First-Year Experience

Alfonso Capone

Have you ever wondered who Karl Max is or what he wrote? Have you ever wondered why so many admire or revile him? Have you ever wondered what it means to be a Marxist? In this section we will examine Marx's writings using the lenses of philosophy, literature, and economics, and you will answer all these questions for yourself.

Christine Brooks

Being outside in the beauty of late summer Vermont and into the fall season offers us time to revive our spirits. Burlington, Vermont offers many tucked away and obvious nature escapes, and the city itself is in full bloom when fall semester begins. We will spend one day each week in the classroom learning about our natural world and one day a week walking and exploring. Reading selections from Tristen Gooley's, The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs will influence our observance of grass, plants, lichens, trees, the sky, and the lake. We will look at wind, rain, clouds, and colors of the rainbow. Discussions will be held to observe patterns and continual changes. As the semester moves on and temperatures begin to fall, we will read and respond to a variety of texts using the knowledge we gained in the beginning of the semester. We will critically think and analyze how to be prepared and safe in nature, what it means to protect our natural environment, and make connections with stories from cultures that may differ from our own. We will engage in Critical Thinking and Analysis using a Literary, Scientific, and Psychological framework. There will be an extra credit walk when the snow begins to fall. Getting out in all weather is healthy for our souls.

Christine Brooks

Being outside in the beauty of late summer Vermont and into the fall season offers us time to revive our spirits. Burlington, Vermont offers many tucked away and obvious nature escapes, and the city itself is in full bloom when fall semester begins. We will spend one day each week in the classroom learning about our natural world and one day a week walking and exploring. Reading selections from Tristen Gooley's, The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs will influence our observance of grass, plants, lichens, trees, the sky, and the lake. We will look at wind, rain, clouds, and colors of the rainbow. Discussions will be held to observe patterns and continual changes. As the semester moves on and temperatures begin to fall, we will read and respond to a variety of texts using the knowledge we gained in the beginning of the semester. We will critically think and analyze how to be prepared and safe in nature, what it means to protect our natural environment, and make connections with stories from cultures that may differ from our own. We will engage in Critical Thinking and Analysis using a Literary, Scientific, and Psychological framework. There will be an extra credit walk when the snow begins to fall. Getting out in all weather is healthy for our souls.

Christine Brooks

Being outside in the beauty of late summer Vermont and into the fall season offers us time to revive our spirits. Burlington, Vermont offers many tucked away and obvious nature escapes, and the city itself is in full bloom when fall semester begins. We will spend one day each week in the classroom learning about our natural world and one day a week walking and exploring. Reading selections from Tristen Gooley's, The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs will influence our observance of grass, plants, lichens, trees, the sky, and the lake. We will look at wind, rain, clouds, and colors of the rainbow. Discussions will be held to observe patterns and continual changes. As the semester moves on and temperatures begin to fall, we will read and respond to a variety of texts using the knowledge we gained in the beginning of the semester. We will critically think and analyze how to be prepared and safe in nature, what it means to protect our natural environment, and make connections with stories from cultures that may differ from our own. We will engage in Critical Thinking and Analysis using a Literary, Scientific, and Psychological framework. There will be an extra credit walk when the snow begins to fall. Getting out in all weather is healthy for our souls.

Jeff Haig

From the American Revolution to Rage Against the Machine, from the Civil War to Civil Rights to Black Lives Matter, popular music has been a powerful tool for amplifying the voices and stories of protest. This course will explore the ways in which songs have been used to communicate and inspire social action and give voice to the voiceless throughout history. We will explore the ways in which such artists as Joe Hill, Bessie Smith, Bob Dylan, Green Day and Kendrick Lamar have redefined the genre, and energized new audiences to reject old stereotypes. By the end of the course, you will have developed a deeper appreciation and understanding of the power of music to raise awareness, express dissent, and mobilize people to action.

Jeff Haig

From the American Revolution to Rage Against the Machine, from the Civil War to Civil Rights to Black Lives Matter, popular music has been a powerful tool for amplifying the voices and stories of protest. This course will explore the ways in which songs have been used to communicate and inspire social action and give voice to the voiceless throughout history. We will explore the ways in which such artists as Joe Hill, Bessie Smith, Bob Dylan, Green Day and Kendrick Lamar have redefined the genre, and energized new audiences to reject old stereotypes. By the end of the course, you will have developed a deeper appreciation and understanding of the power of music to raise awareness, express dissent, and mobilize people to action.

