Film and Sonic Arts | College of Fine Arts

The B.A. in Film and Sonic Art is a degree crafted for artistic creators seeking to advance their art through collaboration, innovation, and exploration. This one-of-a-kind program pulls together the best of UK's arts community from the School of Art and Visual Studies, the School of Music, the Department of Theatre and Dance, the School of Journalism and Media at the College of Communication, and International Film Studies at the College of Arts & Sciences; so you're not boxed into just one way of thinking or creating. The blended nature of the degree gives you the freedom to explore your voice using sonic, visual, and performing arts while learning industry standard techniques.

Now enrolling for Fall 2026 — come be a part of something great.

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Program Requirements

UK CORE 30 hours

Program Foundations (13 hours)

Required Courses (Foundational Skills) (7 hours)

A-S 285 Lens Arts
MUS 150 Intro to Audio Engineering
UK 101/201 is part of all SAVS studio programs (1 hours)
A-S 001 Foundation Exhibition (0 hours)

History / Theory (6 Hours)

Choose at least 2 course from list below:

A-H 101 Introduction to Visual Culture
MAS 101 - Media Aesthetics
TA 150 Creativity and the Art of Design & Production
MUS 174 Theory for Non-Music Majors or MUS 171 Theory I
MUS 240 Electroacoustic Composition and Sound Design
ENG 280 Introduction to Film

MAJOR COURSES 48 hours

Required Course Options by Department

Major “film or sonic production/studio” courses compiled from 4 areas (39 hours)

Choose 13 courses from approved list below (8 courses at the 300-level or above). Additional courses can be approved by SA/VS advisor.

A-S 344 Introduction to Sonic Art (in Curriculog)
A-S 305 Studio Lighting
A-S 306 Cinematography
A-S 343 Animation
A-S 346 Video: Shoot and Edit
A-S 347 Multimedia (Topical)
A-S 349 VR
A-S 446 Short Film Capstone (Topical example)
A-S 446 Sonic Studio 1 (Topical example)
A-S 543 Advanced Animation
A-S 546 Filmmaking Independent Projects
A-S 549 Advanced VR

MUS 240 Electroacoustic Composition and Sound Design
MUS 242 (Electroacoustic Music II) “Sound Spatialization & 3D Audio”
MUS 239 Intro to Computer Music and Sound Production
MUS 243 (Computer Music II) “Creative Programming for Audio and Video”
MUS 380 Advanced Mixing
MUS 381 Recording Techniques and Microphone Techniques
MUS 574 Composition
MUS 575 Composition

MAS 101 Media Aesthetics
JAM 203 - Video & Camera Fundamentals
JAM 205 - Video Editing Fundamentals
MAS 304 - Fundamentals of Filmmaking
MAS 335 - Media Industries
JOU 377 - Drone Journalism
MAS 404 - Film Directing
MAS 405 - Film Producing
MAS 406 - Filmmaking Practicum
MAS 420 - Media Criticism
MAS 390 - Screenwriting
MAS 390 - Editing
MAS 390 - Documentary Filmmaking
MAS 490 - Film Industry
MAS 590 - Children’s Media

TA 150 Creativity and the Art of Design & Production
TA 340 Acting for the Camera 1
TA 440 Acting for the Camera 2
TA 316 Dramatic Writing Fundamentals
TA 436 Dramatic Writing Advanced Screenwriting
TA 369 Sound Design for Theater

Upper Level History / Theory Requirement (3 hours)

Choose 1 course from these approved lists.

Approved list TBD

CHI 321 Introduction to Contemporary Chinese Film 
*CLA 100 Ancient Stories in Modern Films 
*ENG 180 Great Movies (Subtitle required) 
ENG 280 Introduction to Film 
ENG 380 Film & Genre
ENG 381 History of Film I 
ENG 382 History of Film II 
ENG 383 Film in the Digital Age
ENG 384: Literature and Film 
ENG 389 LAW AND FILM
ENG 480G Studies in Film 
ENG 581 Aesthetics of Film
FR 103 French Cinema 
FR 225 French Film Noir 
GER 305 German Film Today 
GER 361 German Cinema 
GWS 300 Gendered Desires in Romcoms
JPN 283 Japanese Film 
JPN 332 Aesthetic and Politics in Japanese Film
ITA 335 Topics in Italian Cinema (subtitle required)
MCL 283 Introduction to East Asian Film 
MCL 343 Global Horror 
MCL 503 Film Theory
PHI 393 Philosophy of Film 
RUS 275 Russian Film 
RUS 230 The Cold War on Screen: The Films of Andrey Tarkovsky and Stanley
Kubrick
*RUS 535 Russian Visual Studies 
SPA 371 Latin American Cinema (subtitle required) 
SPA 372 Spanish Cinema (subtitle required)

Electives and Capstone

Capstone Courses (6 hours)

ART 302 Industry Pathways (GCCR)
A-S 547 Digital Capstone

OUTSIDE EXPLORATION (Guided Electives/Minor/Certificate/Thematic) 15 hours

FREE ELECTIVES 8 hours

CFA REQUIRED COURSES 6 hours

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS - 120 total hours

Explore Your Path: Suggested Tracks

Not sure where to start? The suggested tracks below show how you might build your 13 major courses around a specific creative focus. These are guides, not requirements — your advisor can help you customize your own path.

