Information and Policies
Introduction
Art & Design: Games + Playable Media (AGPM) 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 thoughtful, nuanced, and radical systems for participation that engage different media, perspectives, and forms of cultural expression. We strive to co-create spaces where people can engage in deep, meaningful play that helps them to feel and experience real connection, community, and creative agency. We support socially conscious, community-rooted work that reflects on its impact and ethics, and is guided by principles of justice, accountability, and collective liberation. The AGPM major focuses on the following areas of study—students interested in the major should expect courses and curriculum centered around these topics:
- Digital and non-digital games as art, activism and social practice
- Feminist, anti-racist, LGBTQ games, art and media
- Participatory or performance-based games such as role playing games, urban/site-specific games and theater games
- Interactive art, performance art, and new media art
- Exhibition methods for games in contemporary 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 games, community spaces, and experimental configurations that can produce a broad range of creative experiences.
Students practice interactive design as a form of expression embedded in deeper social and historical contexts, which can draw upon a multitude of material forms and disciplinary approaches. Our students see games and worldbuilding as a complex art form whereby they can develop strategies to intervene, disrupt, and positively impact the world around them by exercising their creative authority.
Program Learning Outcomes
- 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.
- 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.
- Games as Art. With a foundation in existing artworks, students design, develop, and create a series of interactive artworks.
- 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.
- 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 advising page on our 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 during regular business hours M–F, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Students are encouraged to consult early with the AGPM advising team to create an academic plan for the major far in advance of declaration. Frosh, please see the “How to Declare a Major” and the “Getting Started in the Major: Frosh,” sections below. Transfers, please see the "How to Declare a Major" and the "Transfer Information and Policy" sections below.
Getting Started in the Major: Frosh
Students are admitted to UC Santa Cruz with a "proposed major" in most cases, and later petition to 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 entering the program should have interest and/or experience in making interactive works in any medium—from paper dolls to performance art. Developing skills in other forms of media—including theater, drawing, writing, music, sculpture, filmmaking, and others—is also strongly encouraged.
Students who enter as frosh should meet with their advising team as early as possible, or by the end of their first year, to gain a clear understanding of the degree requirements and to create a customized academic plan that demonstrates a path to graduation.
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 course or its equivalent from each of the following areas:
Intro to 2D Concepts
| ART 10D | 2D Foundation | 5 |
| ART 20G | Introduction to Print Media and Drawing | 5 |
| ART 20L | Introduction to Drawing | 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 |
| 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:
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.
One community college course that is articulated to courses or geographic region requirements in the History of Art and Visual Culture B.A.
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.
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 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. 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. AGPM Transfers who have gone through screening will receive permission numbers to enroll in their major declaration courses in the fall and winter of their first year at UCSC. 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.
Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process
Major Qualification
To qualify for the AGPM major, students must complete the following major qualification courses:
Students entering as frosh must declare in their sixth quarter at UCSC, while transfer students must declare in their second quarter. Students who did not meet the transfer screening requirements at the time of admission will not be granted permission to enter into the major.
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.
Students who have not 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 via email to the major’s academic advising office, addressed to the department chair, within 15 days of the date the notification was sent. If an appeal is approved, it will likely be with conditions that must be met before the declaration can be made. The decision and any conditions will be communicated by email to the student and the college within 15 days of receiving the student’s appeal. Please address any questions to the AGPM advising office: agpmadv@ucsc.edu.
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 click the link to submit the Petition for Major/Minor.
Students petitioning when the campus declaration deadline is imminent 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 UCSC policy holds 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 for a course to count as a substitute for any given elective requirement via the AGPM Course Substitution Petition. Once submitted, requests are reviewed by the department chair. The AGPM advisor will reach out to the student and let them know whether their petition was approved or denied.
Requirements and Planners
Course Requirements
Complete the following requirements. Some courses may be satisfied via exam credit.
Lower-Division Courses
Foundational Courses
Complete the following courses:
Plus one of the following:
Lower-Division Arts Elective
Complete one lower-division course from the following:
Check with departments and the General Catalog for restrictions or prerequisites.
