COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in studio art at Wichita State University with a concentration in community and social practices is a 120-credit-hour program designed to develop both technical artistic skills and socially engaged creative practice. Students must complete approximately 86 credit hours in art and art history coursework while also fulfilling general education and university graduation requirements. A minimum grade of C (2.0 GPA) is required in all major courses, and students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA within the major to remain in good standing. The program begins with a structured foundation curriculum that includes Introduction to Art and Design (ARTF 102), 2-D Design, Drawing, and 3-D Design, which build essential visual, conceptual, and technical skills. Students also complete a mid-program review (ARTF 202) to ensure progress before advancing into upper-level coursework. Art history is an important component, requiring introductory surveys (ARTH 125A-Z), contemporary art studies, and additional advanced-level art history courses at both 300 and 500 levels, helping students understand historical and cultural contexts of art. Studio training spans multiple media, including photography, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and digital tools, ensuring broad creative exposure before specialization. The studio art program studies further develop professional practice, interdisciplinary thinking, and conceptual development through courses such as Studio Tools and Presentation and Interdisciplinary Seminar. In the community and social practices concentration, students focus on applying art in real-world and social contexts through courses like Community Arts Engagement, Documentary Media and Social Strategies, and Cross-Cultural Aesthetic Inquiry, alongside an internship experience that provides practical field exposure. The program culminates in a senior project and exhibition, allowing students to present a cohesive body of work professionally. With at least 45 upper-division credits required, the degree emphasizes advanced study, critical thinking, and independent artistic development, preparing graduates for careers in community arts, cultural organizations, education, media, and creative industries.