Splash! Fall 2010
Course Catalog

You’re wandering around downtown one day, just hanging out, you know, when…hark! You hear some glorious rhythm and sound from around the corner. Street drummers! This class will provide you with a knowledge of basic street drumming technique, rhythms, posture, history and philosophy. By the end of the class, you and your classmates will be able to complete a basic, but impressive, street drumming performance. And you’ll feel really cool, I promise!


Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of rhythm (quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes) will be helpful, but is not required.

Defining "art" has become especially problematic since the early 20th century. Is art the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way to affect the senses or emotions? Is art the expression of objective aesthetic principles? Is art anything that is beautiful or appealing? Does art include music, literature, film, photography, sculpture and paintings? Or is art limited to specific modes of expression? Let's discuss.


Prerequisites
None

This class gives a broad introduction to the mentality and art of improvisational comedy. "Short form" scenes are short (duh!), stand alone bits of comedy (perhaps with one joke or punch line), and are often driven by short form "games." This course introduces the concept of "Yes, And" and practices it through various short form games. Like all classes in this improv sequence, most of our time will be spent doing, rather than talking about, improv. Everyone will participate. No previous experience is necessary.

This course is indented to showcase the incredible diversity and power of artistic expression of Classical music. Students will do a great deal of listening to music of different styles and periods. In addition to this, there will be brief lectures on music history and the evolution of musical form. In doing this, the aim will be to appreciate some of the great genius behind this music. This course requires no prior knowledge of Classical music or music theory.


Prerequisites
None

Outside the fake marble walls of the White City at the 1893 Worlds Fair, the Midway Plaisance amazed and delighted visitors with the very first Ferris Wheel, performing animals, early motion pictures, and a collection of full-scale ethnic villages, from the Inuit to the Irish.

In many ways the Plaisance was a forerunner to the modern day amusement park and premiered many forms of entertainment that remain popular today.

This course takes students on a stroll along the length of the Midway, from Washington Park to Jackson Park.

Along the way we'll stop at various sites to talk about the attractions that were once there and the ways in which they influenced how people had fun and what having fun meant to people in turn of the century America.

Flamenco is a dance form that began in the Andalusian area of Spain. It is known for its passion and intensity. Popular with both men and women, it can be languid, more angry or anywhere in between. In this class, the Sevillanas, the most basic dance, will be taught. Music will accompany the dancing.


Prerequisites
None. Bring character shoes or high-heel shoes with straps if you can (females). Bring dress shoes if possible (males).

Long form is almost like an improvised play; a collection of scenes that ultimately tie together into one topic or event. Two-person scenes are the backbone of long form improv, and in this class you will develop the skills to construct them given any suggestion from the audience. "The Game" is the core concept of a two-person scene, it is the common strand that ties all of the silly and serious things together. In this class we will use "The Game, game" to construct scenes that are funny and, more importantly, where both people are on the same page. We will then attempt "The Director," a rudimentary long form structure in which a director (me) instructs the improvisers through a series of two person scenes that all have a common strand. Most of our time will be spent doing, rather than talking about, improv. Everyone will participate.



Prerequisites
Either registration in the class Introduction to Improv - Short Form or some previous stage experience is necessary.

Sometimes the cover of a song is better than the original. A good cover takes a good song and twists it around til it's something else. A great cover manages to do all that, and make the original seem even better too.

This process is hardly limited to music. Artists pay homage to other artists, poets to other poets, architects to other architects, etc. And sometimes artists take from musicians, muscians from architects, architects from athletes, and so on.

In this class, we'll think about "covering" in the broadest sense: taking ideas from all over the map and putting them toward art that honors its source and breaks new ground at the same time. I'll give plenty of examples to get us going, but everyone in the class should be ready to bring something to the table too.... This is a studio class, so you'll have a chance to work out your own ideas, and get feedback from others.


Prerequisites
It is strongly suggested that you come to this class with work of your own that you'd like to develop, whether it be music, visual art, poetry, architecture, design, or any other creative pursuit. You don't have to do all these things, but having one or two that you want to work on will make the class more fun.

We will begin with a warm-up that combines technical dance (ballet, and modern) with hip-hop dance to ensure that muscles are properly stretched. We will then learn an intermediate level routine - it will be a bit harder than a beginner level class. Each student will then have the opportunity to perform the dance in groups of 3 to 5 students (depending on the class size). If you think you are a superstar, you will have the opportunity to perform solo or as a duo!

Why do critics hate Transformers, but praise black-and-white movies like Casablanca or Charlie Chaplin’s silent comedies? In this class, we’ll talk about the essentials of film production that help us discuss why a movie is good or bad. From 3-act structure to the 3-point lighting system, we’ll go over both the storytelling and the visual techniques that go into making a great movie. We will use these technical details to analyze specific scenes from movies like Goodfellas, City Lights, and Dark City. Finally, we will see how critics like Roger Ebert, A.O. Scott, and Michael Phillips combine their observations and analysis in film reviews.

"A movie is not good because it arrives at conclusions you share, or bad because it does not. A movie is not about what it is about. It is about how it is about it: about the way it considers its subject matter, and about how its real subject may be quite different from the one it seems to provide."
- Roger Ebert


Prerequisites
None

Have you ever noticed the way that an outfit can take over our first impressions of a person? Literally everything from the character's sense of movement, the openness or rigidness of their personality, their level of power or artistic flair--all of these subconscious levels of understanding a character begin with a fabric's weight, cut, and color. In this class we explore the creative processes that bring a character in a script from a fuzzy outline in our mind to a visual reality. We will work together and individually on various exercises to help get the ideas moving, and the class will culminate in reading an excerpt from a script and creating our own design boards. Throughout the class we will discuss everything from the considerations of a designer and our unique inspirations to what it takes to move from vision to execution.

Note: drawing ability NOT required.


Prerequisites
None

This course will cover terms in photography as well as some basic composition techniques.


Prerequisites
None

Have you ever wanted to read music? Now is your chance to learn basic music theory. Topics covered will include treble and bass clef, distinguishing different notes and what each stands for, as well as basic music vocabulary.


