Visual Arts Major

The Visual Arts program offers six areas of study:

  • Art and Engagement
  • Built Environment
  • Film and Video
  • Graphic Design
  • Painting and Drawing
  • Photography

Learning Goals

Upon graduation from the visual arts major, students will have achieved the following curricular goals:

  1. Develop a critical, historical, and empirical understanding of the various modes of visual expression embodied in the areas of study that the major encompasses.
  2. Understand and be able to articulate the historical, cultural, ethical, and aesthetic aspects of the art that the student learns about and makes.
  3. Develop and refine the necessary skill sets to make art in the discipline studied.
  4. Explore and develop the student’s creativity with the longer-term goal of being able to work independently.
  5. Be able to go on to further studies and/or to find meaningful work in the field.
  6. To understand the complex language of art and thus appreciate and engage with it over the long term.

CIP Code

50.0799 - Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other.


You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.

A visual arts major consists of a minimum of 10 3- or 4-credit courses from those described below, in addition to the core curriculum of your college.

Course Title Credits
Four Required Courses
Both of the below:7
VART 1135
Visual Thinking
VART 1150
Drawing I
One of the following:3 to 4
ARHI 1100
Art History Introduction: World Art
ARHI 1101
Introduction to Art History: Europe
ARHI 1102
Introduction to Art History: Asia
ARHI 1103
Introduction to Art History: Americas
ARHI 1104
Introduction to Art History: Africa and African Diaspora
ARHI 1105
Introduction to Art History: Architecture
VART 3134
20th Century Art: Modernism and Modernity
VART 3135
Modernism and Its Aftermath
One of the following:3 to 4
VART 2800
Seminar Graphic Design
VART 3030
Art Design and Politics
VART 3134
20th Century Art: Modernism and Modernity
VART 3135
Modernism and Its Aftermath
VART 3257
Seminar: Avant-Garde Film/Video
VART 3535
Seminar: History of Photography
VART 4600
Senior Seminar: Studio Art
Six courses distributed among one or more areas of study. 1Varies
1

Students are encouraged to work with a faculty adviser to develop an educational plan and select courses. A list of courses in each area of study is available in the Areas of Study tab.

It is strongly recommended that majors start taking visual arts core courses in their first year, and that they complete the first three of the above requirements before the end of their sophomore year.

Students must earn a grade of C or above in order for a required course to count toward their major in visual arts.

A variety of introductory courses in all areas of study except film and video are offered at Rose Hill; more specialized courses are offered at Lincoln Center.

VART 4600 Senior Seminar: Studio Art is open to seniors working on thesis exhibitions; enrollment is contingent upon acceptance at Junior Review.

Availability

The major in visual arts is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, and  Fordham's School of Professional Studies at Lincoln Center.

Fordham College at Rose Hill students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.

Fordham College at Lincoln Center students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.

Professional and Continuing Studies students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the PCS Core Curriculum and any additional electives that may be required to earn a minimum of 124 credits.

On This Page

Art and Engagement

Courses in this group have the VAAE attribute.

Course Title Credits
VART 1111Intro to Art & Engagement: Protest, Participation, the Public and other Performance Practices 4
VART 1234Modes of Transport: Choo Choo, Vroom Vroom4
VART 2050Designing the City4
VART 2099Ethics in Architecture and Design4
VART 2222Art of the Interview4
VART 2424Art and Action on the Bronx River4
VART 3030Art Design and Politics4
VART 3055Ecology for Designers4
VART 3060Visual Justice: Enacting Change Through Image-Based Storytelling 4
VART 3070Urban Architectural Design4
VART 3541The Streets of New York4

Built Environment

Courses in this group have the VABE attribute.