Alfonso Capone

Have you ever wondered who Karl Max is or what he wrote? Have you ever wondered why so many admire or revile him? Have you ever wondered what it means to be a Marxist? In this section we will examine Marx's writings using the lenses of philosophy, literature, and economics, and you will answer all these questions for yourself.

Erik Kaarla

This section will tap into the human passion of wanting to understand music, wanting to make music, and wanting to define music better. Whether you play an instrument or not—this course is for you! We all very much identify with particular genres of music, particular artists, and perhaps particular instruments—why is this? In this section, students will learn how to write about music and genres of music and also learn about the process of creative songwriting. Welcome to the world of musical creativity! Some of the questions to be explored in this section: How do we talk about music and how do we talk about culture? How do we talk about these two different structures at the same time? In addition to pondering these questions, we will explore musicology and other helpful theoretical frameworks for learning about music and music makers. The methods for studying music are limitless! What are some typical musical abilities and how can they be developed or enhanced? What are some basic connections between particular neurology and musical ability?

Erik Kaarla

This section will tap into the human passion of wanting to understand music, wanting to make music, and wanting to define music better. Whether you play an instrument or not—this course is for you! We all very much identify with particular genres of music, particular artists, and perhaps particular instruments—why is this? In this section, students will learn how to write about music and genres of music and also learn about the process of creative songwriting. Welcome to the world of musical creativity! Some of the questions to be explored in this section: How do we talk about music and how do we talk about culture? How do we talk about these two different structures at the same time? In addition to pondering these questions, we will explore musicology and other helpful theoretical frameworks for learning about music and music makers. The methods for studying music are limitless! What are some typical musical abilities and how can they be developed or enhanced? What are some basic connections between particular neurology and musical ability?

David Kite

What do you want from life? Is real happiness possible? How do we find it both as individuals and within community? Centering on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, this course will take a deep dive into the most important question using fresh ideas from contemporary philosophy, psychology and evolutionary biology. You will take up big questions about ethics and personal character, justice, intellectual and experiential growth, friendship and pleasure as you develop your own ideas about what makes for a good life.

David Kite

What do you want from life? Is real happiness possible? How do we find it both as individuals and within community? Centering on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, this course will take a deep dive into the most important question using fresh ideas from contemporary philosophy, psychology and evolutionary biology. You will take up big questions about ethics and personal character, justice, intellectual and experiential growth, friendship and pleasure as you develop your own ideas about what makes for a good life.

Kristin Novotny

What does happiness mean? What makes it so desirable? How can we recognize and achieve it? What is unhappiness and why do we fear it? In this course, you'll read and write about your own understanding of the "good life," filtered through the lens of psychologists, philosophers, writers, and filmmakers who have tried in various mediums to unpack the notion of happiness itself.

How do contemporary notions of what it means to have human rights intersect with the U.S. Constitution in a globalized world? Students will have the chance to explore complex questions about humanity and individuality as they begin to build an interdisciplinary perspective. Students will study the Constitution, Supreme Court rulings, and texts and artifacts from multiple disciplines. This course will also investigate the Constitution's influence on people's behavior and attitudes when doing business, negotiating, making policy and executive decisions, and dealing with employees. What Constitutional knowledge and experience is needed today when living in an international and globalized world?

What do media depictions of crime tell us about how we perceive society? What do they tell us about how we think about justice and punishment? And how do we evaluate the accuracy of media accounts of crime, so that we can distinguish between what's real and what's entertainment? Students in this course will examine the ways in which perceptions of crime and justice are framed in, and influenced by, the news, social media, and popular culture. We will also consider the influence the media has on the criminal legal system and on public perceptions of crime, defendants, and the criminal legal system.

This section has been cancelled.

Clint Bryant

The horror genre has been and continues to be viewed as a lesser form of cinema. To counter this perception, in this course you will read and write about horror movies as an art form by analyzing its stories, themes, and aesthetics. You won't be writing reviews about whether or not a particular movie is good or bad. Instead, you will learn how to dig deep and examine the texts, subtexts, and contexts of horror films including the horror genre's roots in gothic literature. We will be watching a broad range of horror movies from subgenres like body horror, haunted houses, and possession so please take this fact into consideration when enrolling in this course as films will portray violence, gore, and address difficult topics.

