Information and Policies
Introduction
Art & Design: Games + Playable Media (AGPM) values a joyful and rigorous critical discourse in order to build new imaginaries of climate, gender, racial, and disability justice.
Our program is a community of artists that believe in the power of games as an artistic medium for transforming how we experience agency in a world fragmented by capitalism, colonialism, and systemic oppression. We critique art and games that capitalize on systemically toxic player culture, industrial standards that homogenize our approach to storytelling, and exploitative technologies that continue to oppress. Students build toward a multidisciplinary arts practice situated within the broader landscape of contemporary art, media art, performance, and/or social practice.
Our approach to games as a contemporary art practice foregrounds the importance of designing more thoughtful, nuanced, and radical systems for participation that cross medium, positionality, and forms of cultural expression. We support work that self-reflexively acknowledges its context, community, and the ethics that underlie its intention. We work to co-create spaces for thoughtful and transformative play to cultivate the embodied experience of connection, collectivity, and co-liberation in action. Students learn to create projects that are accountable to communities beyond the institution and are guided by a decolonial, intersectional and antiracist framework.
The AGPM major focuses on the following areas of study—students interested in the major should expect courses and curriculum centered around these topics:
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Digital and non-digital games as art, activism and social practice
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Feminist, anti-racist, LGBTQ games, art and media
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Participatory or performance-based games such as role playing games, urban/site-specific games and theater games
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Interactive art, performance art, and new media art
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Exhibition methods for games in traditional art spaces and public spaces
The Art & Design: Games + Playable Media (AGPM) Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz, focuses on the creation of novel game systems, spaces, and configurations that can produce broad ranges of player experiences, for a wide variety of purposes.
Students in the AGPM major learn to understand game design as an art in and of itself, positioned within the context of a number of more disciplinary approaches. Furthermore, students understand game design as a practice of creation, within a much larger and deeper social and historical context.
Program Learning Outcomes
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Aesthetics. Students demonstrate understanding of aesthetic fundamentals through sustained and intentional application of a range of visual arts and design practices, both physical and digital.
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Designing Experiences. Students critically engage with audience feedback to iterate and revise an interactive project in a way that preserves the artist’s creative and political goals.
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Games as Art. With a foundation in existing artworks, students design, develop, and create a series of interactive artworks.
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Games as Activism. Students develop a creative practice, and critical study, of games and interactive media by generating critiques of game systems through a lens of power and oppression, and utilizing these critiques in their artwork.
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Play as a Radical Endeavor. Students explore and create a series of playful experiments towards expressive goals that embrace risk and build upon failure. Students analyze play as a vehicle for disruption, resistance, and joy.
- Sense of Self As Artist. Students begin to establish and explore their unique sense of artistic identity and areas of intention and interest, demonstrated via a portfolio of artwork and written work, exhibition, or performance, that expands definitions of games, interactive art, and play.
Academic Advising for the Program
Please refer to the AGPM website for the most up-to-date information on drop-in hours and appointments.
You can reach the AGPM office by emailing agpmadv@ucsc.edu or by calling (831)502-0051.
If you are a prospective junior transfer hoping to join AGPM, please be sure to carefully read the section below titled Transfer Information and Policy, however, students who enter as frosh should meet with the AGPM advising team as early as possible.
Getting Started in the Major: Frosh
Students are admitted to UC Santa Cruz with a "proposed major" in most cases, and later petition to officially declare the major. Admission to UCSC does not guarantee acceptance into a particular major. Students must be declared in a major by the end of their second year (or equivalent), so learning about and preparing for a major is a primary goal for first-year students.
Students interested in entering the Art & Design: Games + Playable Media (AGPM) program as frosh can do so as long as they are admitted into UC Santa Cruz. Incoming frosh do not need to satisfy any programming or art requirements prior to arriving at UCSC. However, students who enter as frosh should meet with the AGPM advising team as early as possible, or by the beginning of their second year, to gain a clear understanding of the degree requirements and to create a customized academic plan that demonstrates a path to graduation.
While frosh may not need to satisfy specific requirements, students interested in entering the program as frosh are urged to make interactive artwork—from paper game prototypes to text-based choose-your-own adventure stories. Developing an arts practice in any medium is also helpful, including theater, drawing, writing, music, sculpture, filmmaking, and others.
