Fine Arts, BA
The Undergraduate Fine Arts Program combines studio practices, seminar courses, and interactions with visiting artists and professionals to provide an open intellectual framework in order to foster critical awareness and independent methods of artistic research and learning. The Fine Arts Department offers a diverse range of studio courses in the areas of animation and 3D modeling, ceramics, design, drawing and painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and video. The dynamic curriculum also provides students with the opportunity to thoroughly examine contemporary art, creative research, interactive design, and public art through seminar-based instruction.
A goal of the Undergraduate Fine Arts program is to facilitate an environment where the potentialities of art are considered in relation to the real life conditions of our students. Encouraged to test themselves against the rigors of divergent artistic approaches and their histories, our students develop a more complex set of skills to creatively and critically negotiate the turbulent shifts taking place globally in terms of human experiences.
The Fine Arts major is available for students in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering, and the minor is available for undergraduate students across the university. The Fine Arts program works in conjunction with three interdisciplinary degree programs in Cinema Studies, Digital Media Design, and Visual Studies.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 34. Double majors may entail more course units.
For more information: http://www.design.upenn.edu/fine-arts/undergraduate/program
For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| College General Education Requirements and Free Electives | ||
| Foundational Approaches + Sectors1 + Free Electives | 20 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Studio Requirements 2 | 2 | |
Students are encouraged to take these classes their freshman and sophomore year. | ||
| Drawing I | ||
| Contemporary Art Studio | ||
| Introductory Studio Requirements | 3 | |
| Select 3: | ||
| Art, Design and Digital Culture ** | ||
| Video I ** | ||
| Introduction to Photography | ||
| Digital Photography | ||
| Mixed Media Animation | ||
| Sculpture I | ||
| Intro to Clay | ||
| Figure Drawing I | ||
| Painting I | ||
| Introduction to Printmaking | ||
| Introduction to Performance | ||
| Hand-Drawn Computer Animation | ||
| Printmaking: Screen Printing | ||
| Art History Requirements | 3 | |
| Select three courses from the following areas: | ||
Art History Course (ARTH 0000-4999) | ||
OR - Fine Arts Seminars (FNAR 3000-3999) | ||
OR - Design Seminars (DSGN 3000-3999) | ||
| Fine Arts Seminar Requirements 2 | 2 | |
| Fine Arts Senior Seminar Project (Fall) | ||
| Fine Arts Senior Seminar Project (Spring) | ||
| Art and Design Electives 4 | 4 | |
Select any combination of four FNAR and DSGN courses 5 | ||
| Total Course Units | 34 | |
- 1
You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the Policy Statement.
- 2
Core studio requirements may be taken as early as freshman year and in any order as long as prerequisites are met.
- 3
Majors must take the Senior Seminar Project in consecutive semesters of their senior year.
- 4
Art and Design Electives can be taken in any order as long as prerequisites are met.
- 5
Fine Arts and Design courses can be found on the department website.
- **
Fulfills Sector.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.