Focused on audio engineering, electroacoustic composition, sound spatialization, and sonic art practice.

FOUNDATIONS

UK 101 or 201 (Creativity Practices)
A-S 001 Foundation Exhibition

REQUIRED

A-S 285 Lens Arts
MUS 150 Intro to Audio Engineering

FOUNDATION TIER 2 — Pick 2

MUS 174 Theory for Non-Music Majors OR MUS 171 Theory I
MUS 240 Electroacoustic Composition and Sound Design (in development)

MAJOR COURSES — 13+ courses

A-S 344 Intro to Sonic Art
MUS 239 Intro to Computer Music & Sound Production
MUS 242 Sound Spatialization & 3D Audio
TA 369 Sound Design for the Theatre
MUS 380 Advanced Music Mixing
MUS 381 Recording Techniques & Microphone Placement
A-S 446 Film, Video, and Sonic Art Projects (Sonic Topic)
A-S 544 Sonic Studio (In Process / repeatable)
A-S 544 Sonic Studio (In Process / repeatable)
A-S 346 Video: Shoot and Edit
MAS 101 Media Aesthetics
Course of Choice 1 (e.g., MUS 574 Composition if available)
MAS 455 Music Industry Managment (Not on list)
ADD AAD MUS Courses

CINEMATIC OR SONIC CULTURE — Pick 1

MUS History Course

OUTSIDE EXPLORATION

Music Minor
Theatre Minor
AAD Minor

Emphasizes hands-on film production: directing, producing, cinematography, editing, and practicum experience.

FOUNDATIONS

UK 101 or 201 (Creativity Practices)
A-S 001 Foundation Exhibition

REQUIRED

A-S 285 Lens Arts
MUS 150 Intro to Audio Engineering

FOUNDATION TIER 2 — Pick 2

MAS 101 Media Aesthetics
ENG 280 Intro to Film

MAJOR COURSES — 13 courses from list

MAS 304 Fundamentals of Filmmaking
MAS 404 Film Directing
MAS 414 Film Producing
MAS 494 Filmmaking Practicum
MAS 302 Advanced Video Editing
A-S 305 Studio Lighting
A-S 306 Cinematography
A-S 346 Video: Shoot and Edit
A-S 300 Digital Photography
A-S 446 Film, Video, and Sonic Art Projects (Film Topic)
A-S 347 Film, Video, and Sonic Art Topics
TA 340 Acting for the Camera
WRD 312 Introduction to Documentary
WRD 412 G Intermediate Documentary Production

CINEMATIC OR SONIC CULTURE — Pick 1

Recommended: ENG 381 History of Film I OR ENG 382 History of Film II
Or any approved Cinematic Culture course

OUTSIDE EXPLORATION

Media Arts & Studies Minor
Journalism Minor
Business/Entrepreneurship

Centers on story development, dramatic writing, and the craft of writing for film and television.

FOUNDATIONS

UK 101 or 201 (Creativity Practices)
A-S 001 Foundation Exhibition

REQUIRED

A-S 285 Lens Arts
MUS 150 Intro to Audio Engineering

FOUNDATION TIER 2 — Pick 2

ENG 280 Intro to Film
TA 150 Creativity and the Art of Design & Production

MAJOR COURSES — 13 courses

TA 316 Dramatic Writing: Fundamentals
TA 436 Dramatic Writing: Advanced Screenwriting
MAS 402 Writing for Film & TV (In Process)
MAS 404 Film Directing
MAS 304 Fundamentals of Filmmaking
MAS 420 Electronic Media Criticism
A-S 346 Video: Shoot and Edit
A-S 347 Film, Video, and Sonic Art Topics
A-S 446 Film, Video, and Sonic Art Projects (Writing/Story Topic)
TA 330 Theatre Directing 1
TA 126 Acting 1: Fundamentals of Acting
TA 340 Acting for the Camera
TA 440 Acting for the Camera 2
MAS 335 Introduction to the Media Industries

CINEMATIC OR SONIC CULTURE — Pick 1

Recommended: ENG 380 Film and Genre OR PHI 393 Philosophy of Film
Or any approved Cinematic Culture course

OUTSIDE EXPLORATION

English / Creative Writing Minor
Theatre Minor
Journalism Minor

Develops performance skills from stage fundamentals to on-camera technique, with cross-training in production awareness.