Transfer Information and Policy
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
In preparation for transfer to AGPM, students are required to demonstrate proficiency in design and visual art topics. Broadly this includes courses in 2D and 3D concepts, forms, or production; and specific art and design topics such as color theory, typography, interaction design, motion graphics, and performance.
The following courses or their equivalents are required prior to transfer, by the end of the spring term for students planning to enter in fall. Check assist.org for a list of courses at your community college that fulfill these areas.
Complete one courses or its equivalent from each of the following areas:
Intro to 2D Concepts
| ART 10D | 2D Foundation | 5 |
| ART 15 | Introduction to Drawing for the Major | 5 |
| ART 20G | Introduction to Print Media and Drawing | 5 |
| ART 26 | Introduction to Printmaking | 5 |
| ART 80T | Digital Tools for Contemporary Art Practice | 5 |
| ARTG 80G | Visual Communication and Interaction Design | 5 |
| ARTG 91 | Introduction to Game Art Production | 5 |
Intro to 3D Concepts
| ART 10E | 3D Foundation | 5 |
| ART 20H | Introduction to Sculpture and Public Art | 5 |
| ARTG 118 | Character Creation for Video Games | 5 |
| ARTG 131 | 3D Game Art Production | 5 |
| ARTG 132 | 3D Character Rigging and Animation for Video Games | 5 |
| CMPM 25 | Introduction to 3D Modeling | 5 |
| CMPM 26 | Introduction to 3D Animation | 5 |
Art and Design Topics
| ART 10F | 4D Foundation | 5 |
| ART 20I | Introduction to Photography | 5 |
| ART 20K | Introduction to New Media and Digital Artmaking | 5 |
| ARTG 50 | Play as a Radical Endeavor | 5 |
| CMPM 80K | Foundations of Video Game Design | 5 |
| FILM 20P | Introduction to Production Technique | 5 |
| MUSC 1C | University Concert Choir | 2 |
| MUSC 2 | University Orchestra | 2 |
| MUSC 3 | Large Jazz Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC 6 | Classical Guitar Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC 9 | Wind Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC 14 | Beginning Western Theory and Musicianship | 5 |
| MUSC 15 | Preparatory Musicianship | 5 |
| MUSC 20A | Global Music Theory and Musicianship | 5 |
| MUSC 30A | Theory, Literature, and Musicianship I | 5 |
| THEA 10 | Introduction to Theater Design and Technology | 5 |
| THEA 20 | Introductory Studies in Acting | 5 |
| THEA 30 | Introduction to Dance Theory and Technique | 5 |
Additional Suggested Courses
In addition, the following courses are recommended prior to transfer to ensure timely graduation:
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Community college courses that are articulated for credit with courses in the Foundational Courses and Lower-Division Arts Requirements and Electives courses listed in the Requirements and Planners tab.
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Transfer students who meet the requirements above and complete general education requirements will be able to complete the major in two years as shown in the academic plan in the Planners section of the Requirements and Planners tab on this page. Because of the number of credits required by the B.A., transfer students who have general education requirements remaining may need to take summer session courses and/or additional courses over the academic year to allow graduation in two years.
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Prospective students are encouraged to prioritize required and recommended major preparation, and may additionally complete courses that articulate to UC Santa Cruz general education requirements as time allows.
Getting Started in the Major: Transfer Students
Students are admitted to UC Santa Cruz with a "proposed major" in most cases, and later petition to officially declare the major. Admission does not guarantee acceptance into a particular major, although transfer students' records are screened for preparation for many majors at the time of admission. Junior transfer students must be formally declared by the deadline in their second quarter of enrollment.
Transfer students are strongly advised to attend a UC Santa Cruz summer orientation session for transfer students. Transfer students should consult with an AGPM academic advisor prior to enrolling in classes to determine their status and to begin the declaration of major process as soon as possible. Transfer students are encouraged to meet with AGPM advising in the summer prior to starting at UCSC or in the beginning of their first quarter to gain a clear understanding of the degree requirements and to create a customized academic plan that demonstrates a path to graduation.
Please see a recommended academic plan for junior transfer students in the Planners section of the Requirements and Planners tab on this page.
Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process
Major Qualification
To qualify for the AGPM major, students must complete the following major qualification courses:
Students need to complete these major qualification courses early in their studies so that the petition to major status is accomplished by the end of their sophomore year.
Junior transfers should submit a major declaration form by the campus deadline in their second quarter.
