Distance Learning: Arts - UniversalClass™
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UniversalClass™ - Why not learn something new today?

Arts - Online Courses

Why not learn something new today?™
All classes have been reviewed by our staff and are taught completely online by real persons dedicated to giving you personalized instruction. Enroll instantly. Start receiving instruction immediately. Achieve your educational goals now at your own convenience. Here's a list of available departments and areas of study: Arts:
  • Acting
  • Antiques
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  • Antiques and Collectibles: Start Your Business
    The Antiques Roadshow, and Treasures in your Attic along with numerous other shows have produced a groundswell of interest in antiques and collectibles. Almost everyone has hidden treasures in their home that are collecting dust and are often hidden away in the back of the closet. Savvy pickers routinely turn those dusty relics into big money. One man bought a painting at a yard sale for $25.00 and later sold it for $250,000! This course will teach you how to discern the junk from the diamonds in the rough. You will learn how to recognize valuable items even before you know exactly what they are. You will learn how to quickly research items you have found and how to find the best way to sell at a profit. This course is for those who have an interest in antiques and collectibles and recognize the value in them but don't know where to begin to cash in. Beginners in this field often make costly mistakes and it is my hope to help you avoid those as much as possible. While I do not hold regular online discussions or office hours, I am always available by email to answer your questions as you progress.
  • Art
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  • Photography Basics
    Are you tired of the pictures that have been coming out of your camera? Maybe everyone's eyes are half closed or perhaps there is always a shadow that makes everyone in the picture look like they have a beard. Maybe you want to take better pictures but just can't seem to click at the right time, in the right place to get what you want. You are not alone. So many people want to take good, memorable pictures to capture their experiences but so few feel comfortable enough with their cameras to actually make it happen on a consistent basis. What's great about Photography Basics is that its full of the stuff you've always wanted to know and there's nothing that you don't need to know. What that means is that you can have the assurance that you can go into this course with little or no knowledge of how your camera works and you'll come away with two things: Some knowledge on the actual function of your camera A lot of skills in the area of creating great photographs So if you want technical jargon thats difficult to understand, this is not the course for you. If you want quality content that shows you step by step how you can make great pictures again and again and again, this is the course you want to take. After all, why do you own your camera? Is it so you can say that you own a good camera? Or is it because you want to take great pictures? If you are ready to start clicking your way to unforgettable pictures, c lick here to begin!
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  • Body Art 1 Face Painting
    Learn the basics of theatrical makeup application and safety, and get fully illustrated guides on how to create some cute and some very dramatic looks. We'll cover changing the appearance of the face itself, various animal faces, and many other designs including rave and tribal. Step by step illustrations and text will assure that even if you're not the greatest artist normally, you'll be able to create stunning designs that will amaze your friends. You can use the skills you'll learn in this course in fairs or parties, or for theater or dance. Come on in and join up. It'll be fun and maybe even profitable.
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  • Drawing for Beginners
    Lessons in this course are designed for all types of students. No previous art classes are needed or required to take this class. Students will learn how to draw anything from beautiful scenery to portraiture. Beginning with the basics of drawing psychology, you will learn different tips and techniques to perfect your drawing style. Learn how the brain affects drawing styles, and how to set the mood for a drawing atmosphere. Students will also learn one, two, and three point perspective drawings. The lessons and assignments are designed to create fast and noticeably amazing improvements in the student's drawing ability. All you need is pencil, paper, and a few hours of practice for your childlike drawings to become beautiful artwork in as little as 5 weeks.
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  • Elementary Art-Teaching It
    This is a Beginners Elementary Art Course. You will teach your young student at your own speed. You will read the lessons, explain them, and print out the lesson activities for your students. They will have many opportunities to learn and practice the use of the art basic theories and techniques. The student will first learn the basics and practice them to set a solid base for later learning. This course carries the same information about the beginner mediums of art, as a first full year of elementary art classes would. However, it is at your own speed, and you will follow the links to extra resources. As Artists use many different techniques, materials and supplies to produce their works of art, your student will learn the basic ones here too. Each student will develop their creative skills as they continue to gather knowledge on how to draw, and create art projects. Your student will experience creative freedom, and even you can learn to distinguish the fear of drawing with these basic techniques. I will begin with Why Study Arts and the required National Standards Covered. After that are Lines and Shapes, calming your drawing fears, using Graph Drawing, Pencil Practice, Tracing, abstracts and much more. Don't forget to get your FREE ART CATALOGUES (included in this course) as they carry over 1000 pages of art supplies you will need in years to come.
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  • Family, DayCare, and Senior Portrait Photography
    If you have an interest in opening your own photography studio or an on location family photography business, this is the course you should be taking! The class will give you step-by-step information so you can start a profitable business photographing families, photographing daycare and preschools, and taking those teen senior portraits. Not only will your work be critiqued by a photographer who has her own photo business, she will tell you how to make those special old-time prints plus give you tips for photographing awesome children's portraits. You will also learn to create your own unique alternative backgrounds and photo studio sets for the lucrative market of 'senior portrait' photography. So if this is something you always wanted to try, but were a little fearful, this stress-free self-paced course will be just the place to start.
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  • Figure Drawing
    In this class students will learn how to create accurate and realistic renderings of the human figure. We will explore techniques and methods used to achieve depth, proportion, and balance. This class is intended for anybody who is interested in learning how to draw the human figure correctly and improving their drawing abilities. It is ideal to have some knowledge of the fundamentals of drawing for this course, but all students will come out of the class with a clear and simple understanding on how to create lifelike drawings of the human figure.
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  • Graphics Design With Paint Shop Pro X
    Do you love art and want to know how make your own images into computer graphics? If you can click a mouse, you will need this course!!! All computers use graphics! Graphics Design With Paint Shop Pro X takes you through the basics of creating stunning computer graphics with Paint Shop Pro. Custom computer graphics are used for programming, to create eye-catching web pages and even to make your own signatures in emails. Create easy images to slide effortlessly into popular HTML code. Screenshots allows you to see exactly where to click along with where everything is to make nice one of a kind images. Step-by-Step tutorials will led you through using the various tools in Paint Shop Pro, applying different effects, creating custom textures, using patterns along with tips and handy tutorial links that are so very popular. Corel's Paint Shop Pro is available as a shareware download at www.corel.com . There is a link included with the first Lesson that you can download and install it (requires Windows XP or 2000). There are people actually ADDICTED to the graphics program Paint Shop Pro X! This course will teach you why along with how to put your art into graphics for the computer!!!
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  • How To Paint Landscape/Seascape
    This course teaches you how to paint two scenes. The Tropical Beach scene teaches you how to create a pretty sky, water, sandy beach, grasses, palm tree, distant islands, and a cute sail boat. The Countryside scene teaches you how to paint an autumn sky, barns, meadows, winding path, and pretty flower clusters. Taking this course will have you painting your own creative landscapes or seascapes in no time.You do not need painting experience to take this course. The instructor teaches you the components, one stroke at a time. Learning from home is a safe and private environment, and the instructor is with you all the way! You learn at your own pace! What are you waiting for? Learn a fun new hobby today and give this class a try!
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  • Knitting Basics
    This course is designed to teach the basics of knitting - including those knitters that might need a little refresher course. Whether you have just a little or no knowledge of knitting - this course is for you. Seven lessons provide history, discussion of the tools and how to read and understand patterns and color charts. There are four projects in all - including three designed just for the beginner! The fourth project carries you through three lessons adding to your abilities with each new chapter. This allows you to build your skills and to learn more than just the basics. After the basics are addressed and you feel comfortable with knit and purl, the final three lessons teach the knitter how to add color and texture through varied yarn and stitch instructions. The course is arranged to use simple tasks to improve your newly acquired or refreshed skill set. They are easy to understand and easy to replicate. Pictures are provided along with step by step written explanations. Consistent knitting lingo is used to throughout, so there is no need to re-learn your lessons each time. This makes it easier and more fun for you to learn to knit. Learn from the best in just a few days you will be ready to tackle all kinds of new knitting adventures.
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  • One Stroke Painting - The Basics
    GET STARTED WITH THE BASICS! This course is the best course to get you started in the One Stroke technique, whether you are right-handed or left-handed. Simple, basic strokes are taught in this course, including many tips and hints of using these basic strokes to paint many designs as seen in the One Stroke books, by Donna Dewberry. The One Stroke technique uses only a few basic strokes for all the designs and this course is geared to getting you started using the foundation strokes. You will learn about brushes, paints, daisies, one stroke leaves, heart leaves, rosebuds, calyxes, wisteria, foliage, five-petal flowers, butterflies, bees, vines, bird nests, eggs, and curlicues as well as completed designs that you can use for many projects. You will learn how to use cardstock to construct pins that you can wear, with your unique designs. Painting surfaces are endless. This course will give you the pictures, stroke guides, written instructions and feedback from Joan to learn the basic strokes. Joan Waff, OSCI (One Stroke Certified Instructor), will take you step-by-step through all the basic strokes to painting independence. Once you learn a few basic strokes, you will be ready to share your creativity with the world. You will get many websites to visit for supplies, painting surfaces, and organizations to join. Today is the day for you to jump in and learn a new hobby that will enrich your life and others for the rest of your life. You can view more course samples by clicking on the website below, and then clicking on course samples. http://www.joanwaffcreativedesigns.com
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  • One Stroke Painting - The Basics II
    This is a One Stroke Adaptation class that takes you beyond what was in the Basics class. This class teaches more basics of one stroke painting which includes contemporary designs. Students will be learning different round brush strokes, new flat brush designs, fun filbert brush designs, easy angles brush designs, as well as painting with cotton swabs and sponges. Students learn round brush bell flowers, daisies, violets, leaves, and bees, as well as complete designs. Students learn flat brush mini flowers, orchids, geraniums, leaves, and complete designs. Students learn filbert brush hyacinths, irises and a gorgeous daisy bouquet, along with complete designs. Students learn beautiful angle brush roses that will surprise and delight you!
