Requirements

RISD offers a rich array of over 200 courses in History of Art and Visual Culture; History, Philosophy and Social Sciences; and Literary Arts and Studies. Students are required for graduation to complete 42 credits (14 courses) in Liberal Arts:

• 12 credits (four courses) in History of Art and Visual Culture (ARTH)
  As part of the History of Art and Visual Culture requirement, the College requires that students satisfactorily complete ARTH-H101 History of Art and Visual Culture 1 and ARTH-H102 History of Art and Visual Culture 2 (Topics) or its equivalent. There are no waivers for ARTH-H101. Waivers for ARTH-H102 are determined by the HAVC Department Head.
   
• 9 credits (three courses) in History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences (HPSS courses)
  As part of the History, Philosophy & Social Sciences requirement, the College requires that students satisfactorily complete HPSS-S101 History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences (Topics). There are no waivers for HPSS-S101 except for transfer students who have taken an equivalent college course.
  
   
• 9 credits (three courses) in Literary Arts and Studies (ENGL courses)
  As part of the English requirement, the College requires that students satisfactorily complete ENGL-E101 Literature Seminar: Design in Words or its equivalent. Waivers for ENGL-E101 are determined by the LAS Department Head.
   
• 12 credits (four courses) in liberal arts electives
  This may include courses from any of the three areas above (ARTH, ENGL or HPSS), courses identified as Liberal Arts Electives (LAEL) in the course catalogue, or courses in any other appropriate area of Liberal Arts (humanities, social sciences or science).

History of Art and Visual Culture (HAVC) - 12 credits required: 

• ARTH-H101 History of Art and Visual Culture 1 3 credits (no waivers permitted)
• ARTH-H102 History of Art and Visual Culture 2 (Topics), or equivalent 3 credits
• ARTH Elective 3 credits
• ARTH Elective 3 credits

Please note: Courses designated as LAEL do not count toward HAVC credit, with the exception of the LAEL studio history courses specifically approved for HAVC credit for majors.

History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences (HPSS) - 9 credits required:
HPSS courses may include anthropology, economics, geography, history, linguistics, philosophy, political science, psychology, religious studies, and sociology.

• HPSS-S101 Topics in History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences 3 credits (no waivers permitted for first-year students)
• HPSS Elective 3 credits
• HPSS Elective 3 credits

Please note: Courses designated as LAEL do not count toward HPSS credit.

Literary Arts and Studies (ENGL) - 9 credits required: 

• ENGL-E101 Literature Seminar: Design in Words, or equivalent 3 credits
• ENGL Elective 3 credits
• ENGL Elective 3 credits

Please note: Courses designated as LAEL do not count toward ENGL credit.
 

Liberal Arts Electives - 12 credits required:
Liberal Arts elective courses may include ARTH, ENGL, HPSS, LAEL, language, math, music theory and science.

• Liberal Arts Elective 3 credits
• Liberal Arts Elective 3 credits
• Liberal Arts Elective 3 credits
• Liberal Arts Elective 3 credits

Total Liberal Arts credits granted upon completion of requirements: 42 credits 

More information