Splash! Fall 2009
Course Catalog

Have you ever wished you could fold a paper crane? Learn how to fold the classic paper crane as well as other beautiful creations. We will cover as many as we can, and if time permits, we will cover modular origami and create pieces such as the stellated dodecahedron!

Learning the piano and basic music theory is very important for any musician. Students in this class will learn some of the basics of how to read music as well as important concepts of music theory. Students will also have a chance to practice the first steps of playing the piano. Some discussion of music history will also be included.

Learn to draw animals in a cartoony anime style!

We'll specifically focus on techniques and tricks for drawing dragons, wolves, and cats.

At night, why do lights in skyscrapers tend to turn on or off in horizontal bands? Why do some skyscrapers get narrower near the top? Why do the skyscrapers in Chicago look different from the skyscrapers in New York?

Basic questions and observations can unravel much of the history of the architectural and historical development of skyscrapers. We'll start with the questions above, and any similar questions you bring to the class, and learn about some of the innovations that have propelled buildings higher and higher... and all the factors that have contributed to what these tall buildings look like and make their cities feel like. We'll also talk briefly about the psychological impact of really tall buildings on residents of modern cities.

This class will give you an opportunity to try your hand at directing!

We'll talk about the process you need to follow to be a successful director and the need for good collaboration among the director and actors.

Then you'll get a chance to try out the directing skills you've learned by participating in a special rehearsal of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus.

Master a variety of culinary techniques, tips, and tricks by preparing a full meal structured around time honored Jewish recipes including latkes (potato pancakes), kugel (a savory noodle casserole), and honey cake.

You will get your hands dirty, as you fry, mix, and bake your way through these delectable dishes under the guidance of a costumed grandmother and grandfather from the old country.

Ever thought swing dancing looked really cool? Ever wondered how difficult it would be to learn? Ever wanted to dance to big band music and jazz from Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles?

Here's your chance. Students from the Chicago Swing Dance Society, a student organization on the UofC campus, will introduce you to East Coast swing dance, the most basic form, give you the lowdown on where to dance in Chicago, and several demonstrations on different kinds of swing dance, like Charleston, the lindy hop and blues dancing. We'll also throw in a free CD full of swing music for you to dance to at home.

The Chicago Swing Dance Society teaches swing dancing year-round and holds free weekly dances open to the public. Check us out at swing.uchicago.edu!

Have you ever wondered why good photos look good? Or why certain things are pleasing to the eye, even if they are arranged in a common manner, while others aren't?

In this class, we'll talk about the psychology behind a good photo and discuss techniques that will make your photos better: how to pick the correct aperture and shutter speed, how to frame a scene for the best photo, etc.

After that, we will go outside and actually take photos ourselves and then sit in groups, share our photos and explain what we learned about connecting psychology with photography.

We'll be learning how to analyze film shots and sequences by watching excerpts from films directed by three legendary French directors: Jean Renoir (who started directing in the 1920s), Robert Bresson (active from 1930 - 1980s), and Francois Truffaut, one of the leading figures of the New Wave. You'll be learning all of the fundamental film-crit lingo as well. If you love watching movies, this is definitely the class for you!

Want to learn more about music theory? We’ll start with the basics of reading music and move on to scales, the circle of fifths, how to transpose music from one key to another, and other fun things!

We'll focus on Western more than any other tradition, but we can also talk a little about Middle Eastern music and Javanese gamelan. If we have time, we can even go into a discussion of the coolest bits of the physics/math behind music.

No experience is necessary, just a desire to know more about how music is put together. This is a theory rather than a performance class.

This class will be the first of a three-part introduction to graphic design, with an emphasis on the thought process that goes into making something look great, rather than the technical skills required to carry a good design out (which will come in the second part).

We will go over things like balance, choice of typeface, use of color, stylistic decisions, fitting the design to the content, seeking out originality, and other choices that a graphic designer must consider over the course of any project.

You must take this class to take Graphic Design II: The Skills, and Graphic Design III: The Project. You can take this class and not the other two if you choose.

This class with be an active introduction to the hottest competitive dance style on college campuses across the continent: bhangra. What started out as a kind of Punjabi folk dance has been embraced by Western pop culture, influencing and being influenced by hip hop, reggaeton, and other popular music. In this class we will learn briefly about the origins and spread of bhangra dance and music, instrumentation, props, and current college competition scene. Then we will teach some basic bhangra moves and even a little choreography.

This course will teach students to explore the nuance of Shakespeare's language for the actor and use this knowledge to enhance the study and performance of his plays.

Optional: bring a monologue you'd like to hone for auditions or just for fun!

If you've ever watched the entire list of credits of a film roll or sat through the "technical" categories at every year's Oscar ceremony, you know just how many people, departments, and specializations it takes to create a film. But one is there from the very beginning (usually): a screenplay.

In this class, we'll read screenplays as they do at initial reads: students will be assigned characters to read along dialogue for. We will then watch the scenes as they fit into the final movie: seeing what worked, what didn't, and how a story translates from script to screen.

Ever wonder how drawings can come to life?

In this course, we'll explore the 12 principles of classic Disney animation. After learning about these principles, we will attempt to make our own flipbook animations.

In this class, you will come to the projection booth of the Doc Films movie theater on campus and learn the basics of projecting movies on film.

We'll walk you through the basics of preparing film, in both 16mm and 35mm format: loading it into the projector, projecting it onto the screen, and more. We'll also talk a bit about the differences between film and digital projection.