Course Title Credits
VART 1101Urbanism3
VART 1160Architectural Language4
VART 1163Computer Drafting for Architectural Interiors and Stage Designs4
VART 1999Tutorial0-1
VART 2040Elements of Architecture4
VART 2050Designing the City4
VART 2055Environmental Design4
VART 2070Architectural Design 4
VART 2080Interior Design Through Form, Function, & Light4
VART 2099Ethics in Architecture and Design4
VART 2999Tutorial2
VART 3055Ecology for Designers4
VART 3056Urban Environmental Design4
VART 3070Urban Architectural Design4
VART 3333Art Making in Hell's Kitchen4
VART 3541The Streets of New York4
VART 3800Internship2-3
VART 3999Tutorial3
VART 4090Senior Project Architecture4
VART 4600Senior Seminar: Studio Art4
VART 4999Tutorial4

Film and Video

Courses in this group have the VAFV attribute.

Course Title Credits
VART 1265Film/Video I4
VART 1999Tutorial0-1
VART 2222Art of the Interview4
VART 2265Film/Video II4
VART 2999Tutorial2
VART 3251Film Video Postproduction4
VART 3258Film/Video Installation4
VART 3261Documentary Film/Video Production4
VART 3262Narrative Film/Video Production4
VART 3267Urban Film Video Production4
VART 3268Film/Video Animation4
VART 3333Art Making in Hell's Kitchen4
VART 3800Internship2-3
VART 3999Tutorial3
VART 4600Senior Seminar: Studio Art4
VART 4999Tutorial4
VART 5555Urban Film Video Production3

Graphic Design

Courses in this group have the VAGD attribute.

Course Title Credits
VART 1999Tutorial0-1
VART 2003Graphic Design and Digital Tools4
VART 2400Web Design & Digital Portfolios4
VART 2424Art and Action on the Bronx River4
VART 2500Typography and Design4
VART 2550Book and Zine Design4
VART 2600Type in Motion4
VART 2700Logos, Branding, and Presentation4
VART 2999Tutorial2
VART 3030Art Design and Politics4
VART 3060Visual Justice: Enacting Change Through Image-Based Storytelling 4
VART 3250Speculative Design4
VART 3333Art Making in Hell's Kitchen4
VART 3800Internship2-3
VART 3810Seminar in Graphic Design4
VART 3999Tutorial3
VART 4600Senior Seminar: Studio Art4
VART 4999Tutorial4

Painting and Drawing

Courses in this group have the VAPD attribute.

Course Title Credits
VART 1055Figure Drawing 4
VART 1138Watercolor Painting4
VART 1150Drawing I4
VART 1180Painting I4
VART 1999Tutorial0-1
VART 2121Abstraction4
VART 2130Painting II4
VART 2140Collage and Mixed Media4
VART 2150Drawing II4
VART 2424Art and Action on the Bronx River4
VART 2545Projects and Concepts4
VART 2999Tutorial2
VART 3030Art Design and Politics4
VART 3060Visual Justice: Enacting Change Through Image-Based Storytelling 4
VART 3131Abstraction II4
VART 3132Projects and Concepts II4
VART 313420th Century Art: Modernism and Modernity4
VART 3135Modernism and Its Aftermath4
VART 3333Art Making in Hell's Kitchen4
VART 3800Internship2-3
VART 3999Tutorial3
VART 4600Senior Seminar: Studio Art4
VART 4999Tutorial4

Photography

Courses in this group have the VAPH attribute.

Course Title Credits
VART 1124Photography I4
VART 1128Introduction to Digital Photography4
VART 1999Tutorial0-1
VART 2185Photography II4
VART 2196Large-Format Photography4
VART 2424Art and Action on the Bronx River4
VART 2999Tutorial2
VART 3001Documentary Photography: Japan4
VART 3030Art Design and Politics4
VART 3060Visual Justice: Enacting Change Through Image-Based Storytelling 4
VART 3186Photography III: Portfolio, Book, Exhibition4
VART 3333Art Making in Hell's Kitchen4
VART 3500Documentary Photography: Italy4
VART 3535Seminar: History of Photography4
VART 3800Internship2-3
VART 3999Tutorial3
VART 4600Senior Seminar: Studio Art4
VART 4999Tutorial4