Vision Statement
UT San Antonio's College of Liberal and Fine Arts will become an internationally recognized college providing the core intellectual experience that prepares students for their role as responsible citizens in a free society.
Mission Statement
The College of Liberal and Fine Arts will meet the needs of the diverse population of Texas through quality research and creative work, exemplary teaching, and professional contributions to the community.
General Information
The College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA) includes 3 Schools and 7 Departments in the fine arts, humanities, and social sciences. COLFA is responsible for one-third of all the instruction delivered at the University and serves all University students through the Core Curriculum. In addition, the College offers 23 major degree programs, 40 minors, and 3 certificate programs. One-fourth of all UT San Antonio undergraduate degree recipients annually are COLFA majors.
COLFA faculty are among the University’s leading researchers, recognized regionally, nationally, and internationally. Faculty and their students play a major role in improving the community through the creation and application of new knowledge in numerous artistic, cultural, business, and public policy settings.
The COLFA Second Language Requirement
The College of Liberal and Fine Arts requires that degree-seeking students achieve intermediate proficiency or the equivalent in a second language (a language other than English) as part of their degree requirements. The college encourages students to learn and engage with languages in ways that are professionally and personally meaningful to them. To that end, COLFA students may choose from a variety of different options for fulfilling this requirement. Six main paths are available to all COLFA students. Additional paths are available to students in select majors. Students should consult with their academic advisor and the Second Language Requirement Coordinator to determine the path that's right for them.
All COLFA students may fulfill this requirement through six (6) distinct paths:
- Completion of the fourth-semester course of any second language taught at UT San Antonio (CHN 2023, FRN 2023, GER 2023, ITL 2023, JPN 2023, KOR 2023, RUS 2023, SPN 2023, SPN 2033, or higher). Courses counting toward the COLFA Second Language Requirement may also count toward other major, minor, University Core, or degree requirements.
- Completion of high school education conducted in a language other than English, as evidenced by an official high school transcript.
- Successful completion of an approved challenge exam, CLEP exam, AP exam, IB exam, or equivalent, at the fourth-semester level, in any language other than English. (For information, see "Challenge Exam Information" at the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures website and the National Standardized Tests page of this catalog.)
- Successful completion of a study abroad or study away program in a location where a language other than English is the principal mode of communication (3 week minimum). Students in this path must register for the corresponding section of LFA 2000 Second Language Experience in the semester of the activity. Courses counting toward the COLFA Second Language Requirement may also count toward other major, minor, University Core, or degree requirements.
- Successful completion of an approved internship, practicum, or other form of community-based and/or engaged learning where a language other than English is the principal mode of communication. Students in this path must register for the corresponding section of LFA 2000 Second Language Experience in the semester of the activity. Courses counting toward the COLFA Second Language Requirement may also count toward other major, minor, University Core, or degree requirements.
- Second-semester or higher proficiency in a second language, plus three (3) semesters of documented 80% participation in approved official student clubs or organizations with weekly activities in a second language. (For information on this path, see "COLFA Second Language Requirement" at Department of Modern Languages and Literatures website.) Completion of this requirement may be demonstrated by completion of an appropriate course (CHN 1024, FRN 1024, GER 1024, ITL 1024, JPN 1024, KOR 1024, RUS 1024, SPN 1024, or higher) plus completion of three semesters of LFA 2000 Second Language Experience in the corresponding section of the activity. Courses counting toward the COLFA Second Language Requirement may also count toward other major, minor, University Core, or degree requirements.
Exemptions
Waivers will be granted only under exceptional circumstances and will be considered only a year before graduation. Students must submit a written request explaining the exceptional circumstances and include supporting documentation. Waivers to department or school requirements will not exempt students from the COLFA Second Language Requirement.
Students majoring in the following degree programs and any student completing a teacher certification in addition to their COLFA major are exempt from the COLFA Second Language Requirement:
- B.A. in English with Concentration in English Language Arts and Reading
- B.A. in History with Concentration in Social Studies
- B.A. in Geography and Environmental Sustainability with Social Studies Teaching Track
- B.A. in Political Science with Social Studies Teaching Track
- B.A. in Medical Humanities; all concentrations
- B.A. in Art
- B.F.A. in Art
- B.A. in Commercial and Digital Music
- B.A. in Music
- Bachelor of Music; all concentrations
Major-specific Additional Pathways
Certain COLFA degree programs offer additional major-specific alternatives beyond the six paths listed above, for completing the COLFA Second Language Requirement. Please note that courses counting toward the COLFA Second Language Requirement may also count toward other major, minor, University Core, or degree requirements.
- B.A. in Anthropology
- First three (3) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus ANT 2063 Language, Thought, and Culture
.
- B.A. in Communication
- First three (3) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus either COM 3553 Intercultural Communication
or COM 3563 International Communication
.
- First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus COM 3553 Intercultural Communication
and COM 3563 International Communication
.
- First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus participation in an approved digital media production in a language other than English. Students in this path must register for the corresponding section of LFA 2000 Second Language Experience in the semester of the activity.
- B.A. in Digital Media Influence:
- First three (3) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus either COM 3553 Intercultural Communication
or COM 3563 International Communication
.
