College of Fine Arts

Jennings House
Phone: 740.593.1808
Fax: 740.593.0570
Fine.Arts@ohio.edu
www.finearts.ohio.edu/

Charles McWeeny, Dean
Joseph Lamb, Associate Dean
Norma J. Humphreys, Assistant Dean

The College of Fine Arts includes the Schools of Art, Dance, Film, Interdisciplinary Arts, Music, and Theater. The College offers a broad cultural education in the fine arts, as well as specialized training in a wide range of career fields.

Schools and Programs

The School of Art, located in Seigfred Hall, offers degree programs leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with majors in art history, ceramics, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. It also offers a liberal arts-based degree program leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). A limited number of exceptional students may be approved to pursue work in art history through the Honors Tutorial College.

The School of Dance, located in Putnam Hall, offers a single preprofessional degree program leading to a B.F.A. with a major in dance. It also offers a liberal arts-based degree program leading to a B.A. A limited number of exceptional students may be approved to pursue work in dance through the Honors Tutorial College.

The School of Film, located in Lindley Hall, does not offer an undergraduate degree program. You can, however, earn a minor in film, and many undergraduate film courses are available, some of which may be used to fulfill specific degree requirements. A limited number of exceptional students may be approved to pursue work in film through the Honors Tutorial College.

The School of Interdisciplinary Arts, located in Lindley Hall, does not offer an undergraduate degree program. You can, however, earn a minor in interdisciplinary arts, and many undergraduate interdisciplinary arts courses are available, some of which may be used to fulfill specific degree requirements.

The School of Music, located in Glidden Hall, offers degree programs leading to a Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) with majors in music composition, music history and literature, music education, music theory, music therapy, orchestral instruments, organ, piano, piano pedagogy, and voice. It also offers a liberal arts-based degree program leading to a B.A.

The School of Theater, located in Kantner Hall, offers degree programs leading to a B.F.A. with majors in production design and technology, management, playwriting, and theater performance (acting). It also offers a liberal arts-based degree program leading to a B.A. A limited number of exceptional students may be approved to pursue work in theater through the Honors Tutorial College.

Double Majors

You might wish to pursue two majors within the College of Fine Arts, either simultaneously or successively, earning a double major. You must be admitted to and complete all requirements for each of the majors. The College of Fine Arts awards a B.A., B.F.A. or B.Mus. only once, regardless of the number of majors completed with that degree designation (e.g., one B.F.A. degree for double majors in playwriting and acting). Consequently, only one diploma is issued per degree.

Second (Dual) Bachelor’s Degree

If you wish to pursue a second major, outside the College of Fine Arts, apply for admission to the college offering the second major. See “Earning a Second Degree” in the Graduation Requirements - Universitywide section of this catalog for specific requirements.

In the case of the dual degree comprising a B.F.A., B.Mus. or B.A. in the College of Fine Arts and a second degree earned in a different college, two degrees are conferred and two diplomas are awarded.

University policy requires the completion of a minimum of 208 quarter hours for the second or dual degree (i.e., an additional 16 hours beyond the 192 required for the first degree), including all specific requirements for both degree programs. For the guidelines to earning a second or dual bachelor’s degree, refer to the Graduation Requirements - Universitywide section of this catalog.

Minors

Minors are available in art, dance, film, interdisciplinary arts, music, and theater. The minors are designed for students majoring in other fields who wish, in the course of their formal education, to pursue study in the arts. Specific requirements for each minor can be found in the program information for that minor.

If you wish to declare a minor in the College of Fine Arts, consult with both your major advisor and an advisor within the minor program.

If you are a student with a major in the College of Fine Arts and wish to pursue a minor offered by another school or department within the University, consult that school or department’s section of the catalog. You cannot minor in the same area as your major (i.e., dance major/dance minor).

Admission Requirements

High school applicants must be admitted to Ohio University prior to being admitted to a specific Fine Arts program. Guidelines for admission to each school within the College of Fine Arts are listed below.

School of Art

Students accepted to Ohio University are admitted as B.A. majors. A portfolio is required of incoming freshmen, only for talent scholarship consideration and must be submitted online. Contact the School of Art for portfolio submission dates.

