CommUniversity 2015 Courses
Connecting to Local History through Archives (Sponsored by the North Dakota Humanities Council)
This course will focus on the resources available in the digital libraries of the Theodore Roosevelt Center
and the Stark County Historical Society. Topics covered will include: the basics of how a digital archive
is constructed, the kinds of materials available, and how archives can deepen an awareness of local and
family history. Special attention will be given to farming and ranching images. Participants will also have
the opportunity to create short pieces of creative writing inspired by archives. Week One: Digital
Archives—Bringing History Right to Your Computer, Week Two: The Digital Library of Theodore
Roosevelt, Week Three: Stark County Historical Society, Week Four: What Is Your Story?
Instructor: Ms. Pamela Pierce
Pamela Pierce has been involved in archives, local history, and the story of an individual place for her
entire life. In 2010, she earned a Master’s in American Studies, with a specialization in the history of
the U.S. West. Her thesis also focused on the literature and culture of the American farm. While
achieving her American Studies degree, she also taught Freshman Composition. In 2013, she earned a
Master’s in Library Science from Indiana University. Throughout her academic career, Pam has given
numerous presentations at conferences. She is currently the Digital Library Coordinator and Archivist
at the Theodore Roosevelt Center.
Understanding How to Use Social Media in Our Daily Lives: From Pinning to Tweeting and
Everything in Between
This course will focus on learning the tools of the new wave of social interaction. The course will help
students learn about blogging, twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and other forms of social media. The
purpose in doing this is to help people become more comfortable with technology and to teach them how to
focus that new technology on tasks they really want to accomplish. Week One: Social Media from A to Z,
Week Two: Symbols and Ethics (Every Word Counts), Week Three: Practice Makes Perfect, Week Four:
Practice Still Makes Perfect
Instructor: Dr. David Schreindl
Dr. David Schreindl has been teaching journalism, history, communication, and social media courses at
Dickinson State University since August 2009. He obtained his PhD in journalism from Ohio
University in 2012 with a minor in history and online news. He currently advises the production of the
school’s literary arts magazine Impressions. He was also the advisor for The Hawk, the school’s
newspaper. The newspaper has evolved from print to the social media realm.
Garden to Plate
This course will focus on the basic principles of healthy eating. We will then apply that knowledge to
gardening and cooking. What we learn about the basic principles of healthy nutrition will inform what we
choose to grow in the garden. We will then discuss how to cook what we grow. Week One: Nutrition for
Wellness, Week Two: Wellness from the Garden, Week Three: Basic Principles of Gardening, Week Four:
Recipes
Instructors: Dr. Patrick Carr and Ms. Pattie Carr
Patrick Carr has a Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Science from Montana State University and has been a crop
scientist at North Dakota State University since 1989. Pattie Carr has a master’s degree in Exercise
Physiology and is a Licensed, Registered Dietitian. She is Board Certified as a Sports Dietitian. Both
Patrick and Pattie were trained and certified through the Master Gardener Program while he attended
graduate school in Bozeman. They have experimented with various gardening methods over the years
and presently have several raised beds in their backyard where they grow herbs and vegetables.
CommUniversity 2015 Courses
Famous Criminals: Myths vs. Reality and Why We’re So Fascinated (Sponsored by the North Dakota
Humanities Council)
This course will focus on some famous criminals. In particular we will investigate the myths surrounding
these outlaws and examine how the media played a key part in creating and perpetuating such stories.
These criminals not only enjoyed their fame, but often directly engaged the media themselves to expand
their notoriety. We will also discuss the truth behind these people and why we often find them so
fascinating. Week One: The Old West Hero/Outlaw, Week Two: Jack the Ripper, Week Three:
Prohibition Bank Robbers, Week Four: John Gotti, the Teflon Don
Instructor: Dr. Holly McBee
Dr. Holly McBee earned her Ph.D. in English literature from Purdue University in 2007. She is an
associate professor of English at DSU, where she has been employed since 2008. Dr. McBee
specializes in British literature and has also team taught two learning communities that were
thematically centered around the outlaw figure. She previous taught a CommUniversity course in
2012, focusing on the vampire in literature and popular culture.
Modern German Cooking
What comes to mind when you think of German food? Bratwurst and sauerkraut? Knoepfle soup? While
these traditional menu items are most certainly enjoyed by many, German cuisine is not locked in the
past. In an attempt to alter the stereotypical image, this course will take you into the modern German
kitchen with Sabrina Breeck, an authentic German cook who is currently living in Dickinson. Week One:
Appetizers and Party Food, Week Two: Main Dishes with Meat, Week Three: Vegetarian Main Dishes,
Week Four: Pastry and German Coffee Time
Instructors: Ms. Sabrina Breeck and Ms. Dorothy Renner
Sabrina Breeck is an exchange student from North-West Germany. The Congress-Bundestag Youth
Exchange scholarship provided the opportunity for her to attend Dickinson State University and work
in a business- and accounting-related position. She enjoys sharing her culture through modern
German cooking. Dorothy Renner has been teaching German language in Dickinson schools since
1989. Sampling the variety of culinary offerings has been her focus on numerous trips to Germanspeaking countries, and she delights in attempting to re-create them in her own kitchen.
Photoshop Basics for Photographers
Adobe Photoshop has many powerful features designed specifically for photographers interested in
creating better photographs. Learn how to unleash the power of Photoshop to your advantage in this
introductory course. Students will apply technical knowledge, practical tips and creative insights to
enhance and improve photographs. The course will cover the basic workspace of Photoshop, tools,
making image corrections, crops, masks, and layers. Week One: Photoshop Foundations, Week Two: The
Mystery of Layers Revealed, Week Three: The Mystery of Masks Revealed, Week Four: Photo
Retouching Techniques
Instructor: Ms. Darla Hueske
Darla Hueske started teaching graphic design courses at Dickinson State University in 2013. A native
of Richardton, ND, Darla enjoyed a successful career as a graphic designer in corporate settings such
as American Express and international businesses. Darla is an award-winning multi-media artist. She
has been working with Adobe Photoshop for more than 20 years. Darla holds a B.S. in
Communications from Minnesota State University and an M.A. from New Mexico Highlands
University.