Prerequisites
None

Life isn't all fun and games, but improv comedy is! With a focus on working as a group, we will be learning about the nature of comedy on stage and how to find a method to the madness of comedy.

The Renaissance was a time of tremendous growth that fundamentally changed art forever. In this class we will discuss both the Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance and discover how the techniques created in this period left their mark on art even four hundred years later.

We'll learn the very basics of Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary dance.


Prerequisites
Come ready to dance, in clothes you can dance in!! (Try to avoid jeans. Sweats and a T-shirt is perfect) No previous dance experience required!

Chances are you live in an apartment or a house. Most of us do. And so have most people for years and years.

Somebody's gotta design the places we live, and there have been tons of interesting ideas about how to do so, over the years.

This class will go over some ideas and debates about how homes ought to look, feel and work. We'll look at tons of examples of homes--normal and strange, beautiful and ugly, big and small--and discuss some interesting questions that have arisen when people think a little differently about homes than you might expect.


Prerequisites
None, but this will be a discussion class, so be ready to weigh in on the examples we look at and the ideas we discuss.

When you think of graffiti, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the stuff you see tagged on sides of buildings and street signs. However, there is another side of graffiti dating back to the age of cave men. Corporations such as IBM and Sony have even created advertising campaigns for their products that included paying graffiti artists to do what they do best. In this class we will begin with a brief outline of the history of graffiti followed by a chance to try it out yourself on paper.


Prerequisites
None

Learn part of a hip hop routine! There will be a brief warm up before the choreography. At the end we will watch each other perform the choreography in slightly smaller groups--not a lot of pressure, but lots of fun. Don't forget to wear clothes and shoes you can dance in. Jeans are fine, just not too tight. Sneakers are best. Brought to you by PhiNix Dance Crew.


Prerequisites
None

If you are curious about art and architecture, this is the course for you! This course will introduce you to Chinese art, including the Five Elements of bronze, wood, water, fire, earth and stone. From the first five, which are also called the Five Elements in ancient Chinese philosophy, we have the arts of ritual, architecture, painting, porcelain and tomb. Altogether, these elements shape the way Chinese art looks as well as the meaning behind the art.

Students will learn basic culinary arts skills as well as learning how to prepare a simple yet easy-to-cook meal.


Prerequisites
None

This class will be a breakneck tour of tons of buildings and other architectural projects, based loosely around a series of themes and debates in the field. Be ready to see a whole lot of work, and weigh in on what you like, what you don't like, and what just confuses the heck out of you.

Although this will not be a class that formally teaches you *how* to design buildings, we will try our hand at doing a little bit of design, as we plow through the work of others, just to get a sense of what's involved.


Prerequisites
None, but come ready to think about what you're seeing, and talk about what you like and dislike, and why.

We will cover ballet, jazz and contemporary dance.

After an extensive muscle toning warm-up, we will do a few ballet exercises at the bar, followed by a short adagio (slow ballet combinations). Then we will venture into the world of jazz dance and learn a few fun combinations across the floor, including but not limited to the jazz walk, the six step, and a few exciting jumps. We will end with some challenging choreography, a contemporary dance.


Prerequisites
Previous dance experience highly recommended. Come dressed to dance!! (No jeans, jazz shoes optional)

Come and learn the great art of improv! We'll dance, jump up and down, and generally be crazy. Leave your timidity at the door.

Come and check out this introduction to the world of acting and physical drama.
We will be exploring the art of interpretation, or "theatre of the mind". During this class you will learn how to use voices, facial expressions and body movements to communicate to any audience. We will go over the basics of accents and articulation and how to get your whole body involved in setting the stage of drama. If you have ever wanted to know more about acting in movies or on the stage, then this class is for you!

This will be an informal and flexible class where we will use colored pencils, charcoal, and paint to explore form and color. In the first part of the class, we'll go outside to color-sketch from nature. Then I'll bring in (clothed) models to pose for you to draw. The class will predominantly just be a space for informally drawing - you are welcome to bring music and there will be snacks - though I will offer demonstrations and techniques if the students desire some guidance.


Prerequisites
No prior art experience is needed - simply for those who like to draw or are at all interested in experimenting.

In this course you will learn the basics of beatboxing, or, as it is referred to among a cappella performers, "vocal percussion." After this class, you will be able to mimic the drum tracks of your favorite songs!


Prerequisites
An interest in music and vocal performance; willingness to look a little silly and make odd noises in front of strangers.

Project Harmony, in partnership with the Hand-in-Hand school in Jerusalem, seeks to bridge the divide between the Hebrew and Arabic speaking populations of Israel. During the summer of 2010, Project Harmony hosted a music and theater program for 11-16 year-olds dedicated to three artistic ventures: the performance of an original musical, co-written by Israeli students; the recording of a CD of songs written for the musical; and the production of a documentary chronicling this unique program as it unfolds. The students had total artistic license throughout – projects for students, by students, engaging with the issues that are most important to them in contemporary Israel. Our Splash class will give a brief analysis of our program - both the successes and the failures - and place Project Harmony in a broader historical and sociopolitcal context, widening the understanding of the religious, ethnic, and legal tensions that plague Israel today. Specifically, our program will discuss the segregation in modern Israeli schools and contrast them to the integrated environment at Hand-in-Hand.

This course will incorporate the new art of Slam Poetry and Spoken Word to
teach participants how to use simple forms of effective communication and
creative writing to grab the attention of any audience or community to move them towards unity, breaking down stereotypes, and social change. This development towards unity and social justice will focus on writing short poems and sharpening performance skills.

Learn the basics of how to perform in mask. The course will also touch upon mask-making techniques and the history of mask performance.

First performed in Italian Renaissance courts, then used extensively to showcase King Louis XIV, ballet has become a highly technical art form that combines music, drama, athleticism, and grace. But don't be intimidated by all those French terms, tutus, and toe shoes - anyone can learn and love ballet! Come experience it in a relaxed environment and learn why it's the go-to training for everyone from figure skaters to football players. Please wear clothes you can move in, and bring socks or dance shoes.


Prerequisites
Socks or ballet slippers

We often hear scare stories about kids who download songs from the Internet and then get sued for millions. Downloading music and other media is considered by many to be equivalent to stealing.

