Course Number
General Education Module Options “Experiencing the Fine Arts”
Course Title
Credit Hours
Description
Qualifiers
ARTF 121
Introduction to
Drawing
1 lecture, 3
studio
ARTH 103
Survey of Western
Art
3 lecture
ARTH 104
Survey of Western
Art
3 lecture
ARTH 207
Introduction to
Non-Western Art
3 lecture
Updated January 2013
An introduction to
the fundamentals of
freehand drawing
with an emphasis on
representational
drawing skills,
perception and
traditional drawing
materials
Prehistoric through
Gothic. Illustrated
lectures and
analytical practices
will be supported by
the student visiting
local museums and
galleries to examine
selected works of
art.
Italian Renaissance
through Modern.
Illustrated lectures
and analytical
practices will be
supported by the
student visiting local
museums and
galleries to examine
selected works of
art.
Art will be presented
as an integral aspect
of each culture from
the areas of China,
Japan, Africa,
Oceania, Native
America, and preColumbian Central
and South America.
Aesthetic
appreciation will be
enhanced through a
presentation of
various philosophies,
customs and values.
Illustrated lectures
and analytical
practices will be
Not for art majors
Page 1 of 7
Course Number
General Education Module Options “Experiencing the Fine Arts”
Course Title
Credit Hours
Description
Qualifiers
ARTH 245
Survey of Asian Art
3 lecture
ARTH 260
Islamic Art Survey
3 lecture
ARTH 261
Islamic Art Survey
3 lecture
ARTH 270
History of the
Motion Picture
3 lecture
Updated January 2013
supported by the
student visiting local
museums and
galleries to examine
selected works of
art.
Introductory survey
of the art of India,
the Middle East,
Southeast Asia,
China, Korea and
Japan. Illustrated
lectures and
analytical practices
will be supported by
the student visiting
local museums and
galleries to examine
selected works of
art.
Seventh century to
13th century.
Illustrated lectures
provide a survey of
Islamic art and
architecture.
Students will visit
local museums and
galleries to examine
selected works of
art.
14th Century to the
present. Illustrated
lectures provide a
survey of Islamic art
and architecture.
Students will visit
local museums and
galleries to examine
selected works of
art.
The history of
development of the
motion picture from
its early beginnings
to the present, with
both technical and
aesthetic
Page 2 of 7
Course Number
General Education Module Options “Experiencing the Fine Arts”
Course Title
Credit Hours
Description
Qualifiers
ARTH 271
History of the
Motion Picture
3 lecture
ARTH 302
Museums in the
21st Century
3 lecture
DANC 105
Improvisation
1 lecture, 2
studio
DANC 121/AFAM
121
Tap Technique I
1 lecture, 2
studio
Updated January 2013
consideration.
Students engage in
analysis and
discussion after
viewing selected
films.
The history of
development of the
motion picture from
its early beginnings
to the present, with
both technical and
aesthetic
consideration.
Students engage in
analysis and
discussion after
viewing selected
films.
A survey of
contemporary
theories, issues and
practices in the
museum
environment. Topics
include museum
identity and
function,
administration,
museum ethics,
collections
maintenance and
management,
curatorial and
exhibition issues,
and education and
public interaction.
An exploration of
spontaneous body
movement with the
purpose of
increasing body
awareness,
movement invention
and movement
creativity.
Beginning study and
training in the
Prerequisite:
UNIV 200 OR
HONR 200 with a
minimum grade
of C.
Page 3 of 7
Course Number
General Education Module Options “Experiencing the Fine Arts”
Course Title
Credit Hours
Description
Qualifiers
DANC 126/AFAM
126
African-Caribbean
Dance I
1 lecture, 2
studio
DANC 133
Introduction to
Ballet Technique I
1 lecture, 2
studio
DANC 141/142
Ballroom Dancing
1 credit
DANC 171/172
T’ai Chi
2 credits
DANC 243
Dynamic
Alignment
2 credits
Updated January 2013
principles of tap
technique with
emphasis upon style,
body alignment,
spatial patterning,
flexibility, strength
and kinesthetic
awareness to move
the body in the style
required for tap
dancing.
