Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Art is awarded by the Tyler School of Art and Architecture and is available only at Temple University, Japan Campus. The BA in Art is the only degree-conferring U.S.-style art program in Tokyo, offering a curriculum that situates visual practice in a liberal arts context with art historical reference, critical perspectives and theoretical insight. With an emphasis on traditional fine art media, photography and digital technology, the coursework prepares students for a variety of practices in visual art. Tokyo's unique urban environment and its numerous art galleries and museums offer context, inspiration and stimuli for student learning.

The Art major focuses on visual art practice within a liberal arts context. Courses include design, drawing, painting, three-dimensional design, printmaking, digital photography, digital imaging, Internet imaging, moving images, motion graphics, media arts and art history. The faculty teaches studio art from the viewpoint of its connection to such disciplines as psychology, literature, philosophy, mathematics, biology and physics.

Campus Location: Japan

Program Code: TA-ARTU-BA

An Art minor and an Art History minor are also offered at both Main Campus and Japan Campus.

Contact Information

Kevin Jones, MFA, Chair of the Division of Media and Fine Arts
kevinhjones@tuj.temple.edu

Takayuki Kubota, MFA, Faculty Advisor for the Art Major

Taro Nettleton, PhD, Faculty Advisor for the Art Major
taro.nettleton@tuj.temple.edu

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts degree may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 123 semester hours of credit with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. 

There may be minimum grade requirements of C- or better in required courses - students should refer to the DARS and their advisor.

Students who are seeking admission into the BA in Art degree program must review the requirements and procedures outlined on the TUJ web site: www.tuj.ac.jp/admissions/index.html

University Requirements

All Temple students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.

  • Study abroad for a summer or semester will satisfy the Global/World Society requirement.
  • The GenEd Arts requirement is waived if all of the following courses are completed with a C- or better: ARTU 1201, ARTU 1401ARTU 1402 and ARTU 1501. If the student changes majors before completing all four courses, they must complete a GenEd Arts course to satisfy the requirement for General Education.

Major Requirements for BA in Art

  • Students must complete successfully the second semester of a foreign language.
  • Students must complete at least 15 semester hours in upper-level Liberal Arts courses.
Foundation Requirements
ARTU 12013-D Design3
ARTU 1401Drawing I3
ARTU 1402Drawing II3
ARTU 15012D Design3
Sophomore Studio Electives
Select four from the following:12
Painting
Intermediate 3-D
Relief Printmaking
Computer Imaging
Art Photography: Digital
Junior Studio Electives
Choose three ARTU 2000+ Elective9
Choose one ARTU 3000+ Elective3
Senior Studio Electives
Choose one ARTU 3000+ Elective3
Choose one ARTU 4000+ Elective3
Capstone
ARTU 4796Art Seminar3
Art History Requirements
ARTH 1103Introduction to Methods and Theories3
Select one of the following:3-4
Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300
Honors Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300
Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century
Honors Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century
Arts of Asia
Art History 2000-4999 Elective
One Art History 2000-4999 Elective4
One Writing Intensive (WI) Art History course 14
Academic Requirements
Five upper-level CLA courses 2,315
Total Credit Hours74-75
1

This course does not apply towards the upper-level CLA requirements.

2

One Upper-level CLA course must be taken in Social Science unless completing Art History minor.

3

Upper-level Art History courses can be counted here except as noted above.

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different. 

Bachelor of Art in Art

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
ENG 0802
Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW]
or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
ARTU 1401 Drawing I 1 3
ARTU 1501 2D Design 1 3
ARTH 1103 Introduction to Methods and Theories 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
3
GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course GQ 4
ARTU 1402 Drawing II 1 3
ARTU 1201 3-D Design 1 3
Select one of the following: 3
Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300
or Honors Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300
 
Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century
or Honors Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century
 
Arts of Asia  
Art History 2000+ Course
 
 Credit Hours16
Year 2
Fall
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Foreign Language 1001 - first level 4
Select two of the following: 6
Painting  
Intermediate 3-D  
Relief Printmaking  
Computer Imaging  
Art Photography: Digital  
 Credit Hours16
Spring
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Foreign Language 1002 - second level 4
Select two of the following: 6
Painting  
Intermediate 3-D  
Relief Printmaking  
Computer Imaging  
Art Photography: Digital  
 Credit Hours16
Year 3
Fall
GenEd Breadth Course 3
ARTU 2000+ Studio Elective 3
ARTU 2000+ Studio Elective 3
Upper-Level Art History course 2 4
Upper-Level CLA course - Social Science 3 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
GenEd Breadth Course 3
ARTU 2000+ Studio Elective 3
ARTU 3000+ Studio Elective 3
Upper-Level Art History course WI 4 4
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Year 4
Fall
ARTU 3000+ Studio Elective 3
ARTU 4796 Art Seminar [WI] 3
Upper-Level CLA course 3
Upper-Level CLA course 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
ARTU 4000+ Studio Elective 3
Upper-Level CLA course 3
Upper-Level CLA course 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours123
1

GenEd Arts (GA) Waiver: Completion of ARTU 1201, ARTU 1401ARTU 1402 and ARTU 1501.

2

Can substitute PHIL 1061 or CART 3011.

3

Social Science not required if pursuing a minor in Art History.

4

Choose between ARTH 2096, ARTH 2097 (3 s.h.), ARTH 2098, ARTH 2197, ARTH 2696, ARTH 2896ARTH 2897ARTH 2898.