Clint Bryant

The horror genre has been and continues to be viewed as a lesser form of cinema. To counter this perception, in this course you will read and write about horror movies as an art form by analyzing its stories, themes, and aesthetics. You won't be writing reviews about whether or not a particular movie is good or bad. Instead, you will learn how to dig deep and examine the texts, subtexts, and contexts of horror films including the horror genre's roots in gothic literature. We will be watching a broad range of horror movies from subgenres like body horror, haunted houses, and possession so please take this fact into consideration when enrolling in this course as films will portray violence, gore, and address difficult topics.

Clint Bryant

The horror genre has been and continues to be viewed as a lesser form of cinema. To counter this perception, in this course you will read and write about horror movies as an art form by analyzing its stories, themes, and aesthetics. You won't be writing reviews about whether or not a particular movie is good or bad. Instead, you will learn how to dig deep and examine the texts, subtexts, and contexts of horror films including the horror genre's roots in gothic literature. We will be watching a broad range of horror movies from subgenres like body horror, haunted houses, and possession so please take this fact into consideration when enrolling in this course as films will portray violence, gore, and address difficult topics.

Frank Robinson

From Critical Race Theory to the death of George Floyd, from arguments for reparations to White Supremacist marches, and from Supreme Court definitions of equality to uncomfortable social media posts, race is a topic never far from risky conversation or public consternation. In this course we will explore our questions about race. What is race? Despite the civil rights movement 60 years ago, why is race still an issue? What are the stories about race in the U.S.? Drawing on autobiography, film, and history for answers -- and more questions -- the course will nurture the thinking skills of inquiry through reading, writing, and conversation.

Frank Robinson

From Critical Race Theory to the death of George Floyd, from arguments for reparations to White Supremacist marches, and from Supreme Court definitions of equality to uncomfortable social media posts, race is a topic never far from risky conversation or public consternation. In this course we will explore our questions about race. What is race? Despite the civil rights movement 60 years ago, why is race still an issue? What are the stories about race in the U.S.? Drawing on autobiography, film, and history for answers -- and more questions -- the course will nurture the thinking skills of inquiry through reading, writing, and conversation.

This section has been cancelled.

David Rous

Why are men allowed to get angry but not cry, while women are allowed to cry but not get angry? Why are little boys sometimes told to suck it up and deal, but little girls sometimes get hugged and comforted? Why are girls often given pink things, but boys blue things? Why do boys typically receive trucks and legos and toy guns at Christmas, while girls often get dolls and things with unicorns on them? Why are young men allowed to indulge their sexual appetite, but young women are encouraged to control theirs? And what are the rules for people who don't fit into the traditional molds at all? In this section, we will explore why males and females are encouraged by society to do and be certain things, and why they are also encouraged not to do or be certain things. Through the lens of western popular culture, we will study how gender works and how it is changing in our times.

David Rous

Why are men allowed to get angry but not cry, while women are allowed to cry but not get angry? Why are little boys sometimes told to suck it up and deal, but little girls sometimes get hugged and comforted? Why are girls often given pink things, but boys blue things? Why do boys typically receive trucks and legos and toy guns at Christmas, while girls often get dolls and things with unicorns on them? Why are young men allowed to indulge their sexual appetite, but young women are encouraged to control theirs? And what are the rules for people who don't fit into the traditional molds at all? In this section, we will explore why males and females are encouraged by society to do and be certain things, and why they are also encouraged not to do or be certain things. Through the lens of western popular culture, we will study how gender works and how it is changing in our times.

Kelly Bowen

Is banning books a violation of freedom of speech? Across the United States the practice of banning books is, once again, headline news. What factors are driving the recent hysteria? From small local school boards to state legislatures, the opposition voices are loud as they call for the removal of "controversial" books from public spaces. In 2021-2022 an estimated 1,600 titles were removed from the shelves and educators, in fear of repercussions, removed books from their classrooms. In COR 102 Reading, Writing, and Banned Books, we will examine: how students and critical thinking are impacted, what social constructs foster censorship, and how book banning affects society. In our critical reading and writing, we will explore why works with themes of race, racism, gender, sexuality, LGBTQ+, and memoir might become targets of a moral minority. We will evaluate how this practice creates disinformation and further marginalizes underrepresented communities.

