Units required for Major: 49
Minimum units required for BA: 120
Program Description
The Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies is intended for students interested in the social, cultural, and ethical dimensions of design. This interdisciplinary field investigates methods of design practice and their impact on society. Students engage with diverse perspectives, examining the social, historical, political, and physical contexts within which design is conceived, produced, and used.
Within Design Studies classes, students embark on a journey of inquiry, interrogating the man-made world to unravel fundamental questions about how society functions, how identity is formed, historical trajectories, and future possibilities.
Our curriculum integrates studio practice, research methodologies, and comprehensive studies in art and design history. A cornerstone of our program lies in the exploration of social design and responsibility, equipping students for careers in design management, research, education, advocacy, promotions and marketing, public history, journalism, law, as well as in museums and galleries.
Upon graduation, students are not only prepared for professional endeavors but are also academically equipped to pursue advanced studies in design and related fields through M.A., M.F.A, and Ph.D. programs.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Courses (10 Units) | ||
| DSGN 4 | Design and Thinking | 3 |
| DSGN 10 | Think Make (Integrated Studio - New course proposed) | 4 |
| DSGN 20 | Design and Society Since 1780 (Design & Society, 1780-Today New course proposed) | 3 |
| Required Lower Division Art History Elective (3 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Art, Religions, and Power before 1400 | ||
| Art, Empires, and Cross-Cultural Exchange, 1400-1800 | ||
| Global Modern and Contemporary Art | ||
| History of Islamic Art | ||
| Traditional Asian Art | ||
| Modern and Contemporary Asian Art | ||
| Art of the Americas | ||
| Required Lower Division Design History Elective (3 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| History of Architecture: Prehistory to 1800 (Architecture History 1 (New proposed course)) | ||
| History of Architecture: 1800 to Today (Architecture History 2 (New proposed course)) | ||
| History Of Graphic Design | ||
| Survey of Photography | ||
| Required Lower Division Design Studio Elective (3 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Visual Basics | ||
| Design Fundamentals | ||
| Digital Photography I | ||
| Digital Photography II | ||
| Darkroom Photography | ||
| Required Lower Division Complementary Studies Elective (3 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Science | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies | ||
| Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies | ||
| Introduction to Native American Studies | ||
| Fashion and Human Environment | ||
| Science of Textile | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Arts and Ideas of Asia: Medieval to Modern | ||
| The Photographic Self | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Introduction to LGBTQ Studies | ||
| Introduction to Disability Studies | ||
| Introduction to Women's & Gender Studies | ||
| Required Upper Division Courses (15 Units) | ||
| DSGN 101 | World Design and Visual Culture | 3 |
| DSGN 130 | Design Research Methods (Design Research Methods) | 3 |
| DSGN 150 | 3 | |
| DSGN 192 | Senior Seminar: Design Studies | 3 |
| HIST 100 | Introduction to Historical Skills | 3 |
| Required Upper Division Art History Elective (3 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Origins of American Indian Art | ||
| Baroque and Rococo Art | ||
| 19th Century Art | ||
| Modern Art | ||
| US and Caribbean Art: Race and Representation | ||
| Latin American and Latino Art History | ||
| Contemporary Art | ||
| Asian Art and Mythology | ||
| Art of India and Southeast Asia | ||
| Art of China and Japan | ||
| Art of Korea | ||
| African American Art and Visual Culture | ||
| Images Of America | ||
| The Film | ||
| Required Upper Division Design History Elective (6 Units) | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| California Architecture and Urban History | ||
| History Of Western Fashion | ||
| Survey of Western Architecture and Interiors | ||
| American Design | ||
| Principles of House Design | ||
| Film/Design | ||
| Urban Design and Society | ||
| Photography, Inception to Mid-Century | ||
| Photography, a Social History | ||
| Required Upper Division Complementary Studies Elective (3 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Museums, Culture, and Society | ||
| Internship in Design Studies | ||
| Special Problems | ||
| Ethnic America | ||
| La Raza Studies | ||
| Clothing, Society, and Culture | ||
| Transforming the City | ||
| Urban Geography | ||
| Urban and Regional Planning | ||
| Social History of the United States | ||
| The City in US History | ||
| History of American Capitalism | ||
| American Environmental History | ||
| Popular Culture | ||
| California Architecture and Urban History | ||
| Public History | ||
| American Space and Identity | ||
| Principles Of Marketing | ||
| Total Units | 49 | |
General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science | 3 | |
| B2 - Life Forms | 3 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) | 1 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts | 3 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (6 Units) | ||
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course | 0 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 0 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course | 3 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies | ||
| Area F Course | ||
| Total Units | 43 | |
The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.
Design Studies, BA: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| DSGN 4 | Design and Thinking | 3 |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| DSGN 10 | Think Make | 4 |
| Lower Division Complementary Studies Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| DSGN 20 | Design and Society Since 1780 | 3 |
| Lower Division Design Studio Elective 3 | 3 | |
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Lower Division Art History Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Lower Division Design History Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 | 1 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| HIST 100 | Introduction to Historical Skills | 3 |
| Upper Division Complementary Studies Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division Design History Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| DSGN 101 | World Design and Visual Culture | 3 |
| Upper Division Art History Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| DSGN 130 | Design Research Methods | 3 |
| Upper Division Design History Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| DSGN 150 | Contemporary Topics in Design | 3 |
| DSGN 192 | Senior Seminar: Design Studies | 3 |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Total Units | 124 | |
Design Studies, BA: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| HIST 100 | Introduction to Historical Skills | 3 |
| Upper Division Complementary Studies Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division Design History Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| DSGN 101 | World Design and Visual Culture | 3 |
| Upper Division Art History Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| DSGN 130 | Design Research Methods | 3 |
| Upper Division Design History Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| DSGN 150 | Contemporary Topics in Design | 3 |
| DSGN 192 | Senior Seminar: Design Studies | 3 |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Total Units | 62 | |
- 1.
Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.
- 2.
Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.
- 3.
Please see an academic advisor for elective options.