Admission to a specific B.F.A. major (art history, ceramics, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture) requires a review of portfolio or application materials, which occurs at the end of the sophomore year.

School of Dance

An audition is required for entry into all dance degree programs and for talent scholarship consideration. Contact the School of Dance for audition dates.

School of Music

An audition is required for entry into all music degree programs and for talent scholarship consideration. Contact the School of Music for audition dates.

School of Theater

Students accepted to Ohio University are admitted as either general theater majors or B.A. students. An audition/interview is required of incoming freshmen, only for talent scholarship consideration. Contact the School of Theater for audition/interview dates.

Admission to a specific B.F.A. major (production design and technology, playwriting, performance (acting) and management) requires an audition/interview at the end of the freshmen year.

Transfer Students

To transfer from another college or university, you are required to audition, submit a portfolio, or meet the requirements specified by each program in the College of Fine Arts, in addition to gaining admission to Ohio University. Contact the particular school in which you are interested for detailed information.

Ohio University students requesting transfer to major programs in the College also are required to meet the above criteria and should consult the appropriate school before applying for transfer.

Scholarships and Awards

A limited number of scholarships and awards of varying amounts are available to students with majors in the College of Fine Arts. Some awards are renewable; others are granted on a one-time basis, renewable at the discretion of the school involved. Awards are based primarily on talent demonstrated through audition, interview, and/or portfolio submission. In each case, academic performance is considered important. Contact the appropriate school before January 1 to arrange an audition or portfolio submission for talent-based awards.

Education Abroad

Ohio University provides a wide range of opportunities to earn college credit through education abroad programs. The College of Fine Arts sponsors a number of these programs with a focus on the arts in areas such as Germany, Ghana, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Norway, and Spain. Information regarding a specific program can be obtained from the sponsoring school and/or the Education Abroad office.

For information about general Ohio University education abroad opportunities, refer to “Office of Education Abroad” in the Academic Opportunities – Universitywide section of this catalog.

Advising

The College of Fine Arts maintains a system of academic advising for its students, with assigned members of the faculty serving as advisors. Maintain ongoing contact with your advisor for assistance with concerns related to academic and career planning. Your advisor will assist you with an appropriate selection of courses each quarter, as you prepare your schedule. It is especially important that you work closely with your advisor to maintain the proper sequence of courses in your major. Deviations from the normal course requirements, including waivers and/or substitutions, must be approved in writing by your advisor, school director, and the dean’s office.

Although your advisor will be helpful in assisting you with the preparation of your schedule, it is your responsibility to make certain that all graduation requirements are met.

Academic Probation

Students who are placed on academic probation during their first year are required to complete an Academic Success Workshop, provided through the Allen Student Help Center, located in Baker University Center. The 90-minute workshop aims to help students improve their academic performance and return to good academic standing. Information about the workshop is sent to students’ local addresses and University e-mail accounts. Students should also arrange to meet with their assigned academic advisor to get further help on ways to improve their academic situation.

Degrees and Requirements

The B.A. degree is granted upon completion of programs in the School of Art, School of Dance, School of Music, and School of Theater.

The B.F.A. degree is granted upon completion of programs in the School of Art, School of Dance, and School of Theater.

The B.Mus. degree is granted upon completion of programs in the School of Music.

All programs of study within the College of Fine Arts are intended to provide students with a strong foundation in the arts and culture, as well as an opportunity for specialized professional training. Every effort is made through careful individual advising and a flexible curriculum to meet the individual needs of each student.

If your qualifications are outstanding, certain courses may be waived from the proposed program of study. You may request a review of qualifications for course waivers through your advisor and school director. Waivers sanctioned at the school level are then submitted to the dean’s office for review.

Candidates for degree programs in the College of Fine Arts must complete a minimum of 192 quarter hours with an accumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0. The minimum number of quarter hours and the accumulative GPA for some degree programs are higher.

B.A. Degree and Requirements

Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

General requirements for a B.A. are (a) a minimum of 192 quarter hours, including (b) 90 hours of Arts and Sciences coursework above the 199 level; (c) the equivalent of two years of college-level foreign language; (d) at least 18 hours each of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences coursework; (e) General Education requirements—Tiers I, II, III—and (f) all requirements stipulated by the school for the chosen major. Minors are optional.

