Division of Liberal Arts

Undergraduate BulletinDivision of Liberal Arts

PDF

Overview

Overview

“At the heart of a liberal education stands the oldest human paradox: that the more deeply and intimately you understand other human beings - the more you understand their unique predicaments and their idiosyncratic pain - the more clearly you will see yourself. If you would follow the inscription at Delphi— to know thyself—know others first.” —Anthropologist Tanya Luhrmann

Central to UNCSA’s ideal of conservatory training is the concept that the traditional liberal arts are necessary for a student’s growth as an artist. The liberal arts emphasize developing competency in reading, writing and oral communication skills, fostering an awareness of major concepts that have shaped the intellectual tradition in the humanities and the arts, and developing an informed sense of the connections among areas of knowledge. Vittorio Giannini, UNCSA’s Founding President, put it this way as he spoke of his plans for the School in 1963:

“It is not enough to be trained as an artist, but as a person. As an artist you will express yourself as a person, and the richer you are as a person the better your expression will be. So, in this framework, you will have academic study.”

Requirements

Requirements

A. General Education Requirements

The Division of Liberal Arts provides the general education core for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and the Bachelor of Music degree. Students must earn approximately 25% to 30% of their total degree credits in general education courses. Students who complete the Division of Liberal Arts requirements should be able to:

  • Read analytically and critically;
  • Write clearly and persuasively at the college level, using the skills of critical thinking;
  • Interpret and produce content and communications in a variety of digital media;
  • Make informed comparisons of different cultures, worldviews, and social practices;
  • Critically appreciate different concepts of art from a variety of world traditions;
  • Understand scientific concepts and methodology and/or the principles of quantitative reasoning;
  • Articulate their own perspective regarding the interrelationship between the liberal arts and sciences and the fine and performing arts.

Students are urged to complete most of their academic coursework within the first three years of study at UNCSA. During each semester of the academic year, the usual academic program of the college student consists of two courses, each course usually carrying three semester hours of credit. The student will thus have earned up to 12 semester hours at the end of each year. Independent study courses or special seminars may vary from one semester hour to three semester hours of credit depending upon the nature of the course.

B. Continuation Requirements

Students are expected to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA in their General Education requirements to graduate with a B.F.A. or B.M. degree. Students who fail to achieve this average by the end of their fourth semester may be placed on probation. Please view the Institutional Policies on Student Probation & Continuation for more information.

C. Core General Education Courses Required for all BFA and BM Students

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
FYS 1100 First Year Seminar  3 credit hours
ENG 1200 Writing About  3 credit hours
HUM 2100 Critical Dialogues 3 credit hours
HUM 2102-2112 Paths to the Present (select one course) 3 credit hours
SOC, ATY, or PSY Social or Behavioral Sciences 3 credit hours
LIT, WRI, ENG, FRE, GER, ITA, or COM Language, Literature, and Culture 3 credit hours
HIS, HUM, ARH, PHI, or THH Humanities or History 3 credit hours
MAT or SCI Math or Science 3 credit hours
Gen Ed Electives Choice of General Education Electives* 6 credit hours


Each arts area and concentration, in cooperation with the Division of Liberal Arts, may set more specific, sometimes additional non-applied requirements appropriate to the particular field of study. See the descriptions of degree requirements in each arts area for further information. * This includes courses offered by the Division of Liberal Arts, and with specific permission by the Dean of Liberal Arts, can include courses offered by one of the Art Schools, provided that the course is outside the student’s major area of concentration (Dance, Design and Production, Drama, Film, or Music)..

Total of 30 General Education Credit Hours

D. Academic Grade Replacement Policy for students matriculated Fall 2018 and after

Students currently enrolled may repeat certain required Core General Education courses in which a D or F was earned. Core General Education courses are defined by major and area of concentration, as listed in the following chart:

All BFA or BM students

FYS 1100
ENG 1200
HUM 2101* or HUM 2100
HUM 2102-2112


The student may request to have only the higher of the two grades count in their Grade Point Average (GPA) calculation. The academic transcript will reflect all course grades; however the replaced grade will not be used in calculating the cumulative grade point average. Grades cannot be replaced for courses offered within the art schools.

There are a number of restrictions to this policy; students are advised to consult with their academic advisor prior to making any decision.

  • a grade can only be replaced for a course once;
  • grades can be replaced for up to twelve credit hours;
  • courses must be taken at UNCSA;
  • student will only earn the credit hours once;
  • the policy cannot be used in instances prohibited by the UNCSA Academic Integrity Policy;
  • students who have graduated with the arts diploma or undergraduate arts certificate prior to AY2011 are no longer eligible.

Students who decide to take advantage of the grade replacement policy are required to submit the Grade Replacement Form (obtained from the Office of the Registrar) to the Dean or Assistant Dean of the Division of Liberal Arts prior to the last day of exams during the semester in which the course is being repeated. This policy was made effective as of Fall 2010 term. * Grade replacement for HUM 2101 only available through the end of the 2025-2026 academic year. 

