Here at SUNY we like to think that all our classes are interesting, all 5,000+ of them which can take you to degree completion and professional success. But we must admit that some of these classes stand out in your memories a bit more. We wanted to help you find the most interesting courses available for the next semester. Of course, the title and course description can hardly do justice to these unique and exciting courses, but it’s a start! As we begin to prepare for the Fall 2015 semester, here’s some of the interesting options students across New York State have available to them.
AVN 371 – Airport Planning
Along with learning how to be an airline pilot and airline maintenance technician, at Farmingdale, you can learn the specifics of airport design and construction. From large international airports to small municipal locations. How much space is needed for runway development? How does airline maintenance and storage fit in to the transportation operations? From the exterior to the interior terminal layout and design, find out how the next generation of airport design and maintenance will run.
ART 462LAB – Installation: Urban Space
Integrates studio practice with theory, allowing students of Visual Studies, Architecture, and Media Study as well as other departments to benefit from a circle of discussion, interchange of ideas, and the realization of interdisciplinary collaborative projects. Structured sequence of conceptual foci include material, sensorial, psychological, cultural, political and economic considerations of body and social space in urban contexts. The course moves spatial practice and material form out of the sheltered space of interiors and private environments into the complex socio-cultural space of urban environments.
MUAP 320 – West African Drum & Dance Ensemble
In this course, students will learn to perform music from Ghana, Togo and neighboring countries of West Africa, culminating in a final performance for the Crane and Potsdam Community at the end of the semester. Weekly rehearsals will focus on learning timeline patterns, drum patterns, song melodies, dance movements, foreign language texts, aural and listening skills, improvisation and multiple-part playing associated with the selected repertoire.
ARS321 – Construction and Fabrication
Methods related to building with sheet metal; soldering and welding techniques, as well as mechanical connections. Learn to use the 3-D printer!
MUSC 106 – History of Rock and Roll
Zeppelin or Floyd? Van Halen or Van Hagar? Learn about the art of Rock and Roll and its history in this class. From the earliest days of jazz to the evolution of Motown, pop, heavy metal, punk and more, students will learn enough to increase enjoyment and appreciation of music in general. The course examines the evolution of Rock and Roll from its origins in the early 1950s through to early 21st century works and will include a study of such music and artists as folk, country, Elvis Presley, soft rock, Motown, the Beatles, disco, heavy metal, acid rock, rap, hip hop, punk rock and more. What is the effect of all of these types of music on our society–socially, culturally, economically, politically and musically? The answers may rock you.
Hudson Valley Community College
ANT 260 – How We Eat
This course explores how people’s food habits are shaped not only by their biological needs, but also by the economic, political, ecological, and social worlds in which they live. The breadth of anthropology (biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and archaeology) is brought to bear on issues including the economic and political underpinnings of American as well as other food cultures; the relationship between food habits and health (both over-and under-eating); the environmental impacts of various methods of food production; the relationship between food and social status; gendered food production as well as food consumption; food’s role in religion; ethical eating; the limits of current knowledge (e.g., changing dietary recommendations); and the socioeconomic pressures that keep individuals eating according to cultural norms. The class discusses foodways in a variety of present and past cultures, but the emphasis is on modern American food culture and the cultural, economic, ecological, and political realities that shape it. Students will explore how these realities affect their own lives and eating habits.
A ANT 201 – Critical Thinking and Skepticism in Anthropology
Do you believe everything you read? This class will present students with the basic principles behind thinking critically. Students will be presented with a range of real world examples to show the value of a scientifically literate and skeptical outlook. Throughout the course, we will read The Demon Haunted World which is described on Amazon.com as “Demons, UFO’s, the Loch Ness Monster, Big Foot, fairies and the like are all investigated in this incredible non-fiction book by the late Carl Sagan.”
DANC 105 – Methods in Body Conditioning
A study of a method of body conditioning, such as Pilates, Bartenieff or Yoga, based on a unique system of stretching and strengthening exercises that tone muscles, improve posture, provides flexibility and balance, and unite body and mind.
Bonus:
If you’re willing to wait until spring you could take ART 175 Art Travel at Monroe Community College. This is a course that combines classroom instruction at the MCC campus with travel to and instruction at various off-campus locations including art museums, historical and landmark houses, art galleries, architecturally noteworthy urban sites or town developments. Variable class hours. Course offered Spring only.
And if you can wait all the way until next Summer you can take Forecasting and Observation, otherwise known as the Storm-Chasing class, at SUNY Oswego!
