Department of Fine Arts

Requirements

Major in Studio Art

Emerging Studio Practice (4 Courses)

Four courses taken in any method of production (2D, 3D, Lens-based/Interdisciplinary). Eligible courses include: 

  • 2D Courses: FA 3a, FA 7a, FA 11a, FA 11b, FA 12a, FA 12b, FA 13a, FA 13b, FA 14a, FA 14b, FA 17a, FA 17b, FA 27b, FA 28a
  • 3D Courses: FA 4a, FA 5a, FA 5b, FA 6a, FA 16b, FA 23b, FA 24a, *COSI 164a, *MUS 196b, *THA 125b
  • Lens-based and Interdisciplinary Courses: FA 8a, FA 9a, FA 10a

*Students may apply only one course outside of the Fine Art Department (a cross-listed course) toward the Emerging Studio Practice requirement.

Studio Focus (2 Courses)

Two courses intended to be taken after the Emerging Studio Practice courses (or alternatively, after the completion of at least two courses in a particular method of production). To satisfy the Studio Focus requirement, students take two courses in one method of production for in-depth study and exploration, thus taking a total of 4 courses in one method/area of production by the end of one’s third year.

Studio Focus must be completed before fourth year to be eligible to enroll in Senior Studio. For methods of production that do not currently have enough offerings to complete a sequence, students may register for an independent study that meets at the same time as an already listed course. In this instance, students will develop an advanced work plan with the instructor to fulfill Studio Focus expectations. Eligible Courses for Studio Focus include:

  • 2D Courses: FA 12a, FA 12b, FA 13a, FA 13b, FA 14a, FA 14b, FA 17a, FA 17b, FA 27b, FA 28a
  • 3D Courses: FA 5a, FA 5b, FA 6a, FA 16b
  • Lens-based and Interdisciplinary Courses: FA 8a, FA 10a, *MUS 196b, *THA 126b
*Students focusing on lens-based and interdisciplinary practices may take only one of the above listed cross-listed courses to satisfy a focus requirement.

Advanced Studio Practice (3 Courses)

Three advanced studio practice courses consisting of:

  • FA 110a Senior Studio I
  • FA 110b Senior Studio II
  • FA 118a Studio Seminar (open to third and fourth year students)

Cultural Production in Context: History and Theory (3 Courses)

Three courses taken in Art History, Studio Art, and other history and theory courses in another discipline (Creative Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, particularly courses in the Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation program) with prior approval. Eligible courses in Fine Arts:

  • FA 30a – FA 86b
  • FA 119b (open to advanced students; permission required)
  • FA 141b – FA 199a
Foundational Literacies

To satisfy the Brandeis Core foundational literacies, students will:

These courses also satisfy the major requirements and are taken concurrently, not in addition to the 12 courses that comprise the major. No single course may satisfy all three foundational literacies.
Honors

Fourth-year students can apply to complete an Honors Thesis Project in Studio Art. If accepted, students must have space in their schedules to register for both FA 99a and FA 99b. These courses are completed in addition to studio production requirements.

Studio Majors are advised to choose from the following areas of focus to allow for a depth of investigation before Senior year: Painting and Drawing; Sculpture and Digital Media; or Printmaking. Substitutions and variations are permissible after consultation with faculty advisor and Undergraduate Advising Head.

 

All courses applied towards the major must be taken for a letter grade, receiving a final grade of C- or better; no pass/fail courses accepted. No more than two transfer courses can be counted toward the major.

Double Majoring in Art History and Studio Art

  • Two Foundational Surveys (Western, Asian, Islamic etc., numbered FA 30-39)
  • One Methods Seminar (FA 199a)
  • One Research Seminar (numbered FA 190-198)
  • Five Art History electives
  • Four Emerging Studio Practice courses
  • Two Studio Focus courses
  • Senior Studio (FA110a and FA110b)
  • Studio Seminar (FA118a)

For more specific information, look at the requirements for the art history major and the studio art major above.

All courses taken for the major must receive a final grade of C- or better.  No more than two courses taken in programs abroad or as transfer credit can be counted toward the major. No course taken pass/fail may count toward the major requirements.

Minor in Art History for Studio Majors

A minor in art history is offered in addition to the major. This gives the student the opportunity to flexibly construct a program of six art history courses that reflect his or her own personal or academic interests. Studio art majors may minor in art history if they take three art history course in addition to those required for their major. 

All courses taken for the minor must receive a final grade of C- or better.  No more than two courses taken in programs abroad or as transfer credit can be counted toward the minor. No course taken pass/fail may count toward the minor requirements.

Minor in Architectural Studies 

A minor in architectural studies is offered in addition to the major. Art History majors can fulfill the Architectural Studies minor through multiple combinations of courses and should plan their exact path with the Architectural Studies advising head. But ALL Architectural Studies minors must take: ALL three core architectural history courses (FA 30A, FA 80A AND FA 187A) AND two courses in Studio Design (FA 23B or 24A AND FA 4A).  

All courses taken for the minor must receive a final grade of C- or better. No more than two courses taken in programs abroad or as transfer credit can be counted toward the minor. No course taken pass/fail may count toward the minor requirements.

Students who minor in architectural studies and also major or minor in art history or studio art may double count three courses across the requirements for all their Fine Arts majors and minors.