Arts (ARTS1-UC)

This course fosters familiarity with the character, methods, objectives, major stylists, and cultural significance of jazz music as well as enhances the student's listening abilities and critical thinking skills. Renowned instrumentalists provide in-class demonstration. The course includes directed listening and viewing of jazz videos and attendance at jazz performances. Readings of current criticism and past reportage inform seminar-style classroom discussions of the aesthetic, musicological, socioeconomic, and political implications of jazz as well as the history and development of America's indigenous modern art form. No previous experience with jazz is necessary, though students with advanced knowledge are also encouraged to register.

This non-darkroom class explores the photograph's ability to convey ideas and tell stories. Weekly assignments enable students to become proficient image makers, developing a relationship to the world through the lens of their camera and becoming more visually aware. Students learn what makes a successful photograph by discussing and implementing aesthetic, technical, and editorial concepts.

This studio art course introduces students to a variety of drawing techniques involving pencil, ink, charcoal, and other drawing materials. Students also are encouraged to think about ways of seeing, and to consider how works of art can be used to express different forms of vision.

Art, in every instance and every form, instigates response. Seeing a play, film, video, painting or sculpture, hearing music or story, reading a poem or novel we naturally reflect on what we've taken in, want to express our thoughts and/or test our analysis. Writing about the Arts is an overview and exploration of how to address in analytic and critical media what it is about a work of art, of fixed form or live performance, that one personally sees, hears, understands and reacts to, with reference to a heritage of arts criticism and contemporary practices in print and on the web.

This studio art course teaches students how to appreciate the technical aspects of various media. It offers the student a hands-on approach to the study of artistic production. It covers the history and conceptualization of collage. No previous studio experience necessary.

This course explores ways to articulate and build visual space through various conceptual uses of drawing. Techniques range from drawing the still life to abstraction.

The focus of this course is to approach painting (pastel, watercolor, or acrylic) as individual expression, exploring personal style to enhance creativity and artistic expression. It explores fundamentals of painting and design, including subject matter, decision making, composition, color, and materials. The course discusses both realistic and abstract approaches through individual critique. Students may work from still life, photographs, or imagination in various media, such as charcoal, colored pencils, conte crayons, pastels, watercolor, and acrylic. The student is responsible for the choice and handling of subject matter, project, and interpretation after individual consultation with the instructor. No prior art training necessary.

This course examines approximately 1000 years of Western music history, starting in medieval Europe and culminating in New York City today. Students learn to identify, articulate, and describe what they hear in genres ranging from chants to madrigals, opera to pop music.

The course fosters familiarity with the character, methods, objectives, major stylists and culture significance of the blues as well as enhances listening abilities and critical thinking. There is directed listening and viewing of blues videos and attendance of blues performances. Students read current criticisms, reportage and oral histories to inform seminar-style classroom discussions of the aesthetic, musicological, socioeconomic and political implications, history, and development of America's bedrock folk form. No previous experience with the blues is required, though students with advanced knowledge are welcomed.

This course introduces students to world music concepts, highlighting both similarities and differences in the character, methods, objectives, major stylists, and functional significance of music in diverse cultures. Coursework enhances listening abilities and critical thinking. The course includes directed listening, video viewing, and performance attendance. Selected readings and in-class demonstrations by expert musicians inform seminar-style discussions of the aesthetic, musicological, socioeconomic and political implications, history, and development of music originating outside North America as well as their manifestations in the U.S. No previous experience with music is required, though students with advanced knowledge are welcomed.