• 0505-213 Fine Arts: Visual Arts
  Students develop ability in perceiving worth in objects of art through consideration of fundamental concepts in painting, sculpture and architecture, involving analysis, interpretation and principles of aesthetics. Class 4, Credit 4 (offered quarterly)
• 0505-214 Fine Arts: Musical Arts
  An introduction to music as a fine art. Students develop skills in listening, evaluation, and analysis through an examination of music’s forms, constituent elements, and stylistic and historical development. Class 4, Credit 4 (offered quarterly)
• 0505-215 Fine Arts: Film Arts
  Students develop ability to view analytically and evaluate the film arts, both still and moving (motion) pictures, through consideration of their technologies, histories, aesthetics and critical writings. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-216 Fine Arts: Theater Arts
  The course will develop students' skills in viewing, evaluating, and analyzing the art of the theater through an examination of its constituent elements, aesthetics, and stylistic and historical development. Class 4, Credit 4

Performing Groups

• 0505-401 RIT Singers
  RIT’s primary choral group performs vocal works dating from the Middle Ages to the present. There is one major performance per quarter and several smaller events throughout the year. Class 1, Credit 1
• 0505-402 RIT Orchestra
  The RIT Orchestra performs three major concerts per year of standard orchestral repertoire. In addition, students from the Orchestra have the opportunity to play in a variety of chamber ensembles. Class 1, Credit 1
• 0505-403 RIT Concert Band
  The RIT Concert Band is a large instrumental ensemble that performs a wide body of literature, including traditional marches, wind ensemble pieces, musical medleys, and orchestral transcriptions. The group performs at least one formal concert per quarter as well as several special events throughout the academic year. Class 1, Credit 1
• 0505-404 World Music Ensemble
  A multi-cultural ensemble of instrumentalists, singers, and dancers organized to explore and perform a variety of music and dance from cultures around the world. The cultures to be studied will be dependent on enrollment. Participants native to the represented cultures will be enlisted to assist in the teaching of basic performance practices and concepts. Enrollment is open to all students, faculty, and staff, who are competent instrumentalists, singers and/or dancers from both Western and non-Western traditions. Auditions will be held to assess proper placement. Class 1, Credit 1
• 0505-405 RIT Jazz Ensemble
  This performing ensemble will provide the opportunity for students to become familiar with and perform a variety of musical styles associated with American Jazz. These will include Swing, Blues, Fusion, Dixieland, Samba, Bossa-Nova, Ballad, Be-Bop and Ragtime. As an experiential outcome of such study, the group will prepare a significant assortment of musical compositions for public performance. Class 1, Credit 1

Upper Division Courses: Art History and Film

• 0505-441 American Architecture
  A survey of American architecture from the 17th century to the present. Stress is placed on a visual as well as historical and social analysis. Part of the American artistic experience concentration and the art history minor; also maybe taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-443 Images of American Life
  Students examine images of American life in the 19th and 20th century in the visual arts, particularly photography, to analyze and evaluate the influences of American political, social and cultural events on imagery and perception. Part of the American artistic experience concentration and the art history minor; also maybe taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-444 American Painting
  A survey of the style and meaning in American paintings from the colonial limners to contemporary artists. Centers on what distinguishes painting of the colonies and of the United States from its European counterpart. Part of the American artistic experience concentration, the American English for ESL student concentration, and the art history minor; also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-445 Issues in American Art
  A comprehensive overview of American attitudes and philosophies as they have shaped and been embodied in our artistic heritage. Emphasis is placed on American art from 1850 to the present. Part of the American artistic experience concentration and the art history minor; also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-446 American Film
  Students develop an understanding of theories, styles and trends in American film through a historical and sociological study of the medium. Part of the American artistic experience concentration, the American English for ESL student concentration, and the art history minor; also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-452 Special Topics: American Art
  A critical examination of issues and/or artistic developments in American art. The topic may have been briefly covered in another concentration course. Provides a unique opportunity to expose the student to an in-depth analysis of one selected aspect of America art. Examples of likely topics are: American landscape painting; American portraiture; pop art of the ‘60s; jazz; Robert Venturi and post-modem architecture in America; criticism and theory; or other topics dealing with American painting, sculpture, architecture, music and film. Part of the American artistic experience concentration and the art history minor; also may be taken as an elective. Prerequisites, if any, are determined by the instructor. Class 4, Credit 4 (offered occasionally)
• 0505-480 Women & the Visual Arts
  Examines the image of women in the visual arts and the role of women image makers. Major topics include the variety of images of women, the evolution and change of these images over time, media images (as differentiated from fine art images) of women, images of women by women and by men, women’s images and the issues of their relationship to the images made by men, the nude and pornography, history of women artists, selected women artists and their work, relation of their work to the art of the period, current issues and status of women artists. Part of the women’s studies concentration and minor and the art history minor; also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-481 Oriental Art
  A survey outlining the development of art in India , China , and Japan , examining the philosophical circumstances that distinguish Eastern artistic traditions. There is opportunity for each student to pursue special interests in depth. Part of the Chinese and Japanese foreign language/culture concentrations and the art history minor; also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4 (offered occasionally)
• 0505-487 Art of Islam
  A survey of artistic traditions (to include architecture, decorative arts, art of the book and painting) from the seventh century onwards in countries from Asia , Africa , and Europe that were influenced by the religion of Islam. There will be an opportunity for each student to pursue special interests in depth. This course is part of the Arabic foreign language/culture concentration and the art history minor; may also be used as an elective. No prerequisite. Class 4, Credit 4