But what is it that the kid steals when he downloads a song, and from whom does he steal it? We would like to think that it is the music itself, but the downloaded file just contains a bunch of numbers that the computer uses to make sound. And why is the fine so high? Surely, the song doesn’t cost thousands of dollars, especially when a CD with a dozen of them costs just a few bucks.

In this class, we will discuss the theory behind copyright laws, and what the court cases and battles that go into them are. We will also discuss some of the interesting implications of these laws (such as the fact that 80-year-old Mickey Mouse cartoons are still under copyright).

This class will give an introduction to the gods of ancient Mesopotamia and how they were worshiped, fed, and entertained.

Does the world exist? This seems like a fairly easily answered question--after all, we see the world around us, interact with it on a daily basis, and generally assume that it is there. But how do we really know that there is an external world? If we can call this into question, what else can we question? How do we know that anything exists? Can we even know that we exist? This course looks at some of the philosophical responses to these questions that have been presented over the years, mainly focusing on the works of Rene Descartes.

Do you want to be the next Donald Trump? Do you know the difference between real estate and real estate development? This course begins by providing you with some insight into the reality of real estate development from the experience of a project manager of an influential real estate project. We will discuss the influence of real estate development in economics briefly. From there we will then discuss how a project manager's experience can help you in being successful. The course unlocks the method to success and help you to succeed in anything. There will be a mysterious guest.

Is espionage a necessary part of international politics or does it just make great for great movies? Although professional spies are always going to be somewhat of a mystery, this course is going to uncover what we do know about them. We will talk about a history of international espionage, discuss major organizations (i.e. CIA, MI5, KGB), and reveal secret agents, operations, and failed cover-ups.


Prerequisites
None

Ever thought that classical painting and literature was boring-- full of serious portraits and stilted prose? Wrong! The classics were dripping with subterfuge, conflict and rebellion.

This class will peer under the dried paint and ink to discover the reality of art; not only will we discover the context and subtext of art, we will also delve into the fascinating lives of the men who produced these works of art.

If you are interested in the history of art, or if you are interested in hearing the gossip surrounding the "rock stars" of history, check out this class.

In college you will often hear people complain about certain social science and literature courses, or even entire academic disciplines by claiming that they consist of "talking about our feelings all day." Well, this course will be an exercise in doing exactly that. You and your classmates will be able to control the direction of the course, depending on how you feel - making it either an academic discussion of your feelings, a discussion on the role of and approach to feelings in academia, a consciousness-raising session, or just sitting around and kvetching. The goals of the course are to examine how we talk about our feelings, how it relates to the classroom experience, and perhaps just to unwind for a bit on a Saturday afternoon.


Prerequisites
Having feelings.

Law doesn't apply only to people over eighteen. Take this course to learn from two practicing lawyers about laws that affect you today and why the legislature wrote them. Topics will include laws relating to driving, basic contracts, school-student relations, and others.




Prerequisites
A desire to learn about the law that affects you.

Through an interactive discussion, we will explore economic marriage contracts from various parts of the world, identify the intent behind these practices, their evolution, their strengths, flaws and misuse.

In this class we will be looking at identity concepts in Latin America and how nation-building projects have stressed a particular ethnic, racial, and linguistic society at the expense of other groups within a country. This has changed how people in countries like Mexico see themselves and others, which has had positive, negative, and ambivalent effects in society, particularly for indigenous people.
Through classroom activities, we will question what we already know or think we know about others and consider what if feels like or means to be an outsider of society.


Prerequisites
An interest in looking at history in an unconventional way. Any experience or personal connection with the subject matter a plus!

We all know that you know that you know what you know, but did you know that we don’t know what you know that you know? Did you know that we want to know what you know?

This class is a hands-on class about teaching--if you’ve ever wondered what it takes to be a teacher, or what it really takes to teach something--this is the class for you.

We’ll go through everything you need to teach a class: we’ll discuss basic teaching techniques and theory (pedagogy), we’ll brainstorm and plan a class--and then we’ll teach!

This is the first of two classes. There are no prerequisites for the class--but come with a couple of ideas of what you want to teach, and sign up for the second class!

This class will focus on the history of the modern Olympics (from Athens in 1896 to a preview of London in 2012). Every four years, the world pauses to watch as athletes perform on the the most coveted international stage. However, the Olympic Games are much more than an athletic spectacle. In this short class we will examine some of the most inspiring and incredible athletic performances in the history of the Olympic Games while also taking a close look at pivotal moments in the games that had very little to do with sport.

I want to hear about you. I want to hear about your dreams, your aspirations, and what you feel stands in your way.

Be ambitious. Come prepared to tell me what you want and how you plan to get it!

Until recently, the US Supreme Court was composed of nine old white men, yet it's the most powerful part of one branch of our government. Even with 9 people who are more representative of everyday Americans, is this democratic? How much power should the Court have, and how much scope for interpretation? How easily can its rulings be overturned? We'll discuss these topics using a few important cases as examples.

How did a backwater state become master of the entire Mediterranean Sea less than one hundred years after first leaving Italy? How did a Roman army of 40,000 smash a Greek army three times its size? How did only 300,000 men keep control of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East for four hundred years?

The Roman army was the greatest fighting force of its day, as dominant as the armies of Napoleon or Genghis Khan. This class will show what made the Roman army so effective, examining its weapons, tactics, and organization. By taking it, you will learn how a small Italian city became the greatest empire in the history of Europe.


Prerequisites
Some knowledge of Roman history would be helpful, but is not essential.

We all know that you know that you know what you know, but did you know that we don’t know what you know that you know? Did you know that we want to know what you know?

This class is a hands on class about teaching— if you’ve ever wondered what it takes to be a teacher, or what it really takes to teach something— this is the class for you.

We’ll go through everything you need to teach a class: we’ll discuss basic teaching techniques and theory (pedagogy), we’ll brainstorm and plan a class— and then we’ll teach!

This is the second part of the class. In order to attend this part you must register for the first part. In this part, we'll be teaching!


Prerequisites
Teacher! Teacher! Part 1

We will look at the way soccer is connected to various political, social, and economic forces in the world. Specific topics include: nationalism, racism, globalization, and poverty. No prior soccer knowledge or playing experience needed, simply an interest in how sports over time become much more than simply a game.

