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Art 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 performance 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.
¶¡ÏãÔ°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 or visit our .
Although the University operates on a trimester system, most CA 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. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 167 may not take this course for further credit. 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. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 168 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
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: 21 units including six in the history or theory of the fine or performing arts and CA (or FPA) 168. Students with credit for CA (or FPA 210) may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
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: 45 units including one history/theory course within the School for the Contemporary Arts. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 311 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 317 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
and one of
Study of the development of modern dance and the reformation of the ballet from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. Emphasis will be placed on seminal dance artists and the impact their work has had upon the art form in western theatre dance. This course may be of particular interest to a range of students in departments across the University. Prerequisite: 12 units. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 227 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.
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. Students with credit for FPA 136 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
This course will examine selected developments in cinema from 1945 to the present, with attention to various styles of artistic expression in film. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Students with credit for FPA 137 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
Introduction to acoustics, psychoacoustics, sound synthesis, audio sampling and signal processing, and sound production in general as relating to music, film sound, radio, new media, art installations and live performance. Students who have taken CA (or FPA) 184 cannot take CA (or FPA) 149 for further credit. Students with credit for FPA 149 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Day/Time | Location |
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Distance Education |
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. Students with credit for FPA 186 may not take this course for further credit.
The detailed structural analysis of dramatic texts and/or performances, their historical context, their development and production histories. May be of interest to students in other departments. Students with credit for FPA 257W may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum total of 17 units, including a minimum of 14 units from
A scholarly exploration of artistic traditions and practices in the country being visited, with special attention to cultural, theoretical, historical and political contexts. This course can be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: A minimum of 30 units and approval of Field School Director.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
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TBD |
Investigates a selected thematic topic in art and performance studies, for example, postcolonial theory and the arts; perception and embodiment; art activism and resistance; or urban art and culture. This course can be repeated twice for credit if the topic is different. Prerequisite: 45 units.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
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Henry Daniel |
May 10 – Jun 20, 2022: Tue, Thu, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
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GOLDCORP |
Investigates a selected topic in the history of art, performance and cinema. This course can be repeated twice for credit if the topic is different. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 117 (or 167), 186, and 210W (or 210).
This lecture course investigates sound art as an interdisciplinary practice that draws its history and concepts from contemporary visual art, installation art, performance art, experimental music, and their various confluences. We will study historical precedents of experimental sound work as well as think critically and creatively about the themes and concerns that inform contemporary practices. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students with credit for CA 312 Special Topics in Art and Culture Studies under the title "Sound Art" may not take this course for further credit.
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 CA (or FPA) history/theory courses. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 319 may not take this course for further credit. Students with credit for FPA 319W may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
The detailed structural analysis of dramatic texts and/or performances, their historical context, their development and production histories. May be of interest to students in other departments. Students with credit for FPA 357W may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
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 30 units and approval of Field School Director. Students with credit for FPA 408 may not take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
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TBD |
Provides an in-depth investigation of a selected theoretical, historical or thematic topic in art and performance 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 four times for credit if the topic is different. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Prerequisite: Eight upper division units; and one of CA (or FPA) 210W (or 210), 316 (or 337), 318 (or 335), or 357W. Writing.
An in-depth investigation of a selected topic in the history of art, performance and cinema. This course can be repeated four times for credit if the topic is different. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 117 (or 167), 186, 210W (or 210) and 45 units.
An analytical approach to a selected body of dramatic work and/or performances. Includes an intensive consideration of practical dramatic techniques such as story structure and dramaturgy. Prerequisite: Prior approval from the instructor. Students with credit for FPA 457 may not take this course for further credit.
* may be repeated for credit if topic changes.
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.