Visual Studies: Art and Culture of Seeing, BA
Visual Studies at the University of Pennsylvania prepares students to forge innovative connections across the disciplines that study vision and images. Students acquire a critical awareness of seeing and the problems and possibilities for investigating, thinking, and writing about seeing in the 21st century. Fundamentally interdisciplinary, the Visual Studies Program partners with the Departments of Philosophy, Psychology, History of Art, Fine Arts, and Architecture. Students may also find interest in Penn Programs such as Cinema Studies and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies or outside of the School of Arts and Sciences in the Annenberg School of Communications, and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
In Sector B, students explore the status of images as representations or models of visual experience and as bearers of information, and they develop skills in interpreting artifacts visually.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 35. Double majors may entail more course units.
For more information: https://www.sas.upenn.edu/visual-studies
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 | ||
| Stage 1 - Core Courses | ||
| VLST 1010 | Eye, Mind, and Image | 1 |
| VLST 1020 | Form and Meaning | 1 |
| or VLST 1030 | 3 Dimensions: Time and Space | |
| Stage 2 - Core Courses | ||
| Select 2 course units in each Sector: | 6 | |
| A. Philosophy and Science of Seeing: 2 | ||
| Perception | ||
| Visual Neuroscience | ||
| Research Experience in Perception | ||
or VLST 3050 | What is an Image? | |
Select one of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy of Mind | ||
| Aesthetics | ||
| Philosophy and Visual Perception | ||
| Philosophy of Perception | ||
| B. Art and the Culture of Seeing: | ||
| The Artist in History,1400-Now | ||
or ARTH 2780 | American Art | |
or ARTH 2860 | Modern Art: Picasso to Pollock | |
| Art Now | ||
or VLST 3030 | The Rise of Image Culture: History and Theories | |
Select one of the following: | ||
| Art and Civilization in East Asia | ||
| Art of Global Asia | ||
| Introduction to Visual Culture of the Islamic World | ||
| C. Art Practice and Technology: | ||
| Form and Meaning (course not used in Stage 1) | ||
or VLST 1030 | 3 Dimensions: Time and Space | |
Select one course unit in the following: | ||
| Video I | ||
| Drawing I | ||
| Art, Design and Digital Culture | ||
or one approved alternate course (See Website) | ||
| VLST 3010 | What is Visual Studies? | 1 |
| Stage 3 - Concentration Requirements | ||
| Art and the Culture of Seeing: 2 | ||
| Select 4 course units in Art/Culture of Seeing | 4 | |
| Select 1 course unit of Philosophy/Science or Art Pract & Tech | 1 | |
| Stage 4 - Capstone Course | ||
| VLST 3950A | Senior Project | 0.5 |
| VLST 3950B | Senior Project | 0.5 |
| Total Course Units | 35 | |
- 1
You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the Policy Statement.
- 2
Important - Check for Pre-Requisites on PSYC and some FNAR courses.
- 3
Four courses (4 course units) in your concentration and one course (1 course unit) from another Sector. (Note: No Stage 2 courses may be double-counted in Stage 3).
Honors
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.70 in the major.
- Senior Project Completed (Grade of A)
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.