E. Core General Education Courses Required for all BFA and BM Students matriculated prior to Fall 2018

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
ENG 1101 Composition I 3 Credit Hours
ENG 1102 Composition II 3 Credit Hours
MAT or SCI Math or Science 3 Credit Hours
HUM 2101 Self, Society, and Cosmos 3 Credit Hours
HUM 2102-2112 Paths to the Present (select one course) 3 Credit Hours
PHI or PSY Philosophy or Psychology* 3 Credit Hours
HUM or HIS Humanities or History course* 3 Credit Hours
LIT or WRI Literature or Writing course* 3 Credit Hours
DLA Elective Choice of Elective 3 Credit Hours


Each arts area and concentration, in cooperation with the Division of Liberal Arts, sets more specific, sometimes additional non-applied requirements appropriate to the particular field of study. These additional requirements can total between 9 to 15 credit hours. See the descriptions of degree requirements in each arts area for further information. * Voice students check program requirements.

Total of 36-42 General Education Credit Hours

F. Academic Grade Replacement Policy for Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2018

Students currently enrolled may repeat certain required Core General Education courses in which a D or F was earned. Core General Education courses are defined by major and area of concentration, as listed in the following chart:

School of Dance

ENG 1101 and 1102
HUM 2101 & 2102-2112
SCI 1110, 2101, 2102, 3200

School of Drama

ENG 1101 and 1102
HUM 2101 & 2102-2112
THH 2101 & 2102

School of Design & Production

ENG 1101 and 1102
HUM 2101 & 2102-2112
THH 2101 & 2102
ARH 1101 (eligible for grade replacement only for Costume Design & Technology, Scene Design, Scene Painting, Stage Properties)
ARH 1102 (eligible for grade replacement only for Costume Design & Technology, Scene Design, Scene Painting)

School of Filmmaking

ENG 1101 and 1102
HUM 2101 & 2102-2112
ARH Elective – 1000 level

School of Music

ENG 1101 and 1102
HUM 2101 & 2102-2112
ITA 1101 & 1102 (Voice only) GER 1101 &1102 (Voice only) FRE 1101 & 1102 (Voice only)

 

G. Students Returning to UNCSA to Complete a BFA or BM:

A student with a UNCSA GPA of 2.0 or higher in Liberal Arts courses who is seeking to complete a BFA or BM within seven years of his or her last enrollment may transfer in the remaining required credits, provided that the student received a grade of C or higher in each transferable course from a regionally accredited college or university.

A student who has completed the Arts Diploma or Arts Certificate and satisfactorily completed all general education requirements with a GPA of 2.0 or higher, but was unable to graduate with a BFA or BM due to low SAT or ACT test scores, outstanding high school minimum course requirements, or unreported test scores may apply for readmission once the student reaches the age of 24. In these cases, the student must enroll at UNCSA for a minimum of 6 credit hours of coursework in Liberal Arts courses and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in these courses from the date of readmission.

H. Forgiveness Policy

The UNCSA Forgiveness Policy is a mechanism through which a student who has completed all arts course requirements was awarded the Arts Diploma or Arts Certificate but has not satisfactorily completed the general education requirements toward a BFA or BM with a GPA of 2.0 or higher can return to UNCSA to complete their degree. The Forgiveness Policy defines pertinent parameters and procedures, including the situations in which such completion can be undertaken, the work that must be accomplished, and the minimum standards of achievement. In order to use the forgiveness policy a returning student must meet the following criteria:

• The student may not have been enrolled at UNCSA within the last 24 consecutive months.

• The student must contact the Dean of the Division of Liberal Arts to discuss the terms of his or her return. As part of this discussion, the student must present a “course enrollment plan” that details how the remaining degree requirements will be realistically fulfilled. This course enrollment plan will become part of the Application for Readmission submitted through the Office of Admissions.

• A student who has been enrolled at another regionally accredited college or university since his or her last enrollment at UNCSA must submit official transcripts to the Office of Admissions along with the Application for Readmission indicating that a minimum cumulative 2.0 average has been earned in all courses attempted.

• The student will re-enter UNCSA as degree- seeking, but will be placed on probation with continuation in the program conditional on maintaining a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in Liberal Arts courses taken after the date of readmission.

• The student will follow the Liberal Arts course requirements for the degree that are in place at the time of readmission and not when the student was last enrolled.

• A student who returns to UNCSA under the Forgiveness Policy will not be permitted to take Arts courses.

• The student must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours at UNCSA, which may be taken over a maximum period of two semesters. The student must take a minimum of 6 credit hours each semester and maintain a 2.5 average over the 12 credits to be eligible to graduate.

