From Past to Future, Continuing Studies Courses Cover It All

From Past to Future, Continuing Studies Courses Cover It All

BY DAVID KAPLAN
Rice News Staff

Rice is a leader in nanoscience and nanotechnology—research that may profoundly change the world.

Here is a perfect opportunity to learn more about these exciting fields: This spring the School of Continuing Studies will offer “Thinking Small: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Your Future.” The course will feature nine experts, including Nobel Prize-winning Richard Smalley, the Gene and Norman Hackerman Professor of Chemistry and professor of physics.

“Thinking Small” is just one of many courses being offered by Continuing Studies. Registrations are now being accepted for noncredit enrichment courses, career development programs, foreign language classes and technical training. Most classes begin mid- to late February.

Says John Margrave, the E.D. Butcher Professor of Chemistry, who suggested and helped organize the “Thinking Small” course and will speak, “Nanoscience is at the forefront of research in chemistry, physics, materials science, medicine and computer technology and should be of great importance in our future.” Margrave says the course will provide strong background information for the lay person.

Another fascinating spring course will be “Ancient Treasures, New Understandings: Rediscovering China’s Glorious Past.” The course will be in conjunction with a spectacular Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFA), exhibit, “The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology: Celebrated Discoveries from the People’s Republic of China,” on display Feb. 13 through May 7 and featuring artifacts excavated over the past few decades.

Says Richard Smith, professor of history, who will give four of the talks: “I will try to place the material in a broad historical and cultural context, showing that the archaeological discoveries on display at the MFA have fundamentally altered our understanding of early Chinese history. What these artifacts show is that the evolution of the entity we call ‘China’ and the development of ‘Chinese’ culture involved far more complexity, regional diversity and outside influence than previously recognized.”

Other general interest courses include:

“Dean’s Series: Focus on the Social Sciences,” featuring outstanding Rice professors from psychology, political science, economics, anthropology and sociology, who will share their research findings and expertise. Robert Stein, the dean of the School of Social Science, will give the first talk.
“Buddhism in Ideas and Experience,” taught by Anne Klein, professor of religious studies, and Buddhist scholar Harvey Aronson, will provide an introduction to the central issues and people in the Buddhist tradition, with special focus on how meditation is related to Asian philosophy, art and the lives of revered Buddhist practitioners.

“Kremlin Gold: 1,000 Years of Russian Gems and Jewels,” will be held in conjunction with a spring Houston Museum of Natural Science exhibition of the same name. The exhibit will showcase a collection of 130 secular and religious works never before been seen in America. The magnificent objects shed light on Russian culture and history from the 11th to the 12th century. Gale Stokes, the Mary Gibbs Jones Professor and chair of the Department of History, will be among the speakers.
Continuing Studies is also offering courses in studio art and photography, gardening, wine, home design and more.

The Rice University Foreign Language Program is offering noncredit, conversational classes in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Russian.

Career development offerings include courses on writing on the job and effective public speaking. Professional training classes include courses on computer-aided design and object-oriented software design and human resource management.

For a spring catalog or to register call the School of Continuing Studies at (713) 348-4803, ext. 535. Call (713) 348-4019 for information on language courses. The e-mail address is <scs@rice.edu>. Course descriptions can be found on the university’s Web site, Rice Info, at http://scs.rice.edu.