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Visual Culture and Performance Studies Minor
Within the fine and performing arts, there are lively debates about the meaning and significance of individual artworks, as well as their relationships to audiences and to other forms of culture. Art and culture studies investigates the arts with attention to the historically changing forms of class, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality and aesthetics. This interdisciplinary program provides a knowledge of and sensitivity to the specific qualities of diverse artforms. The program is an excellent foundation for a dynamic, lifelong interest in the fine and performing arts, while complementing other programs of study.
間眅埶AV Requirements
Program and course admission is contingent upon University admission.
Entry to all programs and to many courses is by audition, interview or application. Contact the school’s office for information on procedures and deadlines.
Although the University operates on a trimester system, most FPA courses are planned in a two term (fall and spring) sequence. Consequently, students enter in the fall term (September) and are advised to contact the school in the preceding January for program entry and requirements information.
Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing
Unassigned or general elective (type 2 and 3, respectively) transfer credit awarded for courses completed at other recognized post-secondary institutions will not automatically entitle students to advanced standing in the school’s programs. Advanced standing is generally given on an individual basis as a result of an audition or interview.
Program Requirements
Students are encouraged to take advantage of interdisciplinary offerings within the school. As many programs depend on a continuing sequence of courses completed in order, students should plan carefully to gain the maximum benefit and efficiency from their study. Note that not all courses are offered every term and several are offered on a rotational basis, i.e. every third or fourth term. An advisor is available to help plan study programs.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 15 units, including all of
An introduction to the visual arts of the nineteenth century. Formal and thematic approaches to the arts will be introduced, with attention to the social, institutional, national, and international contexts of art. Breadth-Humanities. Breadth-Humanities.
A study of the visual arts from the twentieth century to the present, with attention to the artists, artworks, movements, and discourses that re-defined the functions and meanings of art. The debates of modernism, postmodernity, postcolonialism, feminism, and the avant-garde will be systematically explored. Breadth-Humanities. Breadth-Humanities.
Introduces innovations in the fine and performing arts to show the range of possibilities open to those who wish to employ or understand the use of moving images in their disciplinary and multidisciplinary art practices. By the completion of the course students should have a good sense not only of previous innovations and traditions, but of the contemporary scene as well.
Introduces theoretical concepts and historical issues that have informed the creation, perception, interpretation, and analysis of selected artworks in formative epochs, such as the Renaissance, Romanticism, Modernism, or Postmodernism. Prerequisite: 24 units including six in the history or theory of the fine or performing arts. Students with credit for FPA 211 Introduction to Contemporary Theory in the Arts may not take this course for further credit.
and one of
This course will examine the early development of cinema from 1890 until about 1945, with particular emphasis on the fundamental principles of film as an art form. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Breadth-Humanities.
This course will examine selected developments in cinema from 1945 to the present, with attention to from 1945 to the present, with attention to various styles of various styles of artistic expression in film. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Breadth-Humanities.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum total of 17 units, including
Traces the interdisciplinary origins of performance studies and brings its concepts and methods to bear on dance, music, theatre, performance art, and media performance. Prerequisite: Minimum of 45 units, including FPA 111 or another critical or history course within the School for Contemporary Arts; or by prior approval. Students with credit for FPA 311 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
and a minimum of 10 units from
Investigates a selected thematic topic in art and culture studies, for example, postcolonial theory and the arts; perception and embodiment; art activism and resistance; or urban art and culture. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: Will vary according to the topic.
Investigates a selected historical topic in art and culture. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: Will vary according to the topic.
Examines aspects of critical writing associated with the fine and performing arts and encourages students to participate as writers in the artistic and cultural debates of their day. Forms examined will include but not be limited to reviews, articles, descriptive synopses for exhibition and festival programs, curatorial essays, project proposals and artists' statements. Prerequisite: 60 units including at least six units in FPA history/theory courses. Students with credit for FPA 319 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
This course is concerned with the systematic understanding of the general phenomenon called Cinema rather than with the properties or techniques of individual films. Various theoretical positions will be assessed and compared in terms of cinematic practice and its ideological functions. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: six units from among FPA 136, 137, 211, 236, 237. Recommended: FPA 210. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Students who have credit for FPA 234 may not take this course for further credit.
An intermediate course in critical studies, addressing a variety of topics under this number; for instance, specific genre or area studies (comedy, film noir, science fiction, etc.); national cinemas; film analysis; Third World film, video art, experimental film, etc. The course may be taken again for credit if the topic changes. Prerequisite: Will vary according to subject matter. May repeat for credit. Students who have taken FPA 339 Selected Topics in Film for credit may not take the same topic under FPA 337 for further credit.
A scholarly exploration of artistic traditions and practices in the country being visited, with special attention to cultural, theoretical, historical and political contexts. Prerequisite: A minimum of 60 units and approval of Field School Director. Students with credit for FPA 289, 311, 329, 337, 388 or 389 offered under this topic may not take this course for further credit.
Provides an in-depth investigation of a selected theoretical, historical or thematic topic in art and culture studies. This course requires independent research leading to a substantial paper, as well as directed reading preparation for seminars. Topics will vary from term to term. The course may be repeated when different topics are offered. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Prerequisite: Eight upper division units and FPA 210.
An in-depth investigation of a selected topic in the history of art and culture. Prerequisite: Will vary according to the topic.
and three units of upper division history or theory courses from within the School for the Contemporary Arts. Visual and Performance Studies courses in the list above can be used to fulfil this requirement.
* may be completed again for credit if topic changes and three units of upper division history or theory courses from within the School for the Contemporary Arts. The Art and Culture courses in the list above can be used to fulfil this requirement.
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 as upper division work.