Transfer students who are proposed in a different major and have advanced standing when they enter UC Santa Cruz require permission from the department to change into the major at any point after admission. Students who would not have met the transfer screening requirements at the time of admission will not be granted permission to change into the major.
The following course
Plus one of these courses
Plus one of these courses
Appeal Process
Denials of admission to the major may be appealed by submitting a letter to the AGPM advising staff, addressed to the chair of Performance, Play & Design within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed. The appeal letter must describe why the prior performance is not an accurate reflection of the student's potential. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the AGPM advising staff will notify the student and their college of the decision.
How to Declare a Major
Students should submit a petition to declare as soon as they complete the major qualification requirements or reach their declaration deadline quarter. Log into MyUCSC and submit the Petition for Major/Minor via MyUCSC as soon as you have met major qualification requirements and/or reach your declaration deadline quarter.
Students petitioning when the campus declaration deadline is imminent (i.e., in their sixth quarter, for students admitted as frosh), will either be approved, denied, or provided with conditions (e.g., completion of some courses with certain grades) that will be resolved within at most one more enrolled quarter, even if they have not completed major qualification (MQ) courses.
Letter Grade Policy
All courses used to satisfy any of the Art & Design: Games + Playable Media major requirements can be taken for a letter grade or as Pass/No Pass. This includes both introductory lower-division and advanced upper-division requirements. Please note campus policy that no more than 25 percent of the UCSC credits applied toward graduation may be graded on a Pass/No Pass basis.
Course Substitution Policy
Students are able to petition a course to count as a substitute for any given elective requirement via the AGPM Course Substitution Petition form. Once submitted, requests are reviewed by the program chair. After they come to a decision, the AGPM advisor will reach out to the student and let them know whether their petition was approved or not.
Requirements and Planners
Course Requirements
Lower-Division Courses
Foundational Courses
Complete the following three courses:
Plus one of the following three courses
Lower-Division Arts Elective
Complete one lower-division course from the following:
| ART 10D | 2D Foundation | 5 |
| ART 10E | 3D Foundation | 5 |
| ART 10F | 4D Foundation | 5 |
| ART 20L | Introduction to Drawing | 5 |
| ART 80T | Digital Tools for Contemporary Art Practice | 5 |
| ARTG 91 | Introduction to Game Art Production | 5 |
| CMPM 80K | Foundations of Video Game Design | 5 |
| FILM 80V | Video Games as Visual Culture | 5 |
| MUSC 1C | University Concert Choir | 2 |
| MUSC 2 | University Orchestra | 2 |
| MUSC 3 | Large Jazz Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC 5A | West Javanese Gamelan Ensemble: Beginning | 2 |
| MUSC 5B | West Javanese Gamelan Ensemble: Intermediate | 2 |
| MUSC 5C | West Javanese Gamelan Ensemble: Advanced | 2 |
| MUSC 6 | Classical Guitar Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC 8A | Beginning Balinese Gamelan | 2 |
| MUSC 8B | Advanced Balinese Gamelan | 2 |
| MUSC 9 | Wind Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC 10 | Central Asian Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC 80L | Artificial Intelligence and Music | 5 |
| THEA 10 | Introduction to Theater Design and Technology | 5 |
| THEA 14 | Drawing | 5 |
| THEA 15 | Special Topics in Textiles | 5 |
| THEA 17 | Costume Construction | 5 |
| THEA 18C | Drafting-Computer Aided | 5 |
| THEA 19 | Design Studio: Lighting Studio A | 5 |
| THEA 20 | Introductory Studies in Acting | 5 |
| THEA 21 | Acting Studio I: Psychological Realism | 5 |
| THEA 22 | Indonesian Dance and Drama | 5 |
| THEA 30 | Introduction to Dance Theory and Technique | 5 |
| THEA 31C | Dance Studio I: Contemporary Dance Theory and Technique | 5 |
| THEA 33C | Dance Studio I | 5 |
| THEA 36 | Introduction to Dance Making | 5 |
| THEA 37 | African Dance | 5 |
| THEA 40 | Introduction to Directing | 5 |
| THEA 50 | Fundamentals of Theater Production | 2 |
| THEA 80Z | Indian Dance | 5 |
Check with the Art Department and the General Catalog for restrictions or prerequisites on art courses.
Junior transfers fulfill the lower-division arts elective requirement as part of the transfer screening requirements.
History of Art and Visual Culture Requirement
Complete any one 5-credit History of Art and Visual Culture (HAVC) course. This can be either a lower- or upper-division course.
