Peter M. Fitz
Peter M. Fitz
assistant professor
School of Communications Design
Contact Information:
Phone: 410.837.6034
E-mail: pfitz@ubalt.edu
M.A., The Johns Hopkins University
B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Exploring nature has always characterized my interests. Curiosity about how things work naturally developed alongside observing and collecting specimens and shorter or longer stays of varied animals in a home zoo. Companionship with those sharing such interests developed lifelong bonds.
Company at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology extended my scope for considering how things worked. A common interest among MIT companions was listening to and playing music. Courses in literature taught by professors also steeped in science expanded my curiosity about how various languages, including those of foreign cultures as well as that of mathematics, worked. Courses in Eastern religions and in the history of science showed me how varied approaches to understanding could be. And Boston provided a cornucopia of stimuli.
Working in a biology lab for Charles Ambrose at Harvard Medical School and working in a workshop for Frank Hubard building harpsichords confirmed my commitment to interdisciplinary approaches to how things work.
With a degree in science and humanities, specializing in biology and philosophy, I moved from Boston to Baltimore to study creative writing and philosophy. Later interests in art history led me to studies at The Johns Hopkins University and Yale University to see how interdisciplinary studies work. Twelve years studying musical theory encouraged my associations of harmony and science.
Work in art history as well as technology and science contributed to my participation in initiating the Publications Design program at the University of Baltimore, and developing experience with technology enabled me to serve as the founding director of the Publications Design Graphics Lab. Interests in art, music, literature and science fuel my approach to varied storytelling in arts and ideas and encourage intensive studies of varied methods of narrative discourse. Interests in linguistics inform my approach to reading strategies. The Eastern religions course still fresh in my memory as well as work as a potter inspire my continuing development of a course on Japanese culture.
Teaching at MIT showed me how hungry young students could be to open the doors of perception. Teaching at Goucher College showed me how students committed to social causes can effect change, and teaching at St. Johns College showed me the value of all students sharing a true arts and science course of study. These teaching experiences provided fresh perspectives but also reinforced my conviction that the range of ages, backgrounds, nationalities, work experiences and interests apparent at UB offered me the richest environment to study, teach and learn. Only at UB could I pursue interdisciplinary studies with such variety and company, along with accountability.
UB students usually confront a daunting range of responsibilities. But many students, every term, recognize that what you do for a living involves two related but different perspectives: the first is monetary success in a profession, and the second is success in widening conceptions of space, time, personality and culture.