This course is divided into two half-semester sessions, with each student receiving an intensive seven-week introduction to basic techniques of computer music, and a similar introduction to video. Students develop critical listening and viewing skills through reading, listening, and viewing assignments, and by discussing historical and contemporary examples of computer music and video art.  Individual and group projects are created and critiqued in class sections.

This course introduces students to digital photography, Web design, and interactive multimedia in making art. Students broaden their understanding of such topics as composition, effective use of images, color theory, typography, and narrative flow. Inquiry and experimentation are encouraged, leading towards the development of the skill and techniques needed to create visual art with electronic media.

An introductory course in drawing designed to develop seeing ability and means of expressing visual ideas through graphic skills. The course consists of exercises in drawing from observation and studies from the history of art.

A creative approach for students with no previous experience to the concepts of music theory (rhythm, scales, keys, intervals, chords, etc.) and elementary harmony. Also an introduction to some of the monuments of Western repertory through listening, reading, and discussion.

This course explores contemporary video practice, concentrating on creating, presenting, and analyzing video art. It is an introduction to the Arts Department production facilities and equipment, and a prerequisite for 4000-level video classes.

Music composition taught in the context of modern computerized production methods. Technical topics include basic principles of computer sound generation, digital sound sampling, and the use of small computers for musical control of electronic instruments. Musical topics include a study of important musical works and compositional techniques of the 20th century. Student projects involve hands-on work on a variety of computer instruments and software. This course is a prerequisite for further creative work with Rensselaer’s computer music facilities.

Net Art is a hands-on studio course that uses the examination of the historical and theoretical aspects of Web-based art and virtual social spaces as a launching pad for individual student work. Considerable work at the conceptual level and a survey of Web-oriented software and programming enable students to create new works in net-based art.

Intermediate Digital Imaging is a hands-on studio course exploring the use of computer technologies in making visual art. A study of contemporary issues in digital media and photography facilitates individual innovation and experimentation. Digital imaging and input/output techniques are employed in terms of giving visual form to ideas and personal expression in private and public settings.

Fundamentals of Animation is an introduction to animation as an art form. Most of this course will be traditional assignments designed to encourage spontaneous creativity, explore animation concepts, and learn animation terminology. Assignments will build a solid foundation for entrance into Animation 1. This course will also be a historical and theoretical investigation with screenings and readings followed with discussion.

A beginning sculpture course combining hands-on studio work sessions with lectures on the history and theory of sculpture practice. The studio component involves explorations of materials and techniques as tools for the enhancing of visual sensitivity and creative expression.

An introductory course which will present basic concepts about composition, line, pictorial space, light, and color in the visual arts in order to help students develop the means for expressing visual ideas effectively. Weekly homework design projects, using both traditional and electronic media, will be complemented by in-class slide lectures, video tapes, and critiques.

Readings, rehearsals, and performances of works from the standard repertoire for orchestra from the Baroque through the 20th century.

Readings, rehearsals, and performances of works from the standard choral repertoire, from the Renaissance through the 20th century. Attendance is mandatory and preparation expected.

Readings, rehearsals, and performances of works from the repertoire for percussion ensemble as well as special arrangements and original compositions, spanning the diverse styles of the genre from ragtime music and popular traditions to the classical, standard, and avant-garde. Regular attendance at rehearsals is required and preparation of music expected.

Readings, rehearsals, and performances of jazz compositions ranging from the traditional jazz canon to pieces from contemporary composers/arrangers.  Preparation and attendance at rehearsals and all performances expected.

This course is an introduction to Afro-Cuban folkloric music traditions through lecture demonstration and class participation.  The emphasis is on learning to play Afro-Cuban rhythms and percussion instruments (clave, conga, cowbell, shekere).

This course is an introduction to Afro-Cuban folkloric music traditions through lecture demonstration and class participation. The emphasis is on learning to play Afro-Cuban rhythms and percussion instruments (clave, conga, cowbell, shekere).

An instrumental class that will be coached and rehearsed and will perform regularly. The larger ensemble will break up into smaller ensembles such as string quartets, woodwind quintets, trios, etc., depending on the make-up of the group, as well as into more unusual combinations that might be required to prepare 20th century repertoire. For intermediate and advanced players, entrance into the course is by authorization form/permission of instructor.

An instrumental class that will be coached and rehearsed and will perform regularly. The larger ensemble will break up into smaller ensembles such as string quartets, woodwind quintets, trios, etc., depending on the make-up of the group, as well as into more unusual combinations that might be required to prepare 20th century repertoire. For intermediate and advanced players, entrance into the course is by authorization form.

