Courses of Study 2024-2025
Art – BFA
|
|
|
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A)
The B.F.A. program allows the student to map a highly individualized curriculum with the goal of evolving a mature artistic practice at the earliest possible stage.
- Instruction mode: In person
- Program location: Ithaca, New York
- Optional study locations: Cornell in Rome, Rome, Italy
- Length of program: 8 semesters; 120 academic credits; full-time study
B.F.A. Degree Requirements
Students matriculating in Fall 2023 must complete the following degree requirements:
| Requirement Area |
Number
of
Classes |
Specific classes
(if applicable)
|
Minimum Number
of
Academic
Credits
|
Studio Practice:
2000-level studios |
4 |
ART 2501 (first fall semester) plus any additional three art studios at the 2000-level |
16 |
Studio Practice:
3000-level studios |
4 |
Any four classes at the 3000-level (excluding ART 3006 ) |
16 |
| Studio Practice: Elective Studios |
2 |
Any two additional art studios at the 2000- or 3000-level |
8 |
Studio Practice:
Advanced Practice |
1 |
ART 3006 (Spring only) |
4 |
Studio Practice:
Thesis Year
|
2 |
ART 4003 and 4004 |
8 |
| Shop & Tech |
1 |
ART 2900 (first fall semester) |
1 |
Theory and Criticism
|
3 |
ART 2103 (first spring semester), ART 4100 (thesis fall semester), and one additional theory and criticism elective |
11-12 |
Art History/Visual Studies
|
3 |
One modern/contemporary, one global/underrepresented, and one additional art history elective |
9-12 |
| Diversity & Inclusion |
1 |
AAP 1100 |
3 |
Writing
|
2 |
Any two writing classes from the following: First-Year Writing Seminars (FWS), ENGL 2880 |
6 |
Elective Plan
|
varies |
Any academic class at Cornell planned out in consultation with faculty advisor |
34-38 |
Physical Education
|
2 |
Any PE class at Cornell |
0* |
Swim Test
|
0 |
|
0 |
| |
|
Total: |
120 |
* P.E. classes do not count as academic credit.
Studio Practice Requirement: 13 classes; 52 credits
1. Introductory 2000-level Studios: 4 classes; 16 credits
B.F.A. students are required to complete ART 2501 (first fall semester) and three additional 2000-level ART studios by the end of the third semester. Art studios must be taken for four credits and a letter grade.
2. Advanced 3000-level Studios: 4 classes; 16 credits
B.F.A. students are required to successfully complete four 3000-level studios in addition to ART 3006 . Students may enroll in a 3000-level studio if they have successfully completed any stated prerequisites. Art studios must be taken for four credits and a letter grade. Successful completion of all four 3000-level studios is a prerequisite for ART 4004 .
3. Elective Studios: 2 classes; 8 credits
B.F.A. students are required to successfully complete two additional ART studios at the 2000- and/or 3000-level. Students may enroll in a 3000-level studio if they have successfully completed any stated prerequisites. Art studios must be taken for four credits and a letter grade.
4. Advanced Practice: 1 class; 4 credits
B.F.A. students are required to complete ART 3006 in the Spring of the third year. ART 3006 is a pre-requisite for ART 4003 .
5. Thesis: 2 classes; 8 credits
In the final year of study, B.F.A. students enroll in ART 4003 and ART 4004 . ART 3006 must be completed before ART 4003 , and all other studio requirements must be completed before ART 4004 .
Shop & Tech: 1 class; 1 credit
B.F.A. students are required to successfully complete ART 2900 - Shop and Tech in the first Fall semester of study to be in good standing. This requirement must be completed at Cornell.
Theory and Criticism Requirement: 3 classes; minimum of 11 credits
B.F.A. students are required to successfully complete the following three classes for a minimum of 11 credits in the area of theory and criticism:
In the first Spring semester of study, B.F.A. students enroll in ART 2103 . The ART 2103 requirement cannot be fulfilled with transfer credit.
After ART 2103 has been completed, B.F.A. students must successfully complete a theory and criticism elective. Students may satisfy this requirement with ART 3102 (Cornell in Rome) or another approved theory and criticism elective .
In the final Fall semester, B.F.A. students enroll in ART 4100 . The ART 4100 requirement cannot be fulfilled with transfer credit.
*Note: B.F.A. students may petition to have other Cornell University courses applied towards the Theory and Criticism requirement. Petitions must include a course syllabus and the course(s) must primarily be involved in analyzing and evaluating the cultural and artistic considerations of the work of art. Artworks can be objects, films, electronic or digital works, and more.
Art History/Visual Studies Requirement: 3 classes; minimum of 9 credits
B.F.A. students are required to successfully complete three classes for a minimum of 9 credits in the area of art history:
*Note: B.F.A. students may petition to have other university courses applied toward the Art History/Visual Studies requirement. Petitions must include a course syllabus.
Diversity and Inclusion Requirement: 1 class; 3 credits
B.F.A. students are required to successfully complete AAP 1100 in the first Fall semester of study.
Writing Requirement: 2 classes; 6 credits
B.F.A. students are required to successfully complete two approved writing classes totaling 6 credits by the end of the second year and before participating in off-campus study. Approved writing courses include all First-Year Writing Seminars (FWS) and ENGL 2880 - Expository Writing . B.F.A. students can apply advanced placement credit toward a maximum of one writing class. Only the Knight Institute can approve substitutions for the writing requirement.
Elective Curricular Plan: 34-37 credits
In close collaboration with the faculty advisor, B.F.A. students will develop an Elective Curricular Plan comprised of a cross-disciplinary cluster of electives. Students work closely with their faculty advisor and other departmental faculty to integrate these classes into their developing art practice that is critically, intellectually, and materially advanced. When enrolling in elective classes, up to nine credits of electives may be taken under the S/U grading-basis.
