FACS introduces two new classes

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences courses demonstrate new aspects of baking and interior design

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) introduced two new courses in the spring 2014 semester for students seeking to increase their culinary and interior design skills.

The courses, Bakeshop and Catering and CAD I: Computer Aided Design for Interiors, provide hands-on learning opportunities for students. According to Kitchel, Bakeshop and Catering was created as a result of student demand.

“We added the class because there was a student interest in baking,” Kitchel said.

The cooking class filled up quickly, according to Kitchel, because students wanted to learn how to bake a wide variety of sweet confections that are not included in other culinary classes the FACS department already offers.
“(In the class) we are going to learn how to cook anything you can bake,” Kitchel said. “We will cook scones … pretzels, cakes and even our own version of Pop-Tarts from scratch.”

Kitchel said that all baked goods will be made from scratch to help students increase their culinary skills and gain practical
experience.

In addition, the new interior design class will provide fresh opportunities for students to learn. According to Ruth Gomes, assistant professor of FACS, CAD I will implement technology to equip students for their future career fields.

“For internships and jobs, companies are looking for people who know computer aspects of design as well as knowledge of materials and interiors,” Gomes said.

The class will use the computer program AutoCAD to aid with projects. The program will allow students to create two-dimensional floor plans and elevations. From there, students will use Sketchup Pro to transform the two-dimensional drawings into three-dimensional computer models. Once a model is created, design elements such as furniture, wall décor and detailed flooring, can be added.

“With the program, you can draw, change and manipulate designs quickly,” Gomes said. “Everything (in the model) is based on real measurements,” Gomes said.

These technological advances not only decrease the time it takes to improve projects, but using the program also helps students within the professional realm, according to Gomes.
“Our primary focus is on learning the skills necessary for their profession. We are excited about where they are headed,” Gomes said.

With the AutoCAD program, Gomes said that students will complete design projects including a hotel suite and vacation cabin. These projects will test not only design ability but will also require students to take dimensions, space and path construction into account when choosing furniture for each location. The projects will be used as portfolio pieces and will give students practical interior design experience.

According to these professors, both classes teach valuable skills students will use when they enter the work force.

For more information about the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences, visit liberty.edu/facs.