Bill Stratton

While Role Playing Games (as we currently understand them) were formed first from war games, they have since evolved to encompass a myriad of popular culture, including more "traditional" pen and paper, video games, novels (litRPG) movies, and even spawning immensely popular Youtube and other social media channels (such as Critical Role). As it's evolution continues, we'll be reading, writing, and experiencing these games in order to best examine their social, cultural, and philosophical impact, as well as learning about their history (and the history that inspired them), mythology, and ways in which they construct meaning from both the worlds created, and the world we live in.

Kelly Thomas

Millions world-wide today share their lives with an animal they consider a member of the family. Why is that? How and why have humans developed relationships with other species for thousands of years? What roles do our furry, feathered, scaled and aquatic friends play in our lives, and we in theirs? Who "domesticated" whom? In this course, you'll practice college-level close-reading and analysis as well as academic writing by investigating the emotional, behavioral and commercial aspects to human-animal bonding and its far-reaching cultural impact.

Kelly Thomas

Millions world-wide today share their lives with an animal they consider a member of the family. Why is that? How and why have humans developed relationships with other species for thousands of years? What roles do our furry, feathered, scaled and aquatic friends play in our lives, and we in theirs? Who "domesticated" whom? In this course, you'll practice college-level close-reading and analysis as well as academic writing by investigating the emotional, behavioral and commercial aspects to human-animal bonding and its far-reaching cultural impact.

This section has been cancelled.

This section has been cancelled.

Ines de Haro

Have you ever wondered how the millions of soldiers fighting in wars all over the world have been fed during combat? How have countries been able to sustain those fighting abroad while simultaneously nourishing those not in the military? Why is so much of our food's shelf life insensitive to time? In this course you will examine how war's impacts on our diet is connected to the foods we eat on a day-to-day basis due to the food provisioning systems implemented during war. By examining this course through the lenses of historical analysis, scientific research methods, and economics, one will discover that the convergence of military members' and average civilians' palates are more similar than you may think.

Bill Stratton

While Role Playing Games (as we currently understand them) were formed first from war games, they have since evolved to encompass a myriad of popular culture, including more "traditional" pen and paper, video games, novels (litRPG) movies, and even spawning immensely popular Youtube and other social media channels (such as Critical Role). As it's evolution continues, we'll be reading, writing, and experiencing these games in order to best examine their social, cultural, and philosophical impact, as well as learning about their history (and the history that inspired them), mythology, and ways in which they construct meaning from both the worlds created, and the world we live in.

Bill Stratton

While Role Playing Games (as we currently understand them) were formed first from war games, they have since evolved to encompass a myriad of popular culture, including more "traditional" pen and paper, video games, novels (litRPG) movies, and even spawning immensely popular Youtube and other social media channels (such as Critical Role). As it's evolution continues, we'll be reading, writing, and experiencing these games in order to best examine their social, cultural, and philosophical impact, as well as learning about their history (and the history that inspired them), mythology, and ways in which they construct meaning from both the worlds created, and the world we live in.

Jonathan Banfill

Sound is an essential element of any place, including cities. The city is full of sounds both human and non-human, and through listening to them we can learn more about the world we inhabit. This course will ask you to listen to the city, in this case Burlington to better understand the places we live in. Conceptually, we will examine different ways of understanding cities through sound, drawing from musicology, sonic art, urban studies, and other creative media projects. We will practice methods for listening and recording the sounds we encounter, via place-based investigations of specific locations, creating a digital "archive" of city sounds. For the final project, we will make an album of sonic essays, for instance creating an audio portrait of a single street, which communicates a sense of the places we encounter in our everyday lives.

Jonathan Banfill

Sound is an essential element of any place, including cities. The city is full of sounds both human and non-human, and through listening to them we can learn more about the world we inhabit. This course will ask you to listen to the city, in this case Burlington to better understand the places we live in. Conceptually, we will examine different ways of understanding cities through sound, drawing from musicology, sonic art, urban studies, and other creative media projects. We will practice methods for listening and recording the sounds we encounter, via place-based investigations of specific locations, creating a digital "archive" of city sounds. For the final project, we will make an album of sonic essays, for instance creating an audio portrait of a single street, which communicates a sense of the places we encounter in our everyday lives.