A course that explores the fundamental concepts of music theory, for the students with at least some musical background. Rhythm, scales, keys, intervals, chords, and elementary harmony will be covered as well as an introduction to counterpoint and analysis. Correlative studies in ear-training and keyboard skills.

The objective of this course is for students to be able to recognize and appreciate the stylistic elements of the major periods and composers from the earliest known music to the present. The influences on music by broad cultural and historical forces will also be explored. Beginning with the Greeks, the course will progress chronologically from the polyphonic religious music of the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and modern periods.

From “raves” to symphony hall, Indian film music to Tibetan chant, monster truck rallies to a mother’s lullaby, musical soundscapes surround us through all aspects of our daily lives. This course focuses on the study of music in or as culture. The exploration of music in human life will be comparative, using case studies from diverse world traditions and examining topics such as: ritual, media and technology, ethnicity/identity, music and dance, and musical transmission.

This course is a survey of the visual arts from the Paleolithic to the Renaissance era. Nearly 500 images are analyzed according to style, time, place and character. Relationship of art to ritual, magic, religion, philosophy, literature and music are examined. Material is presented in a form accessible to students without previous knowledge of Art History.

This course will survey the history and theory of the diverse artistic practices of the twentieth century in relation to the development of the mass media and new technologies. Topics will include the Bauhaus, Surrealism, Pop Art, and Postmodernism and will span a spectrum of media from the more traditional, such as painting and photography, to electronic and new media, such as video and digital arts. This is a communication-intensive course.

This course is about 20th century music and sound art, stressing the styles and genres that descend from the traditions of European-American art music. The course covers the advent of and reactions to Modernism in music and the growth of experimentalism to 1950; then post-World War II practices and theories including indeterminacy, improvisation, electronic music, and recent computer based practices.

This course surveys the American Musical, introducing students to its basic components and concepts. Since the musical integrates different media, it is studied through the contribution of major artists as well as in historical, social, and cultural contexts. The course also analyzes music and musical theater genres, which influenced the musical, including European opera and operetta; American blues, ragtime, and jazz; and Latin-American rhythms.

This course introduces students to the principles of acting. Students participate in theatre games and improvisations; explore the stage environment; study dramatic conflict and transformation into different characters; and learn stage terminology and blocking. The emphasis is on individual and group projects that develop students’ creativity and imagination. The culmination of the course is the presentation of monologues and scenes from international plays.

Projects adapted to the needs of individual students.

Experimental courses offered for one or two terms as the general program requires.

A studio arts course exploring the fundamental concepts, techniques, styles and mechanics used in the creation of graphic image making. Contents to be covered include purposes and formats of storyboards, basic terminology and concepts used in storyboarding, and the applications of storyboard techniques to the creation of storyboards with or without a written script. Key visual storytelling structures are explored for the following industry applications: comics, animated films, graphic novels, commercials, documentaries, live action feature films, and video gaming. Cr: 4 Instr: Blum

Imagine life from a bug’s view. . . Does this vantage point, perhaps poised on a car antenna or leaf, encourage you to consider life and existence differently? This is a project-based class—exploring creativity through practicing the art of shifting one’s point of view, observing this technique (in film, novels, visual art, music, & everyday experience), and creating art. Experiential exercises in class will provide opportunities to explore many perspectives and encourage discussion and creativity. Cr: 4 Instr: Hahn

IAP will examine theoretical concepts of interactive media as well as develop the practical skills needed to implement these concepts using the facilities of the iEAR studios. Topics include high and low level computer programming and electronics. Students will build installations and projects, which control live performance interactions with graphics, video, and sound.

This studio/seminar consists of longer projects with attention to concept, process, and finish. The student will either work individually or as a member on a team and be expected to have a vision or concept they are driven to create. Some possible topics covered may include virtual environments, advanced shader networks, MEL, compositing, non photorealistic rendering, 3-D graphics programming, game engines, or motion capture.

Multimedia Performance Systems explores the composition and programming of real-time performance systems. The course will examine the basics of MIDI, sound synthesis, digital signal processing, and image/video manipulation. Final projects will consist of a real-time performance system or interactive installation. 

This is a production course investigating non-traditional approaches to documentary or non-fiction film/video. Taking a broad look at what defines “documentary” media, this course will incorporate criticism with production. Students will produce a range of video works questioning conventional documentary styles, using radical and interventionist techniques. Students will study traditional documentary works including ethnographic films, cinema verité, propaganda films, “home movies,” reality TV, tabloid news, autobiographic and activist videos.

