WEST PLAINS, Mo.– Registration for 2012 summer intersession, summer session and fall semester courses at Missouri State University-West Plains is just around the corner, and several faculty members have pointed out some new and unique classes area students – and residents – might want to consider taking.
SUMMER INTERSESSIONS
Budding filmmakers in the area will want to enroll in Film Editing Workshop (MED 197), a one-credit-hour course set for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 21-25. Students will learn how to edit a short film by viewing examples of well-edited scenes from independent and feature films, according to instructor Dave Malone. They will learn a variety of editing techniques including, but not limited to, classical cutting, cross-cutting, jump cuts, dissolves, fades, transitions, voice-overs, sound and special effects. Using either stock footage or footage they’ve filmed themselves, students will then “craft a finely-edited piece,” Malone said.
Area artists might want to consider enrolling in Portrait Painting in Acrylics (ART 098), a one-credit-hour course scheduled for 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 21-25. The class, taught by Barbara Williams, will introduce students to acrylic portrait painting. From the basics of portrait drawing to preliminary acrylic washes, the student will build three complete paintings making use of textural and acrylic impasto techniques. A variety of approaches to portrait painting will be presented as students work from both photographs and a live model.
During the second week of summer intersession courses June 4-8, area residents can participate in the Eureka Springs Field Experience (GRY 197), a one-credit-hour class taught by Associate Professor of Geology/Geography John H. Fohn II. This introductory course will address the human geography and physical geography of Eureka Springs, Ark., as well as introduce students to the fundamentals of historical geography and contemporary tourism as they apply to this north-central Arkansas community. Students will meet from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 4 in Melton Hall Room 209 for a quick overview of the class then travel June 5 and 6 to Eureka Springs where they will explore historical buildings, art galleries and various shops.
In addition to the regularly scheduled summer intersession periods, a special intersession will be held from June 25-29 for those interested learning more about the Navajo Indian Nation. Introduction to Navajo Culture and the Navajo Nation (GRY 197) will give students not only an overview of the Navajo culture, but also cover Native American reservations, schools, social interactions and misconceptions about Navajo culture, according to per course instructor Amanda Moore, who will teach the one-credit-hour class. Hands-on projects, media presentations, and Navajo music, food and more also will be part of the class, she added. The class will meet from 1 to 4 p.m. each day that week.
SUMMER SESSION
The Industrial Technology Department will offer two new online classes this summer – Project Management (ITC 255) and Renewable Energy (ITC 197). Taught by Assistant Professor of Graphics & Computer Programming Jim Hart, Project Management will focus on how projects contribute to the goals of the organization. Students will examine a project manager’s role in an organization, project management tools and techniques, and the interpersonal skills needed to complete the project, he said. It is a three-credit-hour course.
Renewable Energy, also taught by Hart, focuses on the sources of renewable energy with an introduction to an operating home or business in Missouri using sunlight and wind as a source of energy. Students will examine “Smart Grid” technology, home energy efficiency, home automation, and solar and wind turbine power. This, too, is a three-credit-hour course.
Children of Divorce (CFD 197) is a new one-credit-hour online course being offered this summer in the Child & Family Development Department. The course will explore the social, emotional and cognitive effects of divorce on children. It will offer practical strategies for helping children and families successfully work through the complex issues surrounding divorce.
Area residents who would like to learn how to swim or develop their swimming skills can enroll in Basic Swimming/Water Games (PED 135). This one-credit-hour course, set for 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the West Plains Civic Center pool, is designed to teach water skills and develop the student’s swimming ability to his or her full potential, according to instructor Sherryl Brannan. Students will learn basic water skills, such as adjustment to the water, breath control, floating and treading water. Basic safety skills, such as wearing a life jacket, survival swimming and safety information while around the water also will be covered. Students also may learn various swimming strokes like the front crawl, elementary back stroke, breast stroke, side stroke and back crawl, as well as basic water aerobic activities and water games.
Brannan, a certified American Red Cross swimming instructor, said the course will be adapted to all skill levels and is open to all age levels. Senior citizens who want to enroll in the course are urged to check for special enrollment discounts through the admissions office.
During the first four weeks of the summer session, from June 11 through July 6, Fohn will teach Introductory Physical Geography (GRY 142) from 8 to 11:50 a.m. Mondays through Fridays. This four-credit-hour class will provide a study of the earth’s natural systems, including weather and climate, rocks and minerals, landforms and processes of landform development, biogeography, water resources and soils. Map fundamentals and the interrelationships of the geographic factors of the natural environment will be emphasized. The class also will include fieldwork at various Ozarks’ sites, Fohn said.
FALL SEMESTER
Area residents who would like to learn more about the environment can enroll in Environmental Science (ENV 105), a four-credit-hour online class that includes a lab component. This new offering during the fall semester will cover global geological cycles, biodiversity trends, human population dynamics, sustainable land and water usage, pollution impacts, energy challenges, climate change and future predictions for a cooperative global effort toward a habitable planet. The class will offer three hours of lecture time and two hours of lab work, which will include local data collection and interpretation, as well as use of online interactive labs, according to university officials.
For a complete look at the 2012 summer session/fall semester schedule, visit http://grizzlyden.missouristate.edu/Schedule.htm. A printed copy of the schedule will be available in mid-April.
For more information about admissions and registration procedures, call the admissions office at 417-255-7955 or toll free at 1-888-466-7897 or visit the university’s website, http://wp.missouristate.edu/.