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  • One Stroke Painting for the Holidays
    The One Stroke painting technique is the hottest form of decorative painting. Everyone can learn this easy and relaxing painting style. Joan Waff, OSCI, (One Stroke Certified Instructor), will be there every step of the way. Let's get started! You will be having fun in this course. You will be learning bunnies, heart leaves, grass, patriotic designs, cornucopia with grapes, plums, apples, pears, and fruit leaves, as well as pumpkins, pumpkin bears, snowmen, santa, bears, trees, wreaths, poinsettias, berries, bows, holiday dogs and cats as well as completed designs. You will spread happiness to everyone through your painting creativity. Everyone loves to receive painted items. You can give sets of cards, bags, or boxes for gifts. People love having their own painted cards, bags, and boxes to use for their gift packaging. Giving cookies in a hand painted cardboard box is rewarding and personal. You will enjoy adding decorations to your memory pages from your scrapbook, as well as painting on a photo box or album cover. Painting surfaces are endless. Painting is self-expression that can spread joy and happiness to everyone that receives it. What is so nice about this in-home art study, is that you don't need lots of room to paint and there are endless surfaces that you can use. All you need is a small table and a chair. Painting in apartments or condos is no problem at all. Added in this course are many websites for you to browse for your painting surfaces. You can use one or two elements learned for simple designs too. The creative possibilities are endless. The Folk Art paint is easily attainable and economical to use. Let's get ready for the upcoming holidays ! For more course samples, click on the link below, and then click on 'course samples'. http://www.joanwaffcreativedesigns.com
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  • One Stroke Painting of Animals, Birds, Bugs, and more
    One Stroke decorative painting technique is sweeping the nation. You will learn about brushes, paints, surfaces, bluebirds, hummingbirds, nests, vines, feathers, leaves, moss, curliques, sheep, baby chicks and plaid designs as well as mice, sunflowers, ladybugs, turtles, wildflowers, fancy butterflies, frogs, festive happy flowers and big bees, and complete designs. This course will give you the tools, tutorials, and guidance to execute these painting strokes. Joan Waff, OSCI (One Stroke Certified Instructor), will take you through step-by-step all the different elements of this course. Once you learn a few simple techniques, you will be ready to share your creativity with the world. You will get many websites to visit for supplies, painting surfaces, and organizations. Today is the day for you to jump in and learn a new hobby that will enrich your life and others for the rest of your life. Learning in-home art is a great way to learn to paint in the privacy of your home. You do not need lots of space, only a small table and chair will do. Let's start painting! For more course samples, click on the link below, and then click on 'course samples'. http://www.joanwaffcreativedesigns.com
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  • One Stroke Painting of Beautiful Roses
    The 'One Stroke' painting technique is sweeping the nation. This is now the most popular form of decorative painting for all who want to learn to paint. Donna Dewberry created the 'One Stroke' technique. The 'One Stroke' technique has millions of people painting, the fun and easy way. They are getting projects done for gifts, charities, peers, family, and marketing. In this course, Joan will take you step-by-step in learning this exciting and easy painting method. This is so convenient for in-home art study. Joan is a 'Certified One Stroke Instructor' (OSCI), being certified by Donna Dewberry. You will be learning the cabbage rose, rosebuds, small flowers, wisteria, all kinds of leaves, watermelons, vines, as well as original designs by Joan, such as the cat and dog sitting on a fence. Each lesson will have painted stroke guides, as well as written instructions, and complete designs, which can be printed for your use. The lessons are designed for your convenience in learning painting online. Joan will be paying careful attention to your comments and questions and will help you all the way to painting independence. After learning the elements, you will be able to paint gorgeous designs on bags, cards, scrapbook pages, photo boxes and albums, clothing, wood, walls, and furniture. Many people, who have never painted before, are amazed at their results. These people are now enriching their lives with their new hobby. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking this fun course. This class is an exciting class on color, design, creativity, imagination, relaxation, and fun .
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  • One Stroke Painting of Birthday Flowers
    One Stroke painting is the hottest form of decorative painting today. Millions are enjoying this fast and easy way to create many unique designs, one stroke at a time. In this course, Joan will take you step-by-step in learning this exciting and easy painting method. This is so convenient for in-home art study and learning at your own pace. Joan is a 'Certified One Stroke Instructor' (OSCI). What better way to give happiness to others, than painting birthday flowers for all your friends, family, and peers? Birthday flowers are a great way to share your talent with the world. You will learn the flowers for each month: January Carnation, February Violet, March Jonquil (or Daffodil), April Sweet Pea, May Lily of the Valley, June Rose, July Larkspur, August Gladiolus, September Aster, October Marigold, November Chrysanthemum, and December Narcissus, as well as the leaves for each flower. Each lesson will have painted stroke guides, as well as written instructions, and complete designs for you to print and use for your convenience. The lessons are designed for your enjoyment in learning painting online. Joan will be paying careful attention to your comments and questions and will help you all the way to painting independence. Joan has incorporated many websites, for you to browse in for your supply needs, as well as information and organizations to join for painting. A new world awaits you. It is just a click away. Many people, who have never painted before, are amazed at their results. These people are now enriching their lives with their new hobby. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain, by taking this fun course. This class is an exciting class on color, design, creativity, imagination, relaxation, and fun . For more course samples, click on the link below, and then click on 'course samples'. http://www.joanwaffcreativedesigns.com
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  • One Stroke Painting of Brush Lettering
    Monogramming is a great personal hobby. Many people are enjoying monogrammed letter writing, either with pens or brushes. Scroll brush lettering gives you the capability to personalize many items and give many gifts. The Calligraphy-Brush Lettering course teaches you brush lettering, one stroke at a time. This course will give you the tools, tutorials, and guidance to execute these brush lettering strokes. Each letter is broken down into easy-to-learn parts, and then the complete letter is done. You do not need painting experience to do brush lettering. Young and old can learn brush lettering. Once you learn beautiful brush letters, you will be ready to share your creativity with the world through gifts, bazaars, craft shops, craft shows, home decor, and organizations. You will be able to paint letters on cards, stationary, bags, memory pages in your scrapbooks, photo albums covers, clothing, walls, wood, frames, lunch bags, and many other surfaces. You will also get many websites to visit for supplies and painting surfaces. Today is the day for you to jump in and learn a new hobby that will enrich your life and others for the rest of your life. Learning at home and at your own pace is what this course is all about. Joan is there for you everyday!
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  • One Stroke Painting of Floral Bouquets
    Fern Design This One Stroke Floral Bouquet course will show you how to create many types of floral bouquet paintings. You will learn how to create vertical shaped, c-shaped, L-shaped, arc shaped, and round shaped floral compositions. You will learn how to paint daisies, roses, peonies, magnolias, dome thistles, tulips, poppies, chrysanthemums, pansies, baby's breath, ferns, dragonflies, many leaf variations, as well as complete floral designs. Joan will take you step-by-step teaching each simple stroke, using her stroke guides and written instructions. Joan's written instructions are written as if Joan is standing next to you in class. You will have many interactions with her through your assignments. This course is taking your on a floral journey, while learning to paint simple flowers, that you can share with the world. Now is the time to get started on a new painting hobby that will last the rest of your life!
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  • One Stroke Painting of Fruits and Veggies
    One Stroke decorative painting technique is sweeping the nation. In this course, you will be motivated, inspired, and enriched to learn this easy decorative painting. You will learn about brushes, paints, surfaces, apples, blossoms, leaves, strawberries, garlics, tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, radishes, green onions, as well as completed designs for many projects. You will learn how to use cardstock to construct pins that you can wear, with your unique designs, and construct decorations to be used on bags and boxes for gift packaging. Everyone loves to receive cards and hand-painted bags, as well as pots, mugs, stemware, and jars. You can decorate the memory pages to your scrapbook, as well as decorate an album cover or photo box. Painting surfaces are endless. This course will give you the tools, tutorials, and guidance to execute these painting strokes. Young and old can learn One Stroke. Joan Waff, OSCI (One Stroke Certified Instructor), and certified by Donna Dewberry, will take you through step-by-step through all the different elements to painting independence. Once you learn a few simple techniques, you will be ready to share your creativity with the world through gifts, bazaars, craft shops, craft shows, home decor, and organizations. Many people prefer in-home art study programs because working at their own pace is easy to fit into anyone's lifestyles and schedule. A table and chair in a corner is all you need. You will also get many websites to visit for supplies, painting surfaces, and organizations. Today is the day for you to jump in and learn a new hobby that will enrich your life and others for the rest of your life. Let's start painting! You can view more course samples by clicking on the website below, and then clicking on class samples. http://www.joanwaffcreativedesigns.com
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  • One Stroke Painting of Gorgeous Flowers and Ribbons with Angle and Filbert Brushes
    One Stroke decorative painting technique is sweeping the nation. In this course, you will be motivated, inspired, and enriched to learn this easy decorative painting. You will learn about angle, filbert, round and flat brushes, paints, surfaces, irises, hyacinths, tulips, roses, half roses, leaves, background foliage, string bows, ribbons, vines, limbs, and twigs, as well as completed designs that you can use for many projects. Having the choice of brushes will enable you to create even more dramatic designs having varying results. You will learn how to use cardstock to construct pins that you can wear, with your unique designs. This course will give you the tools, tutorials, and guidance to execute these painting strokes. Joan Waff, OSCI (One Stroke Certified Instructor), will take you through step-by-step through all the different elements to painting independence. Once you learn a few simple techniques, you will be ready to share your creativity with the world. You will also get many websites to visit for supplies, painting surfaces, and organizations. Today is the day for you to jump in and learn a new hobby that will enrich your life and others for the rest of your life. You do not need to leave home for this in-home art study. You will learn in the privacy of your home and at your own pace, which can fit into any schedule. Let's start painting! You can view more course samples by clicking on the website below, and then clicking on course samples. http://www.joanwaffcreativedesigns.com
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  • One Stroke Painting of Scruffy Brush Designs
    This course is focusing on uses of the scruffy brush, along with other brushes. The scruffy brush designs are Joan's originals, some of which have been published in The Stroking Edge Magazine. The One Stroke decorative painting technique is sweeping the nation. In this course, you will be motivated, inspired, and enriched to learn this easy decorative painting. You will learn about brushes, paints, surfaces, guardian angels, scruffy cats, dogs, and bears, scruffy flowers, scruffy Santa, holiday tree, holly, and wreath, wiggle leaves, one stroke leaves, ferns, grass, foliage, fences, string bows, and flower shapes, as well as completed designs that you can use for many projects. You will also be given Joan's original cardstock pin construction, as well as other cutout uses. Cardstock is an excellent painting surface. Everyone loves to receive cards and hand-painted bags. You can decorate the memory pages to your scrapbook, as well as paint on the album cover and photo box. Painting surfaces are endless. This course will give you the tools, tutorials, and guidance to execute these painting strokes. Joan Waff, OSCI (One Stroke Certified Instructor), and certified by Donna Dewberry in June, 2002, will take you through step-by-step all the different elements of this course. Once you learn a few simple techniques, you will be ready to share your creativity with the world through gifts, bazaars, craft shops, craft shows, home decor, and organizations. Included are websites to visit for supplies, painting surfaces, and organizations. Learning in-home art is an alternative to learning in the privacy of your home. You only need a small table and chair to paint. Today is the day for you to jump in and learn a new hobby that will enrich your life and others for the rest of your life. Let's start painting! For more course samples, click on the link below, and then click on 'course samples'. http://www.joanwaffcreativedesigns.com
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  • One Stroke Painting of Seasonal Flowers
    This is an exciting course of One Stroke painting, teaching flowers from the seasons and much more. Students see still-life pictures of strokes, while Joan is painting, as well as written instuctions. Students learn Spring hyacinths, trumpets, azaleas, violets; Summer hibiscus, waterlilys, birds of paradise, and geraniums; Fall hydrangeas, dahlias, petunias, and daisies; Winter pansies, chrysanthemums, poinsettias, and carnations. Students learn parrots, dragonflies, butterflies, and bees to enhance their floral paintings.
