the Anisfield School of Business.  Or, a student interested in photojournalism may combine Visual Arts courses in photography with journalism and writing courses offered in the Communication Arts program.

This major requires self-motivation and serious planning, but it can be especially rewarding for the student who has specific goals that cannot be met in a regular major at the college, or who wishes to have the flexibility to take a wider array of courses than would be possible in a regular major.  After an initial consultation with the Convener of the major, each student will be assigned to work in developing the major with a faculty member who is most knowledgeable in the area of the student’s interest.

This major leads to a B.A. degree.  It requires a minimum of 36 credits, at least 12 of which must be upper level, (300/400), in addition to the School of Contemporary Arts Core.

1. Transfer students who have 48 or more credits accepted at the time of transfer are waived from the courses marked with a (W) below.  Waivers only apply to General Education Requirements NOT School Core or Major Requirements.
2. Double counting between General Education, School Core, and Major may be possible.  Check with your advisor to see if any apply.
3. Writing Intensive Requirement: Three writing intensive courses in the general education curriculum are required: First Year Seminar, Critical Reading and Writing (formerly College English), and Readings in Humanities.

Note: A 2.0 GPA in the major is required for graduation.

General Education Requirements
Four Year Plan
Graduation Requirements
School of Contemporary Arts Website
Faculty Profiles