Creative Writing

Course Description:  Creative Writing Class - Essentials in Writing Course Description This course provides instruction and practice in short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Participants will be asked to notice the world around them and use their observations to create compelling stories. The course will cover topics such as character development, plot structure, dialogue, setting, point of view, and more. By the end of this course, participants will have a better understanding of the fundamentals of creative writing and be able to apply these skills to their own work. Learning Objectives:

• Understand the basics of creative writing
• Learn how to develop characters
• Develop an understanding of the plot structure
• Practice creating effective dialogue
• Explore different points of view
• Learn how to create compelling settings
• Understand how to craft stories with a beginning, middle, and end
• Practice editing your work for clarity and impact
• Receive feedback on your work from peers and instructor
• Use your newfound knowledge to write original works of fiction or non-fiction

Developing a Storyline

Course Description: This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of developing a storyline for online courses. It covers topics such as creating an outline, writing effective dialogue, and using visuals to enhance the story. The course is designed for those who are new to online course development or want to refine their skills in this area. Learning Objectives:

• Understand the basics of storytelling and how it applies to online course development
• Create an outline for a storyline that meets the needs of the target audience
• Write effective dialogue that engages learners and encourages them to think critically about the content
• Utilize visuals such as images, videos, and animations to enhance the story and provide context for learners
• Identify appropriate resources for researching topics related to storytelling in online courses
• Incorporate feedback from stakeholders into the storyline development process
• Develop strategies for testing storylines prior to launch in order to ensure quality control and accuracy of content delivery
• Utilize technology tools such as video editing software, audio recording equipment, etc., in order to create engaging stories that meet learning objectives and standards set by accrediting bodies or other organizations involved in course development/delivery processes
• Implement best practices for incorporating storylines into existing online courses or creating new ones from scratch
• Evaluate how storylines can be used effectively within different types of online learning environments (e-learning platforms, virtual classrooms

Fundamentals of Technical Writing

Course Description: This course is designed to help you become a successful technical writer. You will learn the fundamentals of technical writing, including how to write and edit documentation for a product, translate complex information into easily understood language, use good grammar and punctuation, structure your writing to make it more compelling and engaging, present ideas in an organized manner, generate relevant ideas for your audience and purpose, and overcome writer's block. You will also gain knowledge on topics such as interviewing skills, desktop publishing, and formatting. Learning Objectives:

• Learn how to write and edit documentation for a product
• Translate complex information into easily understood language
• Use good grammar and punctuation
• Structure your writing to make it more compelling and engaging
• Present ideas in an organized manner
• Generate relevant ideas for your audience and purpose
• Overcome writer's block
• Gain knowledge on interviewing skills
• Learn about desktop publishing and formatting
• Understand the principles of technical writing such as quality content, audience, purpose, accessibility, and grammar

Introduction to Drama

Course Description: This course provides an introduction to the world of drama, combining the literary arts of storytelling and poetry with the world of live performance. Participants will gain an appreciation for the history and development of theatre, as well as learn about its elements, creation, production, and more. Learning Objectives:

• Understand the history and development of theatre from ancient Greece to the present day
• Learn about various aspects of theatre such as terminology, prop, and set design, costumes and makeup, introduction to acting, and the business side of theatre
• Analyze plays from a variety of genres including comedy, tragedy, melodrama
• Examine how plays are adapted for different mediums such as film or audio plays
• Explore how plays can be used in a classroom setting for educational purposes
• Develop skills in writing scripts and creating stories for theatrical performances
• Understand how to create effective characters through dialogue and action in a play or screenplay
• Learn how to use improvisation techniques to create scenes on stage or screenplays quickly and effectively without relying on pre-written material
• Analyze different types of theatrical performances such as musicals or operas and their impact on audiences throughout history
• Gain an understanding of the business side of theatre including marketing strategies and fundraising methods used by theatres today

Middle Ages Culture

Course Description: This online course provides an in-depth look at the culture of Medieval Europe, from the fall of Rome to the emergence of Europe. Participants will learn about the political and social structures of the time period, as well as the art, literature, and architecture that defined it. Through lectures and readings, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of this fascinating era in history. Learning Objectives:

• Understand the political and social structures of Medieval Europe
• Analyze the impact of Christianity on Medieval European culture
• Examine the literature, art, and architecture of Medieval Europe
• Learn about daily life during this period in history
• Explore how different cultures interacted with each other during this time period
• Investigate how trade impacted Medieval European culture
• Analyze how warfare shaped Medieval European culture
• Understand how feudalism worked in Medieval Europe
• Examine how technology changed over time during this period
• Analyze how religion influenced politics during this period