Roski School of Art and Design
Minor Programs
Minors in Fine Arts
The Roski School of Art and Design offers minors in art and design as supplements 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 eight intensive studio minors — in painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, sculpture, two-dimensional studies, digital media-based imaging, and 3-D design — as well as interdisciplinary minors in communication design, 2-D art for games and 3-D art for games. There is a separate application for fine arts minors available at roski.usc.edu/minors.
Candidates for the minors in the Roski School of Art and Design will be counseled by an academic adviser in the school.
Minor in Ceramics
Students enrolled in this minor will be introduced to the rich traditions of ceramic practice — from wheel throwing to 3-D modeling — while encouraging the use of materials and methods as vehicles for individual expression in contemporary art. They will be exposed to lectures and readings in the history of clay and critical writings on the subject. A variety of classes is offered including beginning and advanced ceramics, wheel throwing, clay and glaze formulation, art and technology, modeling and mold making, sculpture, visual literacy and theory and criticism. As students advance in the level of their studies, they can choose to follow a traditional approach to clay and/or pursue exploration and experimentation with the medium including freedom to create mixed-media pieces or to bring technology in to their work. The goal is to create a strong foundation in clay significant to the career path of their choosing. The total number of units is required for this minor is 24.
| Required lower division courses (8 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| FACE 112 | Ceramics | 4 |
| FACS 150 | Visual Culture and Literacy I | 4 |
| Four lower division units chosen from the following: | ||
| FACE 212 | Wheel Throwing | 4 |
| FACE 213 | Clay and Glazes | 2 |
| FACE 214 | 3-D/Actual and Virtual | 4 |
| FASC 106 | Sculpture I | 4 |
| FASC 136 | Modeling and Mold Making | 2 |
| Three upper division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FACE 312 | Advanced Ceramics | 4 |
| FACE 412 | Topics in Advanced Ceramics | 4, max 12 |
| FACS 350 | Art Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| FASC 436 | Art and Technology | 4 |
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.
| REQUIRED COURSES (24 units) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| FADN 102 | Design Fundamentals | 4 |
| One lower division course (4 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FACS 150 | Visual Culture and Literacy I | 4 |
| FADN 202 | Design II (corequisite: FADN 203) | 4 |
| FAIN 210 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 4 |
| FAIN 220 | Introduction to Video and Time-based Experimentation | 4 |
| Four upper division courses (16 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| ACCT 410x | Foundations of Accounting | 4 |
| BAEP 423 | Management of Small Businesses | 4 |
| BAEP 451 | The Management of New Enterprises | 4 |
| BAEP 452 | Feasibility Analysis | 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 |
| FADN 302 | Design III | 4 |
| FADN 303L | Web Design | 2 |
| FADN 323 | Design Theory | 4 |
| FADN 332ab | Typography | 2, 2 |
| FADN 333 | New York Design Study Tour | 2 |
| FADN 402 | Advanced Design Projects | 4, max 12 |
| FADN 432 | Special Topics in Design | 2 |
| FAIN 315 | Internet Studio: Online Experimentation and Expression | 4 |
| FAIN 320 | Video Studio | 4 |
| FAIN 330 | Ideas in Intermedia | 4 |
| FAPH 309a | Intermediate Photography | 4 |
| JOUR 340 | Introduction to Advertising | 4 |
| JOUR 342 | Advertising Media and Analysis | 4 |
| MKT 385x | Marketing of Creative Disruption and Innovation, or | |
| BUAD 307 | Marketing Fundamentals | 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 Studio (24 units)
This minor deals with technology in art making including digital photography, digital video and the Internet. 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, design, 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 24.
| Required lower-division courses (8 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| FAIN 210 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 4 |
| FAIN 220 | Introduction to Video and Time-based Experimentation | 4 |
| Four upper-division courses (16 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FACS 350 | Art Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| FAIN 315 | Internet Studio: Online Experimentation and Expression | 4 |
| FAIN 320 | Video Studio | 4 |
| FAIN 330 | Ideas in Intermedia | 4, max 8 |
| FAPH 309a | Intermediate Photography | 4 |
| FAIN 440 | Post-Material Studio and Roundtable | 4, max 8 |
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, games and animation. A total of 20 units are required for this minor.
