Computing and the Arts

Director of undergraduate studies: Stanley Eisenstat (Computer Science), 208 AKW, 432-1246, stanley.eisenstat@yale.edu

Computing and the Arts is an interdepartmental major designed for students who wish to integrate work in computing with work in one of the arts disciplines: Art, History of Art, Music, or Theater Studies.

For students with a computing perspective, issues in these disciplines present interesting and substantive problems: how musicians use computers to compose; the limitations of current software tools used by artists; the types of analyses done by art historians; challenges in designing and using virtual sets in the theater; ways that virtual worlds might help to envision new forms of artistic expression; lessons that can be learned from trying to create a robotic conductor or performer.

For students with an artistic perspective, computing methods offer a systematic approach to achieving their vision. A foundation in computer science allows artists to understand existing computing tools more comprehensively and to use them more effectively. Furthermore, it gives them insight into what fundamentally can and cannot be done with computers, so they can anticipate the future development of new tools for computing in their field.

Prerequisites. The prerequisite for all students in the major is CPSC 112a or b, which should be taken during the freshman year. Additional prerequisites for the art track are ART 111a or b and 114a or b. There are no additional prerequisites for the history of art track. An additional prerequisite for the music track is MUSI 210a or b, as determined by the music theory placement test. (Students who do not place into or out of MUSI 210a or b may need to take a lower-level course first.) Additional prerequisites for the theater studies track are THST 110a and 111b. There is no required favorable review of studio work for admission to the major in any track.

The major. Twelve term courses are required beyond the prerequisites, not including a two-term senior project. Six of the courses must be in Computer Science, including CPSC 201a or b, 202a, and 223b. Students are advised to complete CPSC 202a and 223b by the end of the sophomore year. MATH 244a may be substituted for CPSC 202a.

The six remaining courses are selected from one of the arts disciplines. Students choose a track in art, history of art, music, or theater studies. All requirements for a single track must be satisfied, as specified below.

The art track requires the following courses in addition to the Computer Science courses listed above: (1) three 100-level courses beyond ART 111a or b and 114a or b, such as ART 132a or b, 138a or b, and 145a or b; (2) two courses in Art at the 200 or 300 level; (3) one course in Art at the 400 level; (4) two courses selected from CPSC 475b, 478b, and 479a; (5) one additional intermediate or advanced computer science course (excluding CPSC 490a or b).

The history of art track requires the following courses in addition to the Computer Science courses listed above: (1) one introductory History of Art course: HSAR 112a or 115b; (2) two History of Art courses at the 200, 300, or 400 level (the courses must represent two different areas as defined in the History of Art program description); (3) one studio art course (students may need to take a prerequisite course in Art to prepare for the studio course); (4) HSAR 401a or b; (5) one 400-level seminar in History of Art; (6) CPSC 478b; (7) one course selected from CPSC 437a , 475b, or 479a; (8) one additional intermediate or advanced computer science course (excluding CPSC 490a or b).

The music track requires the following courses in addition to the Computer Science courses listed above: (1) MUSI 325a; (2) five term courses chosen from MUSI 312a, 313b, 343a, 395b, 412a, 413b, <450a>, <466b>, 471a, and 472b; (3) CPSC 431a; (4) CPSC 432a; (5) one additional intermediate or advanced computer science course (excluding CPSC 490a or b).

The theater studies track requires the following courses in addition to the Computer Science courses listed above: (1) THST 210a; (2) three courses in dramatic literature or theater history; (3) two upper-level Theater Studies production seminars in design, directing, or playwriting; (4) CPSC 431a or 432a; (5) CPSC 478b or 479a; (6) one additional intermediate or advanced computer science course (excluding CPSC 490a or b).

Senior requirement. The senior project requires two terms: one term of CPAR 491a or b, and one term of ART 495a or b, HSAR 499a or b, MUSI 491a or b, or THST 491a or b, depending on the track chosen. The project must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies and be acceptable to both departments. Students must submit a written report, including an electronic abstract and Web page(s).

The entire program of each student majoring in Computing and the Arts must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies. Courses taken Credit/D/Fail may not be counted toward the major.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR

Prerequisites: All tracks—CPSC 112a or b; Art track—ART 111a or b, 114a or b; Music track—MUSI 210a or b; Theater studies track—THST 110a, 111b

Number of courses: 12 term courses beyond prereqs (not incl senior project)

Specific courses required: All tracks—CPSC 201a or b, 202a, 223b; Art track—2 from CPSC 475b, 478b, 479a; History of art track—CPSC 478b; 1 from CPSC 437a, 475b, 479a; HSAR 112a or 115b; HSAR 401a or b; Music track—CPSC 431a, 432a; MUSI 325a, 395a; Theater studies track—CPSC 431a or 432a; CPSC 478b or 479a; THST 210a

Distribution of courses: All tracks—6 courses in Comp Sci, incl 1 addtl intermediate or advanced course beyond specific reqs (excluding CPSC 490a or b); Art track—3 courses in Art at 100 level (excluding prereqs), 2 at 200 or 300 level, and 1 at 400 level (in addition to senior req); History of art track—2 courses in different areas of history of art at 200, 300, or 400 level; one 400-level sem in History of Art; 1 studio art course; Music track—5 term courses from MUSI 312a, 313b, 343a, 395b, 412a, 413b, <450a>, <466b>, 471a, 472b, 485b; Theater studies track—3 courses in dramatic lit or theater history; 2 production sems, as specified

Substitution permitted: MATH 244a for CPSC 202a

Senior requirement: All tracks—Two-term senior project approved by DUS; Art track—Senior project completed in CPAR 491a or b and ART 495a or b; History of art track—Senior project completed in CPAR 491a or b and HSAR 499a or b; Music track—Senior project completed in CPAR 491a or b and MUSI 491a or b; Theater studies track—Senior project completed in CPAR 491a or b and THST 491a or b