Visual Studies, BA: Philosophy and Science of Seeing
Source: https://catalog.upenn.edu/undergraduate/programs/visual-studies-philosophy-science-seeing-ba/ Parent: https://catalog.upenn.edu/undergraduate/programs/
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- Visual Studies, BA: Philosophy and Science of Seeing
Visual Studies, BA: Philosophy and Science of Seeing
Visual Studies at the University of Pennsylvania prepares students to forge innovative connections across the disciplines that study vision and images. Students acquire a critical awareness of seeing and the problems and possibilities for investigating, thinking, and writing about seeing in the 21st century. Fundamentally interdisciplinary, the Visual Studies Program partners with the Departments of Philosophy, Psychology, History of Art, Fine Arts, and Architecture. Students may also find interest in Penn Programs such as Cinema Studies and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies or outside of the School of Arts and Sciences in the Annenberg School of Communications, and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
In Sector A, students learn about the physiology and psychology of seeing; perception of color, movement, space, objects, and events; and issues in philosophy of vision from ancient to contemporary.
For more information: https://www.sas.upenn.edu/visual-studies
For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.
Course List
| Code | Title | Course Units |
| --- | --- | --- | | College General Education Requirements and Free Electives | | | | Foundational Approaches + Sectors1 + Free Electives | | 20 | | Major Requirements | | | | Stage 1 - Core Courses | | | | | Eye, Mind, and Image | 1 | | | Form and Meaning | 1 | | or | 3 Dimensions: Time and Space | | | Stage 2 - Core Courses | | | | | What is Visual Studies? | 1 | | Select 2 courses from each Sector: | | 6 | | A. Philosophy and Science of Seeing: 2 | | | | | Perception | | | or NRSC 2217/PSYC 2240/VLST 2170 | Visual Neuroscience | | | | Research Experience in Perception | | | or | What is an Image? | | | Select one of the following: | | | | | Aesthetics | | | | Introduction to Philosophy of Mind | | | | Philosophy and Visual Perception | | | | Philosophy of Perception | | | | Philosophy and Visual Perception | | | B. Art and the Culture of Seeing: | | | | | Renaissance to the Present | | | or | American Art | | | or | Modern Art: Picasso to Pollock | | | Select one of the following: | | | | ARTH 1030/EALC 0100/VLST 2330 | Art and Civilization in East Asia | | | | Art of Global Asia | | | | Introduction to Visual Culture of the Islamic World | | | C. Art Practice and Technology: | | | | | Form and Meaning (course not used in Stage 1) | | | or | 3 Dimensions: Time and Space | | | Select one of the following: | | | | | Art, Design and Digital Culture | | | | Drawing I | | | | Video I | | | | Photography Practices | | | | Introduction to Photography | | | | Digital Photography | | | | Sculpture I | | | | Introduction to Printmaking | | | or one approved alternate course (See Website) | | | | Stage 3 - Philosophy and Science of Seeing Concentration Requirements 3 | | | | | | | | Select 4 course units of Phil/Science Electives with: Attribute AVPS | | 4 | | Select 1 course unit of an Art/Culture or Art Pract/Technology Elective with the following Attribute | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | Stage 4 - Capstone Course | | | | | Senior Project | 0.5 | | | Senior Project | 0.5 | | Total Course Units | | 35 |
1 : You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the Policy Statement.
2 : Important - Check for Pre-Requisites on PSYC and some FNAR courses.
3 : Four courses (4 course units) in your concentration and one course (1 course unit) from another Sector. (Note: No Stage 2 courses may be double-counted in Stage 3).
Honors
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.70 in the Major.
- Senior Project Completed (Grade of A)
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.