| Required lower-division Courses (8 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| FADW 101 | Introduction to Drawing: Studio Projects, Methods, Materials | 4 |
| FADW 201 | Intermediate Drawing | 4 |
| Electives | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Three upper-division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FACS 350 | Art Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| FADW 301 | Advanced Drawing | 4 |
| FADW 331 | Studies in Drawing and Painting | 4, max 12 |
| FADW 401 | Topics in Advanced Drawing | 4, max 12 |
| FAPR 311 | Printmaking | 4 |
| FAPR 411 | Topics in Advanced Printmaking | 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Required lower-division courses (12 units): | ||
| FADW 101 | Introduction to Drawing: Studio Projects, Methods, Materials | 4 |
| FAPT 105 | Painting I | 4 |
| FAPT 205 | Painting II | 4 |
| Three upper-division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FACS 350 | Art Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| FADW 331 | Studies in Drawing and Painting | 4, max 12 |
| FAPR 311 | Printmaking | 4 |
| FAPR 411 | Topics in Advanced Printmaking | 4, max 12 |
| FAPT 305 | Advanced Painting | 4 |
| FAPT 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 processing as well as digital technologies and issues. 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 24.
| Required Courses (24 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| One lower division course (4 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FAIN 210 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 4 |
| FAPH 209 | Introduction to Photography | 4 |
| Required upper-division courses (8 units): | ||
| FAPH 309ab | Intermediate Photography | 4, 4 |
| Three upper-division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| AHIS 373 | History of Photography | 4 |
| AHIS 469 | Critical Approaches to Photography | 4 |
| FACS 350 | Art Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| FAPH 409 | Topics in Advanced Photography | 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, cinematic arts, 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 24.
| required courses (8 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| FASC 106 | Sculpture I | 4 |
| FASC 206 | Sculpture II | 4 |
| Four lower-division units chosen from the following: | ||
| FACE 112 | Ceramics | 4 |
| FADW 101 | Introduction to Drawing: Studio Projects, Methods, Materials | 4 |
| FASC 136 | Modeling and Mold Making | 2 |
| FASC 236 | Metal | 2 |
| FASC 246 | Construction Techniques | 2 |
| Three upper-division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FASC 306 | Advanced Sculpture | 4 |
| FASC 366 | Art and Site | 4 |
| FASC 406 | Topics in Advanced Sculpture | 4 |
| FASC 436 | Art and Technology | 4 |
| PAS 371 | Art in the Public Realm: Contemporary Issues | 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 24.
| Required courses (24 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| Three lower division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FADN 102 | Design Fundamentals | 4 |
| FADW 101 | Introduction to Drawing: Studio Projects, Methods, Materials | 4 |
| FADW 201 | Intermediate Drawing | 4 |
| FAIN 210 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 4 |
| FAPH 209 | Introduction to Photography | 4 |
| FAPT 105 | Painting I | 4 |
| FAPT 205 | Painting II | 4 |
| Three upper division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FADW 301 | Advanced Drawing | 4 |
| FADW 331 | Studies in Drawing and Painting | 4, max 12 |
| FADW 401 | Topics in Advanced Drawing | 4, max 12 |
| FAPH 309a | Intermediate Photography | 4 |
| FAPR 311 | Printmaking | 4 |
| FAPR 411 | Topics in Advanced Printmaking | 4, max 12 |
| FAPT 305 | Advanced Painting | 4 |
| FAPT 405 | Topics in Advanced Painting | 4, max 12 |
Minor in 2-D Art for Games
This interdisciplinary minor integrates three major disciplines (fine arts, computer science and interactive media) to develop the 2-D visual skills necessary to conceptualize and illustrate images for games. Skills include figure drawing, perspective, camera angles, point of view, story boarding, character development and illustration techniques. Software programs such as Illustrator, InDesign and Flash will be utilized in basic interface and interactive design assignments. Although game genres include 3-D examples, this minor will focus on the 2-D graphics for 2-D games and 3-D interface design. The minor includes fine arts courses as well as game design, game technology, production pipelines and play testing courses in computer science and interactive media. A minimum of 24-26 units is required for this minor.
