Since the summer of 2006, I've been teaching a class on RenderMan at the Academy of Art University.  A lot has changed since then, but the focus has always been procedural shading, lighting theory and practice, and render optimization.  The class is structured around three major projects, with quizzes and mini-assignments in between.   The first is to procedurally shade a fruit or vegetable growing, ripening, and rotting (no textures allowed).  The second assignment focuses on city shading and lighting, as well as render optimization.  The final project will be annouced in class.  Each semester I will update this page with useful scripts, links, and tutorials.