In addition, we will discuss, in overview, what it takes to organize and run a volunteer theatre like DOC Films.

This class is the second part of a three-part introduction to graphic design. You must take Graphic Design I: The Thinking if you want to take this class.

In this hour, we'll go over some basic skills in the repertoire of the graphic designer, both in digital and non-digital media. We'll do various things by hand, then briefly go over the Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign programs in the Adobe Creative Suite, and talk about how the particular medium you choose informs the actual content of the work you make, as well as the process.

If you want to take Graphic Design III: The Project, you must take both this class and Graphic Design I: The Thinking.

Ever been charged too much for a pastry with your tea (or coffee?)? Sick of being exploited by evil coffee conglomerates? Tired of mass-produced tasteless treats? Want to stick it to the Man and make your own authentic pastry? Join this class!

In this class we will learn to bake some Scottish classics. No baking experience necessary.

In this class we'll analyze and discuss popular song lyrics. We'll talk about how we determine if a song is really 'music' or not and then we'll define what 'music' really is. Finally, we'll talk about why we humans bother to create music in the first place.

This is the third part of a three-part introduction to graphic design. You must take the first two parts to take this class.

In this hour, you will be able, using whatever medium you choose, to work on a graphic design project suggested by the instructor, or one of your choice. You will use the ideas and skills discussed in the first two hours as you make decisions and come up with a finished project.

In this class we will learn about the art of imitating drum kits and creating beats using the mouth, tongue, and vocal chords as instruments.

This course is open to tappers of all levels. Effectively, we will go through fun fundamental tap dance techniques for those who want to learn or brush up on them. Tap shoes are not required, but of course recommended.

Improvise music with your friends! In this class you'll learn the simplest ways to NEVER PLAY A WRONG NOTE! :)
We'll teach you about scales and intervals, and then we'll all play music together, without any fear of messing up! As long as we stay inside our scales, every note we play will be right, and we'll learn how to make music on the fly!

Bring any instruments you have at home.
Old Guitars, Drums, Keyboards, anything!

This course will be an introduction to basic vocal jazz improv technique. We'd start with some vocal warm-ups and then move straight into improv, listening to examples from scatting legends as we move along. Previous vocal experience is not required but all students must be willing to sing both solo and as part of a group.

Have you ever wondered how a piece of classical music is written? It turns out that it can be a pretty complex and difficult process. In this class, we'll learn about how it's done through the music of one of the most renowned composers who ever lived, Ludwig van Beethoven. We'll listen to some of Beethoven's most famous pieces -- and then talk about how Beethoven wrote them!

How do movie-makers develop a plot? In this class, we will answer this question by discussion "montage" -- aka the technique of combining separate moving images to create an understandable plot. We will learn by engaging in a group activity which will help us better understand what montage is and what it does.

Love to doodle in class? Just interested in comics? Combining pictures and words to tell dramatic, funny or weird stories goes back to ancient history, and for good reason: it's fun. In this class you'll have the opportunity to learn a little bit about different types of comics and graphic art, and ultimately make your own short comic. No prior experience or drawing talent is required!

We'll be learning how to skillfully do realistic and interesting sketches outdoors on the University of Chicago campus. Students could try to capture a tree in its autumnal glory, or focus on a particularly compelling architectural facade (from one of the many lovely neo-Gothic buildings on campus). No experience in drawing necessary!

Have you ever wanted to be a Rockette? Come learn the basics of dancing in a kick line and perform a short kick routine!

Please wear clothes you can dance in (no jeans!) and, if you have them, dance shoes.

Do you like to sing? Do you like to dance? Do you like to do both at the same time? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, this is the class for you! Whether you are a full-blown musical theater expert or if you've never stepped foot on a stage, there is something here for everyone! The first part of the class will be spent observing the history of musical theater through poignant performances from legendary shows. The second part of the class will consist of applying the skills you've learned through staging a musical number! Come dressed to move and ready to learn! All levels are welcome; no experience is necessary!

In this class, we'll make our very own pizza from scratch. In the morning, we'll make dough, and decide what kinds of toppings we'd like on the pizza. Then, we'll come back in the afternoon, make the toppings, finish the pizzas, and eat them. Come to this class ready to make some of the best pizza you've ever tried... and eat it too!

(Note: this class meets from 10 to 11 in the morning, and again from 4 to 5. You should come to both parts.)

This class will introduce students to modern dance through a warm-up and fun combinations. All levels welcome! No dance experience required.

Sometimes, the clothes actors wear tell their story louder than the words that come from their mouth. More than just providing clothes for actors, the art of costume design helps reveal character and make stories come to life. This interactive class will explore the practical and artistic considerations that go into designing costumes, be it for stage or screen.

We'll take a look at the history of the 4th amendment as it's evolved (or failed to) in response to new technology, starting with Olmstead v. United States, when phones were still a novel idea, and ending with Warshak v. United States, a case about cloud computing email services. Bonus: why the Terry v. Ohio opinion is the best opinion ever.

The story of Atlantis was first told by the Greek philosopher Plato as a parable to show how heaven punishes those who worship false gods. Parable though it may be, this moral tale holds nuggets of truth -- that an island paradise was destroyed by a terrible cataclysm hundred of years ago. Myth or truth, the legend of Atlantis has inspired a search that echoes across generations.