| REQUIRED LOWER-DIVISION COURSES (8 UNITS) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| FADN 102 | Design Fundamentals | 4 |
| FADW 101 | Introduction to Drawing: Studio Projects, Methods, Materials | 4 |
| REQUIRED UPPER-DIVISION COURSES (12-14 UNITS) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| CTIN 488 | Game Design Workshop | 4 |
| CTIN 491L | Advanced Game Project I (4, max 8), or | |
| CSCI 491abL | Final Game Project (4-2) | 4-6 |
| FASC 436 | Art and Technology | 4 |
| Four units of electives from the following: | ||
| CSCI 281 | Pipelines for Games and Interactives | 3 |
| CTAN 330 | Animation Fundamentals | 2 |
| CTAN 451 | History of Animation | 2 |
| CTAN 452 | Introduction to 3-D Computer Animation | 2, max 4 |
| CTIN 484L | Intermediate Game Development | 2 |
| CTIN 489 | Intermediate Game Design Workshop | 2 |
| CTIN 491L* | Advanced Game Project I | 4, max 8 |
| FACS 150 | Visual Culture and Literacy I | 4 |
| FADN 203 | Digital Tools for Design | 2 |
| FADW 201 | Intermediate Drawing | 4 |
| FADW 301 | Advanced Drawing | 4 |
| FAIN 210 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 4 |
| FAPT 105 | Painting I | 4 |
| ITP 280 | Video Game Production | 4 |
Minor in 3-Dimensional Design (24 units)
A minor in 3-Dimensional Design offers USC students in all fields of studies the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in 3-D thinking, imaging and production. Course work will focus on the process behind creating well-designed, expressive functional objects and spaces (both actual and virtual). The minor would be of particular interest to students wishing to further develop specializations such as package design, product design, and environmental design (way-finding, signage, display).
| LOWER-DIVISION COURSES (8 UNITS) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| Required lower-division courses (8 units): | ||
| FADN 102 | Design Fundamentals | 4 |
| FADN 230 | 3D Design: Materials and Tools | 4 |
| Optional lower-division course, chosen from the following: | ||
| FADN 202** | Design II | 4 |
| FADN 203 | Digital Tools for Design | 2 |
| FASC 136 | Modeling and Mold Making | 2 |
| FASC 206* | Sculpture II | 4 |
| ITP 215Lx | 3-D Modeling, Animation, and Special Effects | 2 |
| UPPER-DIVISION COURSES (16 UNITS) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| Required upper-division course (4 units): | ||
| FADN 330* | 3-D Design: Objects and Space | 4 |
| Upper-division courses (12 units) chosen from the following: | ||
| FADN 302* | Design III | 4 |
| FADN 303 | Web Design | 2 |
| FADN 323 | Design Theory | 4 |
| FADN 332a | Typography | 2 |
| FADN 402** | Advanced Design Projects | 4 |
| FASC 436 | Art and Technology | 4 |
| ITP 499 | Special Topics | 2 |
| MKT 385x | Marketing of Creative Disruption and Innovation | 4 |
Minor in 3-D Art for Games
The focus of the 3-D art for games minor is a trans-disciplinary approach that incorporates the creative, technological and team-based communication skills necessary to develop 3-D art skills for video games. It includes a choice of courses from fine arts, computer science, information technology, interactive media and animation and digital arts. In preparation for the transition from the theoretical assignment to professional practice, students will present game prototypes to outside professionals at “Demo Days” at the end of each semester. The minimum number of units is 25-27.
| REQUIRED LOWER-DIVISION COURSES (9 UNITS) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| CSCI 281 | Pipelines for Games and Interactives | 3 |
| FASC 106 | Sculpture I | 4 |
| ITP 215Lx | 3D Modeling, Animation and Special Effects | 2 |
| REQUIRED UPPER-DIVISION COURSES (12–14 UNITS) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| CTIN 488 | Game Design Workshop | 4 |
| CTIN 491L | Advanced Game Project I (4, max 8), or | |
| CSCI 491abL | Final Game Project (4-2) | 4-6 |
| FASC 436 | Art and Technology | 4 |
| ELECTIVES (4 units chosen from the following) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| CSCI 180 | Survey of Digital Games and Their Technologies | 3 |
| CTAN 330 | Animation Fundamentals | 2 |
| CTAN 451 | History of Animation | 2 |
| CTAN 452 | Introduction to 3-D Computer Animation | 2, max 4 |
| CTIN 483 | Introduction to Game Development | 4 |
| CTIN 488* | Game Design Workshop | 4 |
| CTIN 489 | Intermediate Game Design Workshop | 2 |
| CTIN 491L* | Advanced Game Project I | 4, max 8 |
| CTIN 493L | Advanced Game Project II | 2, max 4 |
| FACE 214 | 3-D/Actual and Virtual | 4 |
| FACS 150 | Visual Culture and Literacy I | 4 |
| FACS 350 | Art Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| FAIN 210 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 4 |
| FAIN 220 | Introduction to Video and Time-based Experimentation | 4 |
| FAIN 315 | Internet Studio: Online Experimentation and Expression | 4 |
| FAIN 330 | Ideas in Intermedia | 4 |
| ITP 280 | Video Game Production | 4 |