This course provides professional training and experience for graduates and upper-level undergraduates by involving them in the production of a significant artistic project from start to finish. Projects often involve assisting or collaborating with prominent artists in residence at the iEAR studios.

An introduction to the techniques and principles of computer animation with a concentration on modeling, texturing, and rendering. Students use advanced software to develop directed creative 3-D animations in a hands-on studio. Lectures, discussion, and exposure to contemporary work enable students to develop skills in this rapidly evolving field.

An intermediate hands-on studio course in 3-D computer animation, in basic character animation, advanced modeling, advanced lighting, advanced rendering, dynamics, particle animation, scene description, and story building.

Through direct experience in the community, this course explores the complex roles and relationships of art, education, and technology. Students will develop a plan to work with a media arts center, community organization, or school; final teams will produce real-world arts and education projects that ultimately will be realized as significant additions to their professional portfolio.  The projects can include a range from traditional arts practice to creative writing, creative IT models, to community art and activism.

This course will be devoted to the investigation of diverse topics of electronic arts history, theory, and practice.

This seminar will examine theories of improvisation across several cultures. In-depth focus will be given to Jazz and "free improvisation," as well as Indian theories of raga/ taal, and relationships of improvisational systems to culture, body, and technology. The course will consist of readings, listenings, class presentations and in-depth musical analysis. The participants will also form a "workshop" where improvisational structures will be explored. Meets w/ARTS 6965. Cr: 4 Instr: Bahn 

This course is an investigation of radio as a unique artistic form. To provide a context for student’s own production work (which will be aired over WRPI) the class incorporates readings on aesthetics, culture, history, politics, and economics of the world’s first electronic broadcast technology.

This course asks what is really new about New Media, and looks at creative practices, theoretical discourses and social contexts to find answers.  The course concentrates on cutting edge cultural expression using information and communication technologies.  The objective to equip students with multiple perspectives - aesthetic, communications, historical - with which to analyze, critique, and develop original concepts about the uses of new media in art and culture. This is a communication-intensive course.

This seminar is an investigation of the successes and failures of the news media, set within historical and contemporary contexts. The title “media watch” is intended to evoke a watch-dog approach found in independent media sources and organizations like human rights watch. Assignments involve analyzing how issues are portrayed in the media, and students choose their topics according to their interests. The course can therefore enhance capstone, thesis, or dissertation work.

Advanced Drawing is designed to help students who have mastered basic drawing skills to enhance those skills and utilize them to explore visual ideas. Emphasis is placed on individual development of skills and subject matter to help students express themselves visually. Examples and studies are used from master drawings of the past to learn about the history of art and to stimulate ideas for the students’ own work.

An advanced studio course in sculpture for students who have taken Sculpture I. Students are encouraged to explore personal areas of interest and are required to develop a familiarity with the history of sculpture as well as mastering fabrication techniques.

A painting course in water media with emphasis on color interaction, composition, and pictorial design. Using sources from observation and the history of painting, students are taught to see and convey effects of color on/in 2-D pictorial space and to develop critical skills in looking at paintings.

A continuation of studies in harmony, analysis, and ear-training. With an introduction to orchestration and 20th century techniques, the course will culminate with an original composition.

Deep Listening is a practice created by the instructor to enhance and expand listening abilities and to encourage creative work. The class will explore different forms of listening including field recording. Each class time will involve experiential exercises, sound pieces, readings, and discussion. Musical training is not prerequisite.

Experimental Game Design is an upper level studio arts course focusing on the creation of innovative workable game prototypes using a variety of interactive multimedia. Games are considered as a new genre and are analyzed as cultural artifacts. The aesthetics of game design including character development, level design, game play experience, and delivery systems are covered. Flow, game theory, and game play gestalt are considered. Alternate gaming paradigms and emerging forms are encouraged.

This course gives students a practical background in the field of theatre, introducing them to all aspects of a theatre production. Students rehearse a play in the classroom and then give performances on the RPI campus. Students also participate in directing, stage managing, writing press releases, and designing set, costumes, lighting, and sound for the show. Auditions take place on the first day of class.

The course introduces students to the art of writing and directing short videos, with an emphasis on generating ideas, and realizing them in a well developed final project. Major theories and principles are studied through a comparative analysis of scripts and films. Students learn to work with actors, write their own scripts, and direct videos. Two final projects – a script and a video – will integrate all of the elements covered in class. Lecture/Practicum.