Upper Division Courses: Music

• 0505-442 Music in the U.S.
  A survey of music in the United States from the time of European colonization to the present. Particular emphasis is placed upon the question of what makes music distinctively “American.” Part of the American artistic experience concentration, the music concentration and the American English for ESL students concentration; also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-447 American Musical Theater
  Survey of the development of American opera and the American musical theater, highlighting representative works, composers, librettists and performers of both the “cultivated and vernacular traditions.” Part of the American artistic experience concentration and the music concentration and also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-448 20th Century American Music
  Survey of both the cultivated and vernacular traditions of American music in the 20th century, taking into account its political, social and historical frameworks. Part of the American artistic experience concentration and the music concentration and also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-449 Music Theory I
  For the student who has basic musical literacy (ability to read music notation). In addition to the writing of melody, two part counterpoint and four-part harmony, some attention is given to the analysis of form and style. Part of the music concentration and also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4 (offered occasionally)
• 0505-450 Music & the Stage
  Survey of the development of opera and the American musical theater, highlighting representative works, composers, librettists and performers. Part of the music concentration and also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4 (offered occasionally)
• 0505-454 American Orchestra & Repertoire
  A survey of the history and development of the orchestra and its repertoire from the Baroque to the present, focusing on works commonly performed by American orchestras. In conjunction with concert attendance requirements, special attention is given to works performed by area orchestras. In addition, various business, legal, cultural and artistic aspects of the modem American orchestra are addressed. Part of the music and American artistic experience concentrations and also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-455 Survey of Jazz
  This course will survey the development of American Jazz music, highlighting representative composers and performers and significant works. Particular attention will be drawn to the multi-racial influences on the creation of jazz music and its relationship to American culture as a whole. This course is part of the music and the American artistic experience concentration, and may also be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-456 Topics in Music History
  This course is a study of various aspects of music in different historical environments with emphasis on analogies between music and the other arts. Part of the music concentration. May be taken as an elective. Students may register for course only with permission of the instructor. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-459 Music of the Classical Era
  Many of the characteristics of art music up to the present day have their beginnings in the late eighteenth century. This course explores the creation and performance of music within the context of European cultural, political, and artistic ideals from 1740 to 1800, with particular attention given to the works of Haydn and Mozart. This course is part of the music concentration and German language/culture concentration and minor and may be taken as a liberal arts elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-461 World Music 1
  A course designed to explore selected music cultures of North America , South America , and Africa , through an examination of their musical, sociological, philosophical, and aesthetic values. The primary goal of the course will be to expand understanding of, and perceptions about music, both outside and within Western cultural traditions. The methodology will involve using traditional techniques of music analysis and “comparative musicology,” along with special techniques for listening to and analyzing non-Western music, in an examination of musical elements, music-making processes, instruments, the functions/purposes of music in various cultures, and selected readings from allied disciplines. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-462 World Music II
  This course will explore selected music cultures of India , Asia , East Asia , and Central/Southeastern Europe, through an examination of their musical, sociological, philosophical, and aesthetic values. The primary goal of the course will be to expand understanding of, and perceptions about music, both outside and within Western cultural traditions. The methodology will involve using traditional techniques of music analysis and “comparative musicology,” along with special techniques for listening to and analyzing non-Western music, in an examination of musical elements, music-making processes, instruments, the functions/purposes of music in various cultures, and selected readings from allied disciplines. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-464 The Blues as Personal and Social Commentary
  A course designed to explore the African American folk form know as the Blues. While tracing the history of this unique from will frame the course, particular emphasis is placed on understanding the Blues as a window into the personal lives of those who perform it, and viewing the Blues as a vehicle for social commentary. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-482 Beethoven
  Introduction to the music of Beethoven in the psychological, political and philosophical contexts that gave it shape and force. Using the classical style of Haydn and Mozart as background, focuses on the development of the “Dionysian” personality in Beethoven’s compositions and the creation of the sublime in music. This course is part of the music concentration and German language/culture concentration and minor and may be taken as a liberal arts elective. Class 4, Credit 4 (offered occasionally)
• 0505-483 Bach & the Baroque
  A study of Johann Sebastian Bach, his life and times, and his music in the context of Baroque styles and aesthetics. Compositions from each of the major periods of his creative life are examined and discussed, particularly as they serve the social and religious purposes for which they were written and as they reveal the psychology of so-called “ Rhineland mysticism.” Part of the German language/culture and the music concentrations. It is also part of the German language/culture minor and may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4 (offered occasionally)
• 0505-484 Romanticism in Music
  Survey of the rise of German Romanticism from Beethoven to Strauss in the context of the development of 19th century musical styles in general. Part of the German language/culture and the music concentration. It is also part of the German language/culture minor and may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4 (offered occasionally)
• 0505-485 Music Theory II
  For the student who has completed Music Theory I or a comparable program of study. In addition to the continuing study of melodic construction and development, thematic development in two-part counterpoint, four-part harmony, and analysis of form and style, emphasis is placed on the development of individual musical skills. Part of the music concentration and also may be taken as an elective. (0505449) Class 4, Credit 4 (offered occasionally)

