About Our Classes

Exploration of fundamental principles of drawing. Develop skills in representational drawing, perspective, and composition. Develop creative and modern drawing techniques using a wide range of subject matter. Presentations and discussions illustrate classic principles. Course encourages development of individual expression.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer

Introduction to art and design. Explores design principles and creative problem solving using multiple materials. Students also examine design's ability to shape and interpret information. Hands-on studio work, lectures, and discussions. Emphasizes creativity, inventiveness, and experimentation.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: Fall
• Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Senior

Concentrated instruction on realistic drawing combined with methods for seeing the world anew. Combines basic drawing skills with practices of 'flow', 'mindfulness', and 'radical juxtaposition'. Sketch with your cellphone camera, make pencil, charcoal drawings, and collages only you can imagine

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: On Demand

Explore "nature spaces" and the "unbuilt world" through art using materials ranging from cell phone photography to materials you find outdoors to create installations. Hikes provide inspiration and practice with creative fundamentals. Cultivate "flow" attentiveness, visual analysis and collaboration.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
• Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman

Immersive field trips to nature spaces and museums provide opportunities for basic photography of colors, and principles of art & design. Use your photos as references for botanical drawings; painted color taxonomies; and hue collections relevant to your interests.

• Credits: 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 6
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, in even years
• Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Senior

An introductory arts class focused on making works of art outdoors. Classes meet on the Michigan Tech trails or other outdoor locations. Students develop their own works of art and their own creative language. Includes conversations, local field trips, studio work, lectures, and readings.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-3)
• Semesters Offered: On Demand

Introduces hand building ceramic techniques, including coil, slab, and pinch. The goal is to allow students to be individually creative through experimenting with the possibilities in three-dimensional form. Historical, contemporary, functional and sculpture processes will be explored.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer

Students will learn the fundamental techniques of using a pottery wheel, as a tool, to shape clay into utilitarian and sculptural forms. Historical and contemporary practices will support each individuals' creative abilities.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

A foundation course in fiber art techniques, concepts, history, and theories. Conceptual development will be emphasized as students learn to use contemporary fiber techniques in their studio arts practice. Media covered include sewing and embroidery, dyeing, felting, knitting and crocheting, printing, and soft sculpture.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: On Demand
• Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman

Students will learn small-format drawing, painting, and illustration techniques for theatre and architectural design, as well as large-scale scenic painting techniques for painting of murals, faux finishes, theatre, and opera. Lectures, discussions, and hands-on studio practice.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-3)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, in even years
• Pre-Requisite(s): FA 1701 or THEA 1110(C)

Observational and imaginative drawing including the human figure and abstraction techniques. Contemporary drawing systems, concepts, and processes. Emphasis is on proportion, structural framework, visual measurement, movement, and relationships. Students work in a variety of drawing media.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: Spring
• Pre-Requisite(s): ART 1100 or ART 1110 or ART 2130 or ART 2160 or ART 2190 or ART 3180 or ART 4450

Addresses ceramic theory, history, and science, and aims to develop the content and quality of students' work in clay. Students will learn new ways of creating forms through use of the wheel, molds, and study of clay and glaze technologies.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: Spring
• Pre-Requisite(s): (ART 1110 or ART 2140 or ART 2145 or ART 2160 or ART 2190 or ART 3145 or ART 3410 or ART 3420) and UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Explores the material properties and expressive potential of clay. Learning a variety of sculptured techniques, students will demonstrate the ability to incorporate the elements and principles of art (line, space, form, harmony) to create aesthetic artwork.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: On Demand
• Pre-Requisite(s): ART 1110 or ART 2140 or ART 2145 or ART 2160 or ART 2190 or ART 3140 or ART 3410 or ART 3420