• In some cases, the student may have more than 12 credit hours remaining to complete the general education requirements for the degree. In these cases the student may take the remaining required credit hours at UNCSA, and must maintain a 2.5 GPA to graduate. Alternately, the student may request the Dean of Liberal Arts review credits in which a C or better was earned at a regionally accredited college or university for possible transfer toward the UNCSA degree requirements.

• Applicable transfer credit will be applied only after the student has reached a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in required Liberal Arts courses upon his or her return to UNCSA.

• Upon establishing the requisite cumulative 2.5 GPA over the minimum 12 credits, any Liberal Arts courses taken at UNCSA prior to readmission in which the student earned below a C- will be excluded from the UNCSA cumulative GPA calculation (the GPA that includes all arts and liberal arts classes taken at UNCSA). While these courses will be excluded for GPA calculation purposes, they will nonetheless remain on the student’s transcript, as they are part of the calculation of attempted hours. The student will retain credit for those courses in which a passing grade was earned.

• Finally, before the degree can be granted, the student’s UNCSA cumulative GPA must meet the current graduation minimum for the appropriate Art School as published in the Bulletin under which the student re-enrolls at UNCSA.

• A student may only use the Forgiveness Policy to reapply once. Failure to achieve and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 GPA in Liberal Arts courses completed after the date of return will result in dismissal.

• A student who returns to UNCSA under the Forgiveness Policy may be eligible for financial aid if their prior coursework at UNCSA meets the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy currently in force. A student interested in pursuing financial aid should provide the Financial Aid Office with a “course enrollment plan” showing that they can complete the program within the maximum time-frame allowed by SAP.

Transfer Information

Transfer Information

A. Transfer Credit Policy for Currently Enrolled Students

The Division of Liberal Arts accepts courses taken at other institutions, whether on-line or face-to-face. Students must meet with the Assistant Dean of Liberal Arts for permission and to ensure the course will fulfill a degree requirement. A Transfer Credit Approval Form must also be completed prior to registering for the class. This form is available from the Liberal Arts office.  If this form is not completed, the course will not be transferred.

Additional transfer requirements include:

  • a final earned grade of at least a C/2.0;
  • the course is taken at a regionally accredited institution;
  • there is an equivalent DLA course; and
  • the student has a current Liberal Arts GPA of at least 2.0.

B. Community College Credit

As a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina, UNCSA fully supports and adheres to the provisions of the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA). Students that successfully complete one of the outlined CAA provisions will have their UNCSA general education requirements satisfied. Students may be required to take additional coursework in the undergraduate academic program required by the major for graduation. For more information regarding the CAA and its provisions, please access the CAA manual. College students who wish to transfer from other institutions of higher education must comply with the School’s audition and entrance requirements.

College courses carrying a grade of “C” or better may be considered for transfer credit.

C. Advanced Placement Tests, I. B. Tests and CLEP

Undergraduate students may qualify for credit through placement tests. A student who participated in the Advanced Placement® (AP) Program of the College Board may have his/her record considered for credit in the college program when a score of three (3) or above has been achieved on an Advanced Placement exam. UNCSA accepts scores and awards transfer credit for the following courses:

AP Exam Score of 3 or Higher Course Equivalent
ARTS  
Art History 6 credits: ARH 1101 and ARH 1102
ENGLISH  
English Language 3 credits: ENG 1200
English Literature 3 credits: ENG 1200
HISTORY & SOCIAL SCIENCES  
Comp Government & Politics 3 credits: ELEC 9999
European History 6 credits: HIS 1198
Human Geography 3 credits: ELEC 9999
Macroeconomics 3 credits: ELEC 9999
Microeconomics 3 credits: ELEC 9999
Psychology 3 credits: PSY 1100
US Government & Politics 3 credits: ELEC 9999
US History 6 credits: HIS 1300 and HIS 1400
World History 6 credits: HIS 1198
MATH  
Calculus AB 3 credits: MAT 2300
Calculus BC 6 credits: MAT 2300 and MAT 1198
Statistics 3 credits: MAT 1300
SCIENCES  
Biology 6 credits: SCI 1198
Chemistry 6 credits: SCI 1198
Environmental Science 3 credits: SCI 1500
Physics 1 3 credits: SCI 1100
Physics 2 3 credits: SCI 1198
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism 3 credits: SCI 1198
Physics C: Mechanics 3 credits: SCI 1198
WORLD LANGUAGES & CULTURE  
Chinese Language and Culture 6 credits: ELEC 9999
French Language & Culture 6 credits: FRE 1101 and FRE 1102
German Language & Culture 6 credits: GER 1101 and GER 1102
Italian Language and Culture 6 credits: ITA 1101 and 1102
Japanese Language and Culture 6 credits: ELEC 9999
Latin 6 credits: ELEC 9999
Spanish Language and Culture 6 credits: ELEC 9999
Spanish Literature and Culture 6 credits: ELEC 9999


