Spring 2026 Course Search

The Scriptorium: Studio Ghibli — WRI2169.01, section 1

Instructor: Alex Creighton
Days & Time: MO,TH 10:00am-11:50am
Credits: 4

The Scriptorium, a “place for writing,” is a class for writers interested in improving their critical essay-writing skills. We will read to write and write to read. Much of our time will be occupied with writing and revising—essai means “trial” or “attempt”—as we work to create new habits and productive strategies for analytical writing.

The Scriptorium: Studio Ghibli — WRI2169.02, section 2

Instructor: Alex Creighton
Days & Time: MO,TH 1:40pm-3:30pm
Credits: 4

The Scriptorium, a “place for writing,” is a class for writers interested in improving their critical essay-writing skills. We will read to write and write to read. Much of our time will be occupied with writing and revising—essai means “trial” or “attempt”—as we work to create new habits and productive strategies for analytical writing.

SCRIPTORIUM: EKPHRASIS: WRITING ABOUT ART — WRI2167.01

Instructor: Camille Guthrie
Days & Time: TU,FR 10:30am-12:20pm
Credits: 4

This Scriptorium, a “place for writing,” functions as a class for writers interested in improving their critical essay-writing skills. We will read to write and write to read. Much of our time will be occupied with discussion, writing, and revising—essai means “trial” or “attempt”—as we create new habits and strategies for our analytical writing. We will write in various essay structures with the aim of developing a well-supported thesis; in addition, we will revise collaboratively, improve our research and citation skills, and study grammar and style.

Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism (with Lab) — PHY4327.01

Instructor: Tim Schroeder
Days & Time: M/Th 10:00AM-11:50AM, W 8:30AM-12:10PM (Lab)
Credits: 5

How does influence travel from one thing to another? In Newton’s mechanics of particles and forces, influences travel instantaneously across arbitrarily far distances. Newton himself felt this to be incorrect, but he did not suggest a solution to this problem of “action at a distance.” To solve this problem, we need a richer ontology: The world is made not only of particles, but also of fields. As examples of the field concept, we study the theory and applications of the electric field and the magnetic field.

Stars and Galaxies — PHY2106.01

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Days & Time: MO,TH 10:00am-11:50am
Credits: 4

All but a handful of the objects you see in the night sky are stars in our Galaxy, the Milky Way. Although we know about these stars only from studying their light, we know today that they are not just points of light, but large, gravitationally‐bound balls of plasma governed by the laws of physics. Stars, together with dust, gas, and dark matter, are found in larger structures – galaxies. In turn, galaxies, are located in even larger structures called galaxy groups and galaxy clusters.

The Physics of Light and Color — PHY2114.01

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Days & Time: TU 8:30am-12:10pm
Credits: 2

The physics of light and color initially appears simple: light is a wave and the wavelength of light determines color. While this basic physical description of light is easy to state, going deeper quickly opens up large range of questions. How do different wavelengths of light combine to make colors? How does light from different sources interfere? How does light change path when it travels through different materials? How do humans sense light both in and outside of the visible spectrum? How does our perception of color affect how we interpret our world?

The Physics of Sound — PHY2278.02

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Days & Time: TU 8:30am-12:10pm
Credits: 2

Physically, sound is simply the compression of air around us. However, this relatively simple description obscures a much richer understanding of sound. From how different sounds are generated and perceived to how different sounds can combine to make something new to how to design acoustically pleasant spaces, the physics of sound plays a key role. This course is about the fundamentals that underlie sound and is designed to serve as an introduction to those who are interested in going further.

Robotics and STEM Education: A Workshop — EDU2107.01

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Days & Time: FR 10:30am-12:20pm
Credits: 1

In this course, students will gain experience with using simple programmable robots and how they can be utilized in STEM education. The focus of this class will be on learning and designing lessons for K-12 students utilizing these robots. This class is accessible for students at all levels of computer programming experience (including none). 

Advanced Observing Projects — PHY4326.01

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Days & Time: MO 3:40pm-5:30pm
Credits: 2

Students will observe using the telescopes at Stickney Observatory for a series of astronomical observing projects. After a range of initial assigned projects designed to acquaint students with the capabilities of the observing equipment and astrophysically interesting observations, students will propose and carry out their own observing projects looking at astrophysical phenomena of interest to them. As this is a projects class, it is expected that students will be able to devote significant time (mostly at night) observing on their own or in small teams.