Architecture surrounds us.  Each night, we go to sleep inside structures that were at some point designed by an architect who carefully plotted out the positions of the windows and the locations of the doors.  We work in offices drawn up for efficiency and function.  And sometimes, perhaps more rarely, we look out and see a building that stands as particularly noticeable among the rest.  Some architect, perhaps recently, perhaps hundreds of years ago, drew up the noticeable building and the rest, hoping for just that response.

Frank Lloyd Wright's "Fallingwater" is considered an architectural masterpiece.

Architects do more than just draw nice pictures of buildings.  They are often responsible for the overall feel of a structure– its livability or usability, considerations that can make a house feel more like a genuine home.  Architects can be involved in selecting details as minute as individual pieces of furniture and as large as the layout of an entire city.  Top architects have a tremendous impact on the day to day lives of their fellow human beings.

If you find architecture interesting, there’s some courses on Fatminds that can give you some further insight into the profession.  Let’s take a look at them.

Here’s a free course offered through MIT’s OpenCourseWare program:

Selected Topics in Architecture: Architecture from 1750 to Present
MIT OpenCourseWare, online only, free
This class is a general study of modern architecture as a response to important technological, cultural, environmental, aesthetic, and theoretical challenges after the European Enlightenment. It focuses on the theoretical, historiographic, and design approaches to architectural problems encountered in the age of industrial and post-industrial expansion across the globe, with specific attention to the dominance of European modernism in setting the agenda for the discourse of a global modernity at large. It explores modern architectural history through thematic exposition rather than as a simple chronological succession of ideas.

This course at Cornell is offered in the summer, but keep it on your calendar — it looks pretty interesting:

Introduction to Architecture: Design Studio
Cornell, classroom only, $3,165
Designed to introduce students to ideas, principles, and methods of solving architectural problems in a studio setting. Through a graduated sequence of exercises culminating in a major semester project, students explore the architectural concepts of space, form, function, and technology. Instruction is via highly personalized critiques of individual student work by assigned department faculty members, as well as periodic reviews of the group by invited faculty and guest critics. The grade is based on the overall performance in the studio with special emphasis on the quality of a major studio project.

The Great Pyramid of Giza rises sharply from the Egyptian sand, the four corners of its base intersecting 481 feet above the desert floor.  For thousands of years, it was the tallest man-made structure on earth, and today stands as one of the wonders of the world.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

But how was it built?  The pyramid is constructed of enormous stone blocks, some of which weigh as much as 80 tons.  How were these blocks transported and moved into place with such tremendous precision?

If questions like these pique your interest, you might want to look into the broader field of archaeology. Mention archaeology to many people and the first image that will come to mind will be that of Indiana Jones, running from boulders or dodging traps in some great and ancient temple.  While archaeology might not be quite so glamorous as the movies lead one to believe, it’s still a field that’s really interesting in its own right.

At heart, archaeology is the study of past human society.  Archaeologists examine tools, buildings, and other physical remains to determine how people lived in past cultures.  It’s a meticulous process.  Archaeological digs can take years or even decades, but to the researchers involved, the details that can be learned (and the history that can be revised) makes the whole thing worthwhile.

If you’re interested in learning more about Archaeology, there’s some great courses on Fatminds. Let’s take a look at them.

Introduction to Archaeology
University of Colorado at Boulder, online only, $978
Discusses history, basic concepts, techniques, and theoretical construction of archaeological field and laboratory investigations, as well as a general outline of world prehistory.

If you prefer classroom learning, look into this course offered by Northwestern:

Archaeology: Unearthing Society
Northwestern University, classroom only, $1,430
This course is an introduction to anthropological archaeology and world prehistory. The course begins with an overview of the archaeological methods and theory that guide modern archaeological research. We will then explore specific case studies in human prehistory including human evolution, populations shifts and migrations, the origins of agriculture, and the rise of social inequality, political hierarchies, urbanism, and states.

Assumption College also has an online Archaeology course:

Archaeology
Assumption College, online only, $885
A survey of the field of archaeology, including these topics: the history and goals of archaeology; methods for recovering, dating, preserving, analyzing, and interpreting archaeological data; and the contributions of archaeology to a study of the past. May include sections on the archaeology of New England, the archaeology of foraging societies, and the origins of agriculture. 

