How do we understand the moving image in what we know as contemporary cinema? How do we critically engage the history and traditions of media practices while testing the boundaries of established forms? In Great Painters & Film Auteurs, students will, through discussions, frame analysis and guest speakers, engage with these and other questions as they not only discover the link between the great painters of the past and today's auteurs of the cinematic screen but develop a new and exciting "filmic" eye. Students will be challenged to think about how we truly perceive cinematic information and what is done to form a single, cohesive moment of visual, emotional power.

The Literature of Surrealism course will attempt to cover many of the topics which are important for a better understanding of the history of the movement. Beginning with what came before it, we will then look at the initial literature which the movement created. From there, we will look at the different types of writing which the different Surrealist members created. As a conclusion, we will look at broader topics which can be seen in works throughout the movement, and we will look at a work that was influenced by "Surrealist" style. All of this will be done in order to stress the importance of literature in a movement which is most often remembered for its visual manifestations. Thus, by the time that the class is over, students will be able to fully grasp what the term "Surrealist" means and they will have a better understanding of what the Surrealists were trying to accomplish through their work.

Course planned for a little group considering the idea of committed, intense and cooperative teamwork experience. Each individual student will research for a unified group vision, understanding, and experiment of performance. Research and practical approach to the class work is based on the "Song of Songs" as an exemplary piece of Hebrew cultural tradition. The study planned around multileveled meaning and interpretation of the poem. Also, the advantage of practical exercises for modern performance concepts based on visual interpretation of "Song of Songs." Work influences by Polish Theater sources especially the examples of visual theater/stage design and ideas of Kantor, Szajna, Witkacy, Wyspianski, and Grotowski. The opportunity of development of the masks, costumes, and set design around project of "Song of Songs."

This course is designed to give students who have no familiarity with The Bible an overview of its importance as the underlying text for much of Western Literature. It is based upon the premise that without first understanding what is actually on the page, students cannot accurately layer on another critical approach. Students will read parts of The Bible, as well as some of the more important literature which The Bible informs. The course is keyed to provide a "quick-book" approach, by teaching the two components jointly, not separately. There will be much reading, in class free-writing, two short quizzes, one three page paper, and a creative project.

Rage Against the Machine and Zinn is a class designed to illuminate alternative viewpoints on America's past, present and potential future. By learning history from the perspective of its "losers," students will gain new insights into lives of oppressed peoples. History from this perspective puts America's current policies into context. The course also sheds light on one potential future that could befall America if changes do not occur. Howard Zinn and George Orwell are juxtaposed with the musical phenomenon of Rage Against the Machine. The lyrical content of RATM can be easily compared to Zinn, and Orwell is quoted multiple times by the band.

This class will take a "disability studies" perspective on autism and related "disorders," examining artistic creations (literary, music, visual arts, etc.) of those "on spectrum," to gain more of a holistic understanding of the unique traits that people with Autism, Asperger's, Rett's, of PDD-NOS have, and the strengths they offer to society.

This course will begin by discussing Gutenberg's invention of the Printing Press, and the immediate impact it had on society. Do-it-yourself ethics will be examined through the scope of self-reliance in relation to examples of off-grid communities and their energy production methods. We will look at all forms of alternative energy production and investigate the mechanics, durability and surrounding conditions to these machines to better understand the reasons behind them. Each student will design and build a simple personal energy machine based on their surroundings, interests and skill levels.

This is a drawing course with course is an Introduction to comics & sequential art. Focus will be on fundamental principles of drawing and various cartooning methods. Techniques will be introduced for drawing people, buildings, modes of human transportation, and creating scenes based on the language of cinematography. Page design and layout will be also covered. Students will use sketchbooks for traditional observational drawing and will investigate methods of illustrating symbolic imagery. This course will also emphasize content by encouraging students to find their personal voice through the use of self-portraits. Students will be asked to create their own personal narrative using past experiences to provide context for the work. Historical evolution of sequential art and the graphic novel will also be introduced.