Course emphasizes use of water-based paint to study color theory and explore the expressive potential of color. Exercises in creative thinking and being, including work with basic photo and collage, underpin experimentation with design and composition of color in visual images.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: Spring
• Pre-Requisite(s): (ART 1100 or ART 1110 or ART 2110 or ART 2130 or ART 2140 or ART 2145 or ART 2190 or ART 2350 or ART 2160) and UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Introduction to contemporary sculpture using a range of materials and approaches. Emphasizes development of student's creative language. Hands-on studio work, lectures, discussions. Class takes place in Rozsa gallery; includes student exhibit at end of semester.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: Fall
• Pre-Requisite(s): (FA 2050 or FA 2110 or FA 2150 or FA 2160 or FA 2190 or FA 2300 or FA 2305 or FA 2315 or FA 2361 or ART 1100 or ART 1110 or ART 2110 or ART 2130 or ART 2140 or ART 2145 or ART 2160 or ART 2190 or ART 2350) and UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Introduction to traditional ways of making sculpture around the world. Students develop studio skills while studying creative traditions from varied cultures. Hands-on studio work, lectures, discussions. Class takes place in Rozsa gallery; includes student exhibit at end of semester.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: Spring, in even years
• Pre-Requisite(s): (FA 2050 or FA 2110 or FA 2150 or FA 2160 or FA 2190 or FA 2300 or FA 2305 or FA 2315 or FA 2361 or ART 1100 or ART 1110 or ART 2110 or ART 2130 or ART 2140 or ART 2145 or ART 2160 or ART 2190 or ART 2350) and UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Examines important themes, processes, and issues in art, including local and global traditions. Spans a variety of creative practices. Creative projects, lectures, readings, and discussions. May be repeated if topic differs.

• Credits: variable to 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 9
• Semesters Offered: On Demand
• Restrictions: Permission of instructor required
• Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

An advanced studio course. Students create works of art inside the Rozsa student gallery, and study traditional and contemporary sculpture. Projects, lectures, readings, and discussions. Focus is on development of the student's personal arts language.

• Credits: 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 6
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: On Demand
• Restrictions: Permission of instructor required
• Pre-Requisite(s): FA 3305 or FA 3333 or FA 3335 or FA 3360 or ART 3140 or ART 3145 or ART 3410 or ART 3420

Students will work on developing technical skills and aesthetic sensibilities. This includes historic and contemporary references, criticism, and expression of of personal concepts. Students will build on basic skills from prior hand-building, throwing, and ceramic sculpture coursework.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: Spring
• Restrictions: Permission of instructor required; May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman
• Pre-Requisite(s): FA 2190 or FA 2305 or FA 2315 or FA 3305 or FA 3333 or FA 3335 or FA 3360 or ART 2140 or ART 2145 or ART 2190 or ART 3140 or ART 3145 or ART 3410 or ART 3420

Explores contemporary and traditional drawing and painting practices. Develops students' own arts language. Experiments with varied materials. Prepare to unlock your creativity and expand your definitions of "drawing" and "painting". Course emphases change each semester.

• Credits: 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 6
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-4)
• Semesters Offered: Spring, in odd years
• Restrictions: Permission of instructor required; May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman
• Pre-Requisite(s): (FA 2050 or FA 2150 or FA 2160 or FA 3150 or ART 1100 or ART 2100 or ART 2130 or ART 2160 or ART 2350) and (ART 3180 or FA 3180) and UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Work with art faculty on professional level projects in an assistant capacity. Projects will vary with each semester. Gallery, field work, studio, or public art.

• Credits: variable to 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 6
• Semesters Offered: On Demand
• Restrictions: Permission of instructor required; May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman
• Pre-Requisite(s): FA 3150 or FA 3305 or FA 3180 or FA 3333 or FA 3335 or FA 3360 or ART 2100 or ART 3140 or ART 3180 or ART 3410 or ART 3420 or ART 3145

An introduction to the major concepts and theories of normative ethics and metaethics and an examination of a variety of issues in applied ethics including poverty and economic justice, lying and truth-telling, euthanasia, sexual conduct, and issues in communication ethics.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
• Semesters Offered: On Demand

Introduction to the ways that communication creates and maintains culture. Considers a variety of perspectives on the significance of communication. Explores the importance of communication for understanding culture

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines communication practices and styles across selected cultures and multicultural groups, drawing on an interdisciplinary range of research fields. May address social issues, language and cultural differences, gender, race, ethnicity, class, disabilities, age, religion, family and national identity.

• Credits: 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 6
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
• Semesters Offered: On Demand
• Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025 or Modern Language - 3000 level or higher)

This course provides students with a better understanding of underrepresented populations within the United States by examining the culture and experience of African American; American Indian; Asian American; Latina/Latino American; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transsexual; or Post-Colonial peoples.