You probably take photographs pretty frequently.  Nearly everybody nowadays carries around a smartphone, or at least a phone with an integrated camera.  We use these cameras to document our lives — at lunch meets, family events, parties, and more.  Maybe, though, you’ve wanted to go a little deeper into the world of photography.

Learn how to take striking photos with classes in photography.

Done right, photography is an art, requiring careful preparation and immense skill to produce great results.  The best photographers have both talent and tremendous experience in selecting just the right angles, locations, and camera setups, which produces striking final photos.  The smallest change in one of these factors can transform a lifeless, dull image into a photo that immediately catches one’s eye.

If you want to learn how to create outstanding photos, Fatminds has some courses you should definitely take a look at.  Some universities even offer convenient online-only photo courses that you can take right from your own home.  Let’s take a look at a few of the options out there.

Discover Digital Photography
Cal State Bakersfield, online only, $99
Discover Digital Photography provides an introduction to the fascinating technology that has catapulted the photographic world into the 21st century. You’ll explore a broad overview of the basics of digital photography, equipment, software, the digital darkroom, printing, using photos on the Internet and with e-mail, along with commercial and personal applications. You’ll learn how to decide what equipment and software is best for your personal digital photography needs, what you can do with digital photography after you’ve taken the pictures, and what you can expect to invest.

Below is a somewhat more advanced course from Northwestern.  This class will bring you up from the fundamentals of traditional film work, which may provide a more solid foundation for your later photographic exploits.  You’ll have to be in the Chicago area, though, as classes are held on Northwestern’s campus.

Introduction to Photography
Northwestern University, classroom only, $1,430
Introduction to photographic equipment, materials, and processes. Extensive darkroom instruction emphasizing high-quality black-and-white printing and creative darkroom control. Classroom discussion and lectures exploring the aesthetics of camera vision. No previous studio experience necessary. Bring camera (35-mm operable with automatic settings off) and one roll of Tri-X black-and-white 36-exposure film to first class. 

If you’re on a tighter budget, MIT’s free OpenCourseWare program has a photography offering.  Take a look:

Introduction to Photography and Related Media
MIT OpenCourseWare, online only, free
This course provides practical instruction in the fundamentals of analog and digital SLR and medium/large format camera operation, film exposure and development, black and white darkroom techniques, digital imaging, and studio lighting. This semester we will explore the MIT Department ofBrain and Cognitive Sciences for our theme- and site-specific term project, which provides opportunities to develop technical skills and experimental photographic techniques, and for personal artistic exploration.  

A little while ago, I wrote an article about becoming a film editor.  Film editing really is a great job.  Who wouldn’t like to work with movies all day?  What if, though, you’d prefer to be in front of the camera — be the face on the screen?

Acting is a pretty great job if you can get it.  You’ll get paid to look good and speak well and pretend that you’re in some far away fantastic place.  Sometimes, even, you might actually be in those exotic locations!

Acting might be the best job out there — which is why competition for serious acting jobs is so fierce.  Huge numbers of people head out to Hollywood all the time to pursue dreams of getting into the field.  A lot of them never make it, but the rewards for those who do are tremendous.

Acting doesn’t have to be confined to the movies, though: actors perform everywhere from the local streetcorner to stage productions to television commercials.

If you have an interest in acting, you might want to pursue classes to get yourself a foothold in the field.  You can even take them just for fun!  We’ve got a few courses on Fatminds, so take a look:

Here’s a pretty good introductory course offered by Harvard:

Introduction to Acting
Harvard University, classroom only, $1,150
Through individual and group exercises, monologues, improvisations, and scene studies, this workshop, eclectic in method, helps students develop their acting potential and sharpen their skills in interpreting scripts. Students are expected to keep journals of their work. Previous theater study is not required. 

If you’re more experienced, Harvard has another course that might be better for you, although you must audition for entry.

Advanced Acting
Harvard University, classroom only, $1,150
This course is an action-based acting class centered on scene study and audition monologue work. The focus is on learning and refining a practical acting process that can then be tailored for each individual actor. This process can effectively be used for acting in film, television, and on stage. The class also focuses on audition technique and helping actors find audition material that works for them. Prerequisite: audition. Registered students must bring a contemporary two-minute monologue to the first class. The instructor will determine who is in the class after the first day of audition monologues. 

