Spring 2020

An in-depth look at the art, politics, and cultural impact of several Japanese filmmakers including Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki, Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Hosoda and Makoto Shinkai.

History and application of proven collaborative design processes and methodologies as they relate to ideation and innovation.

European art and its legacy in the Americas. Painting, sculpture, architecture and other visual media considered in relation to social and cultural history.

Survey of the art, architecture, and visual culture of Latin America from the colonial period to the present, focusing on connections to culture and society.

Medieval visual culture as an introduction to the Christian heritage of western civilization and to the interaction of Church and state from the 3rd to the 13th century.

Consideration of various categories of "The Modern" as they have been constructed in Western art of the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Questions of social engagement and political structure address this examination of major international movements in art since 1940.

A world-wide perspective of architectural history as a product of social, cultural, religious, and political dimensions, a: 4500 BCE to 1500 CE.

Lecture-studio course on the theory and history behind contemporary art, design, and visual communication; students also create work, informed by ideas from the lecture.

Classical Greek and Roman mythology as inspiration for literature, art, music, and film in various historical contexts.

Fashion as a form of communication and culture; fashion's role in identity, body politics, art, nationhood, celebrity and Hollywood culture, youth cultures and subversive practices.

A loosely chronological, thematic survey of art, visual culture, design, and critical theory from the early modern period through modernism (1500 1950).

An overview of the evolution of computer graphics in modern media.

Gateway to majors and minors in cinematic arts. Technique, aesthetics, criticism, and social implications of cinema. Lectures accompanied by screenings of appropriate films.

Analyzes issues of race, class and gender in contemporary American culture as represented in the cinema.

Gateway to the minor in dance. An interdisciplinary overview of dance relating to the aesthetic and art in various subjects. Applications of the elements of dance studies, art criticism, and viewing productions to explore topic such as architecture, photography, poetry, technology, cinematic arts, sports, medicine, and more.

Introduction to the history and practice of Urban Folk Dance including hip hop, freestyle, street dance and the relevant social dances of the 20th century.

Exploration of the discursive foundations, political motivations, and aesthetic strategies of dance writers and artists whose works have enabled the category of "black dance."

Examining the role that vernacular dance and music play in the creation of Jazz Dance, taught in lecture format; practical studies in Jazz Dance, from recreational to professional settings.

The study of dance in movies, television, internet, mobile devices and new media. Examining dance on screen, influenced by storytelling, camera technology and editing.

An overview of the creative design process and introduction to techniques to solve visual problems.

A comprehensive study of visual communication focusing on graphic design from 1900 to the present. An introduction to design thinking, language and principles including political and cultural implications.

The multifaceted history of the creative act, its analysis, production, and context as a representation of human experience. (Satisfies GE-A, The Arts) Open only to Freshmen.

The multifaceted history of the creative act, its analysis, production, and context as a representation of human experience. Offered by a USC professional school.

Analysis and interpretation of popular depictions of Korean history.

A history of jazz music and the styles of music considered antecedents to jazz.

Exploration of music and cultures of the world. Engagement with international musicians, global issues, field work and musical diasporas in Los Angeles.

An introduction to Western art music and culture from the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern eras through reading, listening, analyzing and writing about music.

A uniquely American genre, the Broadway musical serves as a catalyst for inquiry into human diversity, cross-culturalism, and significant social and political issues.

The origins and development of EDM and its relatives such as disco, house, techno, rave and electronica, focusing on cultural and technological influences.

A chronicle of the musical contribution of Africans and African Americans to American society and to the foundations of musical genres and styles throughout the world.

A history of hip-hop music from its inception to the present: its musical processes and styles, as well as attendant social, political and cultural issues.

An exploration of musical practices and styles which reflect and shape national identities and which focus on those created in response to political turmoil in many forms.

The analysis of a range of plays from different times and cultures with a consideration of the roles of actor, director, dramaturg and designer.