Undoubtedly Penn’s best kept academic secret, the extensive fine arts classes on offer will be sure to astound you. So, next semester, flex your creative muscle and take an arts class. To make sure you won’t be intimidated by the dozens of offerings, we've chosen the best courses for you… Rejoice!
THAR 120: Introduction to Acting
Monday, 3:30—6:30 p.m.
Tuesday/Thursday: 1:30—3:30 p.m.
Monday/Wednesday: 4:30—7:30 p.m.
If semesters spent in the ensemble in high school weren’t enough to convince you that you have no future in the theater, enroll in one of three sections of this Intro to Acting course. Based on the methods of Konstantin Stanislavski, this class will have you stretching, practicing proper breathing and playing games, all while working toward final performance. Sounds fun to us! You won’t get off that easy though — there are a variety of short papers due throughout the semester. If you excel in this course, you might be able to move on to THAR 350, where students mount a full-scale production as a part of Penn’s performing arts season, or THAR 275, which sends a lucky group to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland each August.
ARTH 283: The Modern City
David Brownlee
MWF 11:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
For a lecture class that will blow your mind, try sitting in on anything taught by Professor Brownlee. While history of art majors are the only students lucky enough to have a seminar with him next fall, his Modern City class is open to all. Learn about the development of architecture in cities such as London, St. Petersburg, Washington and Paris, as well as Philadelphia, where Brownlee utilizes the city as a laboratory for urban planning.
If you’re interested in learning more about Philadelphia, look into Professor Lothar Haselberger’s Architect and History (ARTH 106, MW 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. and F 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.). With almost weekly field trips to architectural sites around the city, the course provides an entirely new perspective on Philadelphia, as well as a great introduction to the major architectural movements from the Classical World to the present.
FNAR 257: Printmaking: Mixed Media
Matt Neff
TR 1:30—4:30 p.m.
In the spirit of Philagrafika, get inspired and start making prints! Matt Neff will be teaching a printmaking class this fall concentrating on a wide variety of techniques. For those of you who know your way around the print studio, this one’s for you — at least some printmaking experience is recommended.
Never fear, beginners, there is a class for you too! Tricia Treacy will be teaching a course on basic relief and screen printing, FNAR 252, Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., and Ivanco Talevski will be offering FNAR 251, a class in intaglio, a process which involves etching on plates.All print making classes come with a $40 studio fee, a steal for the level of access you’ll have to materials and equipment in the print studio, the Morgan Building at 34th and Locust.
If you want to throw some English major-ness into your printmaking experience, try Grotesque Forms (FNAR 256/ENGL 122). Taught by Treacy and Erin Gautsche (of the Kelly Writers House), the course looks at the “grotesque” in art and literature. The course culminates in each student producing a handmade, limited edition artists book incorporating their writing, printmaking and bookbinding knowledge.