Kelly Bowen

This section is an interactive workshop in interpersonal communications. Through a series of seemingly simple group interactions: a tea party, a political debate, sending Valentines, we will dissect the layered and complex dynamics of human behavior. How do you conduct yourself, express yourself, and foster relationships? Starting on campus, this class will explore the mechanics of relationships and the importance of building tangible community ties. We will consider the societal benefits of developing strong personal and social connections. We will examine how human interaction has shifted in the digital age and discuss the personal and community impacts of the COVID-19 quarantine.

Kelly Bowen

This section is an interactive workshop in interpersonal communications. Through a series of seemingly simple group interactions: a tea party, a political debate, sending Valentines, we will dissect the layered and complex dynamics of human behavior. How do you conduct yourself, express yourself, and foster relationships? Starting on campus, this class will explore the mechanics of relationships and the importance of building tangible community ties. We will consider the societal benefits of developing strong personal and social connections. We will examine how human interaction has shifted in the digital age and discuss the personal and community impacts of the COVID-19 quarantine.

Al Capone

In this class students will explore ethical problems which they will face as professionals. Working with program faculty and various campus offices, students will make a portfolio of case studies to which they can refer and contribute in the future.

Al Capone

In this class students will explore ethical problems which they will face as professionals. Working with program faculty and various campus offices, students will make a portfolio of case studies to which they can refer and contribute in the future.

Isabella Jeso

Do you love garment making? Do you love to explore justice issues, relating to labor practices such as livable wages, discriminatory practices based on gender, race, and culture? Do you love to explore alternatives for workers caught in the vortex created by such professional issues? If so, look no further! This course takes students on a learning journey, through relevant case studies from recent history in the garment industry, involving Latinx workers. Launching the course from Josefina Lopez' play, made into a film, about gender discrimination in the garment industry, you will explore relevant topics, using multi-media formats: texts, videos, film, blogs, podcasts. Collaborative learning, through small group discussions, will be conducted in every class meeting and on our Canvas Course site. Work through Google JamBoards and Google Shared Docs will add to our collaboration efforts. Students will also be treated to sewing their own chosen small but practical items such as these: scrunchies; jogging belt; body pillow case; fabric bookmarks; tech device cord keeper; (https://sewing.com/easy-sewing-projects-gifts-teens/). The course will culminate in a research project, asking students to integrate their semester-long takeaways. So, come have fun with your instructor, sewing usable things; reading, thinking, discussing, and writing, about labor justice and equity.

Isabella Jeso

Do you love garment making? Do you love to explore justice issues, relating to labor practices such as livable wages, discriminatory practices based on gender, race, and culture? Do you love to explore alternatives for workers caught in the vortex created by such professional issues? If so, look no further! This course takes students on a learning journey, through relevant case studies from recent history in the garment industry, involving Latinx workers. Launching the course from Josefina Lopez' play, made into a film, about gender discrimination in the garment industry, you will explore relevant topics, using multi-media formats: texts, videos, film, blogs, podcasts. Collaborative learning, through small group discussions, will be conducted in every class meeting and on our Canvas Course site. Work through Google JamBoards and Google Shared Docs will add to our collaboration efforts. Students will also be treated to sewing their own chosen small but practical items such as these: scrunchies; jogging belt; body pillow case; fabric bookmarks; tech device cord keeper; (https://sewing.com/easy-sewing-projects-gifts-teens/). The course will culminate in a research project, asking students to integrate their semester-long takeaways. So, come have fun with your instructor, sewing usable things; reading, thinking, discussing, and writing, about labor justice and equity.

David Kite

The health and wellness benefits of a practice of meditation are well known today but many practitioners find meditation is also uniquely capable of offering deep insights into the nature of the self and ultimate reality. This course will ask students to cultivate a meditative practice in collaboration with others while we will also study texts (ancient and contemporary) about the meaning of meditation.

David Kite

The health and wellness benefits of a practice of meditation are well known today but many practitioners find meditation is also uniquely capable of offering deep insights into the nature of the self and ultimate reality. This course will ask students to cultivate a meditative practice in collaboration with others while we will also study texts (ancient and contemporary) about the meaning of meditation.

Fia Moser-Hardy

How do you find a story? How do you craft one? Why are stories important? What stories are yours to tell and which ones belong to others? Explore stories in a variety of ways: oral storytelling, personal narrative, journalistic investigation, retelling traditional stories through the written word, fictional stories, stories told through the creative and performing arts, and stories told through social media. Learn and recreate stories from around the world while discovering the stories that are truly yours to tell-over and over again in a multitude of ways.

