Registration for spring classes begins on Nov. 8. Now that RTS has redesigned its busing system, it is easier than ever for Eastman students to attend classes at the River Campus. Next semester, various departments at the River Campus will be offering music and sound related classes. These classes offer Eastman students the opportunity to get off campus and explore subject matter outside of the normal Eastman curriculum.
The River Campus’ music department will offer a class called “Sondheim and the Modern Musical Theater” (MUR 141A). This class, which meets from 12:35 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, offers students a survey of the modern musical theater through the works of Stephen Sondheim.
Sondheim is famous for such musicals as “West Side Story” and “Show Boat.” The class will examine Sondheim’s musical through analysis of lyrics, musical forms, process of adaptation and production.
For those looking to explore sound beyond music, “Sound Theory” (FMS 259) offers students the opportunity to explore cinema as an audiovisual medium.
It will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:25 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. and will explore the technological culture and theoretical history of film sound in the 20th century.
From silent film to avant-garde uses of sound to the effects of contemporary sound technology, students will study the history of the development of sound in film. This course pays particular attention to the role of voice and sound in cinema.
In addition to “Sondheim and the Modern Musical Theater,” the River Campus’ music department will offer a class called “The History of Jazz” (MUR 122). This class, which is taught by UR Vice President Paul Burgett, meets on Monday and Wednesday from 3:25 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.
The class will study jazz as an American musical art form and is structured around the lives of jazz instrumentalists, vocalists, ensembles and genres. This class is less of a chronological study and more a study of the various distinguishing factions of jazz. There will be reading assignments, but there is a heavy emphasis on listening. In the past, students have been assigned to make their own 12-bar blues.
For students who prefer not to take a survey course, “The Blues” (MUR 141D), which is offered Monday and Wednesday 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., is a study of the history and influence of the blues. The class covers the development of the blues from its origins to its most recent developments.
The course will study important figures in the blues movement and its eventual impact on rock and roll.
For those looking to escape music for the most part, but not completely, “Recent American History” (HIS 148) offers a survey of American History from the “New Deal” to the 1980s. The class will cover such topics as the Great Depression, the origins of the Cold War, the protest movements of the 1960s and the rise of conservatism of the 1980s.
Popular music will be used to supplement these topics. In the past, students have listened to music by Bruce Springsteen, The Beach Boys, The Eagles and more. This class is offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
If you’re looking for a little change of atmosphere or you’re sick of studying Mozart, the River Campus offers some interesting classes for Eastman students to take next semester. To search for more interesting classes, or to read course descriptions, visit http://www.rochester.edu/registrar.
Gorode can be reacehed at
kgorode@campustimes.org.
