i think you may be confused between texturing and shading. Texturing is applying an image on an object and shading is simulating real life materials and lighting...I think? I don't understand what you mean. And the Lynda video topics seems good, however, throwing UV mapping in there is a bit much. Maya 2011 is pretty current so I wouldn't worry. I'm not really sure myself. I mean, in each pass a different property of the object's material is rendered, then you combine any of these in a single image? Not sure. I'll find some tutorial about passes. Also, I do not intend to see the whole class in one night I do want to learn UV as well, so my guess was it would be a good investment.