Fine Arts (ART)
Dr. Mark A. Pottinger
Chair of the Department
The Fine Arts department offers a minor in Art History and Music, with courses in a wide variety of chronological and topical subjects. The goals of the Art History and Music minors at Manhattan College are to instruct students in the broad historical and cultural context in which the artwork is developed as well as study current music and art literature and theory. A minor in Music or Art History is an ideal choice for a variety of careers. In addition to preparing students for advanced training in art or music, the minor is also a wonderful asset in assisting the careers of historians, sociologists, psychologists, teachers, philosophers, copyright lawyers, not-for-profit business managers, writers, critics, journalists, museum curators, librarians, and advertising executives. To this end, several internship programs are in place to connect students with leading companies and art institutions in the area.
Requirements for a Minor in Music: Fifteen credits of Music, including LLRN 207 (ART 102 may serve as a substitute), ART 208 or ART 209 (or three semesters of ART 129, 130, 131, 132, or 133), ART 220, and two semesters of ART 400, presuming a different subject each time. ART 410 and CO-OP 403-404 may serve as a substitute for one semester of ART 400. The minor contract should be signed before registration for the second semester of the Junior year and must be approved by the Department Chair. A minimum grade of C is required for courses to satisfy these requirements.
Requirements for a Minor in Art History: Fifteen credits of Art History, including LLRN 209 (ART 120 may serve as a substitute), one 300-level art history course, and three semesters of ART 402, presuming a different subject each time. COMM 212, ART 404, ART 412, or CO-OP 403-404 may serve as a substitute for one semester of ART 402. The minor contract should be signed before registration for the second semester of the Junior year and must be approved by the Department Chair. A minimum grade of C is required for courses to satisfy these requirements.
Music Courses
102. World Music Appreciation. A select study of the world’s musical traditions from regions in Africa, the Americas, and the Near and Far East. Through listening and class discussion, students will become familiar with various forms of music making in their historical and cultural contexts. Offered every semester. (Cr.3)
129. *Beginning Vocal Instruction. The elements of vocal production, breathing, control and proper placement of the human voice. May be repeated or combined with ART 130 for a maximum of three credits. Offered every semester. (Cr.1)
130. *Advanced Vocal Instruction. Continuation of ART 129. Study of more advanced vocal literature. May be repeated or combined with ART 129 for a maximum of three credits. Offered every semester. Prerequisite: ART 129 or permission of instructor. (Cr.1)
131. *The Manhattan College Singers. The study and performance of music literature written for mixed chorus. A public concert is given each term. Prior choral experience is not required. The student must attend all rehearsals, sectionals, and the final performance for credit. Two hours a week. (Cr.1)
132. *The Manhattan College Orchestra. The study and performance of works for string and wind orchestra. A public concert is given each term. A short audition is required. The student must attend all rehearsals, sectionals, and the final performance for credit. Two hours a week. (Cr.1)
133. *The Manhattan College Jazz Band. The study and performance of music from the Big Band Era (1920s and 1930s) to the present day, including swing, fusion, and rock and roll. The student must attend all rehearsals, sectionals, and the final performance for credit. A public concert is given each term. Two hours a week. (Cr.1)
*Students may not exceed three credits total in any combination of ART 129, 130, 131, 132, or 133.
208. Piano-MIDI Workshop. A course for those with much, little, or no previous experience, designed to promote the understanding of different styles of music through the study of the piano. The course includes instruction in piano technique, music composition, and MIDI software (e.g., ProTools and Finale). No prior background in computing is necessary. (Cr.3)
209. Guitar-MIDI Workshop. A course for those with much, little, or no previous experience, designed to promote the understanding of different styles of music through the study of the guitar. The course includes instruction in guitar technique, music composition, and MIDI software (e.g., ProTools and Finale) and hardware (e.g., recording equipment, synthesizers, and sound boards). No prior background in computing is necessary. Students are required to provide their own guitar. Offered every semester. (Cr.3)
220. The Fundamentals of Music Theory. A study of the rudiments of music and basic principles of harmony. Topics include rhythm, musical notation, scales, key signatures, intervals, triads, seventh chords, harmonic function, harmonic progression, and elementary counterpoint. Activities include simple composition, harmonization, analysis, ear-training, and dictation drills. (Cr.3)
300. History of Rock & Roll. This course presents a thoughtful approach to the appreciation and understanding of the history of rock and roll. Students will be introduced to a variety of factors that influenced the creation of this music, including historical, social, philosophical, and aesthetic influences. The musician’s intent, working conditions, and biographical factors will also be discussed as they pertain to the creative process. Students will reinforce and expand their analytical skills by reading about and discussing the various styles of music combined to create rock and roll, including blues, country, bluegrass, and gospel music. (Cr.3)
