The Academic Experience
Bert C. Bach Fine & Performing Arts Scholars Curriculum
Fine & Performing Arts (FPA) students are required to be active members of the ETSU Arts community. Because of this, they are strongly encouraged to major in one of ETSU’s arts majors and are required to register for at least a minor in an arts area. When an arts area only exists as a minor at ETSU – Dance and Creative Writing, as examples – minoring is this fulfills the requirement. All FPA students are required to register in their arts area by the end of their first Fall semester.
Starting in 2021, the FPA curriculum is embedded in the Fine & Performing Arts Studies Minor The minor offers FPA scholars a set of unique courses specifically designed with a focus on their development of artistic identity, creative accomplishments, and professional practices. Small classes taught by excellent, full-time faculty and an interdisciplinary approach to course content will challenge you to think critically. The curriculum culminates in a senior capstone project, which may include writing and presenting a undergraduate honors thesis but may also include internships, study abroad experiences, and work-study opportunities, with the approval of the Director of the program. All FPA Honors College students are required to register the Fine & Performing Arts Studies minor as part of their degree program and must carry a minimum of 15 credit hours each semester unless given permission by the Director otherwise.
In addition, Bert C. Bach Fine & Performing Arts Scholars are encouraged to pursue other opportunities such as study abroad, a Washington Center Internship, or department or college internships.
The program includes:
UHON 1218: Artistic Vision I (3 credit hours, fall first year); a special interdisciplinary arts course challenging your ideas of artistic identity, the role the artist has in society, while introducing arts scholars to the general philosophies used to describe the nature and the diversity of the arts while building a sense of community.
CHNG 1008: Johnson City: From Exploration to Impact (3 credits, fall first year); a class focused on a structured explorations of places in our region to gain understanding of the complex challenges facing our communities, to recognize the need for changemaking efforts, and to network with local leaders already involved in changemaking.
Honors Colloquium Classes (1 credit hour in the first year and sophomore Spring semesters, then both semesters in the junior and senior years, totaling 6 credit hours); as part of the Range program, Honors Colloquium (Collo for short) provides opportunities for new scholars to engage in orientation activities, and all scholars to engage in public service, small group activities, personal and professional development, and academic and social activities. Students learn to share their experiences, learn new skills for how to survive as a student, and work with others to develop new projects. You will be taking this class with students from other programs in the Honors College, helping to develop an even deeper interdisciplinary approach.
UHON 2218: Artistic Vision II (3 credit hours, spring, first year); a continuation of the development of foundational ideas related to artistic identity while developing interdisciplinary approaches to creativity in the arts and an understanding of professional practices.
UHON 3018 Honors Interdisciplinary Artistry, (2 credit hours, repeated; spring sophomore and junior year); students work together collaboratively and interdisciplinarily to design, construct and perform projects across the university campus and local community.
Honors Approved Electives; as part of the Senior Capstone experience, students can choose a range of course, including an Honors Thesis (see below), internships, study abroad, work-study, or advanced studies in the histories, theories and philosophies of their art. The Senior Capstone experience should be decided in consultation with the FPA Director and an advisor in the student’s arts area.
Honors Thesis
(6 hours over two semesters, senior year); students work toward completion of their
capstone senior project, including a written component and a public presentation.
This experience provides each scholar the opportunity to attain a comprehensive knowledge
of his/her field of interest and acquire skills needed to promote continued study
and advancement. Often counts as major electives depending on department. Scholars
work closely with a faculty mentor, who guides the faculty readers and assists the
scholar in final preparations, including a public presentation.
NOTE: You must apply first to ETSU and use your @etsu.edu email to apply to Honors College Programs
If you don’t know your ETSU email address, contact the Admissions Office to get it.