Nov 06, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Creative Arts, BA


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Advisor: Shannon Rose Riley. M.F.A., Ph.D.

Founded in 1956, the innovative Creative Arts Program is the oldest interdisciplinary arts and creativity studies program in the CSU. The program offers a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum that examines creativity across the arts domains and emphasizes both creative and critical thinking. Offered by the Department of Humanities , students take core courses in creative arts in combination with art, English, comparative literature, music, dance, radio, film, and theatre courses, individualizing their program of study. We offer a major and a minor in Creative Arts. Key to the Program is an emphasis on creative thinking and the creative process. As a result, our students become effective thinkers and problem-solvers. Our graduates become successful visual and performing artists, teachers, arts administrators, activists, software developers, software engineers, physicians, writers, sound recording engineers, costume designers, arts therapists, librarians, lawyers, and entrepreneurs.

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements 32
Major Preparation 3
Major Requirements 45
University Electives 40
Total 120

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

The following Required Major courses must be completed with a grade of “C- or better”: CA 172 , CA 173 , CA 175 , CA 176  and CA 178 .

University Requirements


Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Core Lower Division General Education (21 units)


Of the 39 units required by the university, 18 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3, B4, or F must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with a major advisor for details.

Note: Students who have completed the ADT Transfer degree (under SB 1440) for this major will have completed all lower division GE requirements and should follow the 60 unit guarantee roadmap. Meet with an advisor prior to registering for your first semester for the 60 unit roadmap or specific questions.

Upper Division General Education (3 units)


Of the 9 units required by the university, 6 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)


Complete one 6-unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement  with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies sequence (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) or Humanities Honors course (HUM 2B ; 6 units) satisfies the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see course descriptions for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

Physical Education (2 units)


All SJSU undergraduate students, regardless of major, have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in physical activities. To accommodate students’ needs and interests, the university offers a diverse selection of activity courses .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (3 units)


At SJSU, students must pass a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course with a grade of C or better (C- not accepted) is required to meet graduation requirements. Exceptions to the GWAR may be found in the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)  section.

Major Preparation (3 units)


Major Requirements (45 units)


To qualify for a baccalaureate in Creative Arts, a grade of “C-” (1.7) or better is required in each of the following courses:

Lower Division Courses (9 units)


Arts History/Theory Course (3 units)


Three units of lower division non-studio, non-activity courses in history or theory selected from the following: Art; Art History; Comparative Literature; Dance; Design; English; Music; Radio, Television, Film; Theatre Arts; and others approved by the CAP Advisor.

Activity or Studio Courses (6 units)


Six units of activity or studio courses in visual or performing arts or creative writing listed below or approved by the CAP Advisor

Upper Division Courses (9 units)


Nine unit program of study of upper division courses in two or more arts disciplines selected primarily from the following: Art; Art History; Comparative Literature; Dance; Design; English; Music; Radio, Television, Film; Theatre Arts; World Languages and Literatures (literature only); or for a complete list of electives, see the Creative Arts Advisor

Complete Six Units From:


University Electives (40 units)


Total Units Required (120 units)


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