Integrated Arts is a relatively new program that is still evolving. It offers students an opportunity to work creatively in two or more related arts fields or in a particular art form that eludes traditional categorization. The program offers courses that challenge students to think historically and critically about the meaning of artistic practice and its relation to political, philosophical, socio-cultural and aesthetic spheres of activity/inquiry.

Through the participation of all the other programs in the Division of the Arts, Integrated Arts offers several courses that address the ways in which the various arts are related, either historically or critically or in actual creative practice. Such courses are often team-taught. Integrated Arts also gains breadth from the participation of programs from the College's other academic divisions, Social Studies, Languages and Literature, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Moderation
It is the Integrated Arts program's core belief that an interdisciplinary focus should be based upon a strong foundation of technique, history and experience. As a result, prospective Integrated Arts majors should prepare to moderate in a traditional Lower College arts program prior to declaration of an Integrated Arts major. Core courses in that program provide a solid grounding in the history of art and in expressive technique and, therefore, a critical context for the study of and creative work in art forms that are more innovative or conceptual.

Students can moderate into the Integrated Arts program through the combined major framework at the time of their moderation. Intended Integrated Arts majors who pursue this route are promoted to the Upper College as combined majors, for example, in creative writing and Integrated Arts or electronic music and Integrated Arts. In the semester prior to moderation the student declares an intention to moderate within the combined major framework. Then in consultation with the primary program advisor, Integrated Arts advisor, and/or Integrated Arts S program chair, a Moderation board and co-advisors are chosen accordingly. In close consultation with the advisers, the student maps out in the Moderation papers course selections for the junior year that will prepare her or him for the Senior Project.

Alternately, students can also moderate into Integrated Arts after upon their promotion to the Upper College. In this double moderation framework, the student in consultation with their primary program advisor, Integrated Arts advisor and/or Integrated Arts program chair, convenes a second Moderation board. Here, in close consultation with the co-advisers the student maps out course selections that will prepare her or him for the Senior Project.

Bard College, PO Box 5000, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504   integratedarts@bard.edu