Liberal Arts

Freedom of the mind
Through multiple lenses of history and art history, philosophy and literature, creative writing and the sciences, KCAI’s liberal arts program provides you with the kind of intellectual, civic, and aesthetic grounding that is both meaningful and lasting. “Chance,” said Pasteur, “favors the prepared mind.”
We offer our students a liberal arts education with no expiration date
- Small classes
- An accomplished faculty—practitioners themselves in their respective disciplines
- An opportunity for innovative student work grounded in fundamentals
- A mutually-supportive thoroughfare between liberal arts and studio practices
Students can double their career possibilities
- Major or Double-Major in art history
- Major or Double-Major in creative writing
- Earn your certificate in Asian Studies
- Earn your certificate in Social social practice
“Every single professor is an expert in their field. They proved to me how necessary a broad education is in a world where a highly- specialized education is more often made a priority. Now I have four years of conversations to return to and build upon in my research and studio practice.”
Molly DillonCreative Writing/Painting, 2015
Adjunct Faculty
Art History Major
The art history program stimulates and enriches critical thinking, intellectual inquiry, investigation, research and analysis between liberal arts and the studio disciplines. Investigating art historical methodology and scholarship within the context of a studio-based environment provides the student with insights and perspectives regarding the relationships between concept and practice. Read more about art history.
Studio Art in Creative Writing Major
The creative writing program encourages contemplative, broadly educated artists whose training and work in visual media and literary genres will be mutually supportive. Here, the visual arts and the literary arts share the goal of accuracy of vision. The strength of the program lies in its interdisciplinary and multi-contextual nature. Read more about creative writing.
Classes
Whether you major or double-major in creative writing, you will have over 50 courses to choose from to meet your requirements. For additional electives and liberal arts courses download the complete Course Catalog.
Lower-division required core courses:
First-year Seminar
- Art History I
- Art History II
- History of Thought I
- History of Thought II
Upper-Division required electives:
- Art History
- History
- Literature
- Philosophy
- The Sciences
- Liberal arts electives
At least 5 of these upper-division classes must be taken at the 3000 level or the 4000 level.
At least 1 of these upper-division classes must be a class in global/comparative studies.
Other Choices Students Have to Fulfill their liberal arts requirements
Study Abroad Program to Buenos Aires – This program offers a course in art history. For more information, e-mail Dr. Reed Anderson at sanderson@kcai.edu.
Study Abroad Program to China – This program offers a course in art history. For more information, e-mail Dr. Jan Kennedy at jkennedy@kcai.edu.
Study Abroad Program to Florence (SACI) – This program offers a course in art history. Find out more here or for even more information, e-mail Jessie Fisher at jfisher@kcai.edu.
Study Abroad Program to France – This program offers a course in art history and a course in creative writing. For more information, e-mail Dr. Phyllis Moore at pmoore@kcai.edu.
Study Abroad Program to Vietnam and Cambodia – This program offers a course in history. For more information, e-mail Dr. Hal Wert at hwert@kcai.edu.
Even More Choices
- Directed Individual Studies
- Internships
- Mobility programs to other colleges in the U.S. and abroad