Psychopaths are thought to be vicious, violent criminals with a blood lust that can never be satisfied. However, this is not always the case. This class will look at your stereotypical psychopaths, like serial killers, as well as introduce non-stereotypical psychopaths, aka the psychopath next door.

From Madame CJ Walker’s press and comb, to Angela Davis’ ‘black power afro’, hair for black women has been a marker of their identity – political, cultural, social, and otherwise – and was either her crown of glory, or a reminder of her ugliness (Rooks, 1996; Grier & Cobbs, 1968; Banks, 2000). Hair still is often seen as the all encompassing definer of the black woman; with the natural hair identity most usually being equated with authenticity, strength, and self-love; and the relaxed, chemically altered, or extended hair identity being equated with a quest to fit in with the European ideal, and for some, even a hatred of self (Grier & Cobbs, 1968; Banks, 2000).

In this class we will interrogate these assumptions, and explore how these ideas came about, and continue to be perpetuated; and how they not only affect black women, but both women and men of all "races."

Everyone knows that the Disney Princesses get to live happily ever after, but how did they get there and what does that journey tell us? From the passive Cinderella to the headstrong Ariel, we will examine the journeys of the different princesses with an eye to the movies’ historical context. In looking at these stories, we will also think carefully about how we judge the princesses. Who is strong, who is weak, why do we perceive them this way and what does this perception tell us about modern conceptions of gender and strength? Of course, discussion will be supplemented with original source material (i.e. watching clips of Disney movies).

The lightsaber, an elegant weapon for a more civilized era, remains as the icon of the Jedi Knights. Jedi choose one or more of the seven lightsaber combat styles to pursue.
This class will focus on an introduction and demonstrations of all seven lightsaber combat forms, as well as the real-life historical basis of each sword form, touching on many swords throughout various cultures in history.
Participants will learn basic sword combat techniques using foam swords.

Come and learn a bit about the history of colorism within the Black community in the United States. Have you ever heard your peers say that lighter skin is prettier or better? Have you ever witnessed others being made fun of for their darker skin complexion? Believe it or not, there is actually a history on skin color preference in the African-American community. This class will inform you of how some of these ideas have come about. You'll get a chance to share your thoughts on how you think colorism has affected your life and what you think should be done about it!

Think you're perfectly logical? Think that you see everything around you? That you remember things just how they happened? Turns out, you don't.

We'll see just how your brain doesn't work the way you think it does. It misleads you. It takes shortcuts, and tells you things that aren't true. Be aware of where your brain goes wrong, and you'll be smarter, better able to avoid being misled, and more aware of what's around you.

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!


Prerequisites
None

When the armies of Europe went to war in 1914 they did so with unprecedented numbers of men and technology, posing a host of problems never before encountered. In this class we will investigate some of the often ingenious ways commanders tried to deal with this new style of war. We will encounter such tactics as defense in depth, the rolling artillery barrage, the remarkably ineffectual tank, and the infiltration tactics that nearly won Germany the war.

The course will explore how borders are real and constructed throughout history and society, and what impact they have on contemporary social identities. With an emphasis on the U.S./Mexico border, the course will consider how trade (both formal and informal) impacts border relations. The course will also discuss the violence with which modern borders are often associated.


Prerequisites
Courses in 20th century world history.

Do you revel in being objectified? Do you take pleasure in objectifying others?

Must you objectify yourself and everyone around you to prove to yourself that you do indeed, exist?

Existentialism and the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre together constitute the philosophical ethos of recent modernity. This class will take a risque approach to this philosophical minefield. Through the window of sex and sadomasochism, we will examine how Sartre tells a powerful story of human existence through the interplay of sadistic impulses and masochistic urges.



Prerequisites
Intellectually risque and thoughtfully incorporating some risque concepts, some maturity is called for here. If you laugh not only the first time, but the second, third, and fourth time you hear the word “genitalia,” well.....

Is studying in two languages harder than one? Or does the benefit of speaking two languages outweigh the difficulty of learning both? In this class, we'll discuss the psychology research underlying these questions. We'll also look at how answers to this question translate into policy. Should immigrant kids in the USA receive public school education only in English, or should they receive bilingual schooling? To discuss these questions, we'll mainly focus on various bilingual and transitional programs for Spanish-English bilingual students in Chicago.

In the twenty-first century, policies and practices concerning education, social supports, health and human services, and public policy need to be informed by valid perspectives regarding human development processes.

These perspectives should acknowledge the experiences of diverse members of society.

In this class, we will discuss a range of factors including: 1) contextual influences (social, neighborhood, family, peers); 2) skin color differences; 3) race awareness
schooling experiences and achievement
4)white privilege; and 4) resiliency.



Prerequisites
None (Note: This class is similar to "S658: The Science Behind Brain Disorders". If you register for that class, you should NOT take this class)

Brazil is world’s fifth largest country in terms of geographical size and population. It is very likely that you have heard of this country’s Churrascos, Samba, Carnaval and beautiful beaches. However, a little known fact is that Brazil has the largest number of people of African descent outside the continent of Africa—even larger than the number of people in the United States. In this Splash course I propose to explore the cultural, social, economic and political distinctions among people of African descent in Brazil.


Prerequisites
Just come with an open mind, ready to have fun and learn.

Though no two schools are the same, every school could be better. In this class, you will learn how you can take a proactive role in improving your school. Topics covered will include how to evaluate your school's strengths and weaknesses, what exactly constitutes "improvement," the benefits and challenges of student-initiated change, how to collaborate with adults, and examples of students who succesfully improved their schools.


Prerequisites
None

The best way to learn how to fix something is to take it apart and put it back together before it even breaks! In this class we will be assembling a bike that has been completely disassembled beforehand in order to learn how to examine, fix or replace each part.

Learn what it takes to make a video game in the modern day and age! We will cover the four basic pillars of video game development and the skills it takes to excel at each. Afterwards we will go over the stages of development for an award-winning family mystery game.

