Students of visual culture at UC Santa Cruz encounter complex questions raised from a variety of viewpoints. Foremost among these are questions about the social, economic, religious, and psychological influences on those who produce visual images as well as on those who view them. Also considered is how images form beliefs and values, taking into account the issues of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, race, and class. Questions of theory and methodology are addressed throughout the range of courses, although some courses emphasize these more than others.

The history of art and visual culture curriculum guides students in critical thinking about visual culture. Courses are organized in four levels, with each building on the work of the prior level, to provide a progressively sophisticated study of materials and problems. Introductory courses (numbered 1 - 149) cover a broad range of issues in various aspects of world culture, from earliest times to the present. Advanced courses (numbered 150 - 199) focus on selected key fields, topics, and methods. Each student devises an individual study plan with a faculty adviser.