This course teaches the skills needed to produce and document professional electronic arts events, including live concerts, installations, and multimedia presentations. It is an intensive, hands-on course designed to give students direct experience with sound, video, and lighting equipment in live performance environments. Students will learn technical and creative skills essential for artistic practice in the field of electronic arts.

This class is a seminar exploring individual musical projects contributing to culminating experience, thesis or dissertation development. Topics such as real-time interaction, digital scoring, algorithmic composition, musical form, advanced synthesis and DSP techniques will be explored drawing from issues raised in class projects. Students will give presentations on other composer's work as it relates to their compositional development. Class will be divided between private meetings and seminar discussion/presentations. Prereq: ARTS 2020 or permission of instructor. Meets with ARTS 6961. Cr: 4 Instr: Bahn

This seminar is the culminating course for senior EART majors to develop and complete a comprehensive thesis project including final documentation and graduation portfolio. The course will combine group discussions, readings and assignments, with independent meetings and guided research/artistic development. Your project may involve and integrate research/artistic production in all the electronic media. The final Thesis is expected to realize a unique accomplishment, demonstrating independent ideas, creativity, artistic production, research, and writing skills. Cr: 4 Instr: Miller

Students may propose projects in music or multimedia composition, improvisation and/or performance to be completed and presented during the semester with a brief paper detailing creative processes. Applications of Deep Listening practices will be explored. Meets with ARTS-6964. Prerequisite: ARTS-4410. Cr: 4 Instr: Oliveros

This advanced multidisciplinary studio/seminar uses integrated inquiry and creative studio practice to explore the potentials and the impacts of our own contemporary technological, scientific and artistic research. Open to Institute-wide Ph.D. and Graduate students. (Upper Level Undergraduates with permission only.) Meets with ARTS 6966. Cr: 4 Instr: Ruiz

is an upper level production and theory class about art, biology and the study of life covering topics such as environmentalism, land art, food art, sustainable practices with art, body art, bio-art. Part lecture, part hands-on workshop, Eco Chic will encourage students to redefine and experimentally express their relationships with the varied aspects of everyday living systems. We will experiment with edible materials, collaborate and build new interspecies relationships, and conduct lab experiments. There will be field trips, guest lectures, and heated debates about the ethical issues surrounding biological art that deals so directly with life and death. Prereq: ARTS 2540 OR ARTS 4130. Meets with Arts 6968. Cr: 4 Instr: High

The purpose of this course is to demonstrate the student’s capacity for independent work integrating concepts and media from the full range of their studio, history and theory studies. It is a project-based class, cluminating in a written thesis paper and a public presentation of work determined by the student. This course may be taken multiple times, but is a requirement in the student’s final two semesters. 

Multimedia Performance Systems explores the composition and programming of real-time performance systems. The course will examine the basics of MIDI, sound synthesis, digital signal processing, and image/video manipulation. Final projects will consist of a real-time performance system or interactive installation.

Development and completion of individual creative projects in electronic arts with discussions and critiques of student work in a seminar format. Projects may use any of the studios and combinations of media available in the iEAR Studios. All projects will be presented or performed in public concerts, exhibitions, and installations.

This seminar will deal with the history, theory, and creation of art, popular culture, and mass media from a contemporary perspective. Theoretical and historical texts and a spectrum of electronic arts and media will be investigated. This course is to be taken in conjunction with ARTS 6080, Electronic Arts Practice, in the first semester of graduate work in the M.F.A. program. It will support the students’ development and articulation of the aesthetic, cultural,and theoretical underpinnings of their artistic work produced in ARTS 6080 and in other studio courses.

 

This course is an introduction to fieldwork and ethnographic methods in support of artistic creation. The class will guide students through interviews, participant-observation and documentation at various field sites to produce diverse creative projects ranging from ethnographic essays to video to installations. Students will be encouraged to work on topical materials of their choice, focused on issues such as technological change, artistic subcultures, or environmentalism. Enrollment is restricted to students with graduate standing or by permission of the instructor.

This course asks what is really new about New Media, and looks at creative practices, theoretical discourses and social contexts to find answers.  The course concentrates on cutting edge cultural expression using information and communication technologies. The objective is to equip students with multiple perspectives - aesthetic, communications, historical - with which to analyze, critique, and develop original concepts about the uses of new media in art and culture. Student cannot obtain credit for both courses.