- First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus COM 3553 Intercultural Communication
and COM 3563 International Communication
.
- First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus participation in an approved digital media production in a language other than English. Students in this path must register for the corresponding section of LFA 2000 Second Language Experience in the semester of the activity.
- B.A. in Journalism:
- First three (3) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus either COM 3553 Intercultural Communication
or COM 3563 International Communication
.
- First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus COM 3553 Intercultural Communication
and COM 3563 International Communication
.
- First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus participation in an approved digital media production in a language other than English. Students in this path must register for the corresponding section of LFA 2000 Second Language Experience in the semester of the activity.
- B.A. in English
- Complete the Concentration in English Language Arts and Reading.
- First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus Advanced-level Reading Knowledge of a second language or Intermediate-level Reading Knowledge of two (2) second languages.
- First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus participation in approved theatrical productions, film-making, or other artistic or media production in a language other than English. Students in this path must register for the corresponding section of LFA 2000 Second Language Experience in the semester of the activity.
-
B.A. in History
-
Complete the Concentration in Social Studies.
-
First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus Advanced-level Reading Knowledge of a second language or Intermediate-level Reading Knowledge of two (2) second languages.
- B.A. in Classical Studies and Humanities:
- Two (2) semesters of Latin (LAT) and two (2) semesters of Greek (GRK).
- Three (3) semesters of LAT or GRK and one (1) semester of any other second language.
- Three (3) semesters of LAT or GRK and one (1) archaeological field project in a foreign country or study abroad experience.
- Three (3) semesters of LAT or GRK and CLA 2043 The Greek and Latin Roots of Scientific Terms.
- B.A. in Philosophy:
- Three (3) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus PHI 4333 Philosophy of Language.
- B.A. in Film and Media Studies:
- First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus participation in approved theatrical productions, film-making, or other artistic or media production in a language other than English. Students in this path must register for the corresponding section of LFA 2000 Second Language Experience in the semester of the activity.
- First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus two (2) courses in films from the non-English speaking world (French Film, German Film, Korean film, etc.).
- Completion of FMS 2053 History of Film I: Origins to 1950s, FMS 2063 History of Film II: 1960s to Present, FMS 3503 Film Theory, and either CSH 2113 The Foreign Film or CSH 3613 Topics in World Cinema.
- B.A. in Dramatic Arts
- First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus two (2) of the following courses THR 4913 Internship in Dramatic Arts and Technology, THR 4973 Dramatic Production Cast, or THR 4983 Dramatic Production Crew.
- Three (3) semesters of a second language or equivalent, plus successful completion of THR 4913 Internship in Dramatic Arts and Technology, THR 4973 Dramatic Production Cast, or THR 4983 Dramatic Production Crew.
The COLFA Signature Experience
Every undergraduate degree program in the College includes a capstone experience that involves the practical application of liberal and fine arts training in a professional setting. The Signature Experience may be pursued through an organized class assignment, independent study research project, internship, performance, public presentation, or other activity as deemed appropriate to the discipline. Students should consult with their advisor or department chair to learn about Signature Experience opportunities in their major.
Minor in Asia Pacific Studies
All students pursuing the Minor in Asia Pacific Studies must complete 18 semester credit hours.
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| |
| Introduction to East Asian Civilization (core) | |
| |
| Intermediate Chinese I | |
| Intermediate Chinese II | |
| Advanced Language Skills | |
| Intermediate Japanese I | |
| Intermediate Japanese II | |
| Advanced Language Skills | |
| Intermediate Korean I | |
| Intermediate Korean II | |
| Advanced Language Skills | |
| |
| Asian Philosophy | |
| |
| Special Projects in East Asian Studies | |
| Modern Japan | |
| Late Imperial China | |
| China in Revolution | |
| Seminar in History | |
| |
| Topics in Art History and Criticism | |
| Topics in Chinese Culture | |
| Intercultural Communication | |
| International Communication | |
| The Foreign Film | |
| Advanced Topics in World Cultures (Topic must be related to East Asia) | |
| Colloquium in East Asian Culture | |
| Introduction to Global Politics | |
| Introduction to Global Politics |
| Comparative Politics | |
| Geopolitics of Russia and Eurasia | |
| Geopolitics of Russia and Eurasia |
| Politics and Geographies of Southeast Asia | |
| Politics and Geography of Southeast Asia |
| Politics and Geographies of Southeast Asia |
| Politics and Geographies of East Asia | |
| Politics and Geographies of East Asia |
| Governments and Politics of East Asia |
| Chinese Foreign and Security Policy (or equivalent) | |
| Politics of China | |
| Politics of China |
| Security and Intelligence in the Asia Pacific | |
| Study Abroad: Global Affairs | |
| Special Studies in Global Affairs | |
| Special Studies in Political Science |
| Senior Seminar | |
| Seminar in Political Science |
| Senior Seminar in Politics and Law |
| Modern Japan (if not taken for section D) | |
| Late Imperial China (if not taken for section D) | |
| China in Revolution (if not taken for section D) | |
| World Religions | |
| Business Japanese | |
| Topics in Japanese Culture | |
| Topics in Korean Culture | |
| World Music in Society | |
| Music in Culture | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 |