A minimum of 192 quarter hours of credit is required for a B.A. degree. Policy does not allow an accumulation of more than 72 hours in any one major for a B.A. without a penalty against the total hours to graduate. Any hours earned in excess of the stated maximum for the major will necessitate earning equivalent credit hours over 192.

B.A. Degree Language Options

The foreign language requirement for B.A. degree candidates is the successful completion of a two-year sequence of study of one language from level 111 through level 213.

Two years of high school language are considered the equivalent of one year of college language. According to your preference, however, your two years of college-level study may be a language other than the one studied in high school.

For the B.A.:
Zero to one year of high school language must complete two years of one foreign language at the college level. Two to three years of one high school language must complete the intermediate level (i.e., second year) 211–213, of the same language or, if you prefer, two years (111–213) of a language different from the one studied in high school. Four or more years of one high school foreign language must complete level 213 or 341 or higher in the same language. Four years of high school Latin may complete LAT 351, rather than LAT 213. LAT 351 is recommended.

Foreign Language Requirement for Transfer Students

The College of Fine Arts requires that all candidates for a B.A. degree successfully complete two years of foreign language at the college level, or the equivalent. The table below explains how transfer credit for foreign language courses is evaluated.

SEMESTER HOURS:

The B.A. degree requires 24 quarter hours (two years) of one foreign language.
Students who have completed 16 semester hours of one foreign language, contingent upon the courses being equivalent in content (as determined by the College), will receive credit for 24 quarter hours (two years of instruction) and fulfill their foreign language requirement.
Students who have completed eight semester hours of one foreign language, contingent upon the courses being equivalent in content (as determined by the College), will receive credit for 12 quarter hours and fulfill one year of their foreign language requirement.
Students who have completed six semester hours of one foreign language, contingent upon the courses being equivalent in content (as determined by the College), will receive credit for nine quarter hours and need to make up three quarter hours to complete one year of foreign language as required by the degree program.

QUARTER HOURS

The B.A. degree requires 24 quarter hours (two years) of one foreign language.
Transfer students who have completed 24 quarter hours of one foreign language, contingent upon the courses being equivalent in content (as determined by the College), will receive credit for two years of instruction and fulfill their foreign language requirement.
Students who have completed 12 quarter hours of one foreign language, contingent upon the courses being equivalent in content (as determined by the College), will fulfill one year of their foreign language requirement.
Students who have completed nine quarter hours of one foreign language, contingent upon the courses being equivalent in content (as determined by the College), would need to take an additional three quarter hours at Ohio University to fulfill one year of foreign language.
FURTHER, if you are transferring nine quarter hours of language credits, you must complete your foreign language requirement by doing the following:
1. Take the language placement test in Spanish, German, or French, offered by the Department of Modern Languages. For other languages, contact Modern Languages Department to arrange a placement test.
2. If your placement score indicates an achievement level comparable to the 113 or 213 level of that language, you must complete either 113 or 213 at Ohio University.
3. If your placement score is above 113 or 213 of that language, the College will waive the deficient three credit hours and accept nine credits as equivalent to 12 credits, to fulfill the first or second year series. (Transfer credits maintain their three hour credit value.)

Area Distribution Requirements

Humanities Area Requirement*

The humanities requirement may be met by selecting 18 quarter hours from two or more departments, excluding the major, with at least eight hours in one area, from the following:

African American Studies 106, 110, 150, 210, 211, 250, 310, 317, 350, 352, 353, 355, 356, 357
College of Arts and Sciences 111, 112
Art History
Classical Archaeology, except 211, 212, 213
Classics in English
Communication Studies 351, 352, 353
Dance 170, 351, 352, 353, 370, 471, 472, 473, 474
English, except 150, 151, 152, 153, 153A, 153B, 450A-B, 451, 452
Fine Arts 150
Foreign language courses other than those used to complete the foreign language requirement and except 199 and JPN 341, 369G, 369K, 369L, 469
History 121, 122, 122A, 123, 314A-G, 328, 328A, 329A–C, 330, 331, 339, 340, 350A, 351, 352, 353A–C, 354A–B, 356A–C, 357, 360A–B, 370, 389
Humanities 107, 108, 109, 117, 307, 308, 309, 390A-B, 392A
Interdisciplinary Arts
International Literatures in English–International Literature: Linguistics and International Literature: Modern Languages
Modern Languages 321J, 370J
Music/Music Literature 120 or 125, 124, 150, 224, 321-3, 421, 427, 428
Philosophy, except 120
Theater 270, 271, 272
University Professor 150–152H, 450–452H
Women’s and Gender Studies, except 360
World Religions, except 413

