CHC1 TR3AH
Prof. Roni Natov
Office: 3416 Boylan, (718) 951-5374
rnatov@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Seminar: The Arts in New York City (Fall 2008)
This course explores the arts and cultural events in New York City. Each of the units–theater,
opera, literature, dance, and visual arts–is based on a performance or exhibition. Our activities
will include analysis, interpretation and creative work. We will observe the way stories are told
through opera, dance, theater, poetry, graphic novels, and pictorial art. We will focus on the
ways in which art breaks down dichotomies–recasting them into connections such as between the
personal and the political; the “real” and the “imagined,”; how collage and mixed media become
a holding environment for interdisciplinary knowledge.
The first semester experience provides students with the Honors College Cultural Passport. The
Passport introduces students to the study of related cultural events and performances that
illustrate the richness of the arts in New York City. Please make use of this wonderful
opportunity–this term and throughout your college life
There will be several short writing assignments, including visual art and collage, “creative”
writing, reviews, interviews, and a community arts project/presentation--culminating in a
portfolio due at the end of the term of your best work (selected by you) of approximately 15
double-spaced pages. This class combines experiential learning and class discussion. Your
attendance is required in class and for all outside events.
Required Texts:
Michener, J. Tales of the South Pacific. [distributed to students]
Spiegelman, Art. Maus: A Survivor’s Tale. Books I and II. Pantheon Books.
Ihimaera, W. The Whale Rider. Harcourt.
Sis, P. Tibet Through the Red Box. Farrar Straus.
Griffin, S. A Chorus of Stones.
The texts that must be bought are available at Shakespeare’s Books at Brooklyn College.
Schedule of Readings and Meetings: [tentative]
8/28: Introduction: Class expectations, discussion of syllabus and projects.
9/2: Discussion of South Pacific.
9/4: Maus I.
9/9
Maus I.
9/11: Music presentation and discussion: John Adams’s On the Transmigration of Souls. We
will meet in Woody Tanger room in Library, first floor.
9/16: Maus I and Maus II.
9/18: View Pagliacci in Woody Tanger.
9/23: Discussion of traditional opera. Finish Maus I and II. Begin A Chorus of Stones.
9/25: Exhibit of our Found Art project. Discussion of Chorus.
9/25: *Fall for Dance: New York City Center: 130 W. 56th St. bet. 6 and 7 Ave.
10/1: *Fela at 37 Arts: 450 W. 37th St. bet. 9 and 10th Avneues.
10/2: Finish Chorus and review of dance concert and Fela.
10/6: *Lecture at 92 Street Y: “The Composer’s Voice: John Adams”
10/7: Readings in concert with John Adams’s opera, Doctor Atomic.
10/13: *Doctor Atomic at the New York Metropolitan Opera.
10/15: *In Conflict, play at the Culture Project.
10/16: Review of Doctor Atomic. Begin discussion of Tibet Through the Red Box.
10/23: Poetry Reading in Woody Tanger in Library.
10/28: *Open Mic Poetry Reading, 12:15-2:15 in Bedford Lounge, SUBO
10/28: Tibet.
10/30: Tibet.
10/31: *11:30 am, Susan Meiselas’s In History , The International Center
for Photography
11/4: Discussion of photographic exhibit. Begin discussion of The Whale Rider.
11/6: The Whale Rider.
11/13: Creative writing workshops at Macaulay Honors College [beginning at 4:30].
11/13: *Poetry reading at Macaulay Honors College [8-10 pm]
11/18: Viewing of film “The Whale Rider” in Woody Tanger.
11/20: To be arranged.
11/25: To be arranged.
12/2: Poetry reading and exhibit in class—your works.
12/4: Community arts. Presentations.
12/9: Community arts.
12/11: Community arts.
12/16: Community arts.
You must attend all events as noted with * above.
Community Arts Projects:
Community arts project: may be done in pairs, groups, or singly.
Select a neighborhood in New York City, e.g.: Williamsburg, Brighton Beach, Harlem, Borough
Park, Chinatown, Soho, Astoria; and/or cultural community in New York City, e.g.: CubanAmerican, Italian-American, Hasidic, Caribbean, Russian, Greek etc. Explore its relationship
with and expression of art: its museums, performance arts, music, exhibits, rituals, and crafts.
This may include food, fairs, parades, and other acts of creativity. Your report may take many
forms, but must include a presentation and a written paper. All writing assignments must be
completed and handed in on time.
Previous community arts projects included: subway arts; Caribbean costume and step-dancing;
Greek folk dance; Indian dances, food, and dress; orthodox Jewish ritual, music/food; Chinatown
art; Soho street artists; Brighton Beach/Sheepshead Bay Russian community; arts and the
homeless; breakdancing; jazz culture in NYC; Staten Island architecture; Brooklyn visual artists;
Williamsburg—the two cultures (hipsters and the Chasidim); Italian festival—photography and
food, Catholic, Indian, and Jewish weddings: art and culture.