Fia Moser-Hardy

How do you find a story? How do you craft one? Why are stories important? What stories are yours to tell and which ones belong to others? Explore stories in a variety of ways: oral storytelling, personal narrative, journalistic investigation, retelling traditional stories through the written word, fictional stories, stories told through the creative and performing arts, and stories told through social media. Learn and recreate stories from around the world while discovering the stories that are truly yours to tell-over and over again in a multitude of ways.

Erik Shonstrom

Why does learning have to happen indoors? The tradition of outdoor education shows us that having adventures together teaches collaboration, self-reliance, and empathy. We can also think about what we gain when we break down walls - literal and metaphoric - and begin to interact directly with the world around us. Being outside changes us; learning is no longer transactional, but transformational. Plus, being outside is way more fun.

Erik Shonstrom

Why does learning have to happen indoors? The tradition of outdoor education shows us that having adventures together teaches collaboration, self-reliance, and empathy. We can also think about what we gain when we break down walls - literal and metaphoric - and begin to interact directly with the world around us. Being outside changes us; learning is no longer transactional, but transformational. Plus, being outside is way more fun.

Erik Shonstrom

Why does learning have to happen indoors? The tradition of outdoor education shows us that having adventures together teaches collaboration, self-reliance, and empathy. We can also think about what we gain when we break down walls - literal and metaphoric - and begin to interact directly with the world around us. Being outside changes us; learning is no longer transactional, but transformational. Plus, being outside is way more fun.

Erik Shonstrom

Why does learning have to happen indoors? The tradition of outdoor education shows us that having adventures together teaches collaboration, self-reliance, and empathy. We can also think about what we gain when we break down walls - literal and metaphoric - and begin to interact directly with the world around us. Being outside changes us; learning is no longer transactional, but transformational. Plus, being outside is way more fun.

Steve Wehmeyer

From The Karate Kid, to Kung-fu Panda, from Mortal Kombat to Street Fighter and Enter the Dragon -- Martial Arts intrigue us, excite us, terrify us and inspire us. This section takes an interdisciplinary approach to exploring multi-cultural martial arts in multiple contexts. We'll look at the philosophical, bio-medical, religious, historical, and cultural underpinnings of a number of martial and related fitness traditions. We'll explore their relations to systems of power and privilege, resistance and oppression. We'll have the opportunity to explore these arts at first hand - learning from experts in the local community, and consider those arts as systems of conflict resolution and embodied vernacular tradition. We'll examine the depiction of combat arts in popular culture and media and explore how a visceral understanding of these ways can open our minds and bodies to a deeper understanding of the cultures that create them

Steve Wehmeyer

From The Karate Kid, to Kung-fu Panda, from Mortal Kombat to Street Fighter and Enter the Dragon -- Martial Arts intrigue us, excite us, terrify us and inspire us. This section takes an interdisciplinary approach to exploring multi-cultural martial arts in multiple contexts. We'll look at the philosophical, bio-medical, religious, historical, and cultural underpinnings of a number of martial and related fitness traditions. We'll explore their relations to systems of power and privilege, resistance and oppression. We'll have the opportunity to explore these arts at first hand - learning from experts in the local community, and consider those arts as systems of conflict resolution and embodied vernacular tradition. We'll examine the depiction of combat arts in popular culture and media and explore how a visceral understanding of these ways can open our minds and bodies to a deeper understanding of the cultures that create them

Rob Williams

We breathe 25,000 times daily, but most of us are breathing sub-optimally, observes best-selling author and scientific journalist James Nestor in his 2020 award-winning book Breath: The New Science Of A Lost Art. Are you interested in taking a deep dive into the history, science, and global conversation about "breath work," and how you can become a "pulmonaut" by learning how to regularly harness the power of your Breath for better health and wellness, more improved sport and fitness, and a more inspirational mindset towards life? Join us. Combining hands-on weekly breath training exercises with the latest cutting edge history and science around breath training, we'll take a global journey through breath training practices from around the world, including pranayama yoga (India), chi gong (China), the Wim Hof Method (Netherlands), Buteyko Breathwork (Ukraine/Russia), Oxygen Advantage (Ireland), Pause (Canada), and Peak Flow (US). Along the way, you'll learn and practice accessible breath techniques to help you optimize for your personal and professional journey.

