PDF version of this chapterMinor and Honors Programs
Minor in Fine Arts
The School of Fine Arts offers a minor in fine arts as a supplement to major fields of specialization in other departments and schools for students whose academic programs do not permit the opportunity to pursue one of the school's regular degree options. There are six intensive studio minors -- in painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, two-dimensional studies, and digital media-based imaging -- as well as interdisciplinary graphics minors in communication design and 3-D animation. There is a separate application for fine arts minors.Candidates for the minors in the School of Fine Arts will be counseled by an academic advisor in the School of Fine Arts.
Minor in Communication Design
The core of this minor is communication design. In addition to courses in design, visual literacy and digital imaging, this minor includes optional courses in business, communication, journalism and marketing, allowing students to translate their design foundation in ways that are directly relevant to their career paths. The total number of units required for the minor is 24-28.| REQUIRED COURSES | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| FA 102 | Design Fundamentals | 4 |
One lower division course (4 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FA 150 | Visual Culture and Literacy | 4 |
| FA 202 | Design II (corequisite: FA 203) | 4 |
| FA 210 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 4 |
| FA 215 | Introduction to Digital Video and Interactivity | 4 |
Four upper division courses (16 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| ACCT 410x | Accounting for Non-Business Majors | 4 |
| BAEP 423 | Management of Small Businesses | 4 |
| BAEP 451 | The Management of New Enterprises | 4 |
| BAEP 454 | The Entrepreneurial Business Plan | 4 |
| BUAD 307 | Marketing Fundamentals | 4 |
| COMM 321 | Communication in the Virtual Group | 4 |
| COMM 339 | Communication Technology and Culture | 4 |
| COMM 340 | The Culture of New Media | 4 |
| COMM 375 | Business and Professional Communication | 4 |
| FA 302 | Design III | 4 |
| FA 310 | Digital Photo Studio | 4 |
| FA 315 | Multimedia Studio | 4 |
| FA 320 | Video Studio | 4 |
| FA 332 | Typography | 2 |
| FA 402 | Advanced Design Projects | 4, max 12 |
| FA 410 | Advanced Digital Photo Studio | 4, max 12 |
| FA 415 | Advanced Multimedia Studio | 4, max 12 |
| FA 420 | Advanced Video Studio | 4, max 12 |
| JOUR 340 | Introduction to Advertising | 4 |
| JOUR 342 | Advertising Media and Analysis | 4 |
| JOUR 343 | Advertising Design and Production | 4 |
| MKT 405 | Advertising and Promotion Management | 4 |
| MKT 406 | Practicum in Advertising and Promotion Design | 4 |
| MKT 450 | Consumer Behavior and Marketing | 4 |
Minor in Digital Media-based Imaging
This minor deals with art making using new technologies, including digital photography, digital video and computer imaging. Course work includes choice of classes in history of photography, digital media, visual literacy and computer imaging. The professional aspects of this minor assist students in developing careers in fine arts, communication, engineering, film, journalism and in any area where there is a need for flexible and creative imaging using digital media. The total number of units required for the minor is 28.| Required courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Lower division | ||
| FA 150 | Visual Culture and Literacy | 4 |
| FA 209a | Photography | 4 |
| FA 210 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 4 |
| FA 215 | Introduction to Digital Video and Interactivity | 4 |
Three upper division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| AHIS 373 | History of Photography -- Pictorialism to Postmodernism | 4 |
| AHIS 469 | Critical Approaches to Photography | 4 |
| FA 310 | Digital Photo Studio | 4 |
| FA 315 | Multimedia Studio | 4 |
| FA 320 | Video Studio | 4 |
| FA 350 | Art Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| FA 410 | Advanced Digital Photo Studio | 4, max 12 |
| FA 415 | Advanced Multimedia Studio | 4, max 12 |
| FA 420 | Advanced Video Studio | 4, max 12 |
Minor in Drawing
Students enrolled in the minor in drawing will develop their creativity and technical drawing skills, as well as deepen their understanding of contemporary art. Foundation courses provide the fundamentals of spatial rendering, composition, figure drawing and visual expression. Advanced courses require more ambitious projects, personal direction, research and sustained focus. The minor is available to all USC students who wish to develop their abilities to communicate through visual means, or who wish to develop skills for conceptualization and problem solving. The minor in drawing can assist the students in art-related work, as well as creative pursuits such as printed works with images, Web sites, games and animation. A total of 24-28 units are required for this minor.| Required Courses (24-28 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| FA 101ab | Drawing | 4-4 |
| FA 201a | Life Drawing | 4 |
Optional extra lower-division course: | ||
| FA 150 | Visual Culture and Literacy | 4 |
Three upper division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FA 301 | Advanced Drawing | 4 |
| FA 331 | The Human Figure in Narrative Drawing | 2 |
| FA 350 | Art Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| FA 401 | Topics in Advanced Drawing | 4, max 12 |
Minor in Painting