FOUNDATIONS

UK 101 or 201 (Creativity Practices)
A-S 001 Foundation Exhibition

REQUIRED

A-S 285 Lens Arts
MUS 150 Intro to Audio Engineering

FOUNDATION TIER 2 — Pick 2

TA 150 Creativity and the Art of Design & Production
A-H 101 Intro to Visual Studies OR MAS 101 Media Aesthetics

MAJOR COURSES — 13 courses

TA 120 Creativity and the Art of Acting
TA 126 Acting 1: Fundamentals of Acting
TA 340 Acting for the Camera
TA 440 Acting for the Camera 2
TA 330 Theatre Directing 1
MAS 304 Fundamentals of Filmmaking
MAS 404 Film Directing
A-S 346 Video: Shoot and Edit
A-S 347 Film, Video, and Sonic Art Topics
A-S 446 Film, Video, and Sonic Art Projects (Performance Topic)
MAS 494 Filmmaking Practicum
Course of Choice 1 (e.g., TA 316 Dramatic Writing: Fundamentals)
Course of Choice 2 (e.g., MAS 420 Electronic Media Criticism)
TA 390 Practicum

CINEMATIC OR SONIC CULTURE — Pick 1

Recommended: ENG 180 Great Movies OR MCL 503 Film Theory
Or any approved Cinematic Culture course

OUTSIDE EXPLORATION

Theatre Minor
Communication Studies Minor
Dance Minor

Focuses on visual storytelling through production design — building, dressing, and styling physical and digital environments for film and stage.

FOUNDATIONS

UK 101 or 201 (Creativity Practices)
A-S 001 Foundation Exhibition

REQUIRED

A-S 285 Lens Arts
MUS 150 Intro to Audio Engineering

FOUNDATION TIER 2 — Pick 2

TA 150 Creativity and the Art of Design & Production
MAS 101 Media Aesthetics

MAJOR COURSES — 13 courses

A-S 349 Virtual Reality I: Objects and Environments
A-S 549 Virtual Reality II: Interactive Spaces
A-S 343 Animation
A-S 364 Digital Fabrication
TA 265 Costume Production
TA 275 Stage Management
TA 361 Graphics for Theatre
TA 364 Stage Makeup
TA 365 Costume Design
TA 367 Lighting Design
TA 374 Scenic Design
TA 390 Theatre Practicum
TA 392 Design or Production Assistant
TA 474 Scenic Art
A-S 130 Drawing
A-S 200 Digital Art

CINEMATIC OR SONIC CULTURE — Pick 1

Recommended: A-H 343 History of Photography OR A-H 360 Visual Culture of Politics
Or any approved Cinematic Culture course

OUTSIDE EXPLORATION

Art Studio Minor
Architecture / Interior Design
AAD Minor

Explores digital world-building through 2D/3D animation, virtual reality environments, and interactive media design.

FOUNDATIONS

UK 101 or 201 (Creativity Practices)
A-S 001 Foundation Exhibition

REQUIRED

A-S 285 Lens Arts
MUS 150 Intro to Audio Engineering

FOUNDATION TIER 2 — Pick 2

A-H 101 Intro to Visual Studies
MAS 101 Media Aesthetics

MAJOR COURSES — 13 courses

A-S 130 Drawing
A-S 200 Digital Art
A-S 331 Exploration of the Human Form
A-S 335 Digital Illustration and Drawing
A-S 364 Digital Fabrication
A-S 530 Advanced Drawing
A-S 343 Animation
A-S 543 Advanced Animation
A-S 349 Virtual Reality I: Objects and Environments
A-S 549 Virtual Reality II: Interactive Spaces
A-S 300 Digital Photography
A-S 305 Studio Lighting
A-S 340 Intro to Graphic Design
A-S 346 Video: Shoot and Edit
A-S 347 Film, Video, and Sonic Art Topics: VFX
A-S 446 Film, Video, and Sonic Art Projects (Animation/VR Topic)
MAS 304 Fundamentals of Filmmaking
MUS 239 Intro to Computer Music & Sound Production
Course of Choice 1 (e.g., A-S 546 Intermedia Studio)
Course of Choice 2 (e.g., MAS 420 Electronic Media Criticism)

CINEMATIC OR SONIC CULTURE — Pick 1

Recommended: ENG 383 Film in the Digital Age OR MCL 503 Film Theory
Or any approved Cinematic Culture course

OUTSIDE EXPLORATION

Computer Science / Digital Media Minor
Art Studio Minor
AAD Minor

Prepares students for the business and leadership side of film and media — producing, industry studies, criticism, and practicum experience.

