Electives

This course assumes prior knowledge of basic computer skills and is paced for computer literate students. Topics of instruction include tools and functions of Microsoft Word, a wide array of search engines, data storage, internet use and safety and e-mail tools. Students will receive hands-on training and will apply these computer skills in required courses for The College Experience Program. Internet safety will be stressed.

This course reviews the foundations of basic computer skills, including tools and functions of Microsoft Word, a wide array of search engines, data storage, internet use and safety and e-mail tools. Students will explore more complex programs such as PowerPoint and Excel. The dangers and safe guards associated with internet shopping will be discussed. Students will learn how to become knowledgeable shoppers by comparing various computer models and the variety of accessories being offered. Students will receive hands-on training and will apply these computer skills in required courses for The College Experience Program.

Through this course, students will be given the opportunity to become a more knowledgeable and active citizen. Class discussions will include civic duties such as voting, local and national government and local and national news. Students will be required to read the newspaper and/or watch the nightly news and participate in class discussions.

This workshop will introduce basic ASL to beginners while using intermediate ASL students as models for practice. The class will include learning signs but more importantly using these ASL signs to carry on a conversation.

Students will learn about animal domains and overall pet care and maintenance. Students will have a long term project focusing around an animal of choice. Students will have to research and present to the class regarding their animal of choice.

Students will learn how to use ADOBE Photoshop to learn the basics of digital animation. Students will create a video clip-based project throughout the semester.

This course will allow students to explore various mediums of art including but not limited to: water color, color pencil, pastel. Students will also learn how to identify space within a drawing and objects and define relation and size. Students will create a long term project for the semester, the art medium of choice is left to the student.

This course explores several facets of Broadcast Journalism, including identifying and analyzing newsworthy events, writing TV-news storyboards and scripts, conducting dynamic news interviews, and learning the job responsibilities of a news reporter and anchor-person. To connect classroom learning with real world broadcasting, students will tour WRGB CBS 6, a local Albany, NY TV-news station, and have the opportunity to talk with a CBS 6 news anchor. Throughout the semester, students will produce three major video projects. By working independently and in small “news team” groups, students will expand their knowledge of the Broadcast Journalism profession; develop their collaboration, interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills; and strengthen their English Language Arts (ELA) related skills, specifically reading, writing, and public speaking.

In this course, students will have the opportunity to explore careers and volunteer opportunities related to working with dogs. The course will also focus on how to be a responsible dog owner, and the costs and responsibility of owning a pet. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to do research based on characteristics and personality of different breeds of dogs.

The course will include field trips to the following settings:

• A veterinary clinic
• A privately-owned kennel
• A grooming business
• One of the local humane societies
• Local pet store

In addition, there may be class presentations by individuals involved in raising and training guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, as well as a possible visit from the local or state police K-9 unit.

In this class, students will learn the basics of marketing and public relations in the field of digital media. Students will be using this foundation to create blog articles, Instagram posts/stories/reels, TikToks, Facebook posts, and more for The College Experience website, newsletter, and social media channels.

Students will explore their strengths instead of their deficits. The goal of the course is for students to create a resume of areas where they excel with the goal of increasing their self-awareness and confidence.

This course will deal with the rights and duties of citizens. Students will briefly discuss the history and government of the United States and how it relates to their responsibilities as a citizen. Students will focus on ways to be conscientious, environmentally and socially responsible adults. The importance of volunteering and giving back to the community will be discussed. Students will be required to spend a set amount of hours volunteering.

Creative Expressions offers students a myriad of opportunities to practice the creative process. The ability to produce meaningful creations, while expressing ourselves, enriches our lives in substantial ways.  Thinking creatively, then communicating and bringing ideas to life, is beneficial for mental health, problem-solving, confidence-building, and much more. In this class, we will explore various art forms and materials, as well as numerous writing styles and themes. On Mondays (or Tuesdays), we will focus on producing artwork, and on Wednesdays (or Thursdays), we will develop standalone writing pieces or works jumping off from that week’s art lesson.