Medieval Spain was home to flourishing communities of Christians, Jews and Muslims. How did they get along? This class examines the relationship between these three religious communities in medieval Spain. We will look at maps, photographs of Spanish religious buildings and drawings from medieval texts to get an idea of what life was like before the Inquisition.

Every single day we are confronted with prices – you can hardly go an hour without being confronted by some sign announcing the price of something or thinking about what you can or cannot purchase. However, few of us have ever stopped to think about just what makes up the cost of the things we buy. In this class we will take an in-depth look into what prices actually are and see that prices are very powerful and can tell us a lot about our world. Our departure point will be the famous example given by the late University of Chicago economist Milton Friedman, who used a simple pencil to show why prices are so important and allow our society to function the way it does. From a simple number two pencil, we will then go into bigger and more complex examples to see how prices are formed, finally allowing us to understand the prices and costs of things even when they are not deliberately stated.

President Calvin Coolidge is known for saying that the business of America is business. In this course, we'll explore how modern American business has evolved over the past century, moving from heavy industry to a service economy, as well as how businesses function today. We'll cover basic accounting terminology, a history of American business, and the strategies that modern businesses use to boost their sales and profits. The class will culminate with students being divided into groups, with each group tasked to solve a business problem using the tools reviewed in the class.

We've all been tempted to do it: put our money into the newspaper dispenser and take our several newspapers. So why don't we? Why aren't newspaper vending machines robbed blind? Why don't other vending machines work in the same way?

Economics is much more than finding out how much money we have or what we can do with it. It has the power to tell us why vending machines are designed the way they are, why drive through banks have Braille dots on their keypads, and even why bull elephant seals are much bigger than cow elephant seals.

In this class we'll learn and apply basic economic theories and techniques to issues all around us, to make the more a little bit more understandable, comprehensible, and interesting. No prior knowledge of economics is required, we'll start from the beginning and work our way from there.

Teens often indulge in what is known to be adult activity. An 18 year old can vote, drive a car, marry, go to war. However that same 18 year can't buy cigarettes or a beer. If society can't determine when a teen is an adult, how do we expect them to know?

You probably learned about the Nazi invasion of France in your history class. What you probably didn't know was that before Hitler's invasion, France had the best army in Europe, that all of Hitler's generals thought the invasion would fail, and Britain considered making a separate peace with Nazi Germany after France fell. Take this class to learn more!

In this class, we'll discuss some common misconceptions about Islam, Muslims, and Islamic beliefs. We'll also focus our discussion on the similarities between Islam and the other two Abrahamic faiths: Christianity and Judaism.

Refreshments will most likely be served.

Water - we can't live without it. We drink it, we need it to keep our sewer systems running. But, astonishingly, over 1 billion people world-wide don't have clean drinking water.

What makes water clean? What is it like to live without clean drinking water? What's being done right now to help people in slums and rural villages?

Throughout history, pirates have operated outside the norms of traditional society. According to some, they were nothing but rebellious anarchists. Others claimed the captains of their crews were violent tyrants. Still some believe pirate ships were home to the earliest democratic societies. This course explores these ideas by examining concepts such as unity through The Brethren of the Coast, pirate codes of conduct, the election of officers, checks and balances, division of labor and the rewards of piracy.

Martial Arts has many connotations in everyday culture. The many different forms of Martial Arts not only fight with different styles, but also with different philosophies. This class hopes to teach the philosophy behind practical applications of martial arts, with emphasis on Bruce Lee's philosophy of Jeet Kune Do. Some demonstrations will be included.

While the game of StarCraft has been around for over ten years, it still remains incredibly popular all over the world. In this class, we'll tell you about the professional StarCraft scene in America, Europe, and especially South Korea, where the game is nothing short of a phenomenon. We'll look at strategies that work, and those that don't. We'll see victors' dances and losers' tears. We'll learn about the English commentators and the lingo. You'll come out of this class wanting to test your game against some high level players once you're done!

Ever wondered what that 'dot' on Indian women's foreheads was? Or how it would be to live in a country of 1.1 billion people, cows and monkeys? See if you can handle spice like a true Indian, travel to the Taj Mahal and back, and expand your horizons. This class will give you a true Indian perspective.

In this class, we'll explore the development of human rights in the past century and will discuss some modern human rights issues around the world by focusing on how the United Nations and other institutions have dealt with human rights.

CDOs,mortgage-backed securities, mark-to-market, TARP….. ahhhh!!! These and many other terms now plague the nightly news as they are employed to explain the causes, consequences, or solutions to the current economic crisis. In this course we will take a step-by-step look at what the financial crisis actually is, from how it started to the latest steps being employed to try to end it, while trying to systematically explain what these technical terms really mean and why they are important. After we build a strong foundation in our understanding of the crisis, we will then proceed to tackle two important issues: Who was at fault? And, more importantly, what SHOULD we do about it now? Time permitting, we will then try to place the severity of this crisis in context by looking at several other financial woes in world history, from the Dutch tulip crisis to the Great Depression. You can expect to leave this course with a firm understanding of the current economic crisis and have the information necessary to develop a knowledgeable opinion of who is to blame and what policies are good for getting us out of it.

Practically every single table game can be described as a variation of a racing game, a war game, or a position/alignment game. In this class we will trace the development of these three basic categories of games throughout history and the bumps, snags, and people they met on the way.