Loneliness:
A condition which makes the worst of days infinitely more unbearable, and a crisis which seems almost epidemic in our world today. On those days that we feel thoroughly awful and terribly alone, wouldn’t it be fantastic if there was a drug to help us cheer up, without the unpleasant side-effect of getting us arrested? In this class, in addition to gaining some significant scientific and cultural insight into the crisis of loneliness which faces the social creature man today, we’ll be making our own ‘medicine’ through a very simple sociopsychological experiment. We will build fleeting but nonetheless real bonds with our fellow humans in the class, and when we take our leave of each other, each of us will have a bottle of actual pull-apart pills, containing scrolls with the written wisdom and well wishes of each of our classmates: a cleverly packaged little something to remind us that there are other real people, living, breathing, hurting, and wishing with us on the planet, for when we need to know it most.



Prerequisites
0.25 - 100 g of sadness 25 - 1000 g of kindness.

We'll demonstrate the basic ABC quick check (air, brakes, chain, quick-releases) as well as how to adjust the brakes, lube the chain, and fix a flat.

This will be a hands-on course. Students should come in clothes they don't mind getting a bit dirty; students are strongly encouraged to wear long pants and closed-toed shoes.

Instructors and tools to be provided courtesy of Blackstone Bicycle Works.


Prerequisites
Preference will be given to students who own bicycles and live in Hyde Park, Kenwood, or Woodlawn.

Have you heard of this "Starcraft II" thing? Well, it's kind of AWESOME. As one Starcraft II Commentator, Husky, said: "It's like chess at a million miles an hour."

If you want to pwn some noobs, this class will give you the basic tools. We'll explore some basic concepts of strategy games like macro, micro, scouting, build orders, unit composition, and UBER PWNING.


Prerequisites
Anyone who likes video games should tkae this class! Take this class if: -You are interested in strategy games but never tried them out -You play but aren't that great yet -You're super good and you want to critique my advice

What are the roles of stuffed animals in modern society? What is their origin? Who makes them? What are the different perspectives on stuffed animals?

There will also be much discussion of stuffed animals.


Prerequisites
Love of stuffed animals

Believe it or not: professional gamers in South Korea can make millions of dollars in endorsement deals, tournament winnings, and can even have fan-girls. But it isn't just the gamers that can make money in pro video-gaming: there are hired commentators, tournament organizers, referees, coaches, and technology specialists who are essential components to running a great tournament. After this class, hopefully you will take away a knowledge of the pro gaming world and how it might, one day, rival some of the professional sports we know and love today.


Prerequisites
An interest in video games, economics, sports, or event organization could be useful. The class will be accessible to anyone, even those who haven't played games!

We will go over the beginner method for solving the cube to introduce the concept to people who can't solve. This class may also cover advanced methods for solving.


Prerequisites
A genuine interest in solving. It requires lots of patience and dedication as it can get frustrating at times.

Congratulations! The Splash Fund for new business ideas has decided to give you 1 million dollars for you and your friends to start a company. So, what kind of business do you decide to start? And, more importantly, how are you going to convince the Splash Fund that you're using the money wisely?


Prerequisites
Just your creativity and your desire to make a change in the world.

Love arts and crafts? Concerned about the environment? Come combine your passions for both in making arts and crafts with recycled material. Learn how to keep the environment clean while expanding your creative horizons!


Prerequisites
None

Do you look at birthday cakes and think, "I wish I could do that!"? Well, this is the class for you! We'll learn how to make professional-looking cake decorations (including that fancy writing!) without having to buy any special kitchen gadgets. Together we'll frost and decorate our own beautifully delicious Splash cake!


Prerequisites
A sweet tooth!

Gardening and agriculture is no longer just a rural country past time. You can garden and grow food just about anywhere, even here in Chicago! If you enjoy nature, working with your hands, and don't mind getting a little dirty, then this course is for you. You will learn all the basics about gardening and growing your own food in the city, and plant your very own vegetable seeds to take home. There will even be a taste-testing of local produce from an urban farm in Chicago!


Prerequisites
An interest in food! No prior knowledge of gardening or agriculture required.

You want to write, yeah? Of course you do. Everyone has a story to tell. So how do you put it on paper? And how do you get that story published? Well, we're all about telling you how to do just those things!

Ever wondered what hakuna matata really means?
Well, this class would be a good way to find out.
We will take time to go through the basic vocabulary and grammar of the language and practice how to speak it.
We will learn market place vocabulary and some things on the culture of the language.

Ever gotten tongue-tied when you tried to explain your thoughts? Or had someone talk circles around you? Are the people around you wrong all the time, but they refuse to listen to your wisdom?

Well, be frustrated no longer! This course will teach you the secrets the pros use to construct powerful arguments and deliver them effectively, then give you a chance to practice using them.


Prerequisites
Strong opinions The desire to prove others wrong

While Dr. Seuss may be taught almost exclusively to elementary school students, is it wise to abandon his teachings as we age?

This course will examine, in-depth, the function of parables through time with emphasis placed upon the parables of Dr. Seuss and their relationship to historical/contemporary political and social thought. Additionally, the course will examine the rhetorical devices used within the works and how they help to establish Dr Seuss's message.



Prerequisites
None

This is an introductory Spanish course.

Shakespeare's 153 sonnets contain some of his most masterful and
provocative poetry. But they aren't just sappy love poetry. Shakespeare's sequence explores everything from insomnia to death, and most are addressed to a man! In a whirlwind overview of the sonnets, we will learn some fundamentals about sonnets (what makes a poem a sonnet? what's the difference between an English and Italian sonnet?)before exploring Shakespeare's sequence. Expect to learn some of his "greatest hits" as well as some lesser know gems. Every student will have an opportunity to do a dramatic reading of a sonnet and try their hand penning their own masterpiece. Whether you are a Shakespeare buff or never read a word by him in your life, come explore some of his most accessible poetry.

The night sky has long been a source of inspiration to people worldwide. In this class, we will look at images of constellations, stars, and planets, and retell the compelling stories told to commemorate the cosmos. We will also learn some basic astronomy so that you can navigate the heavens from you own window.

This is a good opportunity if you are interested in astronomy, history, literature, and/or physics.


