Description
The undergraduate Interdisciplinary Arts for Children major is committed to teaching, scholarship, creative expression, and service related to the education of children in and through the arts. This interdisciplinary major is unique to the SUNY system and the nation. It fulfills a major need in providing substantive arts-in-education training to prospective classroom teachers and others interested in the arts. Research shows that arts integration has perhaps the greatest potential to positively affect learning across academic disciplines. An interdisciplinary approach to learning helps students leverage new understandings that could not be obtained through singular discipline studies alone.
Admission to the Program
Any undergraduate student with an interest in the arts who would like to contribute to the creative world of children can declare this major. New majors are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with the program director to develop a plan of study to facilitate timely completion of their major requirements.
General Education Requirements (35-44 credits)
Major Departmental Requirements (48 credits)
The Interdisciplinary Arts for Children program consists of 48 credits: core courses (6 credits), courses in a specialty area (21 credits), and arts block courses across arts disciplines (21 credits). For simplicity, all course requirements are listed below by specialty.
I. Dance Specialty
An entry audition is required for all dance majors, minors, and Interdisciplinary Arts for Children Dance Specialty majors. Contact the Interdisciplinary Arts for Children Program office for information. DNS 204, DNS 205, ART 101, MUS 300, and THE 281 followed by IAC 280 are prerequisite courses to be completed prior to upper-division course work. These courses are marked with an asterisk (**).
Interdisciplinary Arts for Children Core Courses (6 credits)
- IAC280 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children
- IAC491 Advanced Studies in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children
Dance Specialty Courses (21 credits)
- DNS204** Dance Conditioning Laboratory
- DNS205** Dance Technique I
- DNS364 Dance Improvisation
- DNS454 Dance Styles
- DNS483 Children’s Dance I
- DNS484 Children’s Dance II
- ONE of the following:
- DNS206 20th Century Dance*
- DNS316 History and Development of Dance*
- DNS330 African Dance
- ONE of the following:
- DNS306 Beginning Dance Composition
- DNS375 Introduction to Laban Movement Analysis
Arts Block Courses (21 credits)
- ART101** Visual Art Experience*
- ART417 Methods of Teaching Art on the Elementary Level
- MUS300** Music for Dance
- MUS487 Music and the Child
- THE281** Creative Drama
- THE353 Children’s Theatre
- ONE of the following courses:
- THE365 Puppet Theatre
- ENG482 Children’s Literature
II. Dance Studies Specialty
The Dance Studies Specialty does not require an audition, though they still pursue a rigorous general study of dance through technique, pedagogy and theory course work. DNS 200 (Ballet), DNS 115, ART 101, MUS 105 and THE 281 followed by IAC 280 are prerequisite courses to pursuing upper division course work. These courses are marked with an asterisk (**).
Interdisciplinary Arts for Children Core Courses (6 credits)
- IAC280 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children
- IAC491 Advanced Studies in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children
Dance Studies Specialty Courses (21 credits)
- DNS115** Introduction to Dance*
- DNS483 Children’s Dance I
- DNS484 Children’s Dance II
- ONE of the following:
- DNS 104 Traditional Ballet*
- DNS 200 Traditional Ballet
- ONE of the following:
- DNS371 Modern Dance Technique I
- DNS372 Modern Dance Technique II
- ONE of the following:
- DNS105 Traditional Dance - Afro-Caribbean*
- DNS106 Traditional Dance - African*
- DNS200 Traditional Dance - Tap*
- DNS200 Traditional Dance – Irish*
- DNS232 African Music and Drumming*
- DNS330 African Dance
- DNS454 Dance Styles
- ONE of the following:
- DNS206 20th Century Dance
- DNS305 Kinesiology
- DNS316 History and Development of Dance
- DNS452 Somatics: Body/Mind Integrity
- DNS499 Independent Study
- MUS300 Music for Dance
- PES413 Human Development and Movement
Arts Block Courses (21 credits)
- ART101** Visual Art Experience*
- ART417 Methods of Teaching Art on the Elementary Level
- MUS105** Intro to Music
- MUS487 Music and the Child
- THE 281** Creative Drama
- THE 353 Children's Theatre
- ONE of the following courses:
- THE 365 Puppet Theatre
- ENG 482 Children's Literature
III. Literary Arts Specialty
ENG 210, DNS 115, ART 101, MUS 105, and THE 281 followed by followed by IAC 280 are prerequisite courses to pursuing upper division course work. These courses are marked with an asterisk (**).