In particular, we will examine the history of and learn tips, tricks, and techniques for winning at pachisi, backgammon, checkers, chess, carrom, and mancala. If time permits, we will then turn to card games, dice games, and video games.

In discussing the history of table games we will also examine how luck, strategy, and diplomacy play into games and how this relationship has changed over time.

Since at least 1789, the concept equality has been at the heart of the world's political struggles. Almost every war or revolution has had equality as a core justification. In spite of this, human society remains hugely unequal, both across the globe and within nations. We'll explore why this is so from economic, political, and social perspectives. We'll address issues of gender and racial equality from a political and legal lens and the issues of socio-economic equality through the vantage point of economics. After some initial discussion, we'll culminate the class with a debate amongst the students. Students should come to this class ready to express and defend their points of view and to confront the inescapable core problem of equality: to give to one person, you have to take from another.

Health and Sex Ed and 'the talk' are all great ways of communicating about sex, but things inevitably fall through. This class is to fill you in on the little things, and it's for women only.

This class is about slowing down the conversation to get the details straight, beyond buzzwords like "abstinence" and "use a condom."

Some topics we'll talk about include: birth control (why do you have to take it at the same time every day), fertility cycles, and how to deal with your period (example: ab exercises for menstrual cramps). We'll also cover elements of women's sexual health, such as pap smears, HPV and cervical cancer, and ovarian cysts.

Note that this class is for girls only!

The topic of healthcare has become one of today's hot-button issues. Unfortunately, the discourse has been muddled by rhetoric rather than a clear framing of the problems facing the economy and basic considerations of coverage.

Come here for a clear, lucid discussion of the economic realities of healthcare.

You’re walking down the street and thinking without a soundtrack. No sirens, no car horns, no “Look out!” There are visuals, gestures and your eyes are working to take everything
in.

It's an interesting hypothetical. Now, let's push farther: what is Deaf life like in America?

This class will provide an introduction to American Sign Language and Deaf culture, history, customs, and contemporary issues.

How do we say “Hello”, “Thank you”, “ugly man” and “punk” in American Sign Language? Why aren’t Deaf people offended by comments about their weight and appearance? What are some Deaf opinions about the hearing world? Is Deafness a disability?

The criminal justice system affects all of us, but do you really know how the criminal justice system operates? What happens during a court case? Who determines how long someone stays in jail? What is a public defender? What are human rights? To be an active and informed citizen, it’s important to know the answers to these questions.

This class will not only begin to answer these questions, but force students to think about deeper ones too. For students who want to be attorneys, politicians, police officers, government officials or simply engaged citizens, this class promises to be a great introduction to criminal law and public policy. Most of all, it will be FUN!

Sociopaths are an interesting for the fact that they are individuals who cannot connect with others. They are humans who lack something very distinctly human within them. Yet, it is incredibly difficult to differentiate them from average people, because more often than not, they are seemingly average people. Only the ones, who want to be known, are known and never in a small way. From Jack the Ripper to the Zodiac Killer to Charles Manson, these individuals have larger-than-life personas. This course gives a brief history of sociopathy and an overview of some of the most famous of these "real life supervillains."

To begin, I will introduce the question of "who is a shaman? what powers do they have/what role do they play?" In lecture format, with questions and discussion allowed of course, I will relate a typical shamanic cleansing ritual from the Andean highlands of Ecuador, and explain the beliefs and resources behind them, the controversy and skepticism around them, and their role in the culture of the peoples of Ecuador.
I will use props, but mostly slides, in order to make my presentation. Some music may be played as well.

Have you ever wondered what events in history made our wonderful city what it is today? Then this is the class for you! Learn about the most prominent events, people, and places in Chicago's great history.

The most popular sport in the world not only commands the attention of fans on television and in stadia, but of lawmakers and cultural theorists as well. The rising corporate influence in the world of top-class football has invited greater oversight on behalf of individual states leading to the establishment of a multi-tiered organizations to govern the game. Think of how much work individual legislatures do in national governments and the United Nations; imagine the same structures governing the rules of soccer/football. Add examples of human trafficking and immigration and football translates to a lot more than what is done on the pitch.

In this class we will discuss the role of Christianity in the American state. We will ask whether a secular state is ideal or even possible. We will talk about the concept of the separation of church and state, the evolution debate, and the role of civil religion in America. We will look historically at the development of Christianity's place in the state, comparatively at contemporary societies, and with an eye to the future of religion in the American state. The class will look at primary sources and will be discussion-based.

Gold. Man's obsessive quest for this glittering prize has led to the creation of many legends and the motivation behind many strange adventures. For centuries fortune-hunters have searched the jungles, mountains, rivers and villages of South America for the fabled Eldorado. But what prize were they seeking? A golden man? A golden city? A golden land? Or was Eldorado simply a dazzling, golden myth?

Every day, children are thrown into mass graves...or are found wandering without their parents or wasting away in refugee camps...or are brutalized into being killers themselves.

If children are loved and valued, why are they still being used as cannon-fodder? If international law upholds the rights of children, why are they subject to these atrocities?

What can we do to stop this? And how can we help children who have been the victims of war?

This course will focus mainly on the psychological and emotional trauma of conflict and life as a refugee, although we will touch on topics of international politics and law.

Let's talk about why it is so tough to get people to get involved in their communities, commit to movements, or get politically involved.
Some theorists blame it on TV. Others, on human nature. Still others, on our lack of real power in the first place.
Or is civic engagement alive and well, thriving in new ways on the internet, after all?