Social Sciences Area Requirement*

The social sciences requirement may be met by a selection of 18 quarter hours from two or more departments, excluding the major, with at least eight hours in one area, from the following:

African American Studies 101, 190, 202, 220, 225, 254, 340, 341, 345, 346, 360, 368, 440, 482
Anthropology, except 201, 346, 355, 447, 448, 492, 496, and those listed as natural sciences below
Business Law 255, 442, 475
Classical Archaeology 211, 212, 213
College of Arts and Sciences 113
Economics
Geography, except those listed under Natural Sciences (see below)
History, except those listed under Humanities (see above)
International Studies 103, 113, 118, 121
Japanese 341
Linguistics
Political Science
Psychology, except 120, 221, 312, 314, 321
Social Work
Sociology
University Professor 150–152S, 450–452S
Women’s and Gender Studies 360

Natural Sciences Area Requirement*

The natural sciences requirement may be met by selecting 18 quarter hours from two or more departments, excluding the major, with at least eight hours in one area from the following:

Anthropology 201, 346, 355, 447, 448, 492, 496
Astronomy
Biological Sciences, except 217
Chemistry, except 115
Computer Science 416
Environmental and Plant Biology, except 217
Geography 101, 202, 302, 303, 304, 305, 315, 316, 358, 406, 407, 411, 417, 418, 466, 467, 476
Geological Sciences
Mathematics, except 101, 102, 109, 113, 115, 117, 118, 120, 121, 122, 169L, 320, 320L
Physical Science
Psychology 221, 312, 314, 321
Physics
University Professor 150–152N, 450–452N

Note: Methods courses are not applicable to area requirements.

*These listings must be used as the official guide for the completion of the Arts and Sciences area (distribution) requirements. Exceptions to the 18-hour Arts and Sciences area distribution will be made only under the most unusual of circumstances and by petition only.

Some courses from these categories may also be applied to the University Tier II requirements. However, the three Arts and Sciences area categories differ in scope from the six Tier II groupings (Applied Science and Mathematics, Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Fine Arts, Humanities and Literature, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences). If you wish to select a course that will apply to both the Arts and Sciences and Tier II requirements, take care to choose a course that has been approved for the desired category in both the College and the University listings. (The list of courses approved for Tier II categories appears in the Graduation Requirements - Universitywide section of the catalog.) Courses that can fulfill Tier I quantitative skills and freshman composition requirements and the Tier III requirement do not apply to the Arts and Sciences area distribution requirements, except for MATH 163A, 163B, and PSY 221.

Level-of-Study Requirement

(Hours at the 200 level or above)
Within the total hours applied to the degree, at least 90 quarter hours of courses must be above the freshman level (numbered above 199). These courses are listed earlier in this section under humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and include foreign languages, courses from the department major, and courses taught by faculty in the College of Fine Arts or Arts and Sciences intended to meet the junior composition or Tier III requirement.

Single Application of Credit and Exceptions

Excluding the exceptions listed below, no course may satisfy more than one of the area requirements in foreign language, humanities, social sciences, or the major requirement. For example, a theater major may not apply any courses in theater toward the humanities requirement. Courses that fulfill freshman General Education Tier I requirements or Tier III will not apply to the distribution area requirement. Tier III-equivalent courses may fulfill both major and Tier III requirements.

Exceptions are:

MATH 163A, 163B, and PSY 221 (will fulfill the Tier I quantitative requirement, as well as the natural science area).
Courses required for a major, but outside the major department (extradepartmental) will be counted toward the area requirements.
Courses required for a minor will be counted toward the area requirements.
Junior-level advanced composition courses offered by departments within the College of Fine Arts or the College of Arts and Sciences apply to the distribution area requirements except when they are required for the major.

Courses required for a second major may be used for the area requirements.