Fine Arts

ARTS 340: Improvisation

This laboratory course stresses basic improvisation performance skills such as focus, teamwork, mime, character development, status work, story development and scene work. You will develop a number of practical skills that can be applied in almost any real-life situation, including creative problem-solving, quick-thinking skills, spontaneity, interpreting non-verbal communication, resolving conflict respectfully with others, and holding your place while working within a group dynamic. 3 credits

ARTS 345: Voice and Diction

A practical examination of the voice as a communicative tool. Emphasis on vocal flexibility, breathing, vocal expansion, and a working understanding of the phonetic alphabet. 3 credits

ARTS 350: Advanced Acting

The course focuses on character development and script analysis for theatrical performance focusing on, but not limited to, American realism. 3 credits Prerequisite: ARTS 140 or ARTS 340

ARTS 360-376: Production and Performance in the Arts

A laboratory course investigating the creation/rehearsal and production/performance process of artistic product. Students work independently and/or assume various roles, both on production crew and cast, and are evaluated on the quality of their productivity and participation in the work. The course culminates in public exhibit or show performance and post-performance evaluation, by students and advisors/mentors. 3 credits

ARTS 380: Art and the Sacred

This course invites students to explore the historic relationship between aesthetic and spiritual experience. While the course focuses primarily on artistic expression in the Judeo-Christian tradition, students are encouraged to examine the ways in which other world religions give rise to sacred image-making, music, dance, drama, sculpture and architecture. A fundamental premise of the course is that the arts are, in the Christian sense, both “incarnational” and “sacramental” in that they mimic Jesus Christ’s own enfleshment as “the visible image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15) and serve as means by which people of faith make contact with the sacred, the transcendent, the divine. The course relies heavily on group discussion of ideas and images related to the topic. As often as possible, students are introduced to the work of local artists, theologians and persons involved in religious ministries and receive firsthand experience of sacred artworks. 3 credits

ARTS 385: American Architecture

A broad survey of the American architectural tradition. The entire range of American building practices is examined, from the earliest colonial experiments to the latest Postmodern skyscrapers. 3 credits ARTS 390-394: Special Topics 1-3 credits ARTS 395-399: Independent Study 1-3 credits

ARTS 400: Senior Seminar and Thesis (prerequisite: ARTS 421)

Prerequisite: ARTS 421 3 credits

ARTS 421: Arts Criticism

A capstone course focusing on ethical, moral, and aesthetic issues. Emphasis on both written and oral application of the principles of criticism to specific problems. 3 credits

FINE ARTS MINOR

The Fine Arts Minor is intended to serve those students who, while not necessarily choosing to pursue professional involvement in the fine arts, nevertheless wish to learn more about the history, theory and practice of the various modes of human creativity. The minor is conceived as a broad, interdisciplinary survey of the expressive arts that places heavy emphasis on the

creative act as a way of shaping thought. Guiding students through the minor are faculty members from various academic departments whose own interests lie in the area of creative expression. Students pursuing the minor are encouraged to make use of the University’s urban campus and proximity to such local art resources as the Fine Art Museum, Erie Playhouse, and the Erie Philharmonic. The minor offers two options or ‘tracks’ students may take to suit their particular, academic interests:

Track 1: Theoretical

This track consists exclusively of theoretical courses offering participants a broad view of various modes of creative expression and their interrelatedness.

Track 2: Applied

This track requires participants to complete no fewer than two studio-type courses (e.g., Introduction to Photography, Fiction Writing) that challenge them to apply their acquired knowledge of arts theory and history to some creative act. Students opting for Track 2 will be required to present for faculty review a formal portfolio or performance demonstrating growth in their chosen art form.

Course Requirements:

Track 1: Theoretical: 6 credits from Level One, Foundation Course Selection, plus 12 credits from Level Two, Elective Course Selection. Track 2: Applied: 6 credits from Level One, Foundation Course Selection, plus 12 credits from Level Two, Elective Course Selection (of which 6 must be applied arts.) A non-credit, synthesizing portfolio or performance is also required for successful completion of this track.

Level One – Foundation Course Selection (6 credits)

ARTS 111 The Collaborative Art of Theatre ARTS 255 The Art of Listening: Music and Society ARTS 258 Women in Photography ARTS 259 The Art of Seeing: Creative Visual Arts ARTS 254 Art of the Film ARTS 256 American Popular Music ARTS 257 The Creative Human Spirit: An Appreciation of the Artistic Impulse

Level Two – Elective Course Selection (12 credits)

Any ARTS or COMM course. Applied arts courses include: ARTS 101-106 Mixed Chorus ARTS 151-159 Band ARTS 140 Fundamentals of Acting ARTS 251 Principles of Theatre Design ARTS 252 Costume and Makeup ARTS 331 Writing for Stage and Screen ARTS 340 Improvisation ARTS 360-376 Production and Performance in the Arts ARTS 390 Special Topics COMM 356 Digital Graphics COMM 357 Animation COMM 358 Digital Drawing ENGL 220 Creative Writing ENGL 281 Introduction to Photography ENGL 321 Poetry Writing Workshop ENGL 322 Fiction Writing PSYC 300 Psychology of Creativity 1 credit 1 credit

1-3 credits