Arts and entertainment courses to keep you sane this fall

Another course registration period – closing this Friday – has forced us to contemplate whether to drop a major or drop out altogether, but no worries: to assist you in considering your options, the Thresher has compiled a list of unique classes offered this fall semester.
HART 209: Beginning Digital Photography
For those looking to see the world in a new light, HART 209 introduces the fundamentals of digital photography — from capturing images to editing and printing. Students will explore visual awareness, technical skills and the continuing history of photography through hands-on practice and class discussions.
HART 209 fulfills a Distribution Group I credit and will meet from 10:50 to 12:05 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
ENGL 269: Science Fiction and the Environment
How does science fiction help us consider our relationship with nature, culture and society? ENGL 269 examines the ways sci-fi storytellers have imagined — and challenged — ideas about the environment. Students will dive into novels, films and other media to see how speculative worlds can reshape our views of the real one.
ENGL 269 fulfills a Distribution Group I credit and will meet from 9 to 9:50 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
FILM 308: Improvisation for Stage and Screen
Calling all comedy fans: FILM 308 teaches the art of comedic, long-form improv for both theater and film. Students will learn core techniques, from character work and status play to beat structuring and pattern creation, and experiment with live scenes, sketches and video recordings.
FILM 308 will meet from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
LPAP 134: Indian Dance: From Classical to Bollywood
Get moving with LPAP 134, a class that highlights Bharatanatyam, one of the oldest forms of classical Indian dance. Students will explore the history, technique and expressive storytelling at the heart of this style, along with fun Bollywood-inspired movements.
LPAP 134 will meet from 11 to 11:50 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
LPAP 137: Introduction to East Coast Swing
If you’ve ever wanted to glide across the dance floor, LPAP 137 is your chance. This course focuses on East Coast Swing — a lively partner dance featuring triple step moves, fun patterns and plenty of opportunities to develop your leading or following skills.
LPAP 137 will meet from 11 to 11:50 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
FOTO 205: Introduction to Photography
Interested in darkroom magic? FOTO 205 gives students hands-on experience with black-and-white photography, film cameras and light-sensitive materials. You’ll study the art and science of capturing images while exploring the rich legacy of photography’s past.
FOTO 205 fulfills a Distribution Group I credit and will meet from 9 to 11:50 a.m. on Tuesdays or 1 to 3:50 p.m. on Thursdays.
ARTS 225: Beginning Drawing
ARTS 225 is perfect for anyone wanting to sharpen their skills in line, tone, composition and more. Through drawing exercises in wet and dry media, students will learn to capture the world around them and develop a personal style along the way — no prior experience necessary.
ARTS 225 fulfills a Distribution Group I credit. It has two different instructors and eight sections meeting at various times.
More from The Rice Thresher

Study Abroad Photo Contest spotlights global experiences
For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, students gathered in the Ley Student Center to celebrate global experiences through photography.

Review: "The Crux" Should Redefine Djo
Joe Keery’s work has been boiled down to Steve Harrington from “Stranger Things,” but this label shouldn’t define his 10 years in the entertainment industry. Keery, under his stage name “Djo", is the voice behind the TikTok hit “End of Beginning,” which was released with his album “DECIDE” in 2022 and climbed the charts for the first time in 2024. With “The Crux”, Keery’s third album, he tries to separate his work as Djo and an actor, evidenced by the album’s visual of Keery escaping a building.

Review: “Lonely People With Power” merges blackgaze fury with dreamy introspection
Fifteen years into a storied career that’s crisscrossed the boundaries of black metal and shoegaze, Deafheaven has found a way to once again outdo themselves. “Lonely People With Power” feels like a triumphant return to the band’s blackgaze roots, fusing massive walls of guitar-driven sound with whispery dream-pop interludes, recalling their classic album trio of the 2010s (“Sunbather,” “New Bermuda” and “Ordinary Corrupt Human Love”). It also bears the learned refinements of “Infinite Granite,” the 2021 album where they dabbled more boldly in cleaner vocals and atmospheric passages.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.