Studio Art: Interdisciplinary Practice, BFASA

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art in Studio Art, Interdisciplinary Practice Concentration


The BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Interdisciplinary Practice offers a student-initiated path through a variety of studio art course offerings. This concentration is meant for those students who want to develop multiple approaches to making art, rather than focusing on a singular discipline or medium. The contemporary art world is inherently interdisciplinary, flexible, and responsive to new technologies and methods of expression. The Interdisciplinary Studio concentration recognizes this and offers students the opportunity to approach, hone and develop skills across the wide range of related fine arts practices offered in the School of Art and Design. Students who choose the Interdisciplinary Practice concentration develop an array of practical approaches, weaving together experience and skills from courses across our studio areas and faculty expertise. Interdisciplinary courses at the sophomore, junior, and senior level focus on developing practical skills in a variety of material applications. Advanced courses center on building critical, theoretical, and professional competencies and expertise in unique studio practices.

Students in the School of Art and Design must complete the Campus General Education requirements. Some Art and Design courses will also apply toward the General Education requirements.

Students majoring in this degree program must complete the First Year Curriculum requirements before beginning other major requirements.

Students in the BFA Studio Art degree, major in Studio Art, must declare one concentration and students may not declare more than one concentration.

A portfolio review is required for admission to the School of Art and Design.

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art in Studio Art, Interdisciplinary Practice Concentration


Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 122 hours.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.  Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in Art and Design.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
fulfilled by ARTH 110 and any other course approved as Humanities & the Arts
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
fulfilled by ARTH 110
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15

First Year Curriculum

FAA 101Arts at Illinois1
ARTF 101Contemporary Issues in Art2
ARTE 101Art, Design, and Society2
ARTH 110Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture3
ARTF 103Design I3
ARTF 105Design II3
Select one Drawing course:3
Observational Drawing
Expressive Drawing
Visualization Drawing
Total Hours17

Art History Requirements

200 level and above ARTH courses9

Interdisciplinary Practice Concentration Requirements

Students must declare one concentration, students may not declare more than one concentration.

ARTS 252Making and Meaning3
200-level ARTS course from the following list:3
Introduction to Printmaking
Ceramics Sculpture I
Introduction to Fashion
Fashion Illustration
Image Practice
Time Arts I
Beginning Illustration
Beginning Painting
Basic Photography
Beginning Sculpture
Additional 200-level ARTS courses9
ARTS 350Interdisciplinary Studio3
ARTS 351Research and Resources3
ARTS 450Advanced Interdisciplinary Studio3
Additional 300- and 400-level ARTS courses24
Total Hours48

 Capstone Requirements

ARTS 392Current Art Issues Seminar3
ARTS 451BFASA Capstone Studio4

Summary of credits for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts

General Education
First-Year Curriculum17
Art History9
Concentration48
Capstone7
Free electives to bring the total hours earned to 122, including a minimum of 40 credits at the 300- or 400-level.
Total Hours122

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art in Studio Art, Interdisciplinary Practice Concentration


Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
FAA 1011ARTE 1012
ARTF 1012ARTF 1053
ARTH 1103200-level ARTS course from set list3
ARTF 1033Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level)4
ARTF ### (Drawing Category)3General Education course3
Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level)4 
 16 15
Total Hours 31
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ARTS 2523Additional 200-level ARTS course3
Additional 200-level ARTS course3Additional 200-level ARTS course3
General Education course3ARTH 200-400 level course3
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3General Education course3
 15 15
Total Hours 30
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ARTS 3503ARTS 3923
Additional 300- or 400-level ARTS course3ARTS 3513
Additional 300- or 400-level ARTS course3Additional 300- or 400-level ARTS course3
ARTH 200-400 level course3Additional 300- or 400-level ARTS course3
General Education course3General Education course3
 15 15
Total Hours 30
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ARTS 4503ARTS 4514
Additional 300- or 400-level ARTS course3Additional 300- or 400-level ARTS course3
Additional 300- or 400-level ARTS course3Additional 300- or 400-level ARTS course3
ARTH 200-400 level course3General Education course3
General Education course3Free Elective course3
 15 16
Total Hours 31

Total Hours: 122

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art in Studio Art, Interdisciplinary Practice Concentration

Upon completion of BFASA curriculum:

1.     Students will apply basic principles of multi-dimensional and multi-sensory communication across diverse mediums to achieve a desired aesthetic in their creative work.

2.     Students will experiment with and critically analyze the expressive possibilities of various media and conceptual strategies, demonstrating engagement with emerging technologies and investigation of broader social questions and challenges.

3.     Students will implement concepts of visual rhetoric and meaning making in the development of artworks that acknowledge and demonstrate empathy toward diverse social histories and lived experiences. 

4.     Students will develop and articulate a self-directed creative practice that synthesizes existing knowledge, personal perspectives, and collaborative opportunities to engage audiences in a variety of social and institutional settings.

5.     Students will demonstrate adaptability for varying professional roles across artistic, cultural, and commercial contexts. 


In addition, for the Interdisciplinary Practice concentration:

  1. BFASA students in the Interdisciplinary Practice concentration will have the ability to conceive, design, and create works in one or more specific fine arts disciplines.
  2. Students in the Interdisciplinary Practice concentration will have an understanding of the similarities, differences, and relationships among the various fine arts areas.
  3. Students in the Interdisciplinary Practice concentration will have experiences that encourage familiarity with a broad variety of work in various specializations and media, including broad exposure to works of art.
  4. Students in the Interdisciplinary Practice concentration will have opportunities to develop an area of emphasis in at least one fine arts area, process, or medium.

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art in Studio Art, Interdisciplinary Practice Concentration


School of Art & Design

School of Art & Design
Art & Design Faculty
Coordinator of Undergraduate Academic Affairs: Michael Foellmer
143 Art and Design Building, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 244-8462

College of Fine & Applied Arts

Fine & Applied Arts

Admissions

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
FAA Undergraduate Advising
Undergrad Admissions: admissions@illinois.edu