This course is an introduction to creative life writing. It will allow the students to write and reflect on their college experiences. Students will explore journal writing, personal essays, poetry, and short stories. Students will be expected to practice and improve their writing abilities through multiple revisions. This course is taught by published author of two books, Jesse Saperstein.

Disability Seminar introduces students to several different types of disabilities, as well as relevant topics in the field of disability studies, including but not limited to: adaptive technology, advocacy, employment, and some of the common challenges one with a disability might encounter. The seminar also serves to empower students by helping them to better understand their own diagnoses and learn how to serve as self-advocates. Students will gain the skills and knowledge to advocate to future employers and coworkers their needs, and how they are best to overcome challenges with some workplace modifications and or supports

This course will look at diversity and differences in the US from a historical and cultural perspective. The curriculum will explore differences in race, gender, and disability as they have evolved through history with emphasis on the impact of the Civil Rights Movement. Student will learn how the current climate of strengths, celebrating diversity, and self-advocacy has developed.

Students will have the opportunity to learn about what types of criteria are in place to provide support to individuals with disabilities through the federal and local government, such as social security, VESID, and accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act. They will be able to utilize this knowledge in accessing future employment, housing, and support services. Students will also learn about funding issues related to services for individuals with disabilities, and the impact of lobbying and self-advocacy.

Guest speakers and field trips will allow student to learn more about specific disabilities such as visual impairments, culture of the deaf, and spinal cord injuries. Documentary and films will be utilized to help emphasize the “People First” philosophy of looking at individual differences.

Exploring your theatrical side is the focus of this new course. Students will begin by participating in a series of structured physical movements and guided meditation to warm up their bodies and their minds. The class will engage in theatre and improvisational games designed to open their creative thought and allow them to become comfortable. A final performance will be developed with input from the class and performed in front of an audience. The ultimate goal of this course is to foster creative self-expression, improve confidence and advance overall social skills.

This hands-on, experiential course will give students an overall view of the concepts of ecology and conservation, as well as a closer look at local environmental conditions and concerns. Neighborhood field trips and at least one long distance field trip will highlight the concepts presented in the class.

This “hands on” class will explore how to start up and run a successful small business. The class will put what they learn to practice by creating their own business. They will learn about products, making a profit, the specific techniques and strategies used in selling and advertising. Students will be able to see their decisions in action and learn how to be creative problem solvers.

This course will provide a broad overview of current environmental issues, with a focus on global climate change; pollution and waste reduction; and human interventions that can reduce our impact on local and global ecosystems. Students will work on several projects in class:

• A local wildlife census
• Display and timeline of current climate-change issues
• Display and/or timeline of current waste-management and reduction issues
• One or more additional environmental topics, according to student interests.

This class is about drawing; about the experience of drawing; and about the possibilities of looking at the world with new eyes. Students will learn how to produce a broad range of values with different materials, perspective rendering, and modeling of forms. We will look at the drawings of the Old and Modern Masters. Learn the elements and principles of art and how these principles are applied to contour drawing, gesture drawing, and modeling in drawing. Students will keep a sketchbook throughout the class to be used for most assignments including homework. Students will also experience various types of drawing tools and paper; such as Sharpie, charcoal (and charcoal paper), Conté crayon, and pastels. Some collage will be integrated with our drawings, time providing. Three subjects of the artist are portraits (including self-portraits), figure drawing and landscapes. All apply to this class. On any level of drawing a student may have profound experiences and produce work of high aesthetic merit.

This course will take the skills taught in Experimental Drawing I and apply them and further expand students’ knowledge and application of drawing. This class is about drawing; about the experience of drawing; and about the possibilities of looking at the world with new eyes. Students will learn how to produce a broad range of values with different materials, perspective rendering, and modeling of forms. We will look at the drawings of the Old and Modern Masters. Learn the elements and principles of art and how these principles are applied to contour drawing, gesture drawing, and modeling in drawing. Students will keep a sketchbook throughout the class to be used for most assignments including homework. Students will also experience various types of drawing tools and paper; such as Sharpie, charcoal (and charcoal paper), Conté crayon, and pastels. Some collage will be integrated with our drawings, time providing. Three subjects of the artist are portraits (including self-portraits), figure drawing and landscapes. All apply to this class. On any level of drawing a student may have profound experiences and produce work of high aesthetic merit.