• Credits: 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 9
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
• Semesters Offered: Spring
• Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025 or Modern Language - 3000 level or higher)

Study of literary genres, themes, and movements, with emphasis on comparing and contrasting perspectives reflected in literatures from Western and non-Western cultures. Topics may focus on historical, social, aesthetic, and cultural factors as they influence these literatures. Films may be used.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
• Semesters Offered: Spring, in even years
• Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Examines the sources of creativity and the ways that it has been used to change cultural values, feelings, beliefs, and practices. A project-based course that cultivates and applies creative action toward cultural change.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
• Semesters Offered: On Demand
• Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Engages with color as an aesthetic, theoretical, historical, cultural, and political concept. Explores what color is made of, how color shapes meaning, and how color functions in various expressive and interpretative contexts including politics, science, and industry.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
• Semesters Offered: Spring, in odd years
• Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Introduction to the field of cultural anthropology with a focus on human diversity, patterns of culture and human organization, globalization, and social change.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
• Semesters Offered: Fall

Examines social approaches to understanding why environmental problems happen and how environmental problems are resolved. Includes concepts such as sustainability, market-based environmental policies, property systems, and environmental justice. Case studies may include biodiversity, deforestation, climate change, water quality, and toxics.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-1-0)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

This course has two main goals: to explore the relationship between gender in the past and present; and to evaluate the actual empirical evidence that speaks to people's gendered lives in many times and places.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, in even years

Landscape is a lens through which scholars study people, environment, and place. The concept transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. Students will read and discuss different approaches to landscape, with special focus upon anthropological, geographic, and historical perspectives.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, in odd years
• Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Examines historical relationships between skill, tool use, embodied knowledge, and the design process in America from the colonial era to today. Includes production techniques, distribution systems, technological changes, industrialization, post-war globalization, and current craft and design.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, in even years
• Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman
• Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Survey of North American architecture from prehistoric times to the present. Focuses on principal architectural styles, building types, and construction technologies. Also examines ideas about architecture to understand the American past.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
• Semesters Offered: Spring
• Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Seminar focused on the rights and liberties guaranteed by US Constitutional amendments. Students learn constitutional theory and interpretation on topics of privacy, speech, media, religion, criminal justice, and gender/ethnic equality. Constitutional Law I is not required.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
• Semesters Offered: Spring, in even years
• Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman
• Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

This course focuses on the histories, theories, and practices of environmental justice in local, national, and global contexts. Topics to be explored include environmental racism, industrial facility siting, sustainable development, as well as food, energy, and climate justice.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
• Semesters Offered: Spring, in odd years
• Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Covers selected topics in world history, geography, or anthropology. Important concepts are the relationship between societies and regional geography, the sources and patterns of major cultures, and transformations of social, cultural, political, and economic institutions over time. May be repeated if topic differs.

• Credits: 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 9
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
• Semesters Offered: On Demand
• Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman
• Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Survey of social, cultural, and cognitive influences on individual and group behavior. Introduces attitude formation, social conformity, personal perception, aggression, cooperation, and interpersonal and intergroup relations.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
• Pre-Requisite(s): PSY 2000 and UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

Introduction to materials and processes that shape the earth we live on. Lecture and laboratories acquaint students with minerals, rocks, earth resources, weathering, geologic time, landslides, groundwater, streams, shorelines, deserts, glaciers, geologic structures, earthquakes, plate tectonics, and the dynamics of the earth's crust, mantle, and core.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-3)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Introduction and study of current environmental issues related to the earth sciences. Covers major topics such as volcanism, earthquakes, shoreline erosion, and pollution of groundwater as multi-week modules with associated labs, lectures, and field projects.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
• Semesters Offered: Spring

This course covers the history of the Earth from 4.5 billion years to the present. Plate tectonics is the organizing theme with emphasis on recognizing and evaluating the evidence for the major reorganizations of the Earth's crust.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, in even years
• Pre-Requisite(s): GE 2000 or GE 2100

Environmental factors and plant and animal characteristics which control composition, structure, and function of forest ecosystems. Emphasis on how ecosystems change across space and time and knowledge needed to sustainably manage forest ecosystems for social, economic, and ecological benefits.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-3)
• Semesters Offered: Fall
• Pre-Requisite(s): FW 2051(C)

Application of forest and environmental management practices by teams of students with the assistance of faculty, staff and local and regional partners.

• Credits: 2.0; May be repeated
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-1-3)
• Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
• Pre-Requisite(s): FW 2010 and FW 2051