University Relations

No history of the American experience would be complete without an understanding of the cultural rivalries that have fractured our continent. The focus of this course is on how the conflicts between these rival cultures have shaped our past and are molding our future. Instructor: Hal Wohl, emeritus professor of history. Fee: $40

Regional food systems play an important role in community branding, rural vitality and economic development and enrich our existing agricultural traditions and history. Participants will learn about the local food economy in the Cedar Valley, and what it takes to create a vibrant and rich food system. Session one will be a discussion format, providing a foundation, while session two will incorporate an opportunity to visit and experience a vibrant healthy farm. Instructor: Andrea Geary, local food program manager, Center for Energy & Environmental Education. Fee: $20

In the last 30 years, quilting has become a multi-billion dollar global industry. Approximately 99 percent of quilters are women, and the majority of these women begin to quilt at middle age and older as a creative leisure activity. As practiced today, quilting can cause tension in the home. What?! How can "quilting," a quaint and somewhat old-fashioned activity, be upsetting and controversial? Marybeth C. Stalp, a quilter herself, researches American quilters intensively and authored the best-selling book, "Quilting: The Fabric of Everyday Life." She will cover quilting history, how American women practice quilting, recent global trends and the importance of creativity and leisure through the life course. Stalp will also highlight the positive economic impact quilting has had on Iowa, and the necessity of investigating women's creative interests both locally and globally. Instructor: Marybeth C. Stalp, associate professor, sociology. Fee: $30

Regional food systems play an important role in community branding, rural vitality and economic development and enrich our existing agricultural traditions and history. Participants will learn about the local food economy in the Cedar Valley, and what it takes to create a vibrant and rich food system. Session one will be a discussion format, providing a foundation, while session two will incorporate an opportunity to visit and experience a vibrant healthy farm. Instructor: Andrea Geary, local food program manager, Center for Energy & Environmental Education. Fee: $20

In the last 30 years, quilting has become a multi-billion dollar global industry. Approximately 99 percent of quilters are women, and the majority of these women begin to quilt at middle age and older as a creative leisure activity. As practiced today, quilting can cause tension in the home. What?! How can "quilting," a quaint and somewhat old-fashioned activity, be upsetting and controversial? Marybeth C. Stalp, a quilter herself, researches American quilters intensively and authored the best-selling book, "Quilting: The Fabric of Everyday Life." She will cover quilting history, how American women practice quilting, recent global trends and the importance of creativity and leisure through the life course. Stalp will also highlight the positive economic impact quilting has had on Iowa, and the necessity of investigating women's creative interests both locally and globally. Instructor: Marybeth C. Stalp, associate professor, sociology. Fee: $30

"We travel, initially, to lose ourselves, and we travel next to find ourselves." (from "Why We Travel," by Pico Iyer). This two-day session will explore how to engage in thoughtful travel that can provide us a richer understanding of our rapidly changing world. Examples of and tips for traveling "off the beaten path" will provide practical guidance and inspiration to leave our assumptions at home and look for travel opportunities that will stimulate and enlighten. Instructor: Kristi Marchesani, assistant director, admissions/international relations. Fee: $20

In the last 30 years, quilting has become a multi-billion dollar global industry. Approximately 99 percent of quilters are women, and the majority of these women begin to quilt at middle age and older as a creative leisure activity. As practiced today, quilting can cause tension in the home. What?! How can "quilting," a quaint and somewhat old-fashioned activity, be upsetting and controversial? Marybeth C. Stalp, a quilter herself, researches American quilters intensively and authored the best-selling book, "Quilting: The Fabric of Everyday Life." She will cover quilting history, how American women practice quilting, recent global trends and the importance of creativity and leisure through the life course. Stalp will also highlight the positive economic impact quilting has had on Iowa, and the necessity of investigating women's creative interests both locally and globally. Instructor: Marybeth C. Stalp, associate professor, sociology. Fee: $30

"We travel, initially, to lose ourselves, and we travel next to find ourselves." (from "Why We Travel," by Pico Iyer). This two-day session will explore how to engage in thoughtful travel that can provide us a richer understanding of our rapidly changing world. Examples of and tips for traveling "off the beaten path" will provide practical guidance and inspiration to leave our assumptions at home and look for travel opportunities that will stimulate and enlighten. Instructor: Kristi Marchesani, assistant director, admissions/international relations. Fee: $20

In this course you will learn entry level and advanced photo-editing skills using Photoshop Elements 10. You will learn the basics of digital photography and how to use the features in Photoshop Elements for organizing, editing, enhancing and sharing your photos. By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• -Take visually appealing photos
• -Upload your photos to Photoshop Elements
• -Organize your photos into albums and catalogs
• -Edit, enhance and add special effects to your photos
• -Create calendars and other creative work
• -Size and print your photos and projects
• -Share you projects in online albums, slideshows and more

This class is limited to the first 15 people and participants must being their own camers. This class includes four sessions and is taught by Lynn Dykstra and will cost $40.

In this course you will learn entry level and advanced photo-editing skills using Photoshop Elements 10. You will learn the basics of digital photography and how to use the features in Photoshop Elements for organizing, editing, enhancing and sharing your photos. By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• -Take visually appealing photos
• -Upload your photos to Photoshop Elements
• -Organize your photos into albums and catalogs
• -Edit, enhance and add special effects to your photos
• -Create calendars and other creative work
• -Size and print your photos and projects
• -Share you projects in online albums, slideshows and more

This class is limited to the first 15 people and participants must being their own camers. This class includes four sessions and is taught by Lynn Dykstra and will cost $40.