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.
BA in Film and Sonic Art
Direct your future in film, sound, and media with a degree that lets you design your own path.
BA
In Person
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.
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
Art and Visual Studies
- 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
Music
- 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
Communication, Journalism, and Media
- 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
Theatre and Dance
- 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.
Art History
Approved list TBD
Music History and Theory
Approved list TBD
Communications, Journalism, and Media
Approved list TBD
Theatre and Dance
Approved list TBD
International Film
- 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.
Sonic Track
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
Filmmaker Track
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
Screenwriter Track
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
Actor Track
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
Production Design Track
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
Animation, Motion Graphics, and VR Track
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
Producing and Media Industries Track
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
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.
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
Academic Advisors
