Discover what it takes to be a world leader in this hands-on exploration of the field of international relations. Using the major theories of international relations, you’ll find out how the international system works in an intensive, interactive exploration. You’ll learn why nations go to war and why they make peace and whether the nature of the international system is inherently hostile or inherently collaborative. Moreover, you’ll consider how countries react when new issues, threats, risks, and opportunities emerge in the international arena.

This course looks closely at the influence of social factors on the individual and on interpersonal behavior. Topics such as conformity, attitude change, person perception, interpersonal attraction, and group behavior will be discussed.  Students in this class will study the psychology of persons and their relationships with others and with groups and with society as a whole. This class will also look at macrosocial phenomena (e.g. social class) as they relate to the attitudes and behavior of individuals.   Of special concern to psychological sociologists is how to explain a variety of demographic, social, and cultural facts in terms of human social interaction. Some of the major topics in this field are social inequality, group dynamics, social change, socialization, and social identity.

Ever wonder how human insulin can be made from E.coli? Since the 1980s, biotech companies have been making medical drugs using biotechnology. These companies use living cells to produce proteins, antibodies, and nucleic acids for therapeutic purposes. This course takes students through a biotechnology “campaign” where they will transform E.coli into a green fluorescent protein factory. Students work in teams, simulating a start-up biotech company.  Teams will attempt to optimize expression of proteins, run industrial-sized fermentors, perform protein analysis and separations, and purify their own biopharmaceuticals, on time and under budget. This course focuses on the basics of recombinant DNA technology, as applied to biopharmaceutical manufacturing, in a classroom setting. Students will work through a “production campaign” including all key steps of manufacturing a protein product. Course Prerequisite: Students must complete high school biology and chemistry before enrolling in this course.

This course will explore both on and off loom fiber art process: weaving on floor looms, dyeing yarns and fabrics, felting wool, and printing methods for cloth.  Students will learn the basic techniques with an emphasis on the exploration of such concepts as transparency, texture, form, pattern, and color.

Students in this course will study monster narratives using digital humanities tools to learn how to theorize monstrosity, map monster narratives while contextualizing them culturally and historically, and re-present these narratives visually. During this course, students will read selections from Marie de France’s shape-shifter lais and beast fables along with Shakespeare’s Winter’s Tale, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and select 20th/21st century zombie and vampire short fiction along with J. K. Rowling’s beast narratives. Classes will combine critical discussion of literature with mentoring in several foundational digital humanities technologies to encourage students how to visualize narratives and integrate digital humanities data into their critical reading practices.

At the root of contemporary global environmental and social collapse is a world view and a social system based on human domination of nature and of each other. There is now a growing recognition that environmental sustainability and human well-being require a shift from the prevailing system of domination and extremism to a global consciousness and a socioeconomic system based on interdependence and partnership. In this course we examine the contribution that the teachings of the Buddha can make to this global scientific and ethical discourse and the movements for psycho-social transformation. This interdisciplinary course draws upon a broad range of fields including global political economy, sociology, philosophy, ecology and Asian Studies. The course will provide an overview of interrelated contemporary crises of climate change, economic inequality and violent conflict; introduce the ethics and basic philosophical concepts of Buddhism, such as, impermanence, interdependence, non-violence and the Middle Path: explore ecological and ‘socially engaged Buddhism’ in Asia; and engage students in the discourse and efforts for personal and collective change.

Television, film, theatre, music, sports, and fashion - it’s all entertainment. Learn the impact of messaging and why it is important.

Develop confidence and skills for effective presentations. Learn strategies of audience analysis and how to overcome stage fright, manage visual aids, and understand the power of nonverbal messages. Students will giver several speeches during this course.

How do you get the best from an actor on camera? When do you use the close-up? How should you block the scene for the greatest impact? In this active directing course refine your basic visual vocabulary and learn how to break down a script, communicate your ideas to those in front and behind the camera. You will have actors to work with and scenes that you are directing will also be produced by another director allowing you to see other directors making different decisions on how to film the scene and direct actors. Class meets with Acting for the Camera. 

What is Public Relations and why does everyone need it? Understand all aspects of the field and why having a "message" is vital. Hear from great publicists and communication experts from corporations, nonprofits, crisis firms and the political field. Past speakers have included reps from Mars Incorporated, the PR firm-Porter Novelli, Discovery Levick Communications, Neiman Marcus, USA Today, Discovery, and National Geography. Fina project involves working with a team and creating a video on an issue that is important to teens.

This course introduces you to the field of broadcast journalism and related legal, ethical, and technological issues. Develop interviewing, reporting, and writing skills. Produce a brief radio documentary or a television field report for your portfolio.

Learn to write short-form narrative film screenplays using the standard three-act Hollywood movie structure.

This program introduces students to the approaches to economic research and experimentation that make UChicago a world leader in the field.

Core Studio Concepts gives students a chance to take two classes. Carefully constructed courses address two- and three-dimensional issues of composition, form, design, mark-making and color. These non-credit courses are for beginning to intermediate ability level. Classes are held Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Butler Arts Camp is designed for students who wish to explore ALL of the arts - music, visual art, theatre, and dance - in fun, hands-on activities with Butler students. NO previous experience necessary. Our intent is to stimulate imagination and provide attainable challenges while exploring new art forms. Tuition includes snacks, T-shirt, and all materials.