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  • One Stroke Painting of Vibrant Flowers, Fall Leaves, and more
    One Stroke decorative painting technique is sweeping the nation. In this course, you will be motivated, inspired, and enriched to learn this easy decorative painting. In this course, you will learn adorable daisies, all types of leaves, cute bees, colorful pansies, and beautiful wildroses with leaves. You will also learn completed designs that you can use for many projects. Everyone loves to receive cards and hand-painted bags. This course will give you the tools, tutorials, and guidance to execute these painting strokes. Young and old can learn One Stroke. In this course, Joan Waff, OSCI (One Stroke Certified Instructor), will take you through step-by-step all the different elements of this course. Once you learn a few simple techniques, you will be ready to share your creativity with the world through gifts, bazaars, craft shops, craft shows, home decor, and organizations. You will be able to paint on cards, stationary, bags, memory pages in your scrapbooks, photo albums covers, pots, clothing, straw hats, golf hats, walls, wood, frames, lunch bags, and many other surfaces. You will get many websites to visit for supplies, painting surfaces, and organizations to join. Today is the day for you to jump in and learn a new hobby that will enrich your life and others for the rest of your life. Let's start painting! Learning at in-home art at your own pace is what this course is all about. Joan is there for you everyday!
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  • One Stroke Painting on Glass, Mugs, and more
    One Stroke painting is the hottest form of decorative painting today. Painting on glass and ceramics is now a very popular surface, and the course gives you many to choose from. Painting with Folk Art enamels are easy. You will learn dramatic wildflowers, perky daisies, gorgeous leaves, curliques, apples, berries, bumblebees, dragonflies, beautiful roses, and rosebuds. People love receiving mugs, candle dishes, and ivy bowls. You will enjoy painting on many surfaces. In this course, Joan will take you step-by-step in learning this exciting and easy painting method. This is so convenient for in-home art study and learning is at your own pace. Each lesson will have painted stroke guides, as well as written instructions, and complete designs for you to print and use for your convenience. The lessons are designed for your enjoyment in learning painting online. Joan will be paying careful attention to your comments and questions and will help you all the way to painting independence. Joan has incorporated many websites, for you to browse in for your supply needs, as well as information and organizations to join for painting. For more course samples, click on the link below, and then click on 'course samples'. http://www.joanwaffcreativedesigns.com
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  • Paranormal Investigation 201
    This course is designed to take the student beyond the basic level of ghost-busting by offering suggestions and information that will assist those who are seriously interested in investigating paranormal phenomenon. The course will cover the basics of spiritual contact as well as technical tools available for ghost identification. A primary focus of the course is gaining an understanding and awareness of after-life theories, and methods to attain the personal transformation necessary to become a more sensitive and perceptive to the energies we are seeking to understand. As you proceed through the course you will learn that there is much more to ghost-hunting than what we see on television. There are different types of ghosts, different types of haunting and a way to approach the spirit world that will make them more receptive to your presence. That has to do with you becoming more receptive to them! When you complete this course you may have a different attitude, and will surely be better informed about ghostly activities and what they mean. You will even learn ways you might be able to help spirits who are not happy with being stuck in our world. Fun, fascinating and informative, this course is sure to advance your ghost-hunting hobby.
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  • Photography 201- Including Digital Process & Film Developing
    This course offers advanced photographic instruction. For those who understand the basics of photography, this course will teach you intermediate photography skills. You will learn the four basic problems of pro photography and how to overcome each. There are also creative lessons on black and white portrait photography, photographing models for profit and their portfolios and composite cards, editorial photography, developing your own b/w and color prints, advanced lighting, commercial, press and digital photography and finally, putting together your own professional photographers portfolio and setting up your own at home or studio photography business. Free downloads pertinent to operating a portrait studio are given including photo imaging and editing, bookkeeping, accounting, order and invoicing record-keeping. Student will also prepare photographs and submit them for personal critique by the instructor. This advanced course is for the serious beginner, intermediate or professional photographer needing to further study the art and science of photography. Join this course in conjuction with any of the photography courses here on Universal Class.
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  • Scenic Scenes Painting Course
    Scenic Scenes is a new exciting course for learning simple scenes, one step at a time! This course has 10 easy scenes that will have you painting fun designs, including landscapes, seascapes, seasonal scapes, beachscapes, and more! You will be learning how to create forests, stone bridges, vases of flowers, a girl at a beach, a whimsical farm, and much more. Besides learning scenes, you will be learning simple color mixing as well. This gives you much more options for your paints! Each scene has many different elements that you learn, like grass, water, sea oats, trees, riverbanks, bridges, floral shapes, spattering with a toothbrush, backgrounds, shadows, mountains, snow, sand dunes, distant sailboats, carrot people, and so much more. Small canvas art is now the rage, and you can use any subject you learn and create your own canvases to market for profits, gifts, and sharing. You can earn a potential income! You can market your paintings in online sites, gift shops, craft shows, and word-of-mouth!
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  • Scrapbooking 101
    More people every year are discovering the joy of scrapbooking to capture memories and create unique family and friend albums to keep and share. In this comprehensive guide to scrapbooking, the beginner will learn how to start her scrapbooking hobby without being overwhelmed. Everything from choosing the right supplies to get started to tips for journaling effectively is included in chapters that reflect the wide variety of scrapbooking styles and themes popular today. Scrapbooking 101 also includes a reference section with helpful advice on designing interesting lay-outs, developing an artistic eye and the story-telling aspects of scrapbooking. Original project suggestions are included as well as advice on how to make the time to enjoy your hobby properly. A resource guide with links to online scrapbooking sites that offer support, supplies and networking opportunities gives everyone from the beginner to the most advanced scrapbooker the opportunity to learn more.
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  • Wedding Crafts and Projects
    Make the wedding day an even more memorable occasion for the bride, the groom and guests by handcrafting all or parts of the bridal event. Wedding crafts are such a fun, creative and unique way to personalize a wedding and also to involve friends and loved ones in the preparations. This wedding crafts course presents interesting and entertaining wedding history to help you plan and organize wedding accessories. Course lessons will include inspiration plus designs for paper crafts, floral crafts, favors, bridal party gifts, scrapbooking and more. Wording and layout instructions are given along with sample finished projects to further inspire the wedding crafter. You can invite family and friends to help with the work, adding to the fun and excitement of the big day or do it all yourself. Wedding planners will also benefit from our creative ideas. We're certain this crafting course will be a fun and exciting addition to your wedding planning.
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  • Wedding Photography and Planning
    This photography course will cover the art and science of wedding photography. In this course you will learn how to prepare and present a beautiful wedding album from start to finish, wedding checklists, and how to design low-cost decorations for weddings. This course will also include information on how to open a portrait studio, how to get clients with free advertising and promotions, how to get and keep track of clients in a new or existing portrait. For this course you will need an automatic 35mm camera with an on-camera flash or a simple digital camera for submitting photo's. (for further information refer to the course syllabus)
  • Art History
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  • Exploring Impressionism
    Paris: A Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte, 1877 Do you enjoy paintings by the French Impressionists, but would like to understand them better? In this eight-week course you'll learn about the culture, style, painters, and major works of the Impressionist movement. Explore the lives and paintings of Manet, Sisley, Pissaro, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cassatt, and Morisot. Visit the websites of museums around the world, observe Impressionist works, and write your responses to them. Let this class expand your knowledge and appreciation of this beloved art style.
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  • Modernism Art History (1850-1940)
    You do not need to be an art critic or scholar to be able to study art history. Art history has an aesthetic value, which means the beauty and meaning is in the eyes of the beholder. This course is designed to lead you through the art movements within modernism, the artists involved in the art movements, bring new perspectives into your life, and in the end you will have the knowledge to critic and appreciate art works from the modernism period. The goal of each lesson of this course is to learn the elements, styles, and techniques of the modernist artists in several styles that are with the modernist art movement.
