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 the liberal arts and sciences. This work ensures that students develop critical thinking, cultural understanding, and communication skills. The Liberal Arts core curriculum reflects the University’s conviction that a broad general education is essential to the development of artists, designers, musicians, performers, and writers.

Course Renumbering

Many courses within the Division of Liberal Arts commencing with the Summer and Fall 2014 terms will be offered under new course numbers. Courses impacted by this change now include a reference to either the new course number or the new subject code. For example “LACR 101 (FYWT*111)” where the number in parenthesis is the new course number. Students registering for Summer 2014 coursework and beyond will do so using the new course numbers.

Liberal Arts Core Curriculum Requirements (42 credits)

Discipline History (9 - 12 credits)

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

First Year Writing (6 credits)

The First Year Writing Program is designed to meet the individual needs of students mastering their chosen fields in the visual, literary, or performing arts. Each student’s path through the writing program is tailored to suit specific reading and writing aims, providing opportunities to strengthen academic and artistic processes.

All students must successfully complete LACR 100 (FYWT*100) or LACR 101 (FYWT*111) and LACR 102 (FYWT*112) or LACR 103 (FYWT*101). Some students may need to complete additional developmental coursework. Initial course assignment is made on the basis of SAT or ACT scores and/or performance on an English placement examination.

Students typically take one of the following sequences to complete the first year writing requirement:

Humanities Seminar (3 credits)

Select 1 course from subject HUMS

Period Interpretation (6 credits)

Drawing on both established and non-traditional approaches to cultural history, Period Interpretations are interdisciplinary courses that explore how we come to understand a given era. All students are required to take two Period Interpretation courses, one in pre-20th century topics, the other in subjects post-1900.

Pre-20th Century

Select 1 course from subject LAPI, level 800 (Select 1 course from subject PIPT)

20th Century

Select 1 course from subject LAPI, level 900 (Select 1 course from subject PITC)

Scientific Inquiry Foundation Track (3 credits)

Select 1 course from subject LACR, level 200 (excluding LACR 210) (Select 1 course from subject SIFT)

Liberal Arts Electives (12 - 15 credits)

Students choose electives from an extensive listing of courses in a variety of subjects. The liberal arts curriculum offers students considerable flexibility and freedom of choice. To make the best use of these opportunities, students should study the list of elective courses carefully, explore their educational opportunities with their program advisors and with the Liberal Arts faculty, and create a coherent study plan. The minimal number of liberal arts electives varies by program; specifics are given on the program pages .

Select courses from subjects: LAAH (Art History), LALL (Language & Literature), LAPR (Philosophy & Religion), LASM (Science & Math), or LASS (Social Science)
Select courses from subjects:
- AHST (Art History), HIST (History)
- ARAB (Arabic), FRCH (French), ITAL (Italian), LITT (Literature)
- PHIL (Philosophy), RELI (Religion)
- MATH (Math), SCIE (Science)
- ANTH (Anthropology), PHIL (Philosophy), PSYC (Psychology), SOCI (Sociology)
- STCU (Cultural Studies), STDA (Dance Studies), STGS (Gender & Sexuality Studies),
  STMU (Music Studies), STPF (Performance Studies)
Select courses from
course types
: Art History or LA Elective