For a more intensive program located right in the middle of the film capital of the world, take a look at this offering from UCLA:

Certificate in Acting
UCLA, classroom only, $7,200
This certificate program is designed for those who want to pursue an acting career in film, television, commercials and digital media. After taking a series of foundation courses, students hone their performance, auditioning, and improvisation skills under the guidance of acting professionals. Students have ample opportunity to perform in front of the camera and learn the practical business skills needed to succeed in the industry. 

You’ve probably come across one of the many crime shows on TV.  They’re impossible to miss — serious looking detectives investigate some crime or another, a high-tech lab examines and extracts data from the evidence at hand, and an upstanding prosecutor finally helps put the criminals away.  It’s all slick and easy and every case is solved in an hour (or maybe two, if it’s a special).  This formula has been used in shows like CSI, Law & Order, and many others.  These shows are always entertaining, but aren’t always quite so accurate.

Have you ever considered learning more about how the criminal justice system really works? If you do a little research, you might find that there are actually some pretty well-compensated careers in the field, too.

Criminal Justice is a pretty broad field, though, so we should probably narrow it down some. Fatminds has a whole bunch of classes in a variety of areas relating to the justice system.  I’ve chosen a few of them here.

If you’re more interested in the law aspect of things, you might want to take a look at this UC Berkeley online course on Paralegal Criminal Law:

Paralegal Criminal Law
UC Berkeley Extension, online only, $875
Learn how to assist a criminal attorney as a paralegal. You study substantive and procedural criminal law and learn to identify the elements of and defenses against criminal charges. You learn about levels of criminal intent, the rationale of criminal law, the purpose of criminal punishment, and the role that the U.S. Constitution plays in the criminal justice system.

University of Massachussetts also has a pretty interesting class that focuses broadly on criminal justice:

Administration of Criminal Justice
UMass, online only, $1,590
An examination of the administration of federal, state and local criminal justice agencies in the United States, including a focus on criminal law and procedure. 

For class with a different angle, try this online course in Criminology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.  This class focuses on why criminals behave the way they do, which is always an interesting subject:

Criminology
University of Colorado, Boulder, online only, $978
Scientific study of criminal behavior with special attention to development of criminal law, definition of crime, causes of law violation, and methods of controlling criminal behavior. 

UMass has a very similar online course called Criminal Mind and Behavior that you might want to check out as well.

Click on a link — any link.  A second or less later, a new page loads with your requested content.  Easy.  Behind the scenes, though, things aren’t so simple.

Sort out computer networks by working as a network engineer.

Every day, a tremendous amount of information is routed around the internet.  This information passes through a variety of switches, hubs, servers, and other equipment before it reaches its final destination — your computer.  That link request is likely traveling almost instantaneously through dozens or hundreds of devices, producing a response from the remote host, whose data then in turn travels through another dozen or hundred devices on its way back to you, the user.  What often seems to be a simple and instantaneous process, then, is actually long and quite complex.

On a smaller scale, the local network in an office operates in much the same way.  Large offices often have numerous switching devices and several servers that shuffle data between many different computers.  This data must be delivered seamlessly, and to do this, all of the networking hardware must be properly configured and monitored.  This is the job of network technicians and engineers.

Network engineers can make a lot of money.  According to indeed.com, the average salary for network engineer job postings is $91,000.  That’s pretty impressive.  In order to become a network engineer, though, you’ll need a lot of background knowledge.  Here at Fatminds, we’ve got a few programs in our catalog to help you acquire what you’ll need to start down this career path.

For an introduction, check out this affordable course offered online by Framingham State:

Introduction to Networking
Framingham State University, online only, $89
Introduction to Networking explains computer networking basics in terms that you can easily understand, using concepts common to everyday, non-computing experience. A brief introduction to networking history provides context, explaining how networks have become so important to businesses and individuals. The course emphasizes networking fundamentals, explaining the software and hardware that makes networking possible. The course stresses understanding how and why networks work, rather than focusing on memorization of terms or numbers. 

 Stanford also has a (much more expensive) course on networking:

Introduction to Computer Networking
Stanford University, online only, $1,150
Structure and components of computer networks, packet switching, layer architectures—Applications: web/http, voice-over-IP, p2p file sharing and socket programming—Reliable transport: TCP/IP, reliable transfer, flow control, and congestion control—The network layer: names and addresses, routing—Local area networks: ethernet and switches—Wireless networks and network security…

For a more advanced certification course, look into this program offered by Rutgers:

COMPTIA Network+
Rutgers University, online only, $1,595
This nationally recognized CompTIA Network+ online course and certification training program is the worldwide standard of competency for professionals with nine months experience in networking support or administration. The Network+ certification validates technical competency in networking administration and support. The primary objective of the Network+ program is to prepare students for CompTIATM certification. The Network+ designation is offered by CompTIATM as a certification of the holder’s proficiency in configuring and operating a variety of industry-standard network products. 