  • Arts and Crafts
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  • Soap Making 101
    Learn how to make your own soap in our self-paced online course. If you've always wanted to try different soap-making recipes, create your own signature items for personal use, for gifts or for profit, or just learn about what goes into making a soap, this class is for you! With or without any experience you will learn the foundations of soap making: the history behind the craft; basic melt and pour techniques, popular cold-process methods; how to create your own recipes (using a simple set formula); how to create signature soaps, basic aromatherapy, special soaps and what to do when your recipes need a little fine tuning. Best of all the course has video demonstrations of the soap-making techniques as well as photos, step-by-step instructions and your instructor will not only be grading quizzes and assignments but is available through our class email to answer questions. Handmade things are springing up everywhere -- in stores, boutiques, as take out food and in health care items. People are returning to the retro feeling of home made from home decor to high end, custom embellished clothing to homey foods. Soap can be a big part of this retro trend. Take advantage of this marketing trend and profit from your tiny investment in this class. Soap making is actually easy. The lessons provide recipes for soaps in several lessons. They have been tested. You can use them as is or, at completion of the course, feel confident about personalizing the recipes to make them your own. Included are marketing ideas to get you thinking about how to name, how to make them special with your package and styling and how to price them for both wholesale and retail applications. Learn a new creative 'art'! Try Soap Making today!
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Bible Studies
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  • World Religions 101
    World Religions 101 provides a clear and concise introduction to the major world religions. You'll learn about the people, places, practices and philosophies shaping today's events. Some religions might be familiar, some strange and some you may never have heard about but why not discover karma, nirvana, yin and yang and the Holy Trinity? Although many of us think of religion as a belief system practiced through faith, obedience, prayer and worship, you'll find that some religions are more than just a belief in a deity, but an entire philosophy and way of life. Explore the religions that have shaped history, civilizations and your next door neighbors views. You will learn about the founders, the history and essential teachings of each of these major religions: Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, and Taoism, plus brief descriptions of other religions and religious practices. Why not join this self-paced course and learn about the diverse spiritual paths humanity has taken? Everyone is welcome!
  • Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies
  • Classics
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  • Greek Mythology
    Do you feel totally clueless when it comes to Greek Mythology? Do you often say to yourself: It's all Greek to me? You were supposed to learn this stuff in school but classical mythology isn't really taught anymore in elementary or secondary schools. This basic self-paced course can help. Greek Mythology will give you an overview of the huge collection of stories explaining the creation of the world and the lives of the gods, goddesses, heroes and heroines. The scope of the Greek myths is astounding. Starting with the birth of the world, through bloody wars like Troy and Thebes , heroic acts of Hercules and childish pranks by Hermes, and the touching stories of mother love in Demeter and Persephone. Greek myths have passionate love stories, adventure stories, superhuman tales, fairy tales, magical stories, tales of gods and monsters and beasts and stories of witchcraft and sorcery. We've inherited these myths in the form of art and literature. It's really entertaining to discover them.
  • Creative Writing
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  • Breaking Into the Freelance Greeting Card Market
    Fun, easy course in greeting card writing - and you don't need to be funny! We all have great ideas but if they're not submitted in the proper form, it's the same as having no idea at all. And the proper form is easy. Maybe you'd like the extra income $$$$$$$ . I'll show you how I have added a sweet side income to my life. I'll share with you my experience in this field learned in over 35 years writing greeting card text. Everything you need to know will be presented within this course. I'll give you honest feedback on your ideas marketability. I'm always available by email and interested in your success. One student made $75 for TWO words on a post-it note: When's recess? The company added a picture of a frazzled looking teacher and sent him a $75 check! When's the last time you made $37.50 per word? That check could have been YOURS.
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  • Creative Writing 101
    'Creative Energy-Flow and the Written Word' is an attempt to capture what cannot be held in hand or thought--the elusive riddle of human creativity as we find it in our writing. Here we look at various forms and genres (books, dramas and plays, poetry, essays, film-writing, stories in general, etc.) as they relate to the creative impulse. We also talk about the Writer's Voice and personality, writing as therapy, illusions about writing, legend and mythos, and other areas where a creative writer may find inspiration, advice or enlightening conjecture. This self-paced course is offered to writers everywhere with hat-in-hand, for what it may be worth. Test and review questions, and also lesson exercises are included at the end of each lesson to build mastery.
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  • Creative Writing Workshop
    Do you dream of writing poetry, short stories, or novels? Have you ever watched a movie or a play and felt the desire to write a script of your own? Or have you already done some writing but want to find ways to bring more creativity, more originality, to your writing? Have you ever read a so-so novel or seen a lousy movie and told yourself, I bet I could do better? Do you find yourself excited and intrigued by words, and by their sounds and meanings? If you said yes to any of these questions, then this course is for you. A creative writer makes art just as a painter or sculptor does, but with different tools. Instead of brushes, canvas, and pigments, the writer uses words. While the painter produces a painting we can see in front of us, the writer makes magic of a different sort. With a simple palette of letters and punctuation - just lines and symbols scratched on paper or scattered on a computer screen - the writer can create pictures and even entire worlds within a reader's mind. There are many forms of creative writing, from fiction, to poetry, to stage play and screenplay. Within each form there are countless genres and flavors. As a writer, you can (and should) try your hand at as many forms as you like, or you can specialize in one. There are techniques and practices that are common to all forms of creative writing, and we will discuss those here. We will also touch on the challenges and techniques that make writing in the different forms unique. Throughout this course, you will find numerous exercises designed to get your brain - and your hand - moving.
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  • Freelance Writing 101
    If you have ever dreamed of being a freelance writer this course is for you. Get started today learning about this exciting field and in no time you can be on your way to earning a living, extra income, and more, by doing something that you love – writing! Chock-full of all the inside information you need to understand the career field and be successful in it, this course can teach you what freelancing writing is, how much you can expect to make, how to find markets, creating successful queries, what to do once you get an assignment, and how to market your skills. You will also learn some of the tools of the trade that will help you be successful, such as how to build a portfolio, where to get ideas and topics from, common writing rules that are outdated, and various ways you can increase your earnings as a writer. This course will not only give you a look at everything you need to know to become a freelance writer, but when you finish, you will be ready to put what you learn into action to build a freelance writing career. Whether you would like to freelance on a full time basis, do it to supplement your current income, or learn freelance writing skills to get your product or service noticed, this is the place to start!
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  • How to Write a Short Story 101
    If you're a reader and thought you might like to try your hand at short story writing but just don't know how to get started, this course will help! We'll take you through the entire process…preparing your mind, getting ideas on paper, and help you through the editing and proofing process. You'll learn new skills, and find new ways to express yourself. As you advance through this course, you're going to learn the correct way to write a short story. More than that, you're going to learn the aspects of every good short story as well as learn how to create your own wonderful works! Amateur short story writers try to write their stories like miniature novels. Their stories read as either an excerpt or a condensed novel. Unfortunately, undisciplined writers do not write short stories that are complete. They overlook the fundamentals--such as--what sets the short story apart from a novel, and why one can never be substituted for the other. This course will show you how to write effectively and creatively. So join us today! And let's write some short stories that people will want to read!
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  • How to Write Short Stories for Children 101
    Do you long to write but feel like you're too busy? Writing for children can be the answer. Children's stories are generally far shorter and simpler than stories for adults. You can draft an 800 word children's story during a couple of lunch hours or during your child's nap times. Many noted children's authors started writing in short bursts when their own young children were sleeping or playing nearby. Writing for children is by no means easy, however. Children's book and magazine editors expect well developed characters, engaging plots, and vivid description, all in a very small package. Good children's writers learn to make every word count. Communicating effectively with kids means using language they can understand but not talking down to them, and this is easier said than done. In this course, we will look at the elements that go into an effective children's story, from initial idea to finished manuscript. If you've always wanted to write but don't know where to start, we'll cover that too. And once you have a few good stories under your belt, you'll want to find publishing outlets for them. We'll go over the basics of submitting to publishers and even of publishing books yourself. Writing stories for children can be a fascinating hobby or a challenging career. You can write for your own kids, or publish stories and books that will reach thousands of eager readers. Either way, you will gain the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of children who hear or read your words.
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  • Humor Writing 101
    Humor Writing There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you. (Will Rogers) Laughing- the salve of the soul. When we feel at our lowest sometimes the only thing that can turn our mood around and lift us up is a good hearty laugh. The comedy capers of some people can at times save our sanity. We envy those who can readily laugh and even more so those people that can make others laugh. This course will help you join this group, by covering things such as the advantages of keeping your humor in flow, how to guarantee laughs, the power of shock value, the importance of preparation and humor as a group effort -- and that's all just for starters! Writing- when we think back to the things that have moved us deeply, that have stirred us emotionally, many of those have been pieces of writing. It takes skill to create a piece of writing, one word after another, one sentence after another and put it together in such a way that people really want to read it. During this course you'll not only be given advice on how to write, but what not to write, how to market your material in a way that gives you the best possible chance of establishing a continuing comedy writing career and some tips you can utilize to assist you in writing good humor. This course is not like many others, in that it is not exercise after exercise and so-called hot tips guaranteeing to give you instant writing success, there is no such thing. What it will do for you is give you the best possible advice on how to build a solid foundation for your humor writing future, i.e. a career in writing that lasts!