330. History of Jazz. This course investigates the evolution of jazz from its origins in late 19th-century New Orleans to its present day manifestation as an international musical idiom. With emphasis on contextualization, specific focus is aimed at the diverse but interconnected issues of race, culture, politics, commerce, and technology. Equal focus is directed at the music itself. Through the practice of critical listening, students will be conditioned to recognize various jazz styles and their harmony, form, and instrumentation. In sum, the goals of this course are to: 1) awaken an appreciation for the complex historical relationship between jazz and American society; 2) encourage challenging dialogue through issue-oriented classroom discussion and debate; and 3) refine investigative and organizational skills as applied to original academic research. (Cr.3)
390. Digital Music and Recording. This course teaches students how to manipulate elements of music and other recorded sound by producing musical arrangements, original compositions, voiceovers, ready-for-radio spots, and sound design. Though a thorough knowledge of music is not required for this course, a familiarity with the language of music will be one of the aims of this course. Most of the work required for this course is “hands on” in the classroom using ProTools LE, the DIGI002 mixing console, Alesis studio monitors, and the Apple OSX operating system. Students are encouraged to use various free-ware versions of the software used in class so as to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the material outside of class. (Cr. 3)
400. Special Topics in Music. An intensive study of a single composer, genre, period, culture, or issue facing music scholarship today. The subject studied will vary from semester to semester. Offered every semester. Previous Special Topic courses include “History of Jazz,” “History of Rock and Roll,” “Opera as Text: Perspectives on Music and Drama,” Popular Music Criticism and Journalism,” Music and Romanticism,” “Digital Music Editing and Recording,” and “Music of the Latin Caribbean.” (Cr. 3)
410. Independent Study. Individual study of a major composer or aesthetical issue facing music scholarship today with a member of the department. Open only to students who secure the approval of the Chair of the Department and the consent of the individual instructor. A student may elect this course only once for credit towards the Minor in Music. (Cr.3)
120. Monuments and Masterpieces: A Guide to the Visual Arts. An analytical study of the major works and important concepts in the history of art designed to equip the student with a basic understanding of both art and its history. Offered every semester. (Cr.3)
212. Art of Digital Photography. This course focuses on the creation of conceptually oriented digital prints, the history and aesthetics of digital art, and a thorough understanding of Photoshop, color management, digital cameras, and ink jet printing. There will be extensive instruction of Adobe Photoshop CS and the Epson 4000 professional-grade ink jet printer, which will facilitate the creation of digital prints. In addition to weekly discussions there will be tri-weekly critiques of the work produced that will scrutinize the student’s objectives, intentions, conceptual ideas, and technical skill. Materials fee: $50. (Cr.3)
214. Introduction to Graphic Design. This course facilitates your understanding of and participation in the process of making graphic design from the initial choice of a topic through the working stages to the finished presentation. Students learn to use Adobe Photoshop CS and Adobe Illustrator computer programs. General knowledge of the PC-based Windows operating system is required. Some minor visual arts knowledge is highly recommended. Materials fee: $50. (Cr.3)
320. Ancient Art. The history of art in the ancient world from the Paleolithic period through the Greek and Roman. (Cr.3)
321. Medieval Art. The history of art in the Middle Ages, beginning with Early Christian art and continuing through Late Gothic. (Cr.3)
322. Renaissance Art. The history of European art and architecture, starting with the Renaissance and going through the Baroque. (Cr.3)
323. Revolutions in Art: 1750-1950. The history of Western art and architecture, starting with the Rococo and ending with Abstract Expressionism. (Cr.3)
402. Special Topics in Art. An intensive study of a single artist, genre, period, culture, or issue facing art history scholarship today. The subject studied will vary from semester to semester. A student may elect this course as often as four times for the art history or studio art minor, presuming a different subject each time. Offered every semester. (Cr.3)
403. American Art. History of art and architecture in the U.S.A. with emphasis not only on sources and development but also on social and political significance. (Cr.3)
404. The New York Skyscraper. An introduction to the art of building, concentrating on the skyscraper in New York City, and dealing only with such earlier work as relates to its background and development. Attention is given to planning, style, and engineering. Course will feature lectures, tours, visits to studios. (Cr.3)
412. Independent Study. Individual study of a major artist, architect, or aesthetical issue facing art history scholarship today with a member of the department. Open only to students who secure the approval of the Chair of the Department and the consent of the individual instructor. A student may elect this course only once for credit towards the Minor in Art History. (Cr.3)
431. Art of Native Cultures. A study of the role of indigenous art and the function of art in cultures such as North and South American Indian, Eskimo, African, etc. (Cr.3)
435. Current Trends. A course to introduce the student to the current New York Art Scene. There will be visits to galleries, studios, museums and performance places. (Cr.3)