A few weeks ago, I discussed some introductory music classes available via Fatminds.  Today, I’m going to concentrate on some courses that focus on that oft-favorite instrument of the college student, the guitar.

The guitar has a certain allure in American culture, especially.  The lone traveling singer-songwriter with a guitar appeals to the American sense of individuality.  It is not accidental that much of our music of the past sixty years has prominently featured the instrument.

You might have a guitar sitting in a corner somewhere with a thick layer of dust built up along the fretboard.  Maybe you bring it out to play a few chords from time to time.  What if, though, you could become a truly skilled guitar player?  You’ll be able to finally form that band you’ve been doodling in your mind (or at least impress a person or two with your skills).

There are actually some great programs available to teach guitar on Fatminds.  Some of them are online, meaning you can learn from the comfort and convenience of your own home.

Let’s take a look at some of them.

UC San Diego has a class that runs often that is designed to teach the basics to absolute beginners.  It is quick and relatively inexpensive:

Guitar I
UC San Diego, classroom only, $240
Have you ever wanted to play the guitar, but don’t know where to begin? Class guitar is a great way to learn and have fun at the same time. You don’t need any musical training, or even know how to read music, to begin learning to play the classical guitar with ease, control and musicality. In this easy step by step approach, designed for adult beginners but appropriate for students of all ages, you will acquire a basic, solid technique that will provide the foundation for your future progress and continued enjoyment in both acoustic and electric guitar. We focus on learning basic skills and techniques for playing the guitar, but you will also learn how to read music, guitar history, and styles and approaches to playing. 

If you’re serious about learning guitar, the renowned Berklee College of Music has a number of outstanding programs.  If you want to take a single class, check out this one:

Guitar Scale 101
Berklee College of Music, online only, $1,295
Organize the guitar fretboard, develop your technique, and learn to confidently navigate the instrument by gaining a firm understanding of the pentatonic, blues, major, melodic minor, and harmonic minor scales and their modes. 

If you want a more comprehensive program, Berklee has another option.  This Master Certificate Program takes two years, but will leave you playing guitar like a true expert.  Take a look:

Guitar
Berklee College of Music, online only, $6,475
The Guitar Master Certificate Program is Berkleemusic’s most extensive guitar-focused program. With 8 courses presented over two years, you’ll fully immerse yourself in the structural fundamentals of chords and scales, and learn the major elements of three popular guitar styles: Blues, Rock, and Jazz. Once you have this wide breadth of guitar knowledge under your fingers, you’ll choose three electives to take your playing in any number of directions. 

Thanksgiving was yesterday.  Across the United States, turkeys were cooked, carved, and eaten, and families sat around for an afternoon and caught up on things.  If you celebrate the holiday, we at Fatminds hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

The holiday, of course, has some interesting roots.  Most people know about the story of the pilgrims sharing a feast with their Native American neighbors in 1621.  How much of this is true?  How much, really, do you know about Thanksgiving?

Early American History — which includes the history of Thanksgiving — is a field that any American should take a pretty strong interest in.  This, after all, is the story of how the country began!

If you want to learn more, there are some great classes available on Fatminds.

Take a look at this course, from UC Berkeley:

Introduction to the History of the United States: From Colonial Settlement to the Civil War
UC Berkeley, classroom and online, $770
Sharpen your understanding of the people, institutions, and ideologies that shaped the formation of the United States. Topics include exploration, settlement, colonial culture, the winning of independence, the Constitution, the new democracy, early-American technology, expansionism, sectional conflict, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. Gain practice in analytical methods that historians use to research facts and develop interpretations of events.

Also look at this class offered by UMass:

U.S. History to 1877
UMass, classroom only, $975
Traces the development of American history and institutions from Colonization to the end of Reconstruction.

The University of Colorado at Boulder offers an online course that could also be worthwhile:

History of the United States to 1865
University of Colorado, Boulder, online only, $978
Surveys American history from first settlement until end of the Civil War. 

Take a look and read up.  You might gain a whole new perspective on a classic American holiday.