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  • Journaling and Memoir Writing 101
    It doesn't matter if you're a famous politician, suburban homemaker or someone in between, the fact of the matter is that everyone has a personal story worth telling. Whether you want to honor someone who's made a difference in your life, heal old wounds, document unique experiences or travels, record your family history, or leave a legacy to future generations, Journaling and Memoir Writing is a comprehensive step-by-step guide that will demystify the process of finally putting your story on paper. No matter if you're a novice or a professional writer interested in the memoir form, Journaling and Memoir Writing is designed to help you decide what story to tell and the best way in which to tell it. Whether you are interested in writing a memoir exploring your personal struggles such as addiction, abuse or divorce or a travelogue based on your experience backpacking through Europe, this course will help you narrow the focus of your life story and define the underlying theme that will connect you with an audience. You will also learn how to find your true voice that will make your story unique and authentic. Through varied and comprehensive writing exercises you will learn how to sharpen your instincts and hone your storytelling craft. Journaling and Memoir Writing will also teach you how to dig deeper into your life and mine important memories that will enable you add incredible depth and richness to your story. In addition to the extensive writing lessons, you will learn what to do with your memoir once it is finished. Whether your goal is pass on your memoir as a family heirloom or to become a New York Times best seller, Journaling and Memoir Writing will address the various publishing options available to you. Everyone has a story to tell. Let this online class help you write yours today.
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  • Novel Writing 101
    From character and plot-conflict development to infusing a unique style and specialized writing techniques, the steps to writing a novel--while not utterly impossible--do require a dedicated, disciplined approach. By committing to the steps outlined within this course, aspiring (and even experienced) novelists can find the structure they need to create a well-crafted manuscript, one they will be proud to shop to potential agents and publishers. While some creative types may balk at the idea of adhering to a framework, the truth is that following such guidelines actually frees up writers to focus on the genesis and flow of ideas as opposed to be bogged down by the myriad of format and publishing style particulars. That is why we have provided you with insights into how, from start to finish, you can develop the varying elements of your novel: characters, plotlines, setting, tone, conflict, climax, and resolution\denouement. Labeled as dramatic construction, every novel ought to have a foundation in these basic principles. Plus, we will help take you one step further by offering you the specifics as to what is required to submit your completed work to potential agents and publishers. With an end goal in mind, this will help inspire you to actually finish your novel. Outfitted with both practical and creative writers' tools, there is no reason you can not successfully write a novel and get it published. If indeed you are truly committed and willing to invest the necessary time and effort to put your literary skills to the test, there should be nothing, absolutely nothing, stopping you from producing memorable prose.
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  • Poetry 101: The Way We Word
    An introduction to the tools of poetry: imagery, metaphor, sound, rhythm, rhyme, and form. By the end of the course, students should have a clear understanding of what makes a poem a poem, as well as a handful of new poems that they have written. Through a series of six lessons, we will hit upon the essential tools for creating a poem: imagery, metaphor, sound, rhythm, rhyme, and form. Each lesson expands upon the previous lesson to show the interconnectivity of these essential tools, but each one also looks at the tool in and of itself. In the process, we will look at how these tools are used in various poems, by means of definitions, explanations, and examples. The focus is not on poetic terms, but on processes; while designed for the beginning poet, the course would also be a good brush-up for intermediate and even advanced poets. Lesson by lesson, you will then apply these tools to poems of your own creation through assignments. So that we can all learn from each other, these original poems will be posted and workshopped, meaning not only will you write poems, but you will comment on others' poems. Similarly, you will receive feedback from others on your own poems. Think of the workshop aspect as one of constructive criticism, a means of creative revision, of growing as a poet.
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  • Poetry Writing 101
    This poetry course is created for the lover of poetry who wants to learn how to appreciate the art even more. It is also for student poets who want to improve their craft. This course is thorough in teaching all students everything they need to know about reading, interpreting, and writing poetry. This course is a must-take for any budding poet out there who wants to hone their skills and learn to write high quality, great poetry that others will appreciate. Through various assignments and essays, each student will learn to do the following: Determine and understand the meanings of poems. Recognize and utilize the devices used in writing poetry. Understand the theory and history of poetry to strengthen their skills and appreciation. Write different types of poetry. Become a skilled, knowledgeable poet or lover of the art. Identify different types of poetry. Create a chapbook suitable for publication. And much more. Poetry is a verbal art form that requires both understanding and appreciation to master. Simply reading a few poems and having their meanings explained to you is not nearly enough to fully appreciate poetry – or to become a great poet. That is why this course will provide each student with a great deal of lessons, explanations, essays and assignments to deepen understanding and apply what has been learned.
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  • Poetry Writing Basics
    Have you ever admired the rhythm and rhymes of famous poets such as Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson? Have you ever wanted to express your ideas in sharp, concise language? Have you ever wanted to express your feelings to friends or loved ones, or create a special poem for an event or gathering? If so, then this Poetry Writing Basics class is right for you. In this class, we will be looking at the basic tools of poetry, such as imagery, metaphor, concrete language, rhythm, and description, as well as different schools of contemporary poetry. We will be using assignment prompts and model poems to help you to write your own poetry and come up with ideas for future work. For this class, a basic interest in poetry and proficiency in English is required.
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  • Screenwriting 101
    This is a basic, nuts-and-bolts course, for people who wish to write screenplays, but don't know much about it. Because screenwriting is demanding both technically and in the market for jobs and sales, 'Getting Into The Screenwriting Game to Win' attempts to go through each essential aspect needed for a beginner to get started, stick with it, and yes, make a sale or get a job. In this course you will learn basic rules and skills. There's no excuse for a poorly formatted script, you're really only wasting your time. Traditional three-act structure for film-stores can be debated endlessly, but it works, it's very functional, it's fairly easy to understand, and you can't neglect at least a passing familiarity with this mode of expression for your stories. Get in touch with the industry, the markets, what's selling, where to find opportunities, how to deal with people. Approach your work standards and work environment seriously, because you'll be spending a lot of time there. If you get a deal, don't get screwed for careless anticipation of the money involved, and if you get screwed, don't be surprised. And remember that if you can't make it to the top and win an Oscar for some super-big film you wrote, it's still a wonderful way to make a buck at your computer doing smaller gigs and 'for-hire' work. Screenwriting is also therapy. It's good for you, and your imagination and thoughts will develop wonderfully as you work through each visualization---but be sensitive to the audience, don't exploit our world with endless images of violence and gore (at least not without a reason), and don't hop in bed with unethical projects or money-sources just because you can. It's a wild world for films and film-makers---stay on the bright side and keep it safe and legal. The hope is that for the beginner, this course presents a working knowledge of what is needed to get started writing screenplays in a realistic and informed way. Beyond this, you're now free to roam where no screenwriter has gone before---and what a wonder it is to wonder.
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  • Writing the Great American Short Story
    A pair of hands on the keyboard, a blank screen, and a single wish: You want to write the Great American Short Story! You've read many of them -- Poe's Black Cat, Cheever's Enormous Radio, Welty's The Worn Path -- but have you come close to writing a tale that lingers with readers after the last page is turned? In this class, you will gain the inspiration and the discipline to write a short story of 1000 to 8000 words. We will use examples from all genres, exploring the techniques of plot, style, flow, voice and tone that will make your fiction sing. This close reading of master works is accompanied by tried and true methods for putting words on the page, revising, and handling criticism from others. One thing's for sure: Your stories are ready to tell themselves to you. And, if all goes well enough, they'll tell themselves to the world as well. So, are you ready to start writing?
  • Creativity
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  • Basic Sewing: Learn To Sew Like A Pro
    Basic sewing is an introduction to sewing techniques beginning with fabric preparation and constructing garments using commercial patterns. The basic skills you will learn in this course will be utilized in your own garment sewing projects. You will learn how to straighten and block fabric and proper pressing techniques which are first and foremost in constructing garments and you will learn the different seam finishes required to neaten seams. You will learn to use commercial patterns in child's size to perfect your techniques. In addition you will learn the under construction that is necessary to give garments that professional appearance. Come join this class and see that sewing is very rewarding. Sewing takes some patience and only through practice do you improve, this course will provide this practice and you will be on your way to sew professionally looking garments that you will proudly wear!! * This course does require the use of a sewing machine along with the ability to thread sewing machine, thread bobbin, adjust stitch tension, sew forward, reverse and zig-zag stitches.
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  • Finding Your Animal Teachers
    Have you ever wondered why certain birds keep following you around? Have you ever asked yourself why some animals keep showing up in your life? Why do some people like dogs, and you only prefer cats? The answer is simple: Animals of the Heart with you always stay, Animals of the Road come with you part of the way. This course will teach you how to find your personal animal teachers, and work with them. Learn more about their lives and gifts. Become empowered through friendship with your personal animals. Find out what animals are your life companions and teachers.
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  • Soap Making 101
    Learn how to make your own soap in our self-paced online course. If you've always wanted to try different soap-making recipes, create your own signature items for personal use, for gifts or for profit, or just learn about what goes into making a soap, this class is for you! With or without any experience you will learn the foundations of soap making: the history behind the craft; basic melt and pour techniques, popular cold-process methods; how to create your own recipes (using a simple set formula); how to create signature soaps, basic aromatherapy, special soaps and what to do when your recipes need a little fine tuning. Best of all the course has video demonstrations of the soap-making techniques as well as photos, step-by-step instructions and your instructor will not only be grading quizzes and assignments but is available through our class email to answer questions. Handmade things are springing up everywhere -- in stores, boutiques, as take out food and in health care items. People are returning to the retro feeling of home made from home decor to high end, custom embellished clothing to homey foods. Soap can be a big part of this retro trend. Take advantage of this marketing trend and profit from your tiny investment in this class. Soap making is actually easy. The lessons provide recipes for soaps in several lessons. They have been tested. You can use them as is or, at completion of the course, feel confident about personalizing the recipes to make them your own. Included are marketing ideas to get you thinking about how to name, how to make them special with your package and styling and how to price them for both wholesale and retail applications. Learn a new creative 'art'! Try Soap Making today!
