The Academic Experience
Bert C. Bach Fine & Performing Arts Scholars Curriculum
The FPA curriculum offers scholars unique courses specifically designed with a focus on creative accomplishment. Small classes taught by excellent, full-time faculty, honors general education courses, and an interdisciplinary approach to course content will challenge you to think criticaly. The curriculum culminates in the writing and presenting of an undergraduate honors thesis. All Honors College students are required to carry a minimum of 15 credit hours each semester.
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 1318: 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 2018 and UHON 3018 Interdisciplinary Arts I and II, (2 credit hours; 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 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.
Community Service; to develop an increased sense of social responsibility—a global view of society and a heart for "giving back" and helping others, students are also required to participate in a minimum of 10 hours of community service either on or off-campus each semester. Exposure to diversity and multiculturalism provides scholars an opportunity to apply academic learning to real human needs. The director of the program will approve the choice of service, although we hope students consider art-related service activities.