Core curriculum > Core Requirements > fine arts
These core courses assist students in recognizing and comprehending the crucial role the arts play in shaping our experiences in, and understandings of, the world. The array of offerings in this area enables students to investigate either academic or practical approaches to the various forms and meanings of artistic expression. Classes cover a range of historical periods, media, and cultural milieus. Taken as a whole, these courses are designed to:
The Core fine arts requirement is designed to foster habits of creative and disciplined thinking by teaching students to think, read, and write critically and effectively in the area of the arts disciplines. The imaginative conception and expression of the patterns of human experience through the fine arts are explored. The importance of cultural heritage and traditions can be explored through study and experiences in the arts. Courses in the fine arts aim to develop an awareness of the place which culture takes in society and within each person's individual life.
Students may learn through the standard lecture and discussion mode; through small group discussions, through listening to or viewing recorded works of art; through attendance at live concerts; through viewing works of art through slides, films, videos, laser discs, and exhibits; through talking with live musicians and artists brought to the classroom; and through actual contact with dancers, plays, performers, and musical works. Art students are required to attend gallery exhibits and visiting artist lectures on campus and within the community. Field trips to local galleries and the Nevada Art Museum are taken several times each semester and are integral to course assignments. Dance students are required to attend one dance concert per semester and participate in all master classes. Core music courses ask students to attend live concerts and master classes. Attendance of plays is required for Theatre 100 (Introduction to the Theatre) and Theatre 105 (Introduction to Acting). Intrinsic to all of these activities is the writing of papers, where students are expected to pay attention to both content and style.
Students, who possess the necessary entrance-level skills, may take three credits (over a period of three semesters) of applied music under Music 151-195 (Applied Instrument or Voice for Non-Majors). An example may be that a cellist in high school may wish to continue study on the cello and therefore could enroll for one credit in Music 151-195 in a single semester. The student would receive a half-hour lesson once a week throughout the semester. In lieu of a performance exam ("jury"), Music 151-195 students are required to write a paper of at least four pages in length, with a minimum of five sources to be consulted. This includes work from at least three of the following categories: general reference, general history, period history, appropriate genre studies or journal articles. A five-page handout is given to each of these students in order that they fully understand the expectations of the written assignment which complements their performance instruction. Thus, earning a single credit in applied cello requires more than the learning of motor skills, coordination, and musical understanding (notation, rhythm, etc.).
Music 204 (Chamber Music for non-majors) is also available to students who wish to extend their performance skills but on a higher level and in a group setting, such as a string quartet. Music 204 also requires a paper of the same magnitude as does Music 151-195.
Students also have the prerogative of fulfilling the core fine arts mandate by selection of three separate semesters (one credit each) of the following: Concert Choir, University Women's Chorus, Symphonic Choir, Orchestra, or Wind Ensemble. A performance situation can teach students a great deal about not only the basic rudiments of melody, rhythm, harmony, and timbre, but also about the musical styles being illustrated in actual performance.
| ART 100 | Visual Foundations | |
| ART 260 R | Survey of Art History I (Formerly ART 116: Survey of the Art of Western Civilization I) | |
| ART 261 | Survey of Art History II (Formerly ART 117: Survey of the Art of Western Civilization II) | |
| ART 252 R | Cinema I/The Silent Era (Formerly ART 256) | |
| ART 253 | Cinema II/The Sound Era (Formerly ART 257) | |
| DAN 265 | History of Dance I: Ancient Civilizations -18th Century | |
| DAN 266 | History of Dance II: 20th Century | |
| DAN 467 | Dance Criticisms and Aesthetics (Formerly DAN 263: Aesthetics and Criticism of Dance) | |
| MUS 121 | Music Appreciation | |
| MUS 122 | Survey of Jazz (Formerly MUS 120) | |
| MUS 123 | History of American Popular Song (Formerly MUS 109) | |
| MUS 124 | History of the American Musical Theatre (Formerly MUS 110) | |
| MUS 128 | Masterworks of Music (Formerly MUS 122) | |
| MUS 341 | Music History I (Formerly MUS 201) | |
| MUS 342 | Music History II (Formerly MUS 202) | |
| MUSA 151- 195 | Applied Instrument/Voice for Non-Majors | 1 Credit (must take three classes) |
| MUSE 101 | Concert Choir (Formerly MUS 111) | 1 Credit (must take three classes) |
| MUSE 102 | Symphonic Choir (Formerly MUS 119) | 1 Credit (must take three classes) |
| MUSE 105 | Women's Chorus (Formerly MUS 112) | 1 Credit (must take three classes) |
| MUSE 112 | Symphonic Band (Formerly MUS 118) | 1 Credit (must take three classes) |
| MUSE 121 | Symphony Orchestra (Formerly MUS 125) | 1 Credit (must take three classes) |
| MUSE 191 | Chamber Music for Nonmajors (Formerly MUS 204) | 1 Credit (must take three classes) |
| PHIL 202 | Introduction to the Philosophy of the Arts | |
| THTR 100 | Introduction to the Theatre | |
| THTR 105 | Introduction to Acting (Formerly THTR 118: Orientation to Performing Theatre) | |
| THTR 210 | Theatre: A Cultural Context |
University of Nevada, Reno
Maintained by: core@unr.edu
Last Modified: 3/10/06