The mission of the BA in Performance and Visual Studies is to cultivate a dynamic and interdisciplinary learning environment where students explore the depths of performance and visual culture and develop crucial skills in research, writing, and interpretation. To this end, the program fosters contemplation and analytical reflection about the role and meaning of artistic and creative practices in the world and trains students in humanities practices (Visual and Performing Arts Analysis, Historical and Archival Research, Criticism, Ethnography, Critical Theory, Performance as Research, and Public Humanities). Objects of study include theatre, music, dance, film and television, performance art, visual art, material culture, sports, politics, folklore, ritual, performance of self, social media, video games, and other expressive practices and art forms.

The curriculum combines elements from Art History, Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Ethnomusicology, Media Studies, and the Dramatic Arts, offering a comprehensive and diverse educational experience. The core of the program is the seminar class—a small collaborative, discussion-based class, which historically and/or theoretically explores a topic of performance and visual culture in-depth. Students complete a two-semester long, individualized research project. The program’s position within the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts affords its students the opportunity to work closely with artists and to engage with cutting-edge media technology. Students in the program are able to research the arts in a collaborative environment, working with students and faculty pursuing a variety of unique and dynamic creative practices. The program encourages and supports study abroad, community-focused internships, and independent studies, where students can pursue their interests under guidance from faculty members.

The overarching goal of the program is to empower graduates to be thoughtful contributors and innovators in the broader cultural landscape. Graduates of this program are well equipped for diverse career paths, such as professions in curating, teaching, criticism, arts administration, and non-profit. Alternatively, graduates of the degree will be well positioned for further studies at the MA and PhD level

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Semester Credit Hours
PERF 101	Introduction to Performance Studies 1	3
American history		3
Creative arts		3
Performance and visual studies elective 1,2		3
General elective 3		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Spring
FILM 101/VIST 101	Introduction to Visual Studies 1	3
Communication		3
Mathematics		3
Social and behavioral sciences		3
Performance and visual studies elective 1,2		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
Government/Political science		3
Communications		3
Global arts 1,4		3
History of performing and visual arts 1,5		3
General elective 3		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Spring
Government/Political science		3
Life and physical sciences		3
History of performing and visual arts 1,5		3
Performance and visual studies elective 1,2		3
General elective 3		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Third Year
Fall
PERF 320	Research Methods in Performance and Visual Studies 1	3
American history		3
Life and physical sciences		3
Mathematics		3
Seminar 1,6		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Spring
PERF 330	Public Scholarship in Performance and Visual Studies 1	3
Language, philosophy and culture		3
Life and physical sciences		3
Seminar 1,6		3
General elective 3		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Fourth Year
Fall
PERF 430	Performance and Visual Studies Studio 1	3
Seminar 1,6		3
General elective 3		3
General elective 3		3
General elective 3		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
Spring
PERF 481	Capstone Seminar: Performance as Research 1	3
Performance and visual studies elective 1,2		3
General elective 3		3
General elective 3		3
General elective 3		3
	Semester Credit Hours	15
	Total Semester Credit Hours	120

¹

Must make a grade of C or better on all major coursework.

²

Select from ARTS 100-499, DCED 100-499, FILM 100-499, MSTC 100-499, MUSC 100-499, PERF 100-499, PVFA 100-499, THEA 100-499, VIST 100-499. 6 hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

³

Select from any 100-499 course. 9 hours must be taken at the 300-400 level.

⁴

Select from FILM 215/GLST 215, PERF 156, PERF 301, PERF 325, MUSC 323, MUSC 324/ANTH 324, THEA 200  

⁵

Select from ARTS 149, ARTS 150, ARTS 329, ARTS 330, ARTS 341, ARTS 343, ARTS 345, ARTS 349, ARTS 350, COMM 360, DCED 201, FILM 299, MUSC 224, MUSC 225, MUSC 226, MSTC 150, PERF 310, PERF 311, PERF 312, THEA 281. 

⁶

Select from ARTS 339, FILM 399/PERF 399, FILM 417, FILM 469, FILM 470, FILM 481, PERF 450, PERF 451, PERF 452, PERF 453, PERF 454, PERF 455, PERF 456, PERF 457, PERF 460, PERF 461.

Graduation requirements include 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity courses and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse courses. A course satisfying a Core category, a college/department requirement, or a free elective can be used to satisfy this requirement. The required 6 hours may be met by courses satisfying other areas of a degree program. See your academic advisor for further information.  

General Degree Requirements:

Minimum 2.0 GPA overall and a minimum 2.0 GPA in major coursework.

A grade of C or higher is required in all coursework within the major.

Complete 36 hours of upper division (300-400 level) hours in residence, 12 hours of which must be completed in major coursework.

Complete two PERF courses formally designated as writing or communication intensive. At least one course must be completed with the writing intensive designation.