Critical Studies
Critical Studies is where creative practice and critical reflection intersect. These courses are a common ground for all UArts students and offer a unique forum for exchanging ideas through different critical perspectives and approaches. Critical Studies courses connect you with other students from all fields of study to discuss how to use critical thinking and creative insight in your artistic practice. A broad range of interdisciplinary courses will develop and deepen your critical thinking skills, communication and research toolkits, and understanding of the history and criticism of creativity.
Recent Course Highlights
- AMSL 201 & 202 | American Sign Language I & II
- CRIT 305 | Theories of Gender & Sexuality
- CRIT 310 | Identity, Multiculturalism, & Empire
- CRIT 324 | Envisioning Nature
- CRIT 327 | Love, Power, & Justice
- PSYC 203 | Personality & Creativity
- SCIE 212 | Sleep, Dreams, & Art
- SCIE 216 | Death & Ritual
- SCIE 219 | Observing Humans
About the Curriculum
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Critical Dialogues (9 credits)Critical Dialogue (CRIT) courses offer collaborative spaces for you to reflect from a variety of perspectives on issues central to creative endeavors and contemporary society. Discipline Histories (9-12 credits – varies by major)Look back into the history of your creative discipline — and other artistic fields — to begin imagining the future. Critical Studies Electives (12-15 credits – varies by major)Critical studies electives encourage you to follow your curiosity and choose your own adventure outside of your major. Learn a new language, explore big questions in philosophy, go on a study away trip and more. First-Year Writing (6 credits)A simple argument shapes our writing classes: artists write — and artists in the 21st century need to write well. The First-Year Writing Program’s COMP classes will help you develop your ability to communicate effectively while expanding your critical and creative thinking horizons. Science (3 credits)Our science offerings have one goal: to inspire your curiosity about the world around us all while introducing you to science concepts that can speak to and expand beyond your major. Explore diverse scientific fields through the anthropology (ANTH), psychology (PSYC), sociology (SOCI) and interdisciplinary science (SCIE) classes. |
Total Critical Studies Credits Required: 42
In Critical Studies, you’ll learn from active scholars and artists from a wide array of artistic disciplines and academic fields.
Click the images below to meet faculty in the Critical Studies Program.
Art History Minor (15 credits)
Focus on how historical moments shape creative work and the relationships between forms, functions and cultural value systems. You’ll develop critical vocabularies about creative practices to prepare you for work in a variety of fields, including exhibitions and auctions.
Select one of the following:
- AHST 202 | Ancient Art
- AHST 203 | Art in Renaissance Europe
- AHST 204 | Baroque Art
- AHST 401 | Michelangelo
- AHST 406 | Spanish Artists
Select four courses from the following:
- Any courses from subject AHST, excluding AHST 101 and AHST 102
- PRNT | 300 History of the Print
Philosophy & Religion Minor (15 credits)
Examine how beliefs and ways of understanding shape our perspectives on who we are and how creativity functions in our lives. This minor will help you develop a broad intellectual foundation that can inform your creative practices.
Select 5 courses from subjects PHIL or RELI; a minimum of two courses must be completed in both subjects