Upper Division Courses: Theatre

• 0505-450 Music & the Stage
  Survey of the development of opera and the American musical theatre, highlighting representative works, composers, librettists and performers. Part of the music concentration and also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4 (offered occasionally)
• 0505-453 Theater in the United States
  A broad survey of theater in the United States, designed to acquaint students with the main figures, companies, plays, productions and stylistic currents that have defined the American stage since the Revolution. Emphasizes the native and multicultural features of our theater’s development, while taking due note of the influences from Europe . Also introduces students to some of the impulses, both traditional and avant garde, that have characterized the American theater since mid-century. Part of the American artistic experience concentration and the American English for ESL students concentration; also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4 (offered occasionally)
• 0505-457 Contemporary Drama, Theater and Media
  This course will examine some recent trends in American drama and theater, focusing largely on the apparent influence of television and other mass media on playwriting and performance conventions from the past two decades. Some earlier work will likely come in for some brief consideration so as to provide a context within which more recent work may be viewed. Central to the course will be an examination of how traditional models of playwriting and performance rooted in casually-oriented narrative have been abandoned or at least undermined by a number of contemporary American theatre artists. The course will survey a range of plays and performances that in terms of structure reflect some of the representational practices of post-1980 American television programming, and that in terms of content resonate with some of the concerns voiced about the sociological, psychological and epistemological influences of television. Part of American artistic experience concentration and may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-458 Modern European Theater: Drama
  This course will provide an overview of several major movements associated with modern European drama and theatre, with a survey of various plays associated with those movements. These plays will be situated within appropriate historical contexts so as to illuminate significance of the works. Emphasis will be placed on how the various plays and movements, while employing similar devices and conventions, nonetheless differ from each other in tenor, content, and the ends toward which they were directed. May be used as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-486 German Theater & Drama
  A survey of the cultural and artistic achievements of German-language dramatists in the modem period (1885-present). The course spans the last hundred years of changing styles, major playwrights, and political-social conditions for the making of theater. Beginning with two classical works (Goethe’s Faust, Part I and Schiller’s Maid of Orleans) to establish the tradition of Germanic drama and theater, the course’s readings cover chief works of Naturalist, Expressionist, and Postmodernist drama, emphasizing the plays and practice of Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956). Special topics include drama in the Nazi period, East German theater, and experimental avant-garde theater since the Berlin Wall. Part of the German language/culture concentration and the German language/culture minor. Also may be taken as an elective. Class 4, Credit 4
• 0505-502 Shakespeare: Dramatist
  This is a course in Shakespeare’s drama that emphasizes the plays as potential theater productions. Studying five or six plays representative of the different acknowledged types of Shakespearean drama (comedy, tragedy, history, problem comedy, romance), students gain a broad understanding of the character and range of Shakespeare’s poetic-dramatic art. Experimenting on selected production activities, they acquire a practical appreciation of Shakespearean drama’s theatrical potency, of the original staging conventions, and how each type of play makes particular generic demands on both the reader and spectator. Augmenting the reading and practice work is a term research project focused on the history of a single play’s staging interpretation. No prerequisite. May be taken as a liberal arts elective. Class 4, Credit 4