Artsy Craftsy
Do you enjoy arts and crafts but you are not a skilled and dedicated visual artist? Learn to work with your hands, explore, and expand your own creative and unique ideas. Get the chance to create gifts and other useful items, whether sophisticated or simple. Through a variety of experiences, work to discover your inner “craftsy” self. An art class with a “craftsy” bend.
Shark Tank
Welcome to the shark tank competition! Over the course of one week, brainstorm a product, construct a prototype, generate the advertisement, and enter the shark tank to pitch the product to investors. The competition will be fierce. Who knows? Maybe you’re the next shark!!
Sew Easy
Harness your inner designer to combine sewing and interior design! Students will learn about and operate a sewing machine as well as sew and create a garment. Additionally, students will explore interior design floor plans and learn to use basic interior design software and techniques. Enjoy the week in both the sewing room and the computer lab. It really is SEW EASY!!
History Alive!
We don’t get the more controversial, intriguing and complicated aspects of history from reading a textbook. Get into the nitty gritty and look at history under a microscope.
United States History
This course will examine the major events and turning points in our country’s history. We will explore key political, cultural, economic and social events. Areas of study will include The Revolutionary, Civil, WW1 & 2, and Cold War as well examine the Civil Rights Movement, and the Space Race. Decide which societal changes were necessary and successful and decide if these changes impact our lives today.
Screenplay Writers, Storytellers, and Songwriters, Oh My!
Students will discover the art of telling stories through the use of film, stage, or song. Examples of projects created in this class include an Introduction to Playwriting or Screenwriting, Basic Filmmaking, SNL-U where students brainstorm, create, plan, tell jokes, act, and film skits for an SNL-inspired SR DECATS-LIVE! Students work collaboratively to discover what makes a particular story, song, or film resonate and then be challenged to create an original story, film, play, or song to share with members of this minor.
Community Service
Do you find yourself thinking about the major challenges facing our world today and how you can impact the world around you today? Then, put your energy, skills, and talents to use in the Community Service Minor. Engage in helping other Dallas area agencies with community service tasks, working with friends, and earning credit towards graduation and service requirements all at the same time.
Tabletop Roleplaying Games – Beyond D&D
In this course, scholars will be able to explain the history and basic gameplay mechanics of table-top roleplaying games, create their own playable TTRPG character understand and apply probability in relation to TTRPG and analyze conflicts and situations throughout the campaign. Ultimately, they will appropriately perform in-game action as associated with their character. Take an exciting journey without ever leaving campus!
Las Vegas
What happens here, only happens here! Students will explore many different types of games involving odds including roulette. poker, blackjack, craps, horse racing, and sports. Students will learn basic rules, terminology, game variations, a variety of bets, and payouts. Students have the chance to play some of these games using casino-style equipment. Instruction will include the determination of odds using basic math skills. This class is for education, fun, and recreation – no actual wagering for money.
I’m with the Band
Just learning to play music and interested in learning more? Then, join the band! Students will experience basic and beginner guitar and drum techniques, learn a little about the history of music, gain exposure to basic recording software, and practice arranging and recording songs. Students will leave this minor ready to build on their basic band knowledge.
Games 2.0
Entertainment and fun doesn’t just happen. Lifetime sports and activities stand the test of time. Sing and play the afternoon away! Participate in Karaoke, Improv, Games, and a Ping Pong Tournament. Wield a microphone or just enjoy listening to someone sing a favorite tune. Compete in board games--some involve strategy and some use only luck. Practice horseshoes, washers, corn hole and other lawn games. Keep score over the week and see who wins the Olympics of recreation.
Rock Opera Workshop – Mandatory for all Film Majors
During the 2nd week of DECATS, ALL Film Making\Rock Opera scholars are required to take the Filmmakers' Workshop MINOR. This helps to make the final production a success, and gives scholars the opportunity to edit, improve, and "tweek" their films.
History of Film
This course gives an introduction to the more than 100-year long history of film. The course will highlight the origin of film as an art form as well as how film changed over the years to what we see in cinema today. We will focus on key actors, writers and directors and how certain films impacted society.
Serious About Science
DECATS Scientists will experience a broad spectrum of activities including proper science lab techniques, exploration of topics, and hands-on science discovery. Examples of projects created in this class include the DECATS Major Case Squad (DMCS) which focuses on crime labs and basic genetics, the creation of a breakout room for fellow investigators to solve, as well as exploration of natural disasters which include earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, and climate change. Investigate, explore and interpret.
Inquiring Minds
Why does the world work as it does today? Politics, war, rich and poor, how did we get here? Thankfully, we can answer these questions, and many more, by looking at our past. In this class, we will journey through the history of the U.S.A., discovering the things, people, places, and events that directly shaped our current lives. By the end of our time together, we will be able to understand how and why our society looks the way it does today.
To Improv or Not?
Develop expressiveness while learning to create strong characters in detailed situations. Practice the principles of improvisation. Learn and practice comedic timing.
Playing Around
Basic playwriting, character creation, story structure, dialogue, props and staging are all parts of this new minor. Scholars will create their own unique play.
Collaborative, Creative, Concepts
Future authors participate in a writer’s workshop, word games, storytelling activities and other experiences with publishing and editing.