International Baccalaureate® Diploma students may have their records considered for credit in the college program with a minimum score of five (5) or higher on the official IB exam for each subject. Credit awarded will vary for higher-level or standard-level subjects. UNCSA accepts scores and awards transfer credit for the following IB Courses:

Subject Minimum Score Course Equivalent
Anthropology HL 5 6 credits: HUM 1198
Biology SL 5 3 credits: SCI 1198
Biology HL 5 6 credits: SCI 1198
Chemistry SL 5 3 credits: SCI 1198
Chemistry HL 5 6 credits: SCI 1198
Economics SL 5 3 credits: ELEC 9999
Economics HL 5 6 credits: ELEC 9999
English HL 5 3 credits: ENG 1200
French HL 5 6 credits: FRE 1101 and FRE 1102
Geography HL 5 6 credits: ELEC 9999
German HL 5 6 credits: GER 1101 and GER 1102
History Africa HL 5 6 credits: HIS 1198
History Americas HL 5 6 credits: HIS 1198
History Europe HL 5 6 credits: HIS 1198
Math Studies SL 5 3 credits: MAT 1198
Math Studies HL 5 6 credits: MAT 1198
Philosophy HL 5 6 credits: PHI 1100 and PHI 1198
Physics SL 5 3 credits: SCI 1100
Physics HL 5 6 credits: SCI 1100 and SCI 1300
Psychology 5 6 credits: PSY 1100 and PSY 1198
Visual Arts HL 5 3 credits: ARH 1000
World Religion SL 5 3 credits: PHI 2200

 
College Level Examination Program® (CLEP) test scores in areas that correspond to courses in the UNCSA curriculum also may be presented for evaluation for possible credit. Credit for CLEP tests is available only to students with freshman or sophomore standing and is considered inappropriate for more advanced students. UNCSA will only consider credit for such tests that have been completed prior to the beginning of the junior year.

Independent Study Program

Independent Study

The Division of Liberal Arts offers students the opportunity to take Independent Study courses for credit apart from the regular curriculum under the direction of a Division of Liberal Arts faculty member. Independent Study is not available for multi-section required courses, nor for any course part of a year-long sequence. The only exception is an advanced Foreign Language class.

Independent Study: 2088-level (1-3 credits)

Independent Study is available in the following areas: ARH, COM, FRE, GER, HIS, HUM, ITA, LIT, MAT, MST, PHI, PSY, SCI, THH, WRI. An Independent Study is a contract between a highly motivated student and a Liberal Arts faculty member. It is entirely at the discretion of the faculty member whether or not to accept an Independent Study. Independent Study at the 2088-level is intended for second-year students with special academic interests not served by the regular schedule of classes. Independent Studies are not offered for courses already listed in the Bulletin. Students may earn a maximum of 6 semester hours in Independent Studies toward the degree. Independent Study forms can be obtained from the office of the Division of Liberal Arts. Prerequisite: ENG 1102.

Independent Study: 3088-level (1-3 credits)

Independent Study is available in the following areas: ARH, COM, FRE, GER, HIS, HUM, ITA, LIT, MAT, MST, PHI, PSY, SCI, THH, WRI. An Independent Study is a contract between a highly motivated student and a Liberal Arts faculty member. It is entirely at the discretion of the faculty member whether or not to accept an Independent Study. Independent Study at the 3088-level is intended for third and fourth-year students with special academic interests not served by the regular schedule of classes. Independent Studies are not offered for courses already listed in the Bulletin. Students may earn a maximum of 6 semester hours in Independent Studies toward the degree. Independent Study forms can be obtained from the office of the Division of Liberal Arts. Prerequisite: HUM 2101.

To be eligible for an I.S., the student must:

  • have earned a minimum of 12 semester hours in Division of Liberal Arts;
  • have completed ENG 1101 and 1102 (or the equivalent), with minimum grades of C;
  • have a minimum cumulative GPA in Division of Liberal Arts of 2.5;
  • have never failed a Division of Liberal Arts course;
  • have no outstanding Incompletes in Division of Liberal Arts courses.

The I.S. is offered for 1, 2, or 3 credits. Students may enroll in no more than one I.S. per semester, and may earn a maximum of 6 semester hours in I.S. toward the degree.

To plan an I.S., the student should:

  • obtain an agreement from the Division of Liberal Arts faculty member who teaches in the field of the special interest;
  • obtain approval of eligibility from the Assistant Dean of the Division of Liberal Arts;
  • fill out the Independent Study Approval Form with the instructor;
  • complete all of the above before the I.S. deadline before the end of the Drop/Add period of each semester.

I.S. forms and additional information may be obtained from the University Administrative Manager of the Division of Liberal Arts at 1903 Sunnyside Avenue.