2025 Course descriptions are here! Check out this year’s awesome variety of options!
2025 Summer Enrichment Courses are Here!
Picture This: Intro to Photography* with Dr. J.D. Swerzenski, Department of Communication & Digital Studies
What makes certain photos pop or seem dull? How do you get the lighting just right on your subject? What is the rule of thirds and how do you use it when behind the camera? In this workshop, we’ll tackle these questions by going over some of the basic principles of photography including framing, lighting, and compositional conventions. Then, using your smartphones and the campus as our backdrop, we’ll put these concepts to the test to show off your own photography skills.
Think Fast, Speak Up! The Art of Argument with Dr. Kaitlyn Haynal, Department of Communication and Digital Studies
Unlock your potential as a confident leader and compelling advocate with the power of persuasion. In this course, you will explore the fundamentals of persuasive speaking, critical thinking, and effective refutation. Through hands-on research, speechwriting, and participation in dynamic debates, you’ll learn to utilize evidence, speak with confidence, and hone the art of argument.
Parks and Civic Life with Dr. Kaitlyn Haynal, Department of Communication and Digital Studies
Parks, designed to blend human constructions of nature and culture, are often recognized as vital public spaces for civic engagement and democratic life. In this course, you will study (and visit) parks and civic life here in Fredericksburg, and around the world, to better understand how ‘sense of place’ shapes the ways we understand ourselves and each other.
COMM Play! Using Games to Learn About and Improve Communication Skills with Dr. Adria Goldman, Department of Communication and Digital Studies
This course uses a combination of self reflection, group discussion, and game play to learn about various aspects of Communication, including effective uses of verbal and nonverbal behaviors, active listening, interpersonal skills, public speaking, and small group communication. We will have a fun time playing all while learning ways to improve our Communication skills for personal, professional, and academic settings.
Pop Culture 101: A Study of Pop Culture and its Applicability in Various Fields with Dr. Adria Goldman, Department of Communication and Digital Studies
What is pop culture? How do you participate in it through production and consumption? What can we learn from it? How does it impact our identities? How can we use it in our personal and professional lives? This course will answer these questions and more as we pull in different examples of pop culture (from slang, toys, and clothing trends, to television, film, and social media) to explore how we engage with the content and how it can have implications for our lives personally, professionally, and academically.
Live From UMW! with Cartland Berg and Shannon Hauser, Digital Learning Support, and CDS
Join the production team to plan, write, and produce a live streamed studio production! You will get a crash-course in the skills and technology needed to produce a live video broadcast, then work together to develop a show that will air live on YouTube on the final day of the program. Just like Saturday Night Live, our team will develop a live studio production from the ground-up in just under a week! On Monday we’ll pitch segment ideas, then use the rest of the week to write scripts, create graphics, set up green screen backgrounds, rehearse our segments, and film short video spots. On Friday we’ll pull all these elements together to create the show that we’ll stream live on YouTube! You’ll get the chance to see what it takes to pull off a live studio production, and get some practice working with video cameras, video editing software, teleprompters, and other live broadcast equipment.
Mindblowing Monotypes, with Professor Coorain Devin, Department of Art & Art History
Printmaking changed human history and allowed us to share data, cultural information, and creativity in new ways. In this course, we will explore how this history changing media can still be relevant today using monotypes and non-toxic inks. Monotype prints are completely unique- no 2 are alike. We will experiment with various approaches to applying ink, and use layers to build up images. We will look to art history for inspiration, but explore and develop our own artist vision.
The Art of Islamic Mosaic Patterns and Colors with Professor Maysoon Al Sayed Ahmad, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
In this course, we will explore Islamic mosaics’ vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and rich cultural history. Through hands-on activities, we will create and color our own mosaics while learning about the geometry and symbolism behind this fascinating art form.
Measure, Cut, Mark, Stitch, Press with Professor Nichol Forbes, Department of Theatre & Dance
Join us in the Theatre Department’s costume shop! Learn the steps we use to turn a rectangle of fabric into a three-dimensional garment or accessory. We will be using shop tools and sewing machines to construct our own drawstring bags to keep. No sewing experience required.
Secret Languages* with Dr. Gonzalo Campos-Dintrans, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
In this course we’ll learn how secret languages/codes have helped their speakers keep information away from others, create a sense of community, and sometimes to simply have fun.