Newspapers are dying all over America. Yet they still serve a necessary purpose. Everything you need to know about the city and world you live in can be discovered in the pages of your local paper. This course will show you how to really interpret the articles in the paper to be better informed about the world we live in.

Considering the recent Miss USA's comments regarding homosexuality, or President Obama's recent speech at Notre Dame about abortion, each was entitled to their own view. However, the backlash of these events invites the question of what freedom of speech allows for in the public forum. Is discourse the most important?

This course will discuss the spatial development of Chicago. Developments and phenomena that it will discuss include industrialization, suburbanization (and the suburbanization of Chicago's economy), immigration, Chicago's "global" and "national" status, gentrification, urban decay and renewal, and social stratification through space. Chicago will be used as a model to discuss developments in American urban geography as a whole, although its divergence from the typical model will also be discussed.

This course will begin with a brief history of soccer and the current state of the game, including the current teams, divisions, and tournaments. The rest of the time will be a discussion of how soccer is involved in a country's politics, economy, and culture. A specific question we will talk about is why soccer is more popular across the world than in the U.S. Information about soccer in Chicago will also be provided.

This class is perfect for anybody who plays soccer or is simply interested in the game.

A crash course in basic economics. Everything (well, maybe not quite EVERYTHING) you ever wanted to know about the dismal science. Topics to be covered include supply and demand, prices, trade, government's role in the economy, and more.

What makes criminals tick? How can someone murder over 100 people and not get caught? What are the signs that psychologists use to identify serial killers? How can someone manage to murder another person in broad daylight while others look on? If you're feeling fascinated by or curious about these questions then sign up for this class!

Kung-fu, tea, emperor and silk. That's the past of China, a 5000-year-old country. But now, in a world where America designs and China produces, Made-in-China is changing our life. China is rising, with hundreds of cities as crowded as New York and 1.3 billion people working hard more than ever.

How will it change the world? It is the place you need to know about in the new century.Students from China will tell what they see about the country, its greatness and weakness, and how US-China relationship is likely to affect our future. GCC-Chicago also provides chances for you to visit China in person.

This class will delve in to the history of spying-- why we spy, who spies, and most fantasically, how we spy-- stories of ingenious inventions and daring escapes from enemy territory abound.

Sex is simple: the how and why is pretty straightforward. The survival of humanity depends upon a relatively simple act-- so why have human societies created complicated social circumstances-- such as dating, courtship, marriage, etc--for sex? How do these circumstances operate? What makes actions acceptable or inacceptable? What's going on?

In this class we will be discussing these "rituals". The first part of the class will give the basic tools for understanding social interactions. The second part of the class will focus on a discussion of the rituals-- applying the tools to things that we see everyday.

There are no prerequisites for the class-- just bring an open mind and a willingness to discuss and examine important issues in a new light.

This class will examine the history and development of advertising in the United States and will consider advertising's impact on American culture. Should we be concerned that stock characters that embody gender and culture stereotypes are used to sell maple syrup, rice, and baseball? Should we be concerned that fast food chains and sportswear companies give us empowering slogans?

Have you ever wondered how to parch a landscape? In this class we'll look at what we as humans can have done to make rivers run dry. Using all the best techniques from the Soviet Union and People's Republic of China, this class will be a splendid introduction to bad hydro(il)logical engineering and the problems it can create.

Summer is over, but don't say goodbye to fruits quite yet! ( or ever!) Ever wondered what you could do with mangoes other than eat them? How to make those crazy fruit lemonade drinks you get at your favorite bistro? How to incorporate fruits into your daily lives? Well leave it to us. Using 20 key ingredients, we'll ensure you'll have quite a fun and fruity time learning to whip up classic and imaginative drinks, salads, and desserts.

A lot of kids study FOR the SAT, but not many STUDY the SAT, ie. the test itself. Actually, knowing the in's and out's of the test is half the battle, and in my opinion, the more important half. This class will be a lecture/discussion on nuances of the SAT test itself, covering a variety of topics from the basic test structure, to common question patterns, to common tricks that the test writers will use.

We've all seen a Rubik's Cube, and most of us have played with them. Some might have thrown them against the wall. Now, the question is how to solve them. In this class we'll go over two sure-fire methods of solving Rubik's Cubes.

No experience is necessary. We will use a method consisting of 6-7 algorithms that will allow you to solve the cube every time. Rubik's cubes will be provided.

Ever wonder why peacocks have colorful feathers? Want to learn where the Himalayas came from? Did you know that fetuses have an extra heart valve? Want to learn why?

If unusual facts sound like fun to you, then join this class! Feel free to bring favorite facts or curiosities of your own to share!

Special bonus: the etymology of the word trivia...and Origami velociraptors!

Always wanted to learn how to knit but thought it looked too hard? This course introduces the basic elements of knitting, giving you all the skills you need to create your very own scarf. And once you can do that, the possibilities are endless (hats, purses, gloves, sweaters!) Expand your creative possibilities with this useful skill. This class is for beginners, no experience is necessary.

This is a class that teaches you how to successfully write an application and how to navigate the complicated financial aid forms that follow. This will be an interactive class, that will help high school students of all levels and give them an insider's view on how to get into College!

Thinking about becoming a lawyer, doctor, CEO, professor, politician? If so, you should know that these professions often require further schooling after college. This course will give students a brief introduction to some of their options for further study following 4-year college. Areas covered include: law school, business school, medical school, masters programs, phd programs, and more. Students will also be given insight into how to prepare during college for these studies.