This course is designed to teach students the basic principles of fashion. They will learn a brief history of fashion and where the styles we see today originated from. There will be emphasis on fitting to make clothes more flattering to the body, as well as how to combine colors: including complementary, neutrals and patterns. We will discuss Eco-fashion and what that means today and why it’s so important. Students will make a book of the different types of fabric and how to care for them while learning how to read garment tags and what they mean. There will be field trips to thrift stores to learn how to put together an outfit and sewing one simple garment.

This hands-on class will focus on the importance of First Aid and Emergency Preparedness. Students will learn the basics of First Aid and CPR and have the opportunity to earn their American Red Cross certifications. Practice of the techniques will be integral during this course. The importance of Emergency Preparedness will be discussed and guest speakers will teach students how to create an emergency kit and how to be prepared in case of natural disaster or other crisis.

In this summer semester course, students learn the dos and don’ts of grill use and management. Each week they find and complete grilling recipes, further building their cooking skills and knowledge.

Students in this class learn and discuss different moments in history and the historic figures that have made a lasting impact on our society today. This course is designed for students to explore multiple eras of history and technological advancements in human/global history and the impacts some of these moments have had on today’s world. Some topics include, but are not limited to (NYS history, Feudal Japan, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, WWII, Vietnam War, Middle ages, The Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, Great Depression, Roaring 20’s, Sports history)

Students in this workshop will learn about the cultures of many of St. Rose’s international exchange students. Focus will be on learning the culture of the country and comparing/contrasting to the United States. Each week students will learn about a new culture.

This course is especially designed to allow a safe space for students to explore the LGBTQIA+ community and to question, wonder, and discuss ideas together without fear. In this course, students will explore the history of the LGBTQIA+ movement from Ancient Greece and Asia through the 21st Century. During this exploration, we will discuss the following topics and more: what it means to “come out,” the meanings, flags, and relevant terminology associated with each letter of the LGBTQIA+ acronym, famous (and not-so-famous) gay people throughout history, discrimination toward LGBTQ+ individuals, Stonewall, the Pride Parade, and activism leading to important advancements in law.

Lancaster Times is a monthly publication created by students in The College Experience featuring articles of all genres of writing. The name was derived by the location of our first dorm, Lancaster Street. Based on writing lessons and direct instruction, students learn to draft and edit an article, poem or interview that will become part of the monthly publication. The content is student-driven and based on events occurring at The College and within the Program. Students greatly improve their writing skills from sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and word usage. Students experience the process of putting together a newsletter, including selecting articles, choosing pictures to accompany the articles and determining layout. The publication is distributed each month to families and friends throughout the world.

The goal of this course is for students to explore movement and become more aware of their body in space. Class will begin with structured warm-ups to awake the body and increase flexibility and strength. Dance vocabulary and technique will be used but the emphasis will be based on rhythm, body coordination and improv.

This course will focus on enhancing the students’ enjoyment and understanding of all aspects of music. The curriculum will include learning about different elements of music, characteristics of composers from different historical periods, types of instruments, leading up to folk, rock, disco, rap and other forms of popular music that the students may enjoy. In consultation with the music department at St. Rose, the students will learn in advance about the composers and music that will be played at several concerts during the semester, and will be required to attend those concerts and share their reactions to the music. Music students from St. Rose will be invited to come to the class to demonstrate and discuss their instruments. Students will research musicians and/or musical genres and prepare PowerPoint presentations to share with the class.

Through this course, students will be given the opportunity to learn and perform a musical piece within a group setting. Students will learn about various music genres and will be exposed to several different music instruments and methods for creating music during the course.

Mythology is designed to develop student interest in myths and legends of various cultures. Lectures will encompass a variety of learning methods. Students will be expected to actively participate in interactive learning enclaves, which will help them expand their understanding of the subject. The class will focus on learning how the myths of each culture developed and why. Students will learn how to write their own myth. This course will combine classroom learning with community opportunities (field trips) to enhance comprehension of the material. Students will leave this class with an increased knowledge of mythology.