Interdisciplinary Arts for Children Core Courses (6 credits)
- IAC280 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children
- IAC491 Advanced Studies in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children
Literary Arts Specialty Courses (21 credits)
- ENG210** Creative Writing*
- ENG303 Introduction to Literature Analysis
- ENG304 Fiction Writer's Workshop
- ENG305 Poetry Writer's Workshop
- ENG482 Children's Literature
- THE353 Children's Theatre
- ONE of the following courses:
- ENG484 Young Adult Literature
- ENG405 Creative Writing for Teachers
- ENG491 Advanced Fiction Writers Workshop
- ENG492 Advanced Poetry Writers Seminar
- ENG495 The Writer's Craft
Arts Block Courses (21 credits)
- ART101** Visual Art Experience*
- ART417 Methods of Teaching Art at the Elementary Level
- MUS105** Introduction to Music*
- MUS487 Music and the Child
- THE281** Creative Drama
- DNS115** Introduction to Dance*
- DNS483 Children's Dance I
IV. Music Specialty
A skills audition is required. An incoming student should be able to perform voice or on instrument at NYSSMA level IV or above. Contact the Interdisciplinary Arts for Children Program office for information. ART 101, DNS 115, MUS 105, and THE 281 followed by IAC 280 are prerequisite courses to be completed prior to upper division course work. These courses are marked with an asterisk (**).
Interdisciplinary Arts for Children Core Courses (6 credits)
- IAC280 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children
- IAC491 Advanced Studies in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children
Music Specialty Courses (21 credits)
- MUS105** Introduction to Music*
- MUS112 World Music*
- MUS487 Music and the Child
- MUS488 Music Practicum
- Choose NINE credits from the following:
- DNS232 African Music and Drumming for Dance*
- MUS135 Beginning Piano Class
- MUS139 Class Voice I
- MUS339 Class Voice II
- MUS300 Music for Dance
- MUS305 Music Theory I
- MUS399 Independent Study in Music
- MUS401 The Films and Film Music of India
- MUS475 Contemporary Social Issues in Music*
- MUS485 American Folk Music
- MUS495 History of Rock/Popular Music in America
- MUS499 Advanced Independent Study in Music
Arts Block Courses (21 credits)
- ART101** Visual Art Experience*
- ART417 Methods of Teaching Art on the Elementary Level
- DNS115** Introduction to Dance*
- DNS483 Children’s Dance I
- THE281** Creative Drama
- THE353 Children’s Theatre
- ONE of the following:
- THE365 Puppet Theatre
- ENG482 Children’s Literature
V. Theatre Specialty
Interdisciplinary Arts for Children theatre specialty students may participate in the production program of the Department of Theatre, and are encouraged to participate in auditions for faculty-directed productions based on department guidelines. THE 201 or 202, THE 281, ART 101, DNS 115, and MUS 105 followed by IAC 280 are prerequisite courses to upper-division course work. These courses are marked with an asterisk (**).
Interdisciplinary Arts for Children Core Courses (6 credits)
- IAC280 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children
- IAC491 Advanced Studies in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children
Theatre Specialty Courses (21 credits)
- THE221 Acting I*
- THE281** Creative Drama
- THE353 Children’s Theatre
- THE365 Puppet Theatre
- THE483 Creative Drama Practicum
- THE319 Play Analysis (prerequisite for THE 351)
- THE351 Directing
- ONE of the following:
- THE201** Theatre Arts*
- THE202** Stagecraft*
Arts Block Courses (21 credits)
- ART101** Visual Art Experience*
- ART417 Methods of Teaching Art on the Elementary Level
- DNS115** Introduction to Dance*
- DNS483 Children’s Dance I
- MUS105** Introduction to Music*
- MUS487 Music and the Child
- ENG482 Children’s Literature
VI: Visual Art Specialty
ART 210 or 212, DNS 115, MUS 105 and THE 281 followed by IAC 280 are prerequisite courses to be completed prior to taking upper-division coursework. These courses are marked with an asterisk (**) below.
Interdisciplinary Arts for Children Core Courses (6 credits)
- IAC280 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children
- IAC491 Advanced Studies in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children
Visual Art Specialty Courses (21 credits)
- ARH201 Survey of World Art I*
- ARH202 Survey of World Art II*
- ONE of the following courses:
- ART210** Two-Dimensional Design
- ART212** Three-Dimensional Design
- ART221 Drawing I*
- ART417 Methods of Teaching Art on the Elementary Level
- TWO studio art courses by advisement
Arts Block Courses (21 credits)
- DNS115** Introduction to Dance*
- DNS483 Children’s Dance I
- MUS105** Introduction to Music*
- MUS487 Music and the Child
- THE281** Creative Drama
- THE353 Children’s Theatre
- ONE of the following:
- THE365 Puppet Theatre
- ENG482 Children’s Literature
Electives (28-37 credits)
Total Credits (120 credits)
* Denotes courses that meet both major and general education requirements
Additional Degree Requirements
- All major courses require a grade of C or better.
- Students in the Interdisciplinary Arts for Children program pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, and must complete the corresponding degree's requirements.