Introduction to Environmental Engineering with Professor Suzanne Nguyen, Department of Chemistry and Physics
Have you ever wondered what an environmental engineer does – or how environmental engineering is different than environmental science? In this course, you will learn the answers to those questions and apply scientific and engineering principles to hands-on design-build challenges. We will build bridges, clean water, and track pollutants as they move through the environment.
Solving Mysteries using Molecular Genetic Tools with Dr. Theresa Grana, Department of Biological Sciences
In this class we will use molecular laboratory techniques to gain a deeper understanding of the structure and function of DNA. We will explore how DNA is used in forensic evidence in solving crimes.
Gone Fishin’ with Dr. Brad Lamphere, Department of Biological Sciences
Fish species exhibit an astonishing variety of body shapes, physiology and lifestyles. In this course, we will explore that diversity as well as the ecological and evolutionary forces that drive the variations. We’ll be in the lab and in the field (well… water) so be prepared for hands-on excursions outside in nature.
Exploring Healthcare Sciences with Dr. Deborah O’Dell, Department of Biological Sciences
In this fast-paced, hands-on course, we will explore the theory and practice of healthcare. Students will learn basic health care assessment methods and investigate different healthcare careers. We’ll complete a variety of laboratory activities similar to those completed in medical labs including clinical chemical analyses and culturing bacteria.
Culinary Chemistry: Flavors and Molecular Gastronomy with Dr. Kelli Slunt, Department of Chemistry & Physics
Everyone must eat to survive, but do you ever think about the food you are eating? What gives it flavor, odor, and color? How can you create unique edible products? In this course, we will explore the science of food and molecular gastronomy.
The Science of Paint* with Professor Bridgette Dennett, Department of Theatre & Dance and Dr. Sarah Smith, Department of Chemistry & Physics
Interested in what makes one kind of paint different from another? Join professors Bridgette Dennett and Dr. Sarah Smith as we explore what makes paint… paint. In this course we will explore the chemical composition of multiple types of paint, the ways that color theory can be used to mix colors of paint, and we’ll work on creating our own forms of paint from scratch.
Polymers, Plastics, and Me* with Dr. Leanna Giancarlo, Department of Chemistry & Physics
Explore the occurrence and uses of polymers and plastics in your everyday life– including you! We’ll investigate both natural and synthetic polymers. We’ll also investigate the properties of these molecules and make some as well.
The Art of Mathematics with Dr. Debra Hydorn, Department of Mathematics
In this course participants will learn the mathematics of pattern and design. Topics include tiling the plane, fractals, and perspective. Artworks from the Mathematics Association of America Art Exhibition will be studied for mathematical content and inspiration. Participants will create their own Escher-style tessellations, fractals and/or explorations of perspective in art.
Electronic Music Production* with Dr. Michael Bratt, Department of Music
Campers will learn the fundamentals of audio production and mixing in a highly-interactive course aimed at beginners! This hands-on course is geared towards anyone with an interest in crafting electronic music. Students will engage with the fundamentals of production theory, audio recording, and live sound engineering.
Cyber Sleuths: Uncovering the Secrets of Cybersecurity with Dr. Xin-Wen Wu, Department of Computer Science
Dive into the world of cybersecurity with our hands-on sessions! Over five classes, you will explore the basics of cybersecurity through engaging activities like encryption, network scanning, and password cracking. Join us to become a cyber sleuth and learn how to protect the digital world!
EXPLORING TEACHING: Hands-on Learning: Inquiry, Project, and Problem-based Learning Across the Curriculum** with Dr. Danielle Springston College of Education
Future educators will love learning about multiple hands-on instructional strategies. In this course we’ll explore inquiry, project, and problem-based learning. Participants will engage in a project and work to develop a project of their own that could be used in their future classroom. This class is geared towards students interested in careers as teachers.
EXPLORING TEACHING: Graphic Novel Literature Circles ** with Dr. Janine Davis, College of Education
Come join our summer book club! In this course we will read and discuss a variety of highly engaging graphic novels. Students will work in multiple rounds of small groups to discuss the texts, the literary and artistic strategies used by the authors, and how these or similar texts and teaching strategies might be used in the classroom. This class is geared towards students interested in careers as teachers.
* Previously Taught Courses: These courses, denoted by an asterisk, were offered in previous summers and are designed for first-time students. Returnees are encouraged to explore different classes.
** Exploring Teaching courses may make campers eligible for tuition assistance for SEP 2025.
Choose your adventure and register for an unforgettable summer of learning at UMW!