  • Critical Thinking
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  • Essay Writing 101
    Essays are a vital part of writing, both in academic circles and in many professions. Being able to write good essays is a rare ability and those that can demonstrate a mastery of this writing form will quickly distinguish themselves from those who write poorly. In school, this can be the difference between a good or bad grade; in industry, it can mean being passed over for a promotion, creating a safety hazard, or even limiting an applicant's prospective job pool. Learning to write good essays will boost academic performance in school and college, but will also be a valuable skill in today's increasingly competitive job market. Creating concise, informative, and compelling essays can form the basis of many careers, such as authoring non-fiction books, getting into print journalism, writing legal briefs, rendering judicial opinions, or just creating some persuasive advertising text for a business. The ability to write a good essay is a foundational block that can unlock numerous opportunities. This course will examine the nature, history, and structure of essays; the various types of essays; and provide a refresher course in English grammar, focusing on the parts of speech and rules for good syntax. Furthermore, examples will be provided of both good and poor writing, as well as common mistakes to avoid when creating an essay. When completed, this course will enable the student to better understand how good essays are written and how to go about writing them for academic or professional use.
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  • Memory and Concentration Techniques
    Memory, concentration, focus, communication, problem solving and relationships all interconnect and interact to give us the information we need to function properly in the everyday world. T his course will focus on these topics and explore how memory works, factors that affect and enhance memory, strategies to improve memory, the process of concentration, ways of improving the concentration process and how different circumstances can affect one's ability to focus and concentrate effectively. Studies indicate that exercises for the brain now can decrease the risk for Alzheimer's later. Certain foods and vitamins have also been reported to increase brainpower and improve the power of memory and concentration. Find out how you can improve and maintain a healthy memory and increase concentration skills today. Topics covered include: How Memory Works Healthy Habits and Memory Peg Memory Systems The Loci Method Memorizing Numbers Mnemonics SCAD: Learning to Become an 'Expert Witness' Faces and Names Powerful Public Speaking Everyday Memory Aids Concentration and the Brain Concentration Frustration Exercising Your Brain The Sound of Music Food for Thought Concentration Barriers Concentration Helpers
  • Culinary Arts
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  • Cooking and Baking 101
    Cooking and baking are the kinds of activities that most people assume are second nature. After all, we're humans, and our most basic need is to supply ourselves with nutrition. Logically, we should just be able to get in the kitchen and make something to eat. Many people grow up watching their mothers or fathers cook; they may see them read recipes, combine ingredients, and use sauté pans. These same people often take for granted the ability to get into the kitchen and know what to do. Having an inborn ability to cook isn't guaranteed. Studies show that having a good role model in the kitchen is one of the best ways to learn how to cook and bake. However, maybe you never had the opportunity to watch someone cook. Perhaps you never had enough time to really apply yourself to the task. Maybe you're just scared of not knowing what to do. The good news is, it's never too late to start, no matter what your background may be. The most important thing to take with you into the kitchen is a basic understanding of what to do and how to do it. This course is designed to give you just that. You will learn everything from what supplies you need for getting started to reading recipes and planning meals. You will be provided with a basic understanding of what it means to be in the kitchen and sources for additional information to foster a lifetime of culinary growth!
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  • Culinary Recipes
    This course is designed to provide you with the necessary and intermediate tools for the culinary arts and helpful information and recipes for cooking several different types of foods such as appetizers, side dishes, lunch, soup, salads, meals, and crock-pot recipes. The background information, the lessons, files, links, assignments, and quizzes are set up to provide the basics for stocking your kitchen with the right utensils, equipment, and ingredients, tips and short cuts to save time in the kitchen, healthier cooking information, and intermediate level cooking recipes from my great-grandmother's restaurant.
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  • Desserts Delicious Desserts
    Have you ever wanted to be able to make those delicious desserts you have eaten at a restaurant, but do not know where to begin to even create the dessert? You will! This course is designed for people that love eating desserts and want to learn how to cook them. Simple to complex recipes are covered for the following: Brownies and Fudge; Cakes and Cheesecakes; Cobblers and Crisps; Cookies; Fruits; Ice Cream, Parfait, and Tarts Pies; Custards, Fondue, Mousse, and Puddings; and Frosting, Icing, and Toppings. Each lesson in this course is designed to provide you with the basics and intermediate tools and necessary procedures for making delicious desserts of your own. The background information, the lessons, files, links, assignments, and quizzes are set up to provide the basics for stocking your kitchen with the right utensils, equipment, ingredients, recipes, tips, and short cuts to save time in making your desserts. Most of the recipes are from my grandmother's bakery with American, French, Germany , and other International Culinary Dessert recipes included.
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  • International Cooking and Recipes
    A collection of regional and multicultural recipes, instructions, and tips. If you've never cooked before, I suggest you take Cooking Basics first, and then come back to this. You won't have to be a gourmet to get through this class, but you will work. Lessons are arranged by meals, so that your family, room mates, or dinner guests will be your vict-I-mean taste testers. This course covers a variety of recipes and styles, including waffles, bento, Italian regional dishes, advanced sandwiching including bread making and more. So come on in, and learn something new. Live webcam and voice help available for those with Yahoo Instant Messenger (YIM).
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  • International Culinary Recipes
    This course is designed to provide you with the necessary skills for intermediate and advanced culinary arts and helpful information, and recipes for cooking several different types of foods such as appetizers, side dishes, lunch, soup, salads, and international recipes such as Asian, Cajun, Chinese, French, German, Greek, India, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mediterranean, Mexican, Native American, and Thai . The background information, the lessons, files, links, assignments, and quizzes are set up to provide you with tips and short cuts to save time in the kitchen, and intermediate and advanced level cooking recipes from my great-grandmother's restaurant.
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  • Introduction to Cake Decorating
    Introduction to Cake Decorating : Why do you want to learn to make great cakes? An upcoming wedding ( you've seen what a purchased wedding cake can cost ) Did you agree to be a classroom mother and want to make special cakes for the holidays or specific units? Is there a baker in the family you're dying to out-do? Are you looking for the appeal offered by more traditional domestic skills? Are you hoping to enter a local or regional baking competition? Are you thinking of baking to earn some extra dough? Is your organization looking for new fundraising opportunities like an upper scale cake walk, perhaps? These are only a few of the reasons that may have attracted you to this course. However, whatever your motives may be, here are the skills you can look forward to gaining in the following lessons: Equipment, utensils, tools and preparations The basics of cake-baking: decorating techniques, lining your tines, working with marzipan and more Decorating your cake with butter cream icing Decorating your cake with royal icing Decorating your cake with sugar flowers Creating decorative children's cakes Holiday and celebration cakes, as well as Cake and frosting recipes When we're finished, you'll be armed with everything you need in order to create delicious decorative cake designs with the power to make mouths start watering (and other bakers go green with envy). If those are the results you're looking for, let's get started...
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  • Pie Baking 101
    Treat family and friends to a precious childhood memory by serving a mouth watering just-out-of-the-oven baked homemade pie. The step-by-step instructions presented in this course are easy to follow and understand. Beginning with a brief history of the pie world, methods to prepare the pie crust- the base of the pie- are illustrated. The Pie crust recipe is followed by easy and delicious pie recipes that are categorized under Main dish pie, Sweet pie, Fruit pie, Holiday pie, Nut pie, Ice-cream pie, and Custard pie. This course will also include website resources that provide additional and exceptional varieties of pie recipe. Topics covered include: Making meat and fish pies with recipes for Shepherds pie, Turkey Pot Pie, Beef Cottage Cheese Pie, and Salmon Pie. Making delicious vegetarian main dish pies such as Pizza Quiche, Vegetarian Pot Pie, Italian Sausage Pie, and Spinach Pie. Making Chocolate Mousse Pie, Cheesecake Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Coffee Cream Pie, and other sweet pies. Making Boston Cream Pie, Mud Pie, Wine Pie, Snicker Pie, and Yogurt Pie. Making fruit pie recipes that are perfect treat with light sugar and fat. Making Apple Pie, Strawberry Pie, Lemon Meringue Pie, Watermelon Pie, and Banana Pie. Making pies with mixed fruits such as Apple Cranberry Pie, Dense Berries Pie, etc. Making holiday pie that increases the fun of holiday celebration- such as Holiday Honey Pie, Holiday Pumpkin Cream Pie, Holiday Eggnog Pie, etc. Making nut pies Making ice-cream pies Making custard pies such as Chocolate Coconut Custard Pie, Butter Squash Custard Pie, Rhubarb custard Pie, Egg Custard Pie. By the end of this course, you will be able to prepare delightful pies with your own favorite items fruits, meat, or ice creams--and you will no longer present tasteless store-bought pie imitations to family and friends.
  • Drama & Theatre
  • English
  • English as Second Language
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  • ESL Basic Writing Skills
    Communication is vital in today's society. It is not enough to merely be able to speak and understand spoken English. In the United States, writing English is often a necessary skill in many job industries and fields. In order to develop practical writing skills, one must understand the basics of English grammar and sentence structure. Learning essential vocabulary and continually expanding knowledge is one of the best ways to succeed, both in personal and professional lives. Learning how to write English may be difficult for many individuals, and takes much practice and patience. ESL students as well as native English speakers who wish to improve their writing skills need to have a basic understanding of grammar structure, tense usage, vocabulary, and how to commit thought processes and ideas onto paper. This ESL basic writing course will help you improve your writing skills through lesson plans and samples that explain many grammatical style rules and functions in easy-to-understand examples and skill-building usage. This course will also help students learn to write natural and clear sentences, as well as help in composing personal and business letters to better increase job skills and communication. In today's modern world, increasing proficiency and clarity of the written language is fundamental in all human communication. In order to write well, you must practice concepts that involve grammatical structure, voice, style, and vocabulary usage. This course will carefully guide you through the basic structures and rules of the English language and focus on improving skills that are necessary in order to write clearly and accurately.
