PROGRAM-SPECIFIC COURSES

The courses listed below are designed specifically for BXA students. However, 62-306 (Music-Cinema-Culture), 62-306 (Filmothea: Interdisciplinary Film Workshop), and 62-318 (Sparta 2010: Inquiries into Time) are open to all Carnegie Mellon students.

62-190 BXA Freshman Research Seminar, Fall: 9 units
This course introduces freshman students in the Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA), Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA), and Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA) Programs to research methodologies. Part 1 examines the two main paradigms that form the basis of research in various fields of inquiry: a) the systematic, scientific, or positivist approach, and b) the qualitative, ethnographic, and ecological or naturalistic approach. Part 2 consists of a guest lecture series entitled Carnegie Mellon, a University as envisioned by Andrew Carnegie, Andrew W. Mellon and Henry Hornbostel. It uses the university as a laboratory of study for integrating the multiple disciplines taught at Carnegie Mellon through various methods of teaching and learning the language of each discipline to a diverse group of students. Part 3 is dedicated to the students' research project presentations. This course is taught by the program's director with the participation of guest lecturers.

62-306 Music-Cinema-Culture, Summer: 9 units
The first 100 years of the 20th Century’s only original art form, whose advent has brought about tremendous social and cultural changes. In this course students view selected films, learn the basics of film theory, cinema’s working structures, and the function of music. Ultimately, they are able to analyze in written essays and class discussions, the function and value of the music in a particular film and the cultural impact such music has had on society. The work of the course involves attendance at screening and active participation in analytical discussions. Students are expected to present two reports on films and readings, and to participate to film presentations during the final portion of the course. This can be done in small groups rather than individually. This course is taught by the program's director.

62-330/82-411 Filmothea: Interdisciplinary Film Workshop, Spring: 9-12 units
"The Literary Adaptation in 20th Century Western European Liturature and Cimema"
This course explores major novels and films of Alberto Moravia, Carlo Levi, and Milan Kundera. Students view films of Moravia's works by Bernardo Bertolucci, Vittorio De Sica, Jean-Luc Godard, and Philip Kaufman's version of Kundera's novel. The themes of the course include the representation of history in literature and film, realism and the fantastic, ideology and political power, the role of the individual in society, eroticism and the social structure, and gender roles. Through reading the original novels, constructing a version of the film scripts, and viewing the films, students consider European response to the works studied, and explore the question of literary adaptation from text and film. This course is taught by the program's director and by Modern Languages instructor Beryl Schlossman. It is cross-listed with Modern Languages 82-411.

62-318 Sparta Summer Study: 10 units
Sparta 2010: Evrotas River Valley Project, June 20th - July 4th, 2010
Students are invited to participate in a rare multidisciplinary cross-cultural program in Sparta, Greece.

The Evrotas River Valley Project 2010 will advance previous ground work established by and between the College of Fine Arts and the Sparta Institute over the last decade. Previously, between eight and twelve students from Carnegie Mellon traveled with three or four faculty members to Sparta and the Peloponese where they individually developed and executed creative projects. The projects ranged from visual art, creative writing (screenplays, poetry), multimedia installations, musical and vocal performances. This effort has led to a deeper understanding of the region and potential impact of both the partnership between Carnegie Mellon and the Sparta Institute as well as the opportunity to bring more in depth and relevant inquiry on issues that are local in nature but global in importance.

In 2010, the journey to the Peloponese will continue the tradition of bringing students from Carnegie Mellon to the Sparta region, but with a focus on the Evrotas River Valley. This historical river runs through the city of Sparta. It is featured throughout Greek literature, mythology and history. It's flora and fauna are the subject of present day environmental, cultural and physical exploration. During the past decade, this once beautiful and fertile river valley has become an area of neglect and abandonment. We plan to focus our projects around creative expressions, dialogue and strategies to restore the radiance and wonder of the Evrotas River Valley.

The course will begin in Athens. We will travel as a small caravan through Corinth, Mycenae and down to Sparta as our base. We will have many day excursions to Githion, the Byzantine city of Monemvasia, the magical region of Mani ... and more.

For more information please contact Patricia Maurides. pm3k@andrew.cmu.edu
Sparta 2010 is sponsored by the BXA Interdisciplinary Degree Programs.

62-390 BXA Undergraduate Research Project, Fall and/or Spring: 3,6,9,12 units
The BXA Undergraduate Research Project is for Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA), Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA), and Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA) students who want to work on a self-designed project with the one-to-one guidance of a faculty advisor. The project should be interdisciplinary in nature, and can be a scholarly and/or creative endeavor. The project may take the form of a written thesis, a compilation of creative works, an outreach project, etc. The project topic must be pre-approved by the faculty member who agrees to supervise the project and assign a letter grade for the course. Projects are to be completed in one semester, and may be worth 3, 6, 9, or 12 units of academic credit. To register, students must submit an "Undergraduate Research Project Proposal Form" signed by both the student and the faculty advisor, along with a proposal, to the Associate Director of the BXA Programs.

62-400, 401, 402 BXA Capstone Project, Fall and/or Spring: 9 units
The BXA Capstone Project allows Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA), Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA), and Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA) students the opportunity to weave together the interdisciplinary elements of their curricula into an integrated project. The Senior Project should reflect the student's interdisciplinary vision in the arts and humanities, arts and sciences, or arts and computer sciences. The creation and completion of such a project can be an important integrative and fulfilling capstone for BXA students. Capstone Projects are semester-long or year-long (9 units for one semester -62-400; or 18 units for two semesters - 62-401 & 62-402), and are structured as independent studies under the supervision of a single faculty member or a small committee of faculty from the areas relevant to the project. To register, the student must submit a "Capstone Project Proposal Form" signed by the student and faculty advisor, along with a proposal, to the Director of the BXA Programs for final approval.

62-590 BXA Internship, Fall, Spring, and/or Summer: 3,6,9,12 units
An internship is a supervised professional work experience with clear links to a student's academic goals. BXA students may choose to complete a BXA Internship for elective credit with appropriate individuals or organizations within or outside of Carnegie Mellon University. Junior and senior BXA students in good academic standing are eligible to receive academic credit for one internship. Grading is pass/fail only. Prior to enrolling in an internship, the student must have a "BXA Internship Proposal Form" signed by their site supervisor and approved by the Associate Director of the BXA Programs.