We live in a society that says we have to go to college if we want to be successful.

Many of us come from families that have never gone to college and don't make that a priority, while many others of us have faced the constant expectation since we started preschool that we would have to go to the "best" colleges.

High school has been a period of so much change and unexpected experiences that it is hard to decide where we want to go as graduation creeps closer towards us.

This class offers an opportunity for juniors and seniors to get together and reflect on what high school was all about, why we may or may not want to go to college, and what might be the attitude we should take when trying to decide where we ought to go to college. Through critical reflection and discussion based on your individual experiences and hopes, we will aim in this class to understand what you felt was both wonderful and lacking in your high school educations and why you care enough to see that in the first place.

No prerequisites, but confusion about what to do or where to go after high school is highly recommended.

Do you have an oversized t-shirt that you can't really wear? Bring your too-big t-shirts in and make your own fashionable fitted tees!

This course is geared towards all people interested in the game of chess. Prior experiences is not needed because we will go over the rules of chess. In addition, students will be taught how to take correct algebraic notation. Lastly, basic tactical motifs and strategical ideas will be introduced.

This class will give an overview of the principles of several ancient writing systems, including Egyptian and Mayan Hieroglyphics and Babylonian Cuneiform. It will also explain how the Latin alphabet of today evolved from the original Phoenician alphabet.

Ever wanted to master Japanese in 50 minutes? Well, that I can't provide you, but in this class I hope to give you a very basic grounding in the language, at least to the extent that I can. We will learn how to read a few basic kanji (the characters that make up much of the writing in Japanese) via a short trip through the metropolis of Tokyo, a few basic sentences, which will allow us to do personal introductions, and how to write your name using one of the Japanese alphabets.

Is it all Greek to you? Now it can be ancient Greek to you! We will cover the alphabet and begin to explore the basics of the language of Plato, Homer, and Aristotle.

We will be reviewing some of Barack Obama's notable speeches via YouTube, discussing them, learning how to craft our own similar speeches, and practicing delivering them!

A murderer comes to your door and asks if his target, your best friend, is inside. (He is.) Is it okay to lie and say no?
Most of us would probably instinctively say that yes, in this situation it's fine, and even advisable, to lie in order to save your friend's life. So why then does Immanuel Kant want you to tell the truth?

In this course, we'll look at the basics of teleological ethics, deontological ethics, and virtue theory, specifically examining Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Aristotle's Virtue Ethics as examples of each, respectively. After we go over the basics of each, we'll look at a few thought experiments and real life situations, and figure out in what ways each system fails and succeeds in application. No background in philosophy is necessary or expected; however, please come prepared to offer ideas and engage in the conversation!

Express Yourself!! This two-hour workshop will introduce our students to various types of poetic expression. After some reading aloud of other poets and authors, the students will then be given a prompt which they must write their own works about.
These works will then be read aloud and discussed in smaller groups. They are not to be criticized, but critiqued; positive feedback through which they enrich their mode of manipulating language in order to express themselves.

Are you an aspiring author? Poet? Person-that-carries-around-a-notebook-for-no-real-reason? We'll work on learning to break through writer's block, tips for generating ideas, and basic techniques to help your work. Be prepared to eat, dance in your chair, and talk to us.

This class will present a brief introduction to Hindi, the language of Slumdog Millionaire, and the most common language spoken in India. Learn the beginnings of a basic conversation and the alphabet. We'll also learn about Indian culture, from the Taj Mahal to Indian cinema, otherwise known as Bollywood.

This class will survey female characters in Shakespeare, looking at the different portrayals of women and how they change over the course of his career. It will serve both as a brief introduction to Shakespeare studies and an in-depth look at the role of women in particular. Class will be primarily a discussion, although we will also explore the topic by reading from the plays and looking at images of particular characters. Some familiarity with Shakespeare (i.e. have read at least one of his plays), is helpful, but not required.

John Donne, a 16-17th century English poet, is well known for his passionate religious and love poetry. In this class we will discuss and analyze some of Donne's sonnets. We will look at his enigmatic relationship with God in the Holy Sonnets. We'll also follow some of his thoughts and commentary on relationships. This will be a discussion class so come ready to talk!

From the ancient epics of Homer to Eminem's passionate anthems, there have always been members of society who try to describe our values, joys and frustrations through songs and poems.

In this class we will be exploring some of these muses. From ancient to modern pop music, we will be looking at how their words and sounds reflect our values.

And if you like, bring your favorite songs (with lyrics) and poems so we can explore why you like those particular composisitons.

This course will introduce students to the basic concepts and writing techniques of journalism and reporting including meeting a deadline, how to conduct an interview and political reporting. Students will also have the opportunity to compose their own piece of freelance writing and examples will be provided of each of the styles at the beginning of class.

This course will focus on creative writing, specifically fiction. Writers of YA (young adult) and fantasy fiction preferred, though all genres are loved! We'll do some fun exercises, and perhaps even a workshop.

Guten Tag! Interested in learning the fundamentals of the German language for travel, to get a head start for school, or even just for fun? Ja! In this class, we will learn some of the fundamentals of the German language, and have a lot of Spaß while doing so! Bis bald!

Class open to students with no or very limited prior German experience.