Total Academic Credits: 120
B.F.A. Learning Outcomes
Through successful fulfillment of the bachelor of fine arts course of study, graduates will:
Knowledge
- Develop knowledge of the history and specificity of diverse disciplinary methods and media practices
- Comprehend how individual modes of artistic practice are used for creative thought and sociocultural expression
- Understand the ways that contemporary art practice creatively and critically works between or across established disciplines
- Display familiarity with the diversity of traditions, languages, and societies in the contemporary global context, and with art in its multicultural dimensions
- Be able to interpret and engage with existing visual culture and media as a form of creative intelligence
Practice
- Develop a discerning voice and confidence in one’s own artistic authorship, based on material, conceptual, and critical sensibility
- Create and sustain a body of work through self-directed research, experimentation, risk-taking, and reflective analysis
- Advance practices that can thrive either as an individual practice or within collaborative environments
Professionalism
- Effectively communicate the intention of one’s work through its full formal realization
- Be publicly articulate in the evaluation of the work of peers as well as more established artists
- Successfully represent oneself to arts organizations, curators, publications, and graduate programs for the purpose of advancing professional and artistic goals
Off-Campus Study
B.F.A. students may take advantage of off-campus study opportunities at Cornell in Rome. The Cornell in Rome semester draws upon the extensive contemporary and cultural resources of Italy and greater Europe. Each student has access to studio space where they are encouraged to develop work according to their independent practices. The semester provides an experience unparalleled for artistic, intellectual, and personal growth where students may develop their studio practice in any medium. Students should consult with their advisor to plan how their B.F.A. curriculum will coordinate with off-campus study. Learn more about Cornell in Rome.
Eligibility Requirements
B.F.A. students in good standing with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.000 or better and who are on track with the B.F.A. degree requirements are eligible to apply to study at Cornell in Rome. Students apply to the Cornell in Rome semester through a competitive application process determined by the department. Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the off-campus option, and off-campus study is contingent on the student’s continued good academic standing, adequate program enrollment, and other factors.
B.F.A. Policies
B.F.A. students are expected to satisfy all B.F.A. degree requirements and comply with the following B.F.A. policies. Any deviation must be petitioned prior to the act. Petition forms can be found online on the AAP Academic Forms page. Failure to comply with any department policies or petitions decisions may result in review by the College Academic Review Committee (ARC).
Studio Enrollment
B.F.A. students in the first three semesters are required to enroll in a minimum of two studios each semester to be in good standing, and complete a minimum of four 2000-level studios by the 4th semester. B.F.A. students in their remaining semesters are required to enroll in a minimum of one and a maximum of three art studios. Students are expected to be present during regular class hours for instruction and critiques.
Grading
All required classes must be taken for a letter-grade. A maximum of nine elective credits may be taken for an S/U grade. In addition, all college and university grading policy apply to B.F.A. students.
Course Numbering
- All ART courses numbered 1100–1999 count as elective credit only.
Additional information regarding the ART course numbering scheme can be found under Art Course and Fee Information .
Advanced Placement Credit
For B.F.A. students, advanced placement credit is applied as elective credit only, with the exception of up to one First-Year Writing Seminar. B.F.A. students may apply a maximum of nine advanced placement credits toward their degree requirements. In addition, all college and university advanced placement credit policies apply to B.F.A. students. Please refer to the Advanced Placement section of this catalog for additional university guidelines regarding AP credit.
Independent Study
Independent study classes in the Department of Art are offered on the Ithaca campus in the Fall and Spring semesters only, and are open to students in the 3rd-year or higher. Students enroll for variable credit, for up to a maximum of 2 credits. Students can choose Independent Studio, Directed Reading, or Directed Research with a Cornell full-time faculty member. Independent studio classes are applied as elective credit for the B.F.A. degree. Enrollment in an independent study requires an approved Independent Study Form, which is found online on the AAP Academic Forms page.
Eligibility requirements for enrolling in an independent study (independent studio, directed readings, directed research ):
- Third-year (junior) standing or higher;
- Successful completion of the 2000-level and one 3000-level ART studio in the studio practice area;
- A cumulative GPA of 2.700 or better; and
- Enrollment in Ithaca during the Fall or Spring semester
The above information must be verified by the Department of Art on an Independent Study Form the semester prior to enrollment. The Independent Study Form are found online on the AAP Academic Forms page. Standard University add/drop deadlines apply to enrollment in an Art independent study. Any exception to the above eligibility requirements or add/drop deadlines must be approved by petition. The petition form is found online on the AAP Academic Forms page.
Residency Requirement
- The B.F.A. program is an eight-semester program.
- Students who transfer into the B.F.A. program must complete a minimum of four semesters in residence (Ithaca/Cornell in Rome).
- B.F.A. students are required to spend the last three semesters of candidacy in residence in Ithaca.
Transfer Credit
The general college transfer credit policies apply to B.F.A. students. In addition, the following B.F.A. requirements cannot be satisfied with transfer credit and must be successfully completed at Cornell:
Further, the modern/contemporary art history and global/underrepresented art history/visual studies requirements cannot be fulfilled with transfer survey of art history courses. Such courses will be applied toward the elective plan requirement.
Additional Information for Transfer Students
To ensure a timely transfer of credit, incoming transfer students are required to submit course equivalency requests immediately upon acceptance. Students should also meet with the academic services staff as soon as possible but no later than orientation to review how their credits are applied toward the Cornell degree and for course enrollment planning.
Students who transfer into the B.F.A. program must successfully complete:
- A minimum of four semesters in residence
- A minimum of 60 academic credits at Cornell
- A minimum of 30 of the 60 credits in the Department of Art
|
|
|
|