  • English Composition
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  • GED Preparation for the Essay
    This test prep course will focus on the basic skills necessary to successfully complete the GED essay (GED Language and Arts Writing Test Part 2). The majority of students preparing to take a GED test will often have the greatest problem with the essay exam. GED students often lack the confidence, the experience, and the skills required to write a passing essay. This course will provide each of these factors; and GED students will gain the confidence (because of course informational tips and strategies), and gain experience and skills (with the course writing essay practice and grammar review) to successfully tackle the GED essay test. This course will focus on the Essay portion of the GED exam. Other courses in this preparation series include: 10767 - GED Preparation for the Social Studies Exam 13887 - GED Preparation for the Science Exam 16033 - GED Preparation for the Math Exam 14355 - GED Preparation for the Language Arts, Writing, Part 1 -or the complete study of the GED exam- 5298 - GED Preparation
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  • GED Preparation for the Language Arts, Writing, Part 1
    This online course will prepare you to take the Language Arts, Writing Part 1 portion of the GED (General Educational Development) test. The testing format is explained and broken down to highlight just the content the Language Arts part of the exam will cover. The class will provide study resources for students including test strategies, practice tests, practical assignments and researched netlinks attached to many exam topics to be read at your own leisure. This course will also explain the role of usage, mechanics and organization in sentences, plus show you frequent sentence structure logic and typical spelling errors. This course will focus on the Language Arts, Writing, Part 1 of the GED exam. Other courses in this preparation series include: 10767 - GED Preparation for the Social Studies Exam 13887 - GED Preparation for the Science Exam 16033 - GED Preparation for the Math Exam 14175 - GED Preparation for the Essay -or the complete study of the GED exam- 5298 - GED Preparation
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  • Grammar 101
    This self-paced online course will provide a review of the grammar and writing skills necessary when taking any high school or college test, or with your everyday work-related writing and correspondence. Divided up into twelve easy-to-understand lessons, this grammar course concentrates on usage, the mechanics of a sentence, spelling, and a general review of grammatical problem areas. Each lesson focuses on frequent errors, gives examples, suggests strategies, and offers further study guides. This course is ideal for all types of students who want to get an edge on taking a high school, college, or a job related English exam and anyone wishing to update their grammar skills.
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  • Punctuation and Grammar 101
    Do you need a refresher course in basic punctuation and grammar? Is your business writing, school writing or personal writing a disaster and you're tired of stressing over mistakes? Improper grammar and punctuation is a sign for some people, right or wrong, that you may be less educated or less intelligent. Your writing reflects more about your personality than you realize: it reflects your attention to detail, your education and how you think. Even the most basic writing -- like thank-you notes and emails -- can be sabotaged by just one grammatical error. In the business world, this can give clients the impression that you aren't careful. If your work is as sloppy as your writing, you aren't the person they want to hire or promote. This self-paced course will help you learn what you need to polish your grammar and punctuation skills. Punctuation and Grammar 101 has over 13 lessons divided into two subjects which focus on grammar and punctuation topics. At the end of each lesson will be a brief quiz and/or assignment based on the lesson material. Your knowledgeable and caring instructor will review and grade all work and you can ask questions anytime. Isn't it time to finally master the critical writing skills of grammar and punctuation? So join us today. As always, you can attend this course at the times that fit your schedule. Our system requires no special software or hardware, so why not enroll today and become informed and inspired?
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  • Spelling 101
    Do you use your Spell Check on your computer obsessively? Are you afraid to write anything without a dictionary or computer spelling program? Are you receiving low grades on schoolwork because of poor spelling? Are your business emails filled with embarrassing spelling errors? Well then, it sounds like you can use this online course! Spelling 101 will help improve your spelling abilities in American English. This course will teach you how to avoid misspellings by recognizing spelling errors quickly. We'll review not only the basic rules of spelling but also the most common spelling trouble spots (commonly missed words and word patterns). We'll also discuss those tricky synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, suffixes and prefixes. This class is self-paced and practice exercises are reviewed by the instructor with feedback. You set your own learning schedule so there's no pressure. Why not learn to write error-free English, and improve your grades or help with the quality of your professional writing? So join us today, and let's improve your spelling skills.
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  • Surviving College Composition 101
    Many people are acquainted with some elements of composition, but not the necessary skills to succeed in a college level course. Why waste $200.00 - $400.00 on a college composition course and fail because then you will have to pay again to retake the course for your degree. When you can take this course for a fraction of the cost and succeed in this course and in a college composition. The focus of this course is to provide the student with the necessary skills needed to accomplish writing effective college essays.
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  • Writing Basics 101: Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, Writing Structures
    Most of us learned spelling and grammar in elementary school and brushed up on the rules occasionally in junior high or middle school. Once we entered high school, it was assumed we knew and remembered all of the essentials -- and slowly we discovered that although there were some rules we just had to look up, we simply stopped worrying about the minor details. It's time to relearn those minor details that can help you write, and read more effectively. But it's hard to fix something unless you know how it works. This self-paced, stress-free course was developed not only for students wanting to improve their basic writing skills, but also for business writers, creative writers and office staff wanting to improve poor work related writing and avoid embarrassing their boss and themselves. Our innovative course is designed as a refresher course for those who need to brush up on their skills and a reference for anyone who wants to be able to look up the rules for confusing grammatical questions quickly and easily. After you've reviewed the basic rules of grammar and spelling, you can move on to the lessons on writing style for tips on improving your sentence and paragraph structure, how to polish your writing and how to avoid common errors. And because the course is online doesn't mean that you'll be left on your own. The instructor will be grading assignments and tests and is available through email to answer questions and provide guidance. Why not join us, learn at your own pace and your own schedule and reap the benefits?
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  • Writing Improvement 101
    We know that effective writing will help students in their coursework but it's equally important to write well in the workplace. If a job interviewer is considering two qualified candidates, the candidate who can write well will have the edge. If you're interested in improving your basic writing beyond correct grammar and punctuation, this course will help you. The more you write, the more confidence you will have in your abilities as a writer. The best grammar and punctuation in the world can still produce average or even poor writing if you don't know how to use the sentences properly or which type of sentence works best to get your point across. By the same token, if you can write lyrical sentences but you string them together into paragraphs that are a tangled mess, the sense and impact of each sentence is lost. This course is designed to give students the most flexibility and independence. You set your own schedule and learn at your convenience. Just because this course is online doesn't mean you're left on your own. The instructor will be reviewing and grading assignments and is always available to answer questions through email. This course assumes you have a high school reading and writing level in English, and that you understand sentence structure, grammar and punctuation.
  • English Creative Writing
  • English Language
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  • Enhance Your Everyday Vocabulary
    Have you ever been reading a newspaper or listening to a commentary and been confronted with a word you didn't know -- like for instance, plethora ? Over the years, you've seen and heard this word 20 times but you don't quite manage to remember the definition or use the word yourself when writing or speaking. You were supposed to have learned all this vocabulary stuff in high school or college but maybe you were absent that day? Well, It's never to late to fill in some of the gaps. Increase your vocabulary at your own pace! Memorize just 10 words a day - or a week - whatever works for your schedule. In some cases it's not really memory work - it's just 'refreshing'. Amaze your business associates, family, friends, and (more importantly) yourself by enhancing your conversational skills. Not only will you avoid the embarrassment of misusing or mispronouncing words, but also with the right vocabulary you may impress others with your dexterous and inventive handling of important concepts without being considered a show-off. Plus vocabulary enrichment does wonders for your self-esteem and certainly has the added benefits of helping with crossword puzzles and Trivial Pursuit. Through these interactive lessons, which have divided up ten different words in twenty lessons, you will learn interesting and relevant vocabulary. Words used frequently by experts to describe various cultures, words used in restaurants, words used in economics and business, legal words, technology terms, psychological jargon and much more. You'll not only practice using the words in a sentence you create, you'll also be writing short paragraphs with some of the words. Although the course emphasis is on vocabulary building, you'll have the added bonus of receiving some general writing assistance. So join the class and retain some of those words you once learned and promptly forgot.
  • Film, Video & Photographic Arts
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  • Film Appreciation 101
    ' Film Appreciation for Modern Audiences' is intended as a journey through the world of film, for a sampling of the thought and accumulated critical opinion that forms the basis of the modern stature of 100 years of film-making, as art or culturally important dramatic work. If you love film, here you can learn more about the narrow-passages of film-analysis, discussion of film, the period genres and movements in film-style, and more, for an informed opinion that will hopefully make your enjoyment of the film medium deeper. This course may be useful for professionals who need to be informed and conversant about the film-industry; for the layman who wants to know as much as he can about the world of film for his personal enjoyment; or for the student, hoping to become familiar with the 'lay-of-the-land' for film-criticism. Chapters include discussions on: v How you can get real enjoyment from the films you watch, and why you should care v Early film-history v The process of film-making and how it relates to understanding the films you watch v A look at 100 years of film-styles, genres and movements v A discussion of film-psychology, and some fascinating aspects of the perception of films v A review of 'films to watch', taken in 20-year periods starting in 1900, and moving through 2007, featuring all the classics from each era v General ideas about film and art-theory as a consumer habit v Film composers to know v Film directors to know v How to get your twenty-dollar's worth at the movie-theater v New ways to enjoy film and new audience technologies v And much more
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  • Right Production, Wrong Budget: Intro to Film
    An introduction to film and video production as well as a step by step guide to making a short film. An Internet Film Course taught by a pro with experience on projects ranging from multi-million dollar budgets to absolutely no budget! The instructor, Nate Starck, is currently a producer for the highly acclaimed documentary television series Intervention. The lessons are loaded with tips and tricks from the instructor's real world production experience. Learn the theory and technique to making film and video content from conception to distribution. Use the Right Production, Wrong Budget guide, to complete a 2-4 minute short video in as little as 7 days. This guide will help you make it through your first shoestring production while utilizing the theory and techniques from the lessons (over 12 interactive lessons, 10-30 lesson hours) on filmmaking.