FOUNDATIONS

UK 101 or 201 (Creativity Practices)
A-S 001 Foundation Exhibition

REQUIRED

A-S 285 Lens Arts
MUS 150 Intro to Audio Engineering

FOUNDATION TIER 2 — Pick 2

MAS 101 Media Aesthetics
ENG 280 Intro to Film

MAJOR COURSES — 13 courses

MAS 304 Fundamentals of Filmmaking
MAS 335 Introduction to the Media Industries
MAS 414 Film Producing
MAS 404 Film Directing
MAS 420 Electronic Media Criticism
MAS 494 Filmmaking Practicum
MAS 302 Advanced Video Editing
A-S 346 Video: Shoot and Edit
A-S 347 Film, Video, and Sonic Art Topics
A-S 446 Film, Video, and Sonic Art Projects (Producing Topic)
MAS 402 Writing for Film & TV
WRD 312 Introduction to Documentary
WRD 412 G Intermediate Documentary Production
Course of Choice 1 (e.g., MAS 390 Special Topics in Media Production)
Course of Choice 2 (e.g., MAS 490 Special Topics in Media Industry Studies)

CINEMATIC OR SONIC CULTURE — Pick 1

Recommended: ENG 382 History of Film II OR MCL 503 Film Theory
Or any approved Cinematic Culture course

OUTSIDE EXPLORATION

Business / Entrepreneurship Minor
Journalism Minor
Communication Studies Minor

A history and culture-focused track for students who want to critically engage with cinema — exploring film history, genre, industry, and media criticism alongside hands-on production fundamentals.

FOUNDATIONS

UK 101 or 201 (Creativity Practices)
A-S 001 Foundation Exhibition

REQUIRED

A-S 285 Lens Arts
MUS 150 Intro to Audio Engineering

FOUNDATION TIER 2 — Pick 2

ENG 280 Intro to Film
MAS 101 Media Aesthetics

MAJOR COURSES — 13 courses

ENG 381 History of Film I
ENG 382 History of Film II
ENG 380 Film and Genre
ENG 383 Film in the Digital Age
MAS 420 Electronic Media Criticism
MAS 335 Introduction to the Media Industries
MAS 304 Fundamentals of Filmmaking
A-S 346 Video: Shoot and Edit
A-S 347 Film, Video, and Sonic Art Topics
A-S 446 Film, Video, and Sonic Art Projects (Film Studies Topic)
MAS 494 Filmmaking Practicum
Course of Choice 1 — History/Theory (e.g., ENG 384 Literature and Film OR ENG 480G Studies in Film)
Course of Choice 2 — Industry/Production (e.g., MAS 414 Film Producing OR MAS 402 Writing for Film & TV)

CINEMATIC OR SONIC CULTURE — Pick 1

Recommended: ENG 581 Aesthetics of Film OR MCL 503 Film Theory
Or any approved Cinematic Culture course

OUTSIDE EXPLORATION

English / Film Studies Minor
Media Arts & Studies Minor
Communication Studies Minor

BA in Film and Sonic Arts Pending Final Approval

Direct your future in film, sound, and media with a degree that lets you design your own path.

Learn More

Program Requirements

Program Foundations (13 hours)

Required Course Options by Department

Art and Visual Studies

Music

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Theatre and Dance

Upper Level History / Theory Requirement (3 hours)

Art History

Music History and Theory

Communications, Journalism, and Media

Theatre and Dance

International Film

Electives and Capstone

Explore Your Path: Suggested Tracks

Sonic Track

Focused on audio engineering, electroacoustic composition, sound spatialization, and sonic art practice.

Filmmaker Track

Emphasizes hands-on film production: directing, producing, cinematography, editing, and practicum experience.

Screenwriter Track

Centers on story development, dramatic writing, and the craft of writing for film and television.

Actor Track

Develops performance skills from stage fundamentals to on-camera technique, with cross-training in production awareness.

Production Design Track

Focuses on visual storytelling through production design — building, dressing, and styling physical and digital environments for film and stage.

Animation, Motion Graphics, and VR Track

Explores digital world-building through 2D/3D animation, virtual reality environments, and interactive media design.

Producing and Media Industries Track

Prepares students for the business and leadership side of film and media — producing, industry studies, criticism, and practicum experience.

Film Studies Track

A history and culture-focused track for students who want to critically engage with cinema — exploring film history, genre, industry, and media criticism alongside hands-on production fundamentals.