That big presentation is coming up.  You’ll have to speak.  You’ll have to stand up slowly and walk to the podium.  You’ll feel your heart race and beat harder and your breaths might come just a little more quickly as you walk, and when you get up there you’ll look out at all the faces.  They’ll all be looking at you, right at you, important faces with serious looks just waiting for you to make that one mistake.  And your hands might be shaking just a little and your throat might be going dry, and just then you go to speak, but can’t seem to remember what it was you planned on saying…

If the above situation seems at all familiar to you, don’t worry — you aren’t alone.  Public speaking is the number one fear reported by Americans, according to WebMD.  Many people report that they would rather jump out of an airplane or face venomous snakes than speak in public!

Still, speaking in public is an important skill to have.  Communicating your ideas clearly and calmly is a must in the business world.   It’s also something that comes more easily with practice.  Yes, that’s right — with enough practice, virtually anyone can become a calm and polished speaker.

There’s a lot of courses right here on Fatminds that can definitely help you become a better speaker.

Take a look at this one, offered by Harvard:

The Art and Practice of Public Speaking
Harvard University, classroom only, $1,150
This intensive professional public speaking course is designed to help students craft and deliver powerful speeches that leave a lasting impression. Students explore the specific verbal and nonverbal public speaking techniques that professional speakers use to create strong impressions, sell their perspectives, and inspire their audiences to act.

If your time is limited, you might prefer a seminar.  The American Management Association holds a series of seminars designed to improve your speaking abilities:

Effective Executive Speaking
American Management Association, classroom only, $1,195
Today, presentations and public speaking are very much a part of every executive’s responsibilities. Effective executive speaking is what distinguishes the successful professional from everyone else. Public speaking skills are most critical to your success-and to your individual and corporate image. Learn to use powerful tools and techniques to turn every presentation or public speaking opportunity into a rewarding experience.

If you’re looking for more courses, search our catalog for public speaking — you’ll get plenty of results.

In 1991, Finnish computer student Linus Torvalds began working on a project that would later become the Linux operating system.  Two decades later, Linux has become a major force in the computing and business worlds.  48% of businesses, in fact, use an open source operating system of some sort–Linux being chief among them.  Just this year, IBM’s Watson supercomputer appeared on the famous game show Jeopardy while running a version of Linux.

IBM's Watson supercomputer appeared on Jeopardy earlier this year. The machine was powered by Linux.

Linux has a lot of advantages that make it attractive to businesses.  For one, it costs very little.  Linux is freely available, so companies that use it will save money on the licensing fees that other operating systems require.  Linux is also open source, meaning that the underlying software code is available to everyone.  This means that Linux can be precisely tailored and customized to suit a number of purposes.  As a result, Linux can now be found running everything from supercomputers to home PCs to simpler electronics like routers.  This versatility is a tremendous strength.

If you’re looking for a job in a field like IT, Linux expertise can be a tremendous plus.  It can definitely make the difference between getting your resume tossed and getting that critical interview.  So how do you go about learning Linux?  Let’s take a look at some courses on Fatminds:

UC Irvine has a Linux certification program you should definitely check out:

Linux
UC Irvine, classroom only,  $4,197
Because of its significant cost savings, a growing number of companies are choosing to adopt Linux as an alternative to Microsoft products. The Red Hat Linux Specialized Studies Program will give you the foundation needed to support and use the Linux operating system. Students who complete this program will be equipped to set up and administer Linux on a network, host websites on a Linux platform as well as configure a network of Linux computers and peripheral devices. With the growth of Linux in the corporate environment, having these skills is a must for any IT professional. 

UC Berkeley also has a certificate program:

UNIX/Linux System Administration
UC Berkeley, classroom only, $5,300
Professionals with knowledge of both the UNIX operating system and its open-source counterpart, Linux, are in demand. Get the specialized IT training employers seek with UC Berkeley Extension’s Certificate Program in UNIX/Linux System Administration. Learn how to be an effective administrator of these multitask operating systems, which are both powerful and elegant. Build on your experience in system administration, or discover how you can use the UNIX and Linux systems in your work as a programmer. Whatever role you have or aspire to in systems administration, this professional certificate provides the skills, knowledge, and formal training you need… 

There’s many more classes and certificates, as well.  Try searching for Linux on Fatminds — you’ll get about 95 results.

Learning Linux will make you a much more attractive prospect for employers.  Get going!