Description and Goal

The B.A. in Studio Arts provides a broad conceptual and formal foundation in the fundamental principles of art and design within a liberal arts education. Students develop visual and cultural literacies through: individual artistic, creative, and theoretical exploration; art-historical, exhibition-oriented, and curatorial endeavors; interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial engagements; and a social justice-oriented lens. 

The goal of the Studio Arts BA program is to encourage individual creative exploration and to develop student understanding of artistic and cultural expression. 

Using the creative landscape of Los Angeles, the programs in studio arts provide a student-focused art and design education which prepares them for careers and/or graduate studies in the fine arts, graphic design, multimedia arts, and art education disciplines. 

Objectives

The philosophy of the Department rests on the premise that its students should receive a broad education that combines creativity and scholarly study. The foremost objective of the majors offered in the Department of Art and Art History is to prepare students intellectually and professionally for a career in Studio Arts and Art History and/or graduate studies. Courses offered to undergraduate majors and non-majors stress the cultural value of the visual arts. The pedagogy aligns with the university’s new initiative of DEI and anti-racism, highlights the strengths, and is consistent with LMU’s branding slogan, “Create the World You Want to Live In.” 

Student Learning Outcomes

Students majoring in Studio Arts (STAR) should know: 

• The basic definitions, concepts, and techniques in visual arts 

• How to discover their unique capabilities and personal artistic expression 

• How to solve creative and aesthetic problems in the visual arts 

Students majoring in Studio Arts (STAR) should be able to: 

• Represent a distinct sensibility 

• Make artistic decisions based on an awareness of traditional and current art movements and technological advancements 

• Expand their cultural and critical view of the history of art 

• Critically analyze and assess artworks and concepts 

Students majoring in Studio Arts (STAR) are encouraged to value: 

• The on-going learning and development of overall technical knowledge 

• The abilities of others 

• Expertise in the arts 

• The awareness of art history within the larger human context 

• The pursuit of new skills and insights for personal growth 

• Service to others and the promotion of justice. 

General Information

Students in Studio Arts (STAR) are expected to engage in studio work in addition to scheduled class time. Most studios are open to enrolled students outside of class time on a 24-hour basis. For studio classes, students should anticipate a minimum of three hours of outside of studio work per unit each week. 

Required:

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C) must be obtained in the major requirements. 

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or the Consent of the Chair is required for changing a major into the department. 

B.A in Studio Arts (STAR)

A total number of 50 semester hours for the Studio Arts major. Studio Arts majors are not required to declare a concentration. Students, however, can apply for the BFA at the end of the first year if they want to pursue a specialized degree.  

Core Requirements

Lower division ART electives courses are chosen in consultation with the BA program director. If there is a pre-requisite requirement, students will need to fulfill the requirements before taking a course.  

Lower Division Requirements

A total of 26 semester hours of lower division courses: 14 semester hours of Studio Arts Foundations, 8 semester hours of Art electives, and 4 semester hours of lower division Art History. 

Upper Division Requirements

A total of 24 semester hours of upper division courses: 4 semester hours of upper division of Non-Western Art History, 16 semester hours of upper division Studio Arts courses, and 4 semester hours of an upper division ART Capstone course. Upper division Studio Arts courses are chosen in consultation with the BA program director.  

Studio Arts in BA Four-Year Plan

Notes: 

This schedule is typical. The sequence and choices of courses must be decided in consultation with the BA Program Director.  

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year