Topics course.: This seminar explores the intersection of physical science, social science, psychology, politics and the environment. How do scientists, decision makers and the public communicate with each other, and how can scientists do better at it? What should the role of scientists be in advocacy and social movements? How does scientific information influence lifestyle and behavior choices among the public at large?

This course explores the astronomical roots of clocks and calendars, and relies on both real and simulated observations of the Sun, Moon and stars. In addition to completing weekly projects based on collecting and interpreting data, students independently research a clock and a calendar from another culture, either ancient or modern. There are no prerequisites, and students from all disciplines and backgrounds are welcome. Enrollment limited to 25 per section.

This course considers the many ways through which places are constructed, culturally, socially and physically. We examine how to analyze contextual factors and intervene effectively within the complexity of the built environment. A final project involving the examination and manipulation of place and space through modeling and graphic communication is required. A required fee of $75 to cover group-supplied materials and/or printing is charged at the time of registration. Students are responsible for directly purchasing any additional supplies that may be required.

Relief printing from carved woodblocks can create images that range from precise and delicate to raw and expressionistic. It is a direct and flexible process that allows for printing on a variety of materials at large and small scales. We approach this medium through both ancient and contemporary technologies, producing black and white and color prints from single and multiple blocks. A required fee of $75 to cover group-supplied materials is charged at the time of registration. Prerequisite: ARS 163, 172, or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 15.

This course introduces students to different installation strategies (e.g., working with multiples, found objects, light, site-specificity, among others). Coursework includes a series of projects, critiques, readings and a paper. A required fee of $25 to cover group-supplied materials is charged at the time of registration. Prerequisite: ARS 172, or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 12.

Various spatial and pictorial concepts are investigated through the oil medium. Prerequisite: ARS 163 or permission of the instructor. A required fee of $75 to cover group-supplied materials is charged at the time of registration. Enrollment limited to 15.

This cross-disciplinary studio course involves two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and time-based approaches. Students are introduced to a range of conceptual and practical frameworks for making and thinking about art. This course is strongly recommended for students considering the art major. By emphasizing visual thinking, risk-taking, and critical reflection, this course also has relevance for other disciplines. A required fee of $25 to cover supplied materials is charged at the time of registration. Enrollment limited to 15. Priority given to first-year students. (E)

This cross-disciplinary studio course involves two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and time-based approaches. Students are introduced to a range of conceptual and practical frameworks for making and thinking about art. This course is strongly recommended for students considering the art major. By emphasizing visual thinking, risk-taking, and critical reflection, this course also has relevance for other disciplines. A required fee of $25 to cover supplied materials is charged at the time of registration. Enrollment limited to 15. Priority given to first-year students. (E)

Topics course.: Artists have portrayed themselves and others in a variety of media throughout history. In addition to works of art, portraits are found in many other areas of investigation and creativity—literature, music, etc. Classes present historical overviews of paintings and sculptures. Students focus on areas of their choice from their academic programs in art history, studio art, or any field for in-depth research.

Students may take up to two semesters of ARH 291, “Topics in Art History,” as long as the topics are different.: Focusing on a largely unprocessed collection of Victorian-era Valentine’s day cards held at the American Antiquarian Society (Worcester, Mass.) and a variety of online digital artifacts, from e-cards to emojis, the following upper-level colloquium explores the connections between 19th-century print ephemera and the ephemerality of images in the digital era. Special attention is devoted to the affective, gendered and commercial histories of these everyday images.