Upper-Division Courses
The upper-division coursework for the AGPM major consists of a minimum of eight total upper-division courses of 5 credits or more. Students take one course from each of the three topic areas: Craft Refinement; Social Interventions; and Performance, Portfolio + Exhibition, plus one additional course from the Disciplinary Communication (DC) list. The remaining four upper-division courses may be chosen from ARTG courses 100-189, the three topic areas, and the upper-division electives list. All courses must be at least 5 credits and upper-division.
Craft Refinement
Complete at least one course from the following list:
| ARTG 118 | Character Creation for Video Games | 5 |
| ARTG 120 | Game Design Experience | 5 |
| ARTG 131 | 3D Game Art Production | 5 |
| ARTG 132 | 3D Character Rigging and Animation for Video Games | 5 |
| ARTG 136 | Digital Sculpting for Video Games | 5 |
| ARTG 137 | Experimental Tabletop RPG Design | 5 |
| ARTG 140 | Writing for Interactive Narrative | 5 |
Social Interventions
Complete at least one course from the following list:
| ARTG 138
/FMST 138
| Feminist Games | 5 |
| ARTG 139
/CRES 139
| Queer and Trans Art and Games | 5 |
| ARTG 142
/CRES 142
| Black Aesthetics: Interventions in Digital Media | 5 |
Performance/Portfolio/Exhibition
Complete at least one course from the following list:
Disciplinary Communication and Senior Comprehensive Requirements
The course used to satisfy the Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement may not also be used to satisfy a topic area above. The course used to satisfy the Performance/Portfolio/Exhibition topic area will also satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students satisfy the DC requirement by completing one additional course from the list below:
Senior Comprehensive Requirement
Students satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement by completing the Performance/Portfolio/Exhibition requirement above.
Upper-Division Electives
Planners
The tables below are for informational purposes and do not reflect all university, general education, and credit requirements. See Undergraduate Graduation Requirements for more information.
Art and Design: Games and Playable Media B.A. Planner
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Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Summer |
| Entering |
|
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College 1A |
| |
|
|
Summer Edge (optional) |
| |
|
|
|
| 1st (frosh) |
ARTG 10 |
ARTG 20 or ARTG 25
or ARTG 30 |
ARTG 40 or ARTG 50 |
|
| College 1 |
HAVC elective |
Lower-division
arts elective** |
|
| |
WRIT 1/WRIT 1E (if needed) |
|
|
| 2nd (soph) |
ARTG 40 or ARTG 50 |
|
|
|
| WRIT 2 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| 3rd (junior) |
Upper-div: Craft
Refinement |
Upper-div: Social
Interventions
|
Upper-div: elective 2
|
|
| Upper-div: elective 1 |
|
Upper-div: elective 3 |
|
| |
|
|
|
| 4th (senior) |
Upper-div: Disciplinary
Communication (DC)
|
Upper-div: Performance,
Portfolio and Exhibition (SC)
|
Upper-div: elective 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
** WRIT 2 should be taken in or before spring quarter of the second year.
In addition to the specific courses shown in the four-year planner, a student must complete courses satisfying the ER, MF, SI, SR, TA, PR and C (WRIT 2) general education requirements.
*Students must make sure they complete one course that satisfies the DC requirement and one course that satisfies their senior comprehensive requirement.
Transfer Students Planner
| |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Summer |
| Entering |
|
|
|
KRSG 1T |
| |
|
|
Summer Edge (optional) |
| |
|
|
|
| 1st (junior) |
ARTG 10 |
ARTG 40 or ARTG 50 |
Upper-div: Craft Refinement |
|
ARTG 20 or ARTG 25
or ARTG 30 |
Upper-div: elective 1 |
Upper-div: elective 2 |
|
| ARTG 40 or ARTG 50 |
|
HAVC Elective |
|
| |
|
|
|
| 2nd (senior) |
Upper-div: Disciplinary
Communication (DC)
|
Upper-div: Performance,
Portfolio and Exhibition (SC)
|
Upper-div: elective 4 |
|
|
Upper-div: elective 3
|
Upper-div: Social
Interventions |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
The two-year planner assumes that a student has completed all general education requirements before transferring to UC Santa Cruz.
*Students must make sure they complete one course that satisfies the DC requirement and one course that satisfies the senior comprehensive requirement.