Prerequisites
None

Join us for a discussion of the written word-- literally, how we write. In the first part of the class, we'll discuss a brief history of the forms of the alphabet (focusing on the Roman alphabet, though we may take a look at other forms of writing like Cyrillic or Arabic) before moving on to a discussion of typesetting and typography in printed books and on the computer. In the last part of the class, we'll give a short introduction to modern forms of calligraphy and everyone will get a chance to try it!

In this class we will discuss some of the works of the Spanish writer Federico García Lorca. The theme that we will focus on is the repression of sexuality. This theme is repeated throughout Lorca's works and is a fundamental element in the development of an understanding and eventually analysis of the author's writing. As a Surrealist writer, Lorca tends to use diction and syntax that many students of his work find confusing and inexplicable. However, in this course we will demonstrate that meaning can always be extracted, even from Surrealist texts which many people simply dismiss as nonsensical. We will conduct an overview of Lorca's turbulent life, as well as analysis of his play The House of Bernarda Alba and select poems, in an attempt to delve deeper into the theme of sexual repression that is so evident in the author's writing. Because I know not everyone is able to read advanced Spanish texts, we will use English translations of certain excerpts from the play and the poems. As a side note, I'd like to point out that the way in which we will carry out this course will be very similar to Humanities classes in college. What that means is you will get to experience college first-hand before actually getting there, which gives you that much of an edge over the competition. I look forward to seeing you October 2nd ready to learn about and discuss the great Lorca!


Prerequisites
All I ask is that you read a short plot overview of The House of Bernarda which can be found on this site.

James Kennedy, the author of the young-adult fantasy "The Order of Odd-Fish," will recreate with you the book's climactic "Dome of Doom" scene! The book is set in Eldritch City, a kind of urban Narnia with many strange traditions and rituals. In this scene, the hero and her rival must, as part of a dueling ritual, dress up as some of the 144,444 gods of Eldritch City and exchange threats and insults in the old classical Eldritch City style before fighting.

Students will invent their own gods from the Eldritch City pantheon (with names like "Aznath, the Silver Kitten of Deceit" or "Ichthala, the All-Devouring Mother"). They will then rummage through chests of costumes and put together costumes to look their their god. Next, they'll write their own baroque, ludicrous Eldritch City-style insults. Then we'll put on our own "Dome of Doom" style tournament in which the students pair off, announce the name of the god they've invented, exchange the ritualized threats that they've written in front of everyone, and then dance-fight each other (no touching) to insane fighting music. There will be prizes!

ALSO: EVERY REGISTERED PARTICIPANT WILL RECEIVE A FREE PAPERBACK OF "THE ORDER OF ODD-FISH"!

Are you an aspiring writer, poet, playwright or scribbler? Have trouble getting over that writer's block? Have trouble coming up with ideas at all? Come and learn techniques to help! We'll chat, listen, eat, and generally have a good time.

This course is designed to be a crash course in avant-garde poetry. In particular, the experimental forms of conceptual, sound, and non-intentional poetry. The course will try to introduce poets and poetic practices usually not taught to high schoolers to give them a much deeper background into poetics, and specifically modern ideas of poetry.


Prerequisites
Some background in poetry and read "Sonnet 18" and "The Raven" documents attached.

We will explore the literary phenomenon of New Sincerity in the United States. First, we will consider its historical context as an heir to Post-Modernism.

We will examine in-depth the writing styles of Dave Eggers, David Foster Wallace, and Jonathan Franzen with possible supplementary materials by the likes of Foer, Chabon, and Powers.

From this analysis we will see if indeed New Sincerity can be declared a Post-Post Modernism of sorts, merely its own genre, or neither, by looking for consistently identifiable stylistic and narrative traits.


Prerequisites
It will be very helpful if you have read (at least) one of the following. In other words, if you have time, I strongly recommend you read some books off this list: The Discomfort Zone, You Shall Know Our Velocity, A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again/This is Water (essays), Perchance to Dream (essay), Brief Interviews With Hideous Men, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, The Corrections

From Odin to Jason to Green Lantern, human culture has been riddled with tales of fantastic heroics. This course explores the connections between classical mythology and contemporary comic books, and the characters within. We will learn about the anatomy heroes, and gods, and the stories which we tell about them, focusing on comics as well as stories from the likes of Homer, Snorri Sturluson, and the Bible.


Prerequisites
A basic understanding of both comics as well as mythology will be required, as we do not have time to go over the background of each story and character in detail.

Did you know that there are almost 100 times as many speakers of Arabic than residents of Chicago? Did you know that words like "chemistry," "algebra," and "candy" have origins in Arabic? We will go over the script, alphabet, and basic vocabulary of Arabic as well as some Arabic culture.


Prerequisites
No prerequisites!

Email is often the first method of communication, whether you are applying for a job, introducing yourself to a colleague, asking for a favor, or following up on a frustrating customer service question. It is the first impression you will make, and it is in your best interest that it be a good impression. In this class we will go over some basic rules for composing and replying to emails. We will work in groups to write effective emails for both everyday and complex situations. If you are having some trouble drafting an email, bring it to class to share, and we will work on that.

We will read and examine comics of all kinds on the internet, otherwise known as webcomics: from inventive, traditional, bad, and excellent webcomics. Comics will be examined on terms of humorousness, intent, and joke structure, so that the students will be able to appreciate comics from a casual reader's perspective as well as a deep analytical perspective.


Prerequisites
Enjoyment of webcomics.

This class is the equivalent to the first couple of classes on learning the ancient language of the Roman culture, Latin. This class will include the different and main parts of speech- nouns, verbs, adjectives etc. The second part is be a brief crash course on learning the different declensions and conjugations.


Prerequisites
No prerequisites: but an interest in learning another language is a must!

Amateur cryptography. In this class you will learn how to make simple codes and how to break them!


Prerequisites
None

What does it mean to be digital? You may have heard of (or played) World of Warcraft, Second Life and other online worlds, but there's a lot more to virtual worlds than just games.

This course discusses cutting-edge research in virtual worlds. The material ranges from studies on culture to social interaction to virtual spacetime.


Prerequisites
None.

Here are two questions for you to think about:

#1) How much information is there in an average sentence in the English language?
#2) What do we even mean by the word "information" anyway? (This is actually a really fun question to think about -- "information" is incredibly difficult to define in English.)