This seminar is an investigation of the successes and failures of the news media, set within historical and contemporary contexts.  The title “media watch” is intended to evoke a watch-dog approach found in independent media sources and organizations like human rights watch. Assignments involve analyzing how issues are portrayed in the media and students choose their topics according to their interests. The course can therefore enhance capstone, thesis, or dissertation work.

A graduate-level course focusing on the development of curatorial practices, and will include emphasis research including how curators conceive, organize and execute exhibitions. This course is important for practicing artists, not only to allow them to function as programmers and curators themselves — extending their own area of expertise — but to also give students the opportunity to see what curators need to exhibit work. What kind of press materials, timelines, writing materials are necessary for curators to produce exhibitions? In other words, what do artists need to provide to curators to be successful?

Individual and collaborative projects and readings adapted to the needs of individual students at the advanced level.

This class is a seminar exploring individual musical projects contributing to culminating experience, thesis or dissertation development. Topics such as real-time interaction, digital scoring, algorithmic composition, musical form, advanced synthesis and DSP techniques will be explored drawing from issues raised in class projects. Students will give presentations on other composer's work as it relates to their compositional development. Class will be divided between private meetings and seminar discussion/presentations. Meets with ARTS 4961. Cr: 3 Instr: Bahn

This course provides a forum where artists, researchers, theoreticians, historians, curators, Rensselaer faculty and arts doctoral students will be invited to present their creative work and research. The colloquium is intended to be a catalyst for arts Ph.D. discourse that enhances the intellectual/artistic community at Rensselaer. Students will select the participants and organize events. The faculty leader will coordinate readings and writing assignments based on colloquium presentations. Ph.D. students are required to take the colloquium each semester until they have passed their candidacy exam. Attendance is open to the Rensselaer community. Restricted to EART PhDs, others by permission. Cr: 3 Instr: Hahn

This is a production course investigating non-traditional approaches to documentary or non-fiction film/video. Taking a broad look at what defines “documentary” media, this course will incorporate criticism with production. Students will produce a range of video works questioning conventional documentary styles, using radical and interventionist techniques. Students will study traditional documentary works including ethnographic films, cinema verité, propaganda films, “home movies,” reality TV, tabloid news, autobiographic and activist videos. Meets w/ARTS 4040. Cr: 3 Instr: High

Students may propose projects in music or multimedia composition, improvisation and/or performance to be completed and presented during the semester with a brief paper detailing creative processes. Applications of Deep Listening practices will be explored. Meets with ARTS-4964. Cr: 3 Instr: Oliveros

This seminar will examine theories of improvisation across several cultures. In-depth focus will be given to Jazz and "free improvisation," as well as Indian theories of raga/ taal, and relationships of improvisational systems to culture, body, and technology. The course will consist of readings, listenings, class presentations and in-depth musical analysis. The participants will also form a "workshop" where improvisational structures will be explored. Meets w/ARTS 4100. Cr: 3 Instr: Bahn 

This advanced multidisciplinary studio/seminar uses integrated inquiry and creative studio practice to explore the potentials and the impacts of our own contemporary technological, scientific and artistic research. Open to Institute-wide Ph.D. and Graduate students. (Upper Level Undergraduates with permission only.) Meets with ARTS 4965. Cr: 3, Instr: Ruiz

In this course, students will acquire familiarity with research and writing protocols and conventions; readings; presentations by researchers from diverse fields; presentations by members of class dealing with diverse research methods; and key assignments, such as writing a literature review, a research paper or grant proposal. Cr: 3 Instr: Staniszewski

is an upper level production and theory class about art, biology and the study of life covering topics such as environmentalism, land art, food art, sustainable practices with art, body art, bio-art. Part lecture, part hands-on workshop, Eco Chic will encourage students to redefine and experimentally express their relationships with the varied aspects of everyday living systems. We will experiment with edible materials, collaborate and build new interspecies relationships, and conduct lab experiments. There will be field trips, guest lectures, and heated debates about the ethical issues surrounding biological art that deals so directly with life and death. Meets with Arts 4968. Cr: 3 Instr: High

Active participation in research, under the supervision of a faculty adviser, leading to a master’s thesis. Grades of S or U are assigned by the adviser each term to reflect the student’s research progress for the given semester. Once the thesis has been presentend, approved by the adviser, and accepted by the Office of Graduate Education, it will be archived in a standard format in the library.

Active participation in research, under the supervision of a faculty adviser, leading to a doctoral dissertation.  Grades of IP are assigned until the dissertation has been publicly defended, approved by the doctoral committee, and accepted by the Office of Graduate Education to be archived in a standard format in the library.  Grades will then be listed as S.