8. College of Liberal and Fine Arts

Vision Statement

UTSA'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 25 major degree programs, 37 minors, and three certificate programs. One-fourth of all UTSA 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 Experience

The College of Liberal and Fine Arts requires that 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 to determine the path that's right for them.

All COLFA students may fulfill this requirement through six (6) distinct paths: 

  1. Completion of the fourth-semester course of any second language taught at UTSA (CHN 2023, FRN 2023, GER 2023, ITL 2023, JPN 2023, KOR 2023, RUS 2023, SPN 2023, SPN 2033, or higher).
  2. Completion of high school education conducted in a language other than English, as evidenced by an official high school transcript.
  3. 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.)
  4. 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).*
  5. 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.*
  6. 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 Experience" 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, SPN 1033, or higher) plus completion of three semesters of LFA 2000 Second Language Experience.*

Major-specific Additional Paths

Certain COLFA degree programs offer additional major-specific alternatives for completing the COLFA Second Language Experience: 

Anthropology:

  • First three (3) semesters of a second language or equivalent plus ANT 2063 Language, Thought, and Culture.  

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.
Communication:

  • First three (3) semesters of a second language or equivalent plus COM 3553 Intercultural Communication or 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.*

Digital Media Influence:

  • First three (3) semesters of a second language or equivalent plus COM 3553 Intercultural Communication  or 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.*

English:

  • 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.*

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.*

  • 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.).

History:

  • 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. 

Medical Humanities:
  • First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent plus internship in healthcare and community settings that use a second language.
  • First two (2) semesters of a second language or equivalent plus MHU 3043 Language, Culture and the Self.
*

LFA 2000: Students planning to complete the COLFA Second Language Experience requirement via approved Study Abroad/Study Away, Internship/Practicum, Community-based/Engaged Learning, Creative Activity (Film, Theatrical Production, or other artistic or media activity), or Participation in Student Clubs/Organizations must register for the corresponding section of LFA 2000 Second Language Experience in the semester of the activity.

Placement: All new COLFA students should consult their academic advisor prior to enrollment to take a UTSA language placement exam to determine correct language level.

Exemptions: Students majoring in the following degree programs are exempt from the COLFA Second Language Experience requirement: B.A. or B.M. in Music; B.A. in Commercial and Digital Music; B.A. or B.F.A. in Art; B.A. in English with Concentration in English Language Arts and Reading; B.A. in History with Concentration in Social Studies; B.A. in Political Science with Social Studies Teaching Track; B.A. in Geography and Environmental Sustainability with Social Studies Teaching Track; or any student completing teacher certification in addition to their COLFA major.

Double Counting: Courses counting toward the COLFA Second Language Experience requirements may also count toward other major, minor, Core, or degree requirements.

Waivers: Waivers will be granted only under exceptional circumstances and only considered 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 Experience requirement.

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.

Liberal and Fine Arts (LFA) Courses

LFA 1100. COLFA Signature Experience - Leadership. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.

A semester-long opportunity for skill building and application such as self, social, and situational awareness. Students will identify and further develop a personal foundation of knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to leadership under the supervision of a faculty member or mentor. Includes a monitored self-reflection component. May be repeated.

LFA 1200. COLFA Signature Experience - Internship. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.

An experiential learning internship opportunity in which students conduct supervised professional activities in an organization closely related to their field of study. Includes a monitored self-reflection component. May be repeated.

LFA 1300. COLFA Signature Experience - Research. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.

Supervised research mentored by a faculty member or other supervisor engaged in active research in the student's field of study. Includes skill building and application such as asking questions, proposing hypotheses, designing studies, selecting methods, using the tools of science, gathering and analyzing data, discovering, investigating, and communicating findings. Includes a monitored self-reflection component. May be repeated.

LFA 1400. COLFA Signature Experience - Study Away. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.

An international or other “away” from UTSA experiential opportunity that allows students to obtain valuable knowledge and skill building to include culturally diverse experiences. Includes a monitored self-reflection component. May be repeated.

LFA 1500. COLFA Signature Experience - Community Engagement. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.

An experiential and meaningful community-based learning opportunity to enrich the learning experience and develop skills of civic engagement/social responsibility. Supervision by a faculty member or community partner. Includes a monitored self-reflection component. May be repeated.

LFA 2000. Second Language Experience. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.

Activity in partial fulfillment of COLFA Second Language Experience. Possible activities include qualifying study abroad, study away, internship, practicum, community-based or engaged learning, student organization or club, or creative activity (theatrical production, film-making, or other artistic or media production). May be repeated.

LFA 4100. COLFA Signature Experience - Leadership. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.

A semester-long opportunity for skill building and application such as self, social, and situational awareness. Students will identify and further develop a personal foundation of knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to leadership under the supervision of a faculty member or mentor. Includes a monitored self-reflection component. May be repeated.

LFA 4200. COLFA Signature Experience - Internship. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.

An experiential learning internship opportunity in which students conduct supervised professional activities in an organization closely related to their field of study. Includes a monitored self-reflection component. May be repeated.

LFA 4300. COLFA Signature Experience - Research. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.

Supervised research mentored by a faculty member or other supervisor engaged in active research in the student's field of study. Includes skill building and application such as asking questions, proposing hypotheses, designing studies, selecting methods, using the tools of science, gathering and analyzing data, discovery, investigating and communicating findings. Includes a monitored self-reflection component. May be repeated.

LFA 4400. COLFA Signature Experience - Study Away. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.

An international or other “away” from UTSA experiential opportunity that allows students to obtain valuable knowledge and skill building to include culturally diverse experiences. Includes a monitored self-reflection component. May be repeated.

LFA 4500. COLFA Signature Experience - Community Engagement. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.

An experiential and meaningful community-based learning opportunity to enrich the learning experience and develop skills of civic engagement/social responsibility. Supervision by a faculty member or community partner. Includes a monitored self-reflection component. May be repeated.