Massart Online: Courses

This class intends to guide students in an introductory survey of African Global Diaspora. It is a part of black Studies imposing themselves in a discipline at the crossroad on Literature, History, Literary criticism, and ideologies based on the analysis of Black life within a global Diaspora. All along the course puts a particular stress on the perception of the Black (by Blacks and others0, prejudices accumulated all along history, the Diaspora in time, their identities, racism, artistry, underdevelopment, and creeds.

Algebra is introduced in a context relevant to adults working as artists and designers. Data sets from practical applications are used to develop a numeric, verbal, graphic and symbolic understanding of linear, quadratic and exponential functional relationships. Applications include use of data sets by artists, design of parabolic devices, motion graphics, tumor growth, pollution decay, and financial issues such as taxation, bank interest and credit card debt. Custom software is used to explain algebra in an interactive visual way particularly suited for visual thinkers, and commercial spreadsheet software is used for processing and graphing data.transplants, and bacteria as miniature vats for chemical manufacture. The course explores business and bioethical
decisions about product development and human privacy.

An examination of the importance of shape, or form, to biological function. Students explore selected examples at several levels of organization (molecule, cell, individual, community) in a variety of organisms (viruses, bacteria, plants, fungi, invertebrate and vertebrate animals, embryos and mature forms.) The course seeks to increase knowledge of biology and compare biological and artistic form and function.An examination of the coordinated functioning of the most familiar of organisms, the human body. Topics include structure and function of systems, tissues and cells, macromolecules, and the progression through development and aging. Students consider the nature of experimental evidence, evaluate popular claims, and explore bioethical issues in health and disease.

This course presents art produced in different parts of Africa, but concentrates on Central Africa. It discusses the understanding of symmetry versus asymmetry, and the use of color, wood, rocks, stones, iron, feathers, clothes, and other media in the production of artifacts. The class also teaches interpretation procedures, showing how religion, philosophy, and culture participate in artistry.