Dance based on the
movements and
rhythms of Africa
and the Caribbean.
Introductory study of For nonmajors
the principles of
ballet technique
A study of basic
ballroom dance steps
and practice in their
performance
Study and practice of
T'ai Chi, a Chinese
exercise form, which
is designed to bring
one to full potential
through balancing,
aligning and
breathing exercises.
The short Yang form,
based on Taoist
principles,
strengthens the body
while allowing for
deep relaxation to
take place.
Application of T'ai
Chi to creative dance
techniques is
explored as a
springboard for
improvisation.
Study of the basic
principles of
mechanical balance
and postural
Page 4 of 7
Course Number
General Education Module Options “Experiencing the Fine Arts”
Course Title
Credit Hours
Description
Qualifiers
MHIS 105
Introduction to
Writing Music
3 credits
MHIS 110
Elements of Music
3 credits
MHIS 117
Computers in
Music
3 credits
Updated January 2013
alignment. Practice
in the application of
the major theories of
alignment and
techniques of
realignment.
Corrective exercises,
breathing
techniques,
relaxation, guided
imagery, selfawareness exercises
and body image
work will be learned
and practiced.
Creating and
harmonizing
melodies, principles
of notation and
elementary music
theory. Second
semester emphasis is
on creative aspects.
A study of music
notation, scale and
triad forms. Aural
skill development
will parallel the
theoretical studies.
Intended to prepare
music majors for
core curriculum
study.
Study and
application of music
software on
mainframe and
personal computers.
The student will be
expected to
demonstrate
competence in the
high-level languages,
PASCAL and BASIC.
Projects will focus on
programming for
educators and
composers.
For non-music
majors only
No credit given
for music majors
Page 5 of 7
Course Number
General Education Module Options “Experiencing the Fine Arts”
Course Title
Credit Hours
Description
Qualifiers
MHIS 120
Introduction to
World Musical
Styles
3 credits
MHIS 201
Acoustics
3 credits
MHIS 243
Music
Appreciation
3 credits
MHIS 244
Experiencing
Music
3 credits
Updated January 2013
A study of the major
styles and forms of
Western art music
and non-European
musical cultures and
practices. Attention
will be given to
various aspects of
music within those
cultures, Western
and otherwise. An
emphasis will be
placed on the
development of
active cognitive
listening skills
through guided
listening to selected
recorded music from
Western and nonEuropean societies.
Physical properties
of sound and wave
mechanics applied to
the study and
analysis of music and
musical instruments.
Topics will include
instrumental and
vocal sound
production and
perception, timbrel
characteristics and
pitch theory.
Designed to
encourage
understanding of
music from selected
periods.
Development of
active cognitive
listening skills
through guided
listening to selected
recorded music.
Designed for the
purpose of
developing
Recommended
prerequisite:
MATH 101
Closed to music
majors
Page 6 of 7
Course Number
General Education Module Options “Experiencing the Fine Arts”
Course Title
Credit Hours
Description
Qualifiers
MHIS 250/AFAM
250
Introduction to
African-American
Music
3 credits
THEA 107/108
Introduction to
Stage Performance
3 credits
Updated January 2013
familiarity with the
elements of music
that are part of a
successful
performance and
listening experience.
Weekly attendance
at both VCU and
external events is
part of the criteria to
develop students'
awareness of the
creative process in
shaping a musical
performance.
An introductory
survey of black
involvement with the
development of
music in America
from 1607 to the
present. AfricanAmerican musical
styles will be studied
from many aspects,
including their
African roots and
contemporary
popular expression.
Performance
practices will be
analyzed and active
cognitive listening
skills developed
through guided
listening to selected
recordings.
A survey and
application of the
basic elements in
stage performing;
acting, scene study,
voice and
movement.
For non-theatre
majors
Page 7 of 7