This class will explore the creative personal essay: the kind of writing that you read in magazines, on blogs, and yes, in college essays. We will discuss what makes a personal essay a personal essay and practice techniques to make our essays stronger.

I'm sure you've seen the plethora of piled paperback novels in any bookstores around your place by the author, Haruki Murakami. Why is he so famous? Why is he the best seller? What makes him so good? If you ever wondered, join us in discussing him in a relaxed (or intense, if you wish) manner.

Computers work lightning-fast, but are there problems simply too difficult for them? Learn about complexity theory, the study of how difficult it is for computers to solve mathematical problems, and which problems might simply take millenia to solve -- and about a question with a million-dollar prize for the first person to solve it.

What are numbers, really? I mean, what *are* they? As children, we were taught how to count, as if numbers had always been there and were obvious. When you got to fractions, well, those were supposed to be clear too. And then real numbers? $$\pi$$? It was always brushed under the rug... it’s just some weird decimal that goes on forever, right?

Well, you can’t prove anything about numbers if you don’t know what they really are. How do we know that mathematical constructions actually work? What basis tells us that even something as simple as addition makes sense – how do you even define it? What could it possibly mean to take something like $$\pi^{\sqrt{2}}$$? Well, the numbers can be built out of something much, much simpler. You can work your way right up from almost nothing to the full complexity of the real numbers. Come and find out how a mathematician thinks about a concept you might have thought was simple.

This will be a very challenging course, but not like the mathematics you see in school: it won’t be about memorizing formulas or lots of calculations. This class is for people who like and are good at dealing with abstract concepts and logical deduction.

Ever wanted to keep a secret? In this class, we'll do a basic introduction to cryptography that you can do WITHOUT a computer.
We'll cover the Caesar Shift (and some variations on it), the Vigenere Cipher and the Beale Cipher, and then do a little on how to break them, so you'll never be fooled.

This course will help you understand the fundamentals and intricacies of calculus.

Had some programming experience? Algorithms is the study of how to solve computational problems efficiently, without focusing on the programming aspect, and it's a rich area of study with a tasty mathematical flavor.

We'll cover a variety of basic algorithms, ranging from depth-first search to A* and dynamic programming.

Ever wondered how websites, email, and instant messaging actually work? This class will cover the basics of how the internet and computer networks work. Topics covered will include physical hardware, routing, protocols, servers, information retrieval , and other relevant topics. The class will be taught in a bottom up manner meaning that discussion will start with the physical hardware that drives networks and build in layers up to what a user sees on their screen.

A basic understanding of computers and how to use the web are the only prerequisites for this class.

This course will present a few mathematical structures whose initial appearance may be deceptive.

First, we will talk about how to assign coordinates to points in space and why some ways of assigning coordinates are better than others.

Next, we will discuss sequences of numbers that are similar to the Fibonacci sequence (that's the one that goes 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8,...).

Finally, using some very general ideas in linear algebra like linear dependence and span, we will see how assigning coordinates and discovering Fibonacci-like sequences are actually just two versions of the same problem.

I can't even begin to describe and explain how important the Unit Circle is for Math, Science, and other subjects. Learning how to use the wonderful tools and skills that the circle provides will aid you in more ways than you can imagine.

We will go over the basics of the unit circle, and its applications to areas like Trigonometry, Physics, Calculus, and more!

Want to be able to tell in your head if 48302853453 is divisible by 9? What about 3? What about 11?

We’ll learn some tricks to tell quickly which numbers are divisible by 2, 3, 5, 9, and 11. But I’m not just going to tell you a rule: I’ll also show you *why* that rule is true. We’ll learn a little bit of modular arithmetic and understand something really interesting about numbers – all while you learn some quick tricks in math.

This course introduces the mathematical and economic formalism necessary for the systematic study of strategies and games. Strategic forms and dominant strategies, dominance solvability, Nash equilibrium, mixed strategies, and other topics will be discussed as time allows. In the second hour, students will apply their knowledge by playing a variety of strategic games.

We will use naive set theory to deduce several interesting properties of infinite numbers. We will show that there "are more" real numbers than natural numbers and that for any given infinite set one can generate an infinitely larger set. We also discuss the difference between a set and a class.

Ever wonder how websites such as Google, Facebook, etc. get put together? This class is an introduction to web programming. The class will cover the HTML, PHP, and MYSQL web languages which are the building blocks behind most websites. The class will focus primarily on PHP and MYSQL and how create database driven websites. Special attention will paid to giving students the tools and information necessary to continue learning outside of this class.

A basic knowledge of computers and how to use the web is the only requirement for this class. Some programming experience or knowledge of HTML will benefit the student but is in no way a requirement. Students who are knowledgeable in PHP and MYSQL will find nothing new here.

Here's a game. We have two piles of pennies. Two of us alternate turns. On our turn, we can remove as many pennies as we want but from one pile only. The last person who can remove pennies wins.

It's a simple game, but the strategy is not so easy to come up with. (Can you?) We'll play some games like this one and understand how to always win them. Not just will you be able to beat your friends, but you'll also see some really beautiful patterns.

Is a trillion larger than ten billion? A question so obvious and yet complex. In our daily lives, we rarely deal with numbers that large, and our minds aren't tuned to understand them.

Thinking about big numbers is incredibly important in science--where we must consider $$6.02\cdot10^23$$ little atoms flying around right here on Earth, or the $$10^40$$ kilograms in the biggest black holes known to man. But big numbers are also important in the real world--to understand just what a trillion dollar health plan means, or whether playing the lottery is ever a good deal.

