COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies at California State University, Sacramento includes a multidisciplinary curriculum that combines design theory, history, research methods, and social studies to help students understand the broader impact of design in society. The program begins with required lower division courses that introduce students to fundamental concepts in design thinking and creative practice. Core courses such as Design and Thinking, Think Make, and Design and Society Since 1780 help students explore how design ideas develop and how they influence culture, technology, and social systems. In addition to these courses, students select an introductory art history course that may cover topics such as global modern art, Islamic art, Asian art, or art of the Americas, providing a historical perspective on artistic and visual traditions. Students also complete a lower division design history elective, choosing from courses such as the history of architecture, graphic design history, or photography studies.The lower division curriculum also includes a design studio elective that allows students to gain practical experience through courses such as visual basics, design fundamentals, or digital photography. To broaden their interdisciplinary understanding, students choose a complementary studies elective from fields such as cultural anthropology, environmental science, ethnic studies, geography, sociology, or gender studies. These courses help students examine the relationship between design and social, cultural, and environmental contexts. At the upper division level, students complete advanced courses that deepen their theoretical and analytical knowledge of design. Required courses include World Design and Visual Culture, Design Research Methods, Contemporary Topics in Design, Senior Seminar in Design Studies, and Introduction to Historical Skills.Students also select upper division electives in art history and design history to further explore specialized topics such as modern art, American design, fashion history, urban design, or photography history. Finally, the program requires an upper division complementary studies elective, which may include subjects like museums and society, urban geography, public history, marketing, or design internships. Overall, the curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge, historical analysis, and interdisciplinary perspectives to prepare graduates for careers related to design research, cultural institutions, media, marketing, and design management.