Within both western and non-western traditions, painting has a long history as a site for aesthetic experience and cultural questioning. This minor allows students to immerse themselves in painting, as well as developing a grasp of the critical issues surrounding it. Foundation courses provide the fundamentals of color, composition, medium and drawing. Advanced courses require more ambitious projects, personal direction, research and sustained focus. Students majoring in many areas of the humanities may pursue this minor to augment their understanding of one of the key media in the arts. The minor is available to all USC students who wish to develop their painting skills. A total of 24 units are required for this minor.| Required courses (24 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
Three lower division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FA 101a | Drawing | 4 |
| FA 102 | Design Fundamentals | 4 |
| FA 105 | Painting I | 4 |
| FA 150 | Visual Culture and Literacy | 4 |
| FA 205a | Painting II | 4 |
Three upper division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FA 305 | Advanced Painting | 4 |
| FA 350 | Art Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| FA 405 | Topics in Advanced Painting | 4, max 12 |
Minor in Photography
The photography minor provides an in-depth experience in all aspects of photography. The well-equipped darkrooms allow individual hands-on exploration of black and white and color processes, camera types, historical and traditional printing methods, lighting and film technology. It also includes a foundation in photo theory and criticism. This minor is appropriate for students interested in an intense experiential exploration of the medium of photography. The total number of units required for the minor is 28.| Required Courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Lower division courses (16 units) | ||
| FA 150 | Visual Culture and Literacy | 4 |
| FA 209ab | Photography | 4-4 |
| FA 210 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 4 |
One upper division course (4 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| AHIS 373 | History of Photography Pictorialism to Postmodernism | 4 |
| AHIS 469 | Critical Approaches to Photography | 4 |
Two upper division courses (8 units): | ||
| FA 309 | Advanced Photography | 4 |
| FA 310 | Digital Photo Studio | 4 |
| FA 350 | Art Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| FA 409 | Topics in Advanced Photography | 4, max 12 |
| FA 410 | Advanced Digital Photo Studio | 4, max 12 |
Minor in Sculpture
This minor focuses on making, organizing and manipulating objects and their spatial relationships in a range of materials such as wood, fiberglass, clay, plaster, latex and metal. Course work includes choice of classes in sculpture, ceramics, visual literacy, public art, moldmaking, metal and casting. The three-dimensional skills taught in this minor intersect with many other disciplines including architecture, cinema-television, special effects, engineering design, urban planning and any other areas where skills in maquette and model building are relevant. The total number of units required for the minor is 28.| Required courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| FA 106 | Sculpture I | 4 |
| FA 150 | Visual Culture and Literacy | 4 |
Eight lower division units chosen from the following: | ||
| FA 101a | Drawing | 4 |
| FA 112 | Ceramics | 4 |
| FA 136 | Modeling and Mold Making | 2 |
| FA 206 | Sculpture II | 4 |
| FA 212 | Wheel Throwing | 2 |
| FA 213 | Clay and Glazes | 2 |
| FA 236 | Metal | 2 |
| FA 246 | Construction Techniques | 2 |
Three upper division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FA 306 | Advanced Sculpture | 4 |
| FA 312 | Advanced Ceramics | 4 |
| FA 366 | Art in Context | 4 |
| FA 406 | Topics in Advanced Sculpture | 4, max 12 |
| FA 412 | Topics in Advanced Ceramics | 4, max 12 |
| FA 436 | Art and Technology | 4 |
| PAS 400 | Contemporary Public Art | 4 |
Minor in Two-Dimensional Studies
This minor is designed for students who wish to augment their understanding of art in general in two-dimensional areas, rather than complete a minor that focuses on one medium. This minor provides a broad scope of courses in 2-D media and studies. This minor is open to any USC student, especially those interested in animation to sharpen their drawing, color and compositional skills. Students interested in the vast varieties of digital visual communication can develop better color and compositional skills. Total number of units required is 28.| Required courses (28 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
Four lower division courses (16 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FA 101ab | Drawing | 4-4 |
| FA 102 | Design Fundamentals | 4 |
| FA 105 | Painting I | 4 |
| FA 150 | Visual Culture and Literacy | 4 |
| FA 205a | Painting II | 4 |
| FA 207abx | Two-Dimensional Art Workshop | 2-2 |
| FA 210 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 4 |
| FA 215 | Introduction to Digital Video and Interactivity | 4 |
Three upper division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FA 301 | Advanced Drawing | 4 |
| FA 305 | Advanced Painting | 4 |
| FA 310 | Digital Photo Studio | 4 |
| FA 315 | Multimedia Studio | 4 |
| FA 331 | The Human Figure in Narrative Drawing | 2 |
| FA 350 | Art Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| FA 401 | Topics in Advanced Drawing | 4, max 12 |
| FA 405 | Topics in Advanced Painting | 4, max 12 |