You'll learn how to think outside the box about the large and the small, using techniques developed in the scientific community, and at Harvard Law School. Expect to come out with a new perspective on just how big a trillion is, and just how improbable some events can be.

Learn about nutrition, fitness, and what your body is actually Doing when you're exercising!
Answering questions like "why do people seem to have different metabolisms?" and "when am i burning carbs or when am i burning fats?" and "why do muscles get sore?"
We will provide some food as sample nutritive diets, and also some exercise equipment and heart rate monitors for some brief experimentation! :D

Interested in the origins of the universe? Look no further! In this class, we'll learn all about the cosmic microwave background, our primary experimental source of knowledge about the origin of our Universe.

After a brief introduction to radio/infrared astronomy, we'll talk about observational techniques, and the significance of the CMB in our current understanding of cosmology.

A lot of us take music for granted. We rock out to it at parties, we turn it on while studying, we hear it in the background of TV shows and video games - but a very small percentage of the population is unable to understand what music is. These people can't bear to be in the same room as music, sometimes they can't recognize familiar voices or tell apart two notes on a piano. Why is this?

This class is designed to be a basic overview of this very unique disorder. We'll talk about the more serious, scientific side of things (like pathways in the brain) as well as the more interesting, anecdotal side (such as a family in Ireland with a history of this disorder). Along the way, we'll listen to clips of music to celebrate our ability to enjoy (or not enjoy) this very human creation, and end with a brief discussion of other psychological disorders involving music.

Dark matter is one of the largest mysteries in cosmology and astrophysics. This class will introduce students to the idea of dark matter the includes a description of the rotation problem and gravity lensing.

Then we'll discuss how people might detect and find dark matter, and we'll hypothesize as to what dark matter might actually be.

We'll end with a presentation of several of the ongoing experiments and techniques for dark matter detection.

Have you ever wondered what most solids actually look like on the atomic scale? How do the atoms stack together? What sort of patterns do they follow? Why can something that’s strong and brittle and something that’s weak and ductile be made of the same material? In this class, we’ll talk about the structure of metals and other solids whose atoms tend to arrange themselves into ordered patterns. We’ll talk about the energetics of solid formation, and how these materials behave under stress.

How do we make decisions? How do emotion and reason factor into them? What heuristics do we use? What's happening at the neurobiological level? This class provides a brief overview of the basics of and some research about decision-making.

Ever watch the TV show "Bones" and just want to BE in their awesome lab? Come find out how much of their science is real and how much is made-for-tv.
Also, we'll discuss some of the principles of forensic anthropology, or using mostly decomposed human remains to solve crimes.
You'll get to see some (non-human) bones up close and personal. Don't come if you get queasy when discussing rotting flesh.

Do you think you know what anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating are?

Anorexia means will power, right? Isn’t bulimia just a creative way to keep tabs on calories? Men don’t have eating disorders… or do they?

This course will deal with the misconceptions and symptoms associated with eating disorders. (Lack of) control, body image, obsession, and misery will be of particular interest as these tend to be among the least understood cognitive components of eating disorders.

We will look at the prevalence of these disorders, their linkage to other psychological disorders, and current treatment methods.

We all know the standard high school chemistry explanation: metals conduct, insulators insulate, and semiconductors can't make up their minds. Let's go beyond that. We'll start out by exploring the electronic structure of semiconductors and what it is that makes them so useful. Then we'll move on to looking at what types of devices can be made from semiconductors -- everything from LEDs to solar cells!

Theories behind the origin of life have been a controversial debate since Darwin's The Origin of Species. In particular, America has the second highest percentage of supporters of creationism than the 30 most developed countries. This course will attempt to understand the strengths and weaknesses of both sides of issue through a discussion. Was it an intelligent being who guided the process, or was it simply a series of mutations that brought us to where we are now?

We will be exploring the exciting field of neuroscience!!! The class will cover as much information as possible, including a brief history of each topic and a short discussion of recent or ground breaking experiments. This way the students will have an introduction to the major fields of neuroscience and have an idea of the experimental techniques used by real scientists. The student will learn about anatomy, cellular neurobiology, developmental neurobiology, and systems neuroscience, including brain dissections!!!

What do peppered moths and goldfish crackers have in common? Both can show us how natural selection causes evolutionary change!

This class will cover the basic ways in which populations change and evolve through mutation and natural selection. We will also learn about the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in a delicious goldfish-cracker "lab" simulation.

Prerequisite: Some background in biology, especially DNA and natural selection.

This class is a simple introduction to the physics behind what makes the universe tick. It will be calculation-intensive, but only requiring a basic knowledge of algebra (a knowledge of simple trigonometric functions would be useful). Topics covered will include: Stellar radiation, finding the distance to galactic/extragalactic objects, gravitation and binary systems.

The Hittites were an ancient people inhabiting the land that now makes up central Turkey lasting from around the 18th to 12th centuries BC. During the height of their power, they were right up there with the Egyptian Pharaohs and the great kings of Babylon!

Hittites were really into oracles and telling the future, and used a variety of methods that were a little more exciting than today's horoscopes.

In this class, we'll learn about various Hittite divination practices, with a special emphasis on liver oracles and discussion of KIN, serpent and bird oracles, as well as examples of the results from actual oracle readings.

Come cut up livers with us to tell YOUR future!