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 curriculum consists of eight courses: One from each of the three topic areas (craft refinement, social interventions, and performance/portfolio/exhibition), one disciplinary communication (DC) course, and four upper-division electives.
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 |
| THEA 113 | The History of Design for Theater | 5 |
| THEA 115A | Design Studio: Scenic Design | 5 |
| THEA 116A | History of Clothing and Costume | 5 |
| THEA 117
/ART 147T
| Design Studio: Costume | 5 |
| THEA 124 | Movement for Performers | 5 |
| THEA 126 | Acting Studio III | 5 |
| THEA 139 | Random: With a Purpose | 5 |
| THEA 145R | From Hamlet to Hamilton: Performing Rhythm and Rhyme in the Twenty-first Century | 5 |
| THEA 151 | Studies in Performance (Drama) | 5 |
| THEA 151A | Studies in Performance: African American Theater Arts Troupe | 5 |
| THEA 157 | Playwriting | 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 |
| ARTG 143
/THEA 143
| Ecofutures | 5 |
| THEA 100W | Black/African Diasporic World Theater | 5 |
| THEA 104 | Multimedia Authoring | 5 |
| THEA 113 | The History of Design for Theater | 5 |
| THEA 116A | History of Clothing and Costume | 5 |
| THEA 161M | Sexuality, Gender, Drama, and Performance | 5 |
| THEA 161P | Theater in the Chicano Power Movement | 5 |
| THEA 161Q | Queer Theatricks: Representations and Sensibilities | 5 |
| THEA 161R
/LALS 161R
| Theatre of American Cultures: Fighting Oppression | 5 |
| THEA 164 | Issues in Dance History and Theory | 5 |
| THEA 165 | Dance Modernism | 5 |
| THEA 166 | Ballet: A History | 5 |
| THEA 167 | Africanist Aesthetics: Live Dialogues in the Americas and Africa | 5 |
| THEA 168 | Disability and Performance | 5 |
Performance/Portfolio/Exhibition
Complete at least one course from the following list:
| ARTG 134 | Spectacular Play: Performance, Ritual, and Making a Scene IRL | 5 |
| ARTG 143
/THEA 143
| Ecofutures | 5 |
| ARTG 170A | Game Design Studio I | 5 |
| ARTG 170B | Design Studio I: Individual Track | 5 |
| ARTG 171 | Game Design Studio II | 7 |
| ARTG 172 | Game Design Studio III | 7 |
| ARTG 180 | Personal Narrative in Play | 5 |
| ARTG 181 | Portfolio | 5 |
| THEA 139 | Random: With a Purpose | 5 |
| THEA 151 | Studies in Performance (Drama) | 5 |
| THEA 151A | Studies in Performance: African American Theater Arts Troupe | 5 |
| THEA 145R | From Hamlet to Hamilton: Performing Rhythm and Rhyme in the Twenty-first Century | 5 |
ARTG 170A and ARTG 170B are equivalent courses; students cannot receive credit for both.
Disciplinary Communication Requirement
Students satisfy the DC requirement by completing one additional course from the list below. This course may not satisfy another requirement of the major.
Senior Comprehensive Requirement
Students satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement by completing the Performance/Portfolio/Exhibition requirement above.
Upper-Division Electives
Complete four-upper division electives. Electives may be chosen from ARTG 100-189 courses, additional courses from the topic areas above, or from the courses listed below.