In this class, we'll find the surprising answer to #1 (hint: it's a lot less than you'd expect), and we'll see how we can use math to create the only reasonable definition of information. These two questions create the foundation of Information Theory.

Any time that you download a file on the Internet, listen to your portable music player, or save a compressed file, you're using Information Theory. Information Theory tells us how to make our communication more efficient or more reliable, and it has been said that computers run on Information Theory as surely as they run on electricity. Come find out about this surprising and highly useful branch of mathematics.


Prerequisites
We'll be looking at some abstract math in this class, so we ask that you only sign up for this class if you have completed a first year course in Algebra.

In school, how often do you get to solve deep math problems? Problems that require thinking, not just doing the same thing over and over again? They're a lot more interesting, and a lot more fun. This is your chance to play around with problems that will actually make you think. You'll get a chance to work individually and stretch your mind in new ways.

Ever wonder what is required to run a huge site such as Facebook or Wikipedia?
This class covers the computer hardware and software necessary to run the massive data centers that power sites such as these. Some data centers house tens of thousands of computers and span the area of multiple football fields. How the necessary external resources such as land, electricity, and internet
bandwidth are provided will also be explained. The only requirements for this class are an interest in computers and the internet.

There's a good chance that you've seen Pascal's triangle before in your Math classes. If not, you can find a picture of it on wikipedia here: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_triangle).

What you probably haven't seen is just how much math is hidden in this strange creature. Why is it that reading across the first five rows gives the numbers 1, 11, 121, 1331, 14641 -- the first five powers of 11? Did you notice that every row sums to a power of 2? And what are the triangular numbers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangular_number) doing on the third diagonal (1, 3, 6, 10, ...)? We can answer all of these questions by learning how to count in a mad clever way.


Prerequisites
While you do not need any special background in math to take this class (a first year course in Algebra is plenty), we will be moving quickly and you will working on some tricky problems here, so be sure to bring your mental A-game!

Why do people get so angry at their computers? Why do computers so often fail to do exactly what we want them to?

This course surveys theories, problems and current developments in developing the way that humans and computers interact with one another.


Prerequisites
Some knowledge of computer science. Knowledge of linguistics is great but not at all required.

"Come learn about the financial crash, potential advances in medicine, the future of energy, and what science may look like in 50 years. With the advent of computers, the practical ability to use math to represent systems grew substantially. As computers become more and more prevalent in our scientific research, a trend towards mathematical modeling is growing. There is a large amount of potential in this field, and having an understanding of the basic concepts, abilities, and limitations of modeling complex systems is a useful for future mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. This class will cover those specifics in a relatively non-technical manner while drawing from real life examples of systems modeling."


Prerequisites
Basic Algebra

Do you consider yourself l33t-in-training and want to know more about how the Internet works?

Come learn about TCP/IP and many of the protocols that make up the Internet, including HTTP (for the web), SMTP (sending email), and POP (receiving email). You’ll also learn how the Internet is laid out, why the speed of light matters, how your data packets get to Japan or Australia, and why sending email or IMs is like sending a message on a postcard!


Prerequisites
You must have used the Internet before taking this class.

Ramsey Theory has the slogan "Total disorder is impossible", or in other words large structures have significant structures. This class will explore what this slogan means and various cool results that follow.

"Professional casinos or a foundation for economic growth? Come learn how math and computers have affected the finance industry and the world as a whole. This class will investigate both the methods and social worth of math in the markets. First, the basic methods and concepts used to predict markets and make money will be introduced. Then we will study the effects of investment and speculation through historical examples, both old and recent."

Black swans are an extremely rare bird. In fact, the existence of black swans doesn't appear in historical records until the 19th century. This class will explore the disproportionate role of high-impact, low-probability events, for which the black swan is an effective metaphor. The Black Swan Theory was developed by a Lebanese hedge fund manager, Nassim Taleb. It explores the difficulty of predicting such events
by scientific methods and examines the limits of human predictive powers. A variety of relevant fields ranging from medicine to business will be covered.

A caveman sits in a cave. There are some rocks at his feet. He picks them up, one at a time: one, another one, another one...

How did we get from there to all of the different things we call numbers today? What would the caveman have thought of a number like $$\frac{2}{3}$$? What about $$\pi$$?


Prerequisites
You should have some idea what the number $$\pi$$ is.

I'll take any questions you have on Astronomy and teach some of the basic concepts behind how the universe works. Then, in the second hour of class, we'll play a space-themed game using the knowledge learned in the first half, asking conceptual and computational questions about Astronomy.


Prerequisites
Some physics is helpful, some trigonometry is helpful as well.

The elements of music are not random; math and physics can explain a lot about music. We'll explore answers to questions like the following:

Why does a trumpet sound different from a flute or a violin? Why does singing in the shower sound different from singing in a classroom or outside? How does tuning a guitar work? What makes one pitch "right" and another wrong; what makes scales work the way they do?
Feel free to bring your own questions as well.


Prerequisites
Interest in the math and physics of music. It would be helpful to know some basic physics, waves in particular; being comfortable with exponents will also be very useful.

Have you ever wondered what controls your arm when you throw a football? Or what makes you breathe all the time?

Do you want to understand how your body makes you "hungry," "thirsty," or "amped up?"

The keys to these processes are messages: sent from one part of your body to another. These messages keep every muscle and every organ well informed about what's happening elsewhere, so they know how to act themselves!

Take this course to find out more!


Prerequisites
An interest in the human body, health, medicine, and how we work!

Natural selection is one of the principal mechanisms of evolution. It is a powerful explanation of why different species are the way they are. We will discuss some of the more prominent examples of natural selection, and also cases where natural selection fails to tell the complete story. This course uses delicious Starburst candies to help introduce the ideas of natural selection and how it affects populations.


Prerequisites
None

Adaptation is the evolutionary process whereby a population becomes better suited to its habitat. This process takes place over many generations, and is one of the basic phenomena of biology. In this class, you will learn the basics of Darwinian evolution and partake in an activity in which you create an animal with useful adaptations.