  • Fine Arts and Art Studies
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  • How To Make Beautiful Ukrainian Eggs
    Have fun getting ready for Easter 2009! You've seen these beautiful eggs before and probably just called them fancy Easter eggs. You'll learn the history, craft and legends of the gorgeous wax-resist process eggs (a very easy process) and about Ukraine, the area from which they originate. Ukraine is one of the 14 ex-Soviet republics. The craft is basically very simple. NO PREVIOUS ART EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY. Practice is the main ingredient. According to legend, the more eggs made in a year, the better luck you will have. Isn't that reason enough to get going on some eggs? I've written this course so if you want to follow along using only crayons, markers or colored pencils and using the print out paper eggs, you may. The basic supplies for this craft will cost approximately $10 to $15 (depending on which kit you purchase). You will learn meanings of colors and symbols appearing on the egg as well as new words to accompany your new skills. Finished eggs make beautiful gifts and sell in gift shops anywhere from $10 to $150, depending on the skill of the artist. Welcome to Ukrainian Eggs!
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  • Small Handmade Books
    If you like scrapbooking, you'll love book art! This is a fun glue and paste class. I receive many emails from students telling me the fun they're having making their own books, journals and greeting cards. Most of the supplies are around you right now. We'll work with cardboard cereal boxes and other recycled materials. Bookmaking is a great stress reliever which you'll find yourself returning to again and again. The end product is your own creation - a way of giving yourself the gift of accomplishment. During the course we will be crafting small handmade books using three fun and easy methods. I will also direct you to more sources if you would like to continue this is in the future. If you're like me, you'll be making small decorative books for gifts and for yourself every chance you get. No previous art experience is necessary . You can do this easily -- if you promise not to run with scisssors. :)
  • Foreign Languages & Literature
  • French
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  • French 101- How to Speak French (with Audio)
    This Instructional Course on How to Speak French (with audio clips) is a fast, fun, and manageable way to learn French in your own time. This guide starts at the beginning assuming you know nothing about French and walks you through, simple lesson by simple lesson, until you come out speaking about your daily routines, what you did yesterday, last year or in 1999, and what you are going to do tomorrow or in the year 2020. Along the way, you will find explanations, examples and activities that give you the building blocks to construct a base for the French language, often called the language of love. This self-paced course is designed to give you the basics in grammar and vocabulary but always focusing on the verbal aspect that allows you to communicate as soon as possible. In order to get the most out of this guide, you must actively work with it, completing the exercises, working on the activities and having fun.
  • Germanic Languages & Literatures
  • Hebrew Studies
  • Humanities
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese Studies
  • Library Science
  • Linguistics
  • Literature
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  • American Literature Review
    Reading and learning about American literature is synonymous with understanding the history and culture of a nation that has undergone dramatic social, economic, and cultural change in its relatively short history. This course is a reveiw of the literature of America and the people who made it, from earliest days to the present. Learn about the major literary movements; realism, romanticism and transcendentalism and the authors who have contributed significantly to the development of American literature in its different aspects. If you're looking for test prep or review for school or college or just interested in understanding the changes in American literature for your general educational enhancement, this course will meet your needs.
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  • Everything You Wanted to Know About Book Reviews
    This course will teach you the best places to find book reviews online. It will also cover writing book reviews and marketing them to publications. The only requirements for the course are a love of reading and decent writing skills. Thanks to the popularity of the Internet and electronic books, book reviewers are needed more than ever before. So it's good skill to have if you want to be a writer, and even if you don't want to be a professional writer, learn how to write what you want to say about your favorite book, and wow them on Amazon.com reader reviews or in your book clubs. Remember book reviewers often get free books. The instructor Niki Taylor has degrees in English and Library Science and is a freelance writer/book reviewer who has written reviews for websites and magazines. You can work at your own pace with this course. There's no set class time. Let her take you from reader to reviewer.
  • Missionary Studies & Missiology
  • Modern Languages
  • Music
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  • Guitar: Learn to Play
    Have you always wanted to learn how to play guitar? You'll be strumming in no time with this fun and informative guitar course. This non-credit course is designed for the beginner as well as the intermediate player and will explore the basic fundamentals of how to play this challenging instrument. The class will examine basic chords, strumming rhythms, finger-picking and much more. With practice, you'll eventually be able to play simple and familiar songs. No previous knowledge of guitar is necessary. Students must have a guitar in good working condition.
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  • Guitar: Learn to Play Part 2
    In Guitar: Learn to play more, you'll learn familiar strumming songs, 10 new guitar chords and how to finger-pick the chords. In addition, students will continue to develop skills through left and right hand exercises and gain speed when changing between chords by learning simple chord progressions.You'll also get detailed diagrams and audio samples of what the songs and exercises should sound like. Students will find this class to be extremely interesting, informative, challenging, and most of all fun. If you're dedicated to becoming a better guitar player, this class can make it happen! This course is designed as a continuation of Guitar: Learn to play. Before enrolling in this course, it is recommended that you take my first class. As with my first class, you won't need to know how to read music.
  • Music Education
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  • How to Play the Piano
    Have you ever started playing piano but got stumped and frustrated with the theory? Then you've come to the right class. This course introduces the keyboard skills and fundamentals you will need to become a successful pianist. It provides for a step-by-step explanation on how to play the piano. If you need help with the written theory and you want to learn more about how to read and write notes. All you need to do is to enroll in this class. This course includes activities that will help you use the musical alphabet to read and write notes on the staff, identify intervals, and write sharps and flats. Not only does this course emphasize note reading but will help you develop a keen intelligent understanding of the musical notes and alphabet. In no time you will be playing the piano or keyboard and most especially read and play any music as you appreciate it!
  • Near Eastern Studies
  • Professional Studies
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  • How To Become A Mediator: Basic Mediation Training
    Receive Mediation training and learn how to help disputing parties preserve relationships, better control outcomes, and save time and money. Mediation is a simple concept used with tremendous success by many supervisors, human resources managers, attorneys, family counselors, teachers, professionals, business and community leaders. As a professional mediator you will attain proven skills and techniques for helping people resolve their workplace, family, or business dispute with a mutually acceptable agreement. In this course you will learn how people behave when they have a conflict, and the 5-stage mediation process in which you will know what you have to do, why, when, and how throughout opening statement to the draft of a final agreement. To enroll in this class, you don't need any specific experience or education. The only requirement is your motivation to acquire practical mediation and dispute resolution skills that you can apply immediately in your professional life.
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  • Proofreading and Copyediting 101
    Become a Skilled Proofreader or Copyeditor If you're looking for a new career path or if you're a writer who wants to improve your writing skills, learning how to proofread and copyedit with our easy to follow, in-depth course, may be just what you need. Learning these specialized skills will help improve your overall writing ability and may provide a career path that is both lucrative and in high demand. In today's world, proofreaders and copyeditors are sought after not only in the corporate environment and Internet-related ventures, but also by start-up companies, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. Freelance proofreading jobs are bountiful, and many companies offer work-from-home opportunities as an additional benefit. This online course will cover: Exactly what proofreading and copyediting will entail. The tools you need to be an efficient proofreader or copyeditor. The basic skills you need to learn, taught to you in an easy-to-understand manner. Step-by-step instruction on how to proofread or copyedit. How to apply your newly learned skills. Tips to make you a professional proofreader or copyeditor with just a little practice. How to proofread and copyedit different kinds of writing such as fiction, blogs and articles. How to proofread and copyedit your own work. How to secure employment as a proofreader or copyeditor. How to start your own proofreading or copyediting business upon completion of the course. Current salary information. Practice exercises to implement your new skills. This course is designed for everyone, regardless of education, experience, or background. No matter who you are or what you want to achieve in life, gaining proofreading and copyediting skills will improve your written communications, help you think more clearly, and perhaps start you on the road to a brand new career.
  • Romance Languages
  • Scandinavian Languages
  • Scandinavian Studies
  • Spanish Studies
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  • Spanish 101 - How to Speak Spanish (with audio)
    This Instructional Guide on How to Speak Spanish (includes audio) is a fast, fun, and manageable way to learn Spanish in your own time. This online course starts at the beginning assuming you know nothing about Spanish (but I promise you already do) and walks you through, simple lesson by simple lesson, until you come out speaking about your daily routines, what you did yesterday, last year or in 1999, and what you are going to do tomorrow or in the year 2020. Along the way, you will find explanations, examples and activities that give you the building blocks to construct a base for the Spanish language that will help you speak one of the world’s most important languages.
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  • Spanish for Travelers: A Beginner's Guide
    ¡ Buen viaje ! Enjoy your trip ! The Essential Spanish for Travelers: a Beginner’s Guide (with audio clips) is a fast, fun, and manageable way to learn the Spanish you need to travel around the Spanish-speaking world. This course starts at the beginning assuming you know nothing about Spanish and takes you through, simple lesson by simple lesson, until you feel comfortable ordering food in Mexico, reserving a hotel room Costa Rica, asking for directions to the beach in southern Spain, and maybe even flirting in Argentina. This course will teach you how to ask questions, understand the answers, talk about what you did yesterday and explain what you plan to do tomorrow. Along the way you will gain essential vocabulary and hear real conversations so you can travel con confianza ( with confidence ). Throughout your journey to learning Essential Traveler’s Spanish, you will find explanations, examples and activities that provide the building blocks to construct a base for the Spanish language. Watch for the side text boxes that provide insiteful clues and hints to assist you in your learning process. Eventually you will be able to speak and understand one of the world’s most important languages. This Essential Spanish for Travelers: A Beginning Guide (with audio clips) is designed to give you the basics in grammar and vocabulary but always focusing on travel so that you can communicate on your journeys as soon as possible. All activities, examples and vocabulary lists are geared towards traveler’s needs. But be forewarned: merely reading through the course as if it were a novel will not help you reach the levels that are possible if you truly take advantage of the tool you are reading right now. In order to get the most out of this course, you must actively work with it, completing the exercises, working on the activities and having fun.
  • Visual and Performing Arts


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