The emphasis on the close relationship between liberal arts and studio practice at CalArts reflects the visionary commitment to inter and cross-disciplinary study on which the Institute was founded.
The general education curriculum for all BFAs, overseen by the School of Critical Studies, is designed to develop the powers of analysis and communication which students need to produce innovative and challenging art and to articulate their vision in the larger social context. To facilitate this learning, the faculty in the School of Critical Studies are recognized scholars in their own disciplines with close connections to art making and a passion to teach the liberal arts and sciences within an arts environment.
All BFA students must complete 46 units of Critical Studies coursework. Students will select a range of courses from cultural studies, humanities, the social sciences, science and mathematics. In addition, students will take courses in the history of their own métiers and the arts in general. Creative writing and computer science courses are also available. Please see the BFA Academic Requirements for a full list of the Critical Studies curriculum requirements.