| ART 101 | Introduction to Computer Programming for the Arts | 5 |
| ART 104 | Digital Video | 5 |
| ART 106A | 2D Animation | 5 |
| ART 106E | 3D Modeling and Animation | 5 |
| ART 106G | Immersive Nonfiction | 5 |
| ART 106O | 2D Animation | 5 |
| ART 108 | Art, Design, and Social Practice | 5 |
| ART 135 | Digital Painting | 5 |
| CMPM 125 | Game Technologies | 5 |
| CMPM 131 | User Experience for Interactive Media | 5 |
| CMPM 146 | Game AI | 5 |
| CMPM 147 | Generative Design | 5 |
| CMPM 148 | Interactive Storytelling | 5 |
| CMPM 150 | Creating Digital Audio | 5 |
| CMPM 151 | Algorithmic Music for Games | 5 |
| CMPM 152 | Musical Data | 5 |
| CMPM 163 | Game Graphics and Real-Time Rendering | 5 |
| CMPM 169 | Creative Coding | 5 |
| CMPM 176 | Game Systems | 5 |
| CMPM 177 | Creative Strategies for Designing Interactive Media | 5 |
| CMPM 178 | Human-Centered Design Research | 5 |
| CMPM 179
/ARTG 179
| Game Design Practicum | 5 |
| CSE 118 | Mobile Applications | 5 |
| CSE 183 | Web Applications | 5 |
| DANM 140
/ART 105
| Introduction to 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, and More | 5 |
| DANM 146 | Game Design in Participatory Performance | 5 |
| DANM 148 | Introduction to Game Prototyping | 5 |
| DANM 219 | Introduction to Electronics for Artmaking | 5 |
| DANM 220 | Introduction to Programming for the Arts | 5 |
| GAME 231 | Game Technologies | 5 |
| GAME 280A | Games Proseminar | 2 |
| FILM 170A | Fundamentals of Digital Media Production | 5 |
| FILM 171D | Social Information Spaces | 5 |
| FILM 173 | Narrative Digital Media Workshop | 5 |
| FILM 177 | Digital Media Workshop: Computer as Medium | 5 |
| FILM 179A | Special Topics in Animation | 5 |
| FILM 179B | Documentary Animation Workshop | 5 |
| FILM 189 | Advanced Topics in Digital and Electronic Media Studies | 5 |
| MUSC 123A | Electronic Music: Synthesis & Composition I | 5 |
| MUSC 123B | Electronic Music: Synthesis & Composition II | 5 |
| MUSC 123C | Electronic Music: Synthesis & Composition III | 5 |
| THEA 100W | Black/African Diasporic World Theater | 5 |
| THEA 104 | Multimedia Authoring | 5 |
| THEA 113 | The History of Design for Theater | 5 |
| THEA 114 | Sound Design and Engineering for the Theater | 5 |
| THEA 115A | Design Studio: Scenic Design | 5 |
| THEA 116A | History of Clothing and Costume | 5 |
| THEA 117
/ART 147T
| Design Studio: Costume | 5 |
| THEA 124 | Movement for Performers | 5 |
| THEA 126 | Acting Studio III | 5 |
| THEA 131B | Dance Studio II: Ballet | 5 |
| THEA 131C | Dance Studio II: Advanced Contemporary Forms and Practices | 5 |
| THEA 135 | Choreography I | 5 |
| THEA 136 | Choreography II | 5 |
| THEA 139 | Random: With a Purpose | 5 |
| THEA 141 | Play Direction Studio I | 5 |
| THEA 145R | From Hamlet to Hamilton: Performing Rhythm and Rhyme in the Twenty-first Century | 5 |
| THEA 151 | Studies in Performance (Drama) | 5 |
| THEA 151A | Studies in Performance: African American Theater Arts Troupe | 5 |
| THEA 157 | Playwriting | 5 |
| THEA 159 | Advanced Playwriting | 5 |
| THEA 161M | Sexuality, Gender, Drama, and Performance | 5 |
| THEA 161P | Theater in the Chicano Power Movement | 5 |
| THEA 161Q | Queer Theatricks: Representations and Sensibilities | 5 |
| THEA 161R
/LALS 161R
| Theatre of American Cultures: Fighting Oppression | 5 |
| THEA 164 | Issues in Dance History and Theory | 5 |
| THEA 165 | Dance Modernism | 5 |
| THEA 166 | Ballet: A History | 5 |
| THEA 167 | Africanist Aesthetics: Live Dialogues in the Americas and Africa | 5 |
| THEA 168 | Disability and Performance | 5 |
Planners
Academic planners for this and all majors can be found at programmaps.ucsc.edu.
Planning Notes
WRIT 2 should be taken in or before spring quarter of the second year. The requirements of this major guarantee completion of the IM, PE-T, and DC general education requirements.