Prerequisites
None

Have you ever seen someone guess the attendance at a concert, the number of cells in the human body, or the amount of ice cream consumed daily in Boston? Do you worry that you’re not “mathy” enough to do the same? This ability is not inherent talent, or dumb luck: it’s a skill that we’ll learn!

Science asks us to look analytically at the world around us— to study complexity in all its wondrous forms. We break these mysterious problems down into simple pieces that we can wrap our heads around, then we put together the jigsaw, and voila! You have done something extra-ordinary.

Come ready to think outside the box and to exercise your mind in new ways. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist or a nationally-ranked mathematician to have fun and flex some new mental muscles!

You are probably used to thinking of your city, town, or neighborhood as a
community, but did you know that all animals and plants live in communities
too? Biological communities consist of a variety of different types of organisms. We will gather samples from two biological communities on campus and examine our findings in the lab!


Prerequisites
None

If you had to guess, how many elements would you say there are? (Hint: there are fewer elements than there are Pokemon.) How many do you know? Do you have a favorite? Do you want one? This class will cover all the cool things that make elements distinctive and all the cool things that make them similar, and we'll top it all off with a dash of music.


Prerequisites
If you've taken a high school class in chemistry already, this class is not for you.

This class introduces the basic principles of Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity. We discuss phenomena such as time dilation, length contraction, and some of the apparent paradoxes that result. We will destroy the common notions of absolute space and absolute time. If there's enough time, we'll understand Einstein's famous equation, $$e = mc^2.$$


Prerequisites
A strong background in mathematics. Calculus will be helpful, but is not required.

You have a second genome! It's called the Epigenome. "Epi-" is a Greek prefix meaning "upon" or "on top of." Come to get a crash course on this field of Molecular Biology.


Prerequisites
High School Biology

Exploding space shuttles, collapsing bridges, exploding naval guns… sometimes designs fail, and sometimes they fail catastrophically. These failures can be dramatic, deadly, or sometimes just plain silly, but they have one thing in common: they are all preventable. In this class we'll cover the technical missteps behind some famous engineering disasters (and some you may never have heard of). We'll talk about how smart people can make bad designs, the importance of communication, and especially the value of common sense.


Prerequisites
Any interest in engineering and/or explosions.

The purpose of this course is to examine maladaptive (i.e. negative, unproductive) behavior and diverse perspectives on psychological disorders. We will look at the clinical picture and treatment of psychological disorders.

Ecological and socio-demographic variables (e.g., race, gender, social class, etc.) will be discussed in terms of their influence on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.


Prerequisites
None (Note: This class is similar to "S658: The Science Behind Brain Disorders". If you register for that class, you should NOT take this class)

We have captured wild gummy bears and entered them into a captive-breeding program in order to study genetics. You will examine various offspring that resulted from different cross-breeding experiments and learn about topics such as inheritance, Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetic patterns, alleles, and Punnett Squares.


Prerequisites
None; some basic knowledge of biology and genetics helpful

Join us as we talk about various diseases and disorders of the brain. This class will be a discussion-style session, so any questions that you have about the brain are welcome.


Prerequisites
Curiosity about how our brain functions!

Do you love Jurassic Park? Did you have a triceratops on your 8th birthday cake? Or do you have questions about dinosaurs and paleontology? Then this class is for you! You will learn what scientists know about dinosaurs and how they know it. We'll talk about broad questions like what dinosaurs really looked like, how they went extinct, what a T Rex actually ate for lunch, and whether birds are really related to dinosaurs, but we'll also have plenty of time for other topics. So bring your questions and your inner 8-year-old, and let's talk DINOSAURS!


Prerequisites
Must like dinosaurs!

Even though you and everybody you know spends almost a third of your life sleeping, you may not know much about all that goes on while you sleep. This class will explore the psychology of sleep, including sleep disorders and dreams.


Prerequisites
An interest in sleep, and a high school biology or psychology course.

This class will go over the history of alternative medicine and current practices today, like chiropractics, acupuncture, and nutritional therapy, and the details of these kinds of treatments.


Prerequisites
None

Ever wondered what happens after you call 911? Or how disasters are handled?

Do you want to learn to what to do in an emergency? Are you up to the task of saving lives?

Disaster will be a two-part class. In Part 1, you will learn how to tend to wounds, splint bones, and do CPR. In Part 2, you will join a team of fellow students as you put those skills to use in a simulated disaster.

You can learn how to be an emergency responder. Are you up to the challenge?




Prerequisites
None

This class will look at the different ways in which people perceive the same stimuli.

We will look at a series of pictures and photographs and video clips and discuss how our perspectives relate to the ways in which we communicate with one another.


Prerequisites
N/A

This course will serve as a brief introduction to game theory as a decision making mechanism used in public policy and economics.


Prerequisites
Basic alegbra

It turns out that trigonometry is more than just a nuisance. From triangles, we can derive circles. From circles, we can derive waves. From waves, we can derive an understanding of energy. Through an understanding of sine and cosine, we will see how our modern understanding of the universe comes from a simple right triangle.


Prerequisites
Knowledge of sine and cosine, some background in calculus, and some background in physics. If any interested students have more specific questions concerning what knowledge is required to understand the topics at hand, they should e-mail them to me at gvaradarajan@uchicago.edu.

Everyone has been taught that the solar system is made up of nine planets (more or less) and our sun. Usually the solar system is shown as globes laid out side-by-side from the sun all the way to Pluto. However, even the best textbooks, museum exhibits, and analogies fail to capture how enormous our solar system really is...how big is something that is 7.5 billion miles across? In this class, you will get to see how fantastically huge the solar system is by laying out scale models of the planets along the nearby Midway Plaisance.


Prerequisites
None

This class will discuss longevity and aging. It will explain the biological basics of how and why we age and where we are now with anti-aging. We will also talk about the future of longevity and technologies that are still 30 to 40 years away.


Prerequisites
Basic Knowledge of Cell Biology

This class will be an overview of genetics and heredity covering Mendelian patterns and probabilities, as well as the molecular basis of genetic information and function.


Prerequisites
An understanding of the basics of probability and some prior instruction in biology, although the second is recommended but not necessary.

History, chemistry, art & design, politics, environmental science: learn more about aluminum in an hour than you'd otherwise learn in a lifetime. Includes a hands-on demonstration!