The focus of this course is for students to explore contemporary and historical issues and develop a stance which will be presented to classmates in a debate and/or panel discussion. Students will learn the structure of debates and panels and oral presentation skills will be emphasized.

In this workshop, students will learn the complexities of how to take a quality digital photograph. Techniques and camera functions will be taught and practiced. Editing software/applications will be used to alter and improve student photos. A digital camera is not required for this course.

In this introductory level course, students will learn about American popular culture over the last century. The course will focus on examining how pop culture shapes people’s lives, including how pop culture impacts the way people think, feel, vote, shop and live in general. A wide range of topics will be covered, including: television, radio, music, art, fads, fashion, sports and literature. Students will also examine the “rise of the celebrity,” and how the rise and role of American celebrities has changed over the years.

The objective of this course is to give students an opportunity to become more knowledgeable about the history of the College of Saint Rose, the city of Albany, and New York state. The curriculum will include historical text, field trips to historical sites and guest speakers with an historical perspective. The emphasis of the course will be geared toward the practical, observable links between the past and present.

This survey course will cover topics such as: the human body, brain chemistry, emotions, human behavior, personality, interpersonal relationships, learning styles, critical thinking and problem solving. Lab activities completed during class will enhance the topic of discussion. This course will give individuals a chance to learn more about their own personality and learning style.

Students in this course will learn what makes a presenter a successful public speaker. The class will work on voice and diction, as well as making eye contact and using body language to assist in the message, not detract. Speech writing will be taught and students will have many opportunities to write a simple speech on a topic of their choice. Several speeches will be assigned and presented to the class. Students will learn the skills necessary to promote themselves for local events and larger scale conferences as speakers, and how this can lead to possible income for students. Students will explore fee structures for attending a conference as a speaker versus booking private events within smaller organizations for revenue.

The focus of this class is to provide a means for self-expression. Students will practice expressing their thoughts and feelings of the world around them. Literature, journaling, poetry writing, creative writing, photograph, art and dance will be discussed and practiced. Students will be required to create an original work and present it.

Students will use nature and the jewelry arts of primitive cultures as visual inspiration to create original beads. Students will sketch their designs on graph paper that represent finished pieces. Color theory through mixing of clay colors will develop understanding of color and design. Methods of instruction: demonstration, lecture, slide presentation. Original art work will be available to experience and explore. Students will create work with increasing complexity.

This course explores first-hand what it means to be part of a TV-News channel video production team, focusing on the responsibilities of a camera-operator, video editor, video producer, and other video production related staff. Various production and film techniques such as setting, presentation, props, camera angles, and video editing will be explored. To connect classroom learning with real world broadcasting, students will tour WRGB CBS 6, a local Albany, NY, TV-news station, and have the opportunity to go behind the scenes to shadow and meet the CBS 6 video production team. In order to keep up with the cutting edge world of video editing on the computer, students will utilize the editing equipment on campus and at the Apple Editing Lab in Albany. Throughout the semester, students will produce three major video projects. By working independently and in small “news team” groups, students will expand their knowledge of the broadcasting/video production profession; develop their collaboration, interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills; and strengthen their video camera and video editing skills.

This survey course will explore the world of art using various mediums. Mediums may include: drawing, painting, collage, digital photography, crafting. Students will investigate art in their world, in fashion and as a means of self-expression.

Through this course students will research needs within their own community and work with peers to develop service projects designed to meet community needs. Students will have the opportunity to learn about community issues, set goals, design service plans, and engage in meaningful community service. Students will enhance their employment skills through their volunteerism by developing a work ethic, increasing work skills, and practicing communication with employers and co-workers.

This course offers the students a balanced opportunity to move their bodies, connect with their breath, and reflect on their own human experience. We provide a supportive safe environment in which the students can build flexibility not only within the body, but the mind as well. Each class begins with an hour long yoga practice which focuses on basic, but impactful poses. The last 30 minutes is dedicated to journaling prompts and discussions associated with mindfulness.