Rob Williams

We breathe 25,000 times daily, but most of us are breathing sub-optimally, observes best-selling author and scientific journalist James Nestor in his 2020 award-winning book Breath: The New Science Of A Lost Art. Are you interested in taking a deep dive into the history, science, and global conversation about "breath work," and how you can become a "pulmonaut" by learning how to regularly harness the power of your Breath for better health and wellness, more improved sport and fitness, and a more inspirational mindset towards life? Join us. Combining hands-on weekly breath training exercises with the latest cutting edge history and science around breath training, we'll take a global journey through breath training practices from around the world, including pranayama yoga (India), chi gong (China), the Wim Hof Method (Netherlands), Buteyko Breathwork (Ukraine/Russia), Oxygen Advantage (Ireland), Pause (Canada), and Peak Flow (US). Along the way, you'll learn and practice accessible breath techniques to help you optimize for your personal and professional journey.

Micah Wood

Do you like working with others? Does the word "collab" spark something inside of you? Human beings are social creatures and being a part of a group is invaluable to the human experience. Working with others is a vital skill to learn, which is why collaboration is a key skill to know in life. If you can successfully use collaboration in the classroom and outside the classroom, then you will be a more dynamic part of society. In this course you will make collective drawings, work together to create a performative art piece, investigate "non-sites" by way of research and public intervention, and produce a publication on a topic of your choosing that takes the form of an art "zine", amongst other projects. Your work is intertwined in this process, manifesting in an outcome that is a result of many hands and ideas. By experimenting and questioning one another, you will develop the fearlessness to challenge the traditions in your own field. From these dialogues, you will create a new, collaborative vision that frames the work and can be continued at an individual level.

Sandy Zale

What are portraits? Why create them? What do they reveal about the subjects they portray, and about the artists who make them? In this course, we will study the art, the history, and the philosophy of portraiture, and we will apply what we have learned in creating and critiquing our own works of visual art, each of us making, and presenting to the class, a portrait and a self-portrait. This is not an art class, and it requires neither previous training nor skill in the visual arts. It is an interdisciplinary and experiential investigation of portraiture, and all the course requires is a willingness to learn, and to try your hand at, something new.

Sandy Zale

What are portraits? Why create them? What do they reveal about the subjects they portray, and about the artists who make them? In this course, we will study the art, the history, and the philosophy of portraiture, and we will apply what we have learned in creating and critiquing our own works of visual art, each of us making, and presenting to the class, a portrait and a self-portrait. This is not an art class, and it requires neither previous training nor skill in the visual arts. It is an interdisciplinary and experiential investigation of portraiture, and all the course requires is a willingness to learn, and to try your hand at, something new.

Sandy Zale

What are portraits? Why create them? What do they reveal about the subjects they portray, and about the artists who make them? In this course, we will study the art, the history, and the philosophy of portraiture, and we will apply what we have learned in creating and critiquing our own works of visual art, each of us making, and presenting to the class, a portrait and a self-portrait. This is not an art class, and it requires neither previous training nor skill in the visual arts. It is an interdisciplinary and experiential investigation of portraiture, and all the course requires is a willingness to learn, and to try your hand at, something new.

Isabella Jeso

Do you love garment making? Do you love to explore justice issues, relating to labor practices such as livable wages, discriminatory practices based on gender, race, and culture? Do you love to explore alternatives for workers caught in the vortex created by such professional issues? If so, look no further! This course takes students on a learning journey, through relevant case studies from recent history in the garment industry, involving Latinx workers. Launching the course from Josefina Lopez' play, made into a film, about gender discrimination in the garment industry, you will explore relevant topics, using multi-media formats: texts, videos, film, blogs, podcasts. Collaborative learning, through small group discussions, will be conducted in every class meeting and on our Canvas Course site. Work through Google JamBoards and Google Shared Docs will add to our collaboration efforts. Students will also be treated to sewing their own chosen small but practical items such as these: scrunchies; jogging belt; body pillow case; fabric bookmarks; tech device cord keeper; (https://sewing.com/easy-sewing-projects-gifts-teens/). The course will culminate in a research project, asking students to integrate their semester-long takeaways. So, come have fun with your instructor, sewing usable things; reading, thinking, discussing, and writing, about labor justice and equity.