Splash Spring 15
Course Catalog

Everyone knows (or has heard) Bach’s Toccata in D minor. But did you know that piece of music teaches about the nature of Baroque music? And why it was eventually replaced by Romantic music? The mechanism itself (pipe organs in this case) shapes what kind of music we get…and, of course, the money…. Come learn all about this.

In this class, we will analyze and compare the satirical methods used to discuss race and the motivations for these approaches as exemplified in the two productions. We aim to uncover the motives of the directors and approach of the actors, as well as analyze certain phrases, methods of dress, speech patterns, and etc. used to arrive at the performer's point, and then to draw conclusions about the possible statements being made by these satirical choices. Overall, we hope to laugh a lot and learn about how to understand each other a little better and why comedy is such a great tool to do so. :-)


Prerequisites
It would be helpful if students watch White Chicks and Aziz Ansari's Aziz Ansari Live at Madison Square Garden during the week before class.

Interested in what more than 1.3 billion people on the other side of world are listening to every day? Curious about who some of the greatest Chinese pop stars are and how they have influenced generations of listeners with their charisma, creativity and heartfelt hits?

This class is an introduction to C-pop, a musical genre encompassing R&B, ballads, Chinese rock and Chinese hip hop by artists from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other Chinese-speaking countries. You will learn about C-pop’s traditional legacy, its biggest pop stars, how it was molded by the history of modern China and why it has grown to attract billions of listeners with its unique appeal. You will also learn how Chinese pop differs from American pop music, how it has been influenced by Korean pop and Japanese pop, and what it implies regarding today's Chinese culture and society.

Meet Jay Chou, Teresa Teng, Leehom Wang, Coco Lee, Jane Zhang, EXO, Jolin Tsai and others and embark on a journey of discovering and experiencing the fascinating C-pop world.


Prerequisites
An open mind and curiosity to learn more about Chinese music and culture. A background in Chinese history or language is not necessary.

What are old movies good for? Some are just plain great movies having terrific performances, great photography and / or writing. (Even in black and white! Even silent!) And some are just crap. But there's another entire use for old movies. Come find out what I mean and match your wits against your teacher and your fellow students! Increase your awareness of things present and past!

Come learn the basics of short-form improvisation by playing a bunch of (ridiculously silly) acting games!

Chicago is a rich home of hip-hop and of music in general, and to an extent, the type of music that individuals listen to helps to shape and confirm views they have about the world. We would like to look into more detail what kind of messages certain kinds of hip hop put forward, and the kind of impact these views can have on society. This would neither be in praise of a criticism of hip hop and rap, but a look at what hip hop and rap as art forms are attempting to communicate-and how such messages vary both across artists and have evolved in the past number of years. We'll watch music videos, listen to music and have discussions about various topics.

Circus is a performance art. Finding inner flexibility, strength, and ease of movement are serendipitous side effects, but performance is the end creation. Flying and Finesse is tailored to find your inner style of dance, acrobatics, and martial arts so that movement across stage becomes second nature. Even with the limited amount of time we have, you as a team will choreograph a performance tailored to your own talents. Feel control over your bodies, confidence in your movements, and accomplishment in your performance. Circus is a performance art. Be ready to perform.


Prerequisites
NO jeans or constricting attire.

Learn to think outside the ramen and PB&J. Try your hand at creating culinary treats and real, honest-to-earth meals for yourself and your family at home or in the dormitory.

Then, eat your creations.

In the 12th century, a great Sultanate was established by Turkish Warlords in Northern India and rose up out of Delhi. This was one of the first attempts by any ruler to consolidate major parts of the Indian subcontinent under one rule. With the assistance of their Turkish, Afghan, Persian and Hindu elites, the Sultans faced many threats both internally and externally from the prowling Mongols who terrorized Central Asia. The Sultanate saw the spread of Islam to India, and the rise of a unique and innovative Indic-Islamic culture that combined both ancient Indian and Central Asian traditions. Learn about what the rest of the world did during the European Renaissance, the rise of a great empire, and the foundation of the culture of what is today history’s largest democracy.

If you have no idea how to solve the Rubik's cube, this class will teach you! (I'll have cubes you can borrow during the class.)

Also, we'll talk about Rubik's cube competitions -- what they're like, how fast people are, etc.


Prerequisites
You should *NOT* already know how to solve the cube.

Still Life with Woodpecker is an acclaimed philosophical narrative by writer Tom Robbins. It follows the romance and self-discovery of a former princess, Princess Leigh-Cheri, with a great interest in protesting for the environment. The work touches on identity, fatalism, and everything in between. Learn why you should never trust a redhead and fall in love with a rugged bomber.


Prerequisites
It would be helpful if you could read Still Life with Woodpecker before class and come with questions. I will email specific selections that I would prefer you to read if you don't have access to the book and a pdf of those selections.

We will read a short story by Edgar Allen Poe, "The Murders on the Rue Morgue" and discuss it in a fun and engaging manner by reading certain passages out loud and trying to understand the conventions of detective fiction at play in the narrative.


Prerequisites
An interest in reading and literature.

Do you want to learn to juggle?
In this course, you will make your own juggling balls, then learn basic juggling tricks.
Anyone can learn.
Also, different styles of juggling will be demonstrated with explanation.

Our world is filled with monsters and it always has been. From the beasts of Greek mythology to the Walking Dead, monsters have taken different forms but they all come from the same place...the human mind.

Comics writers and artists have adapted the monsters of the past and created new ones for the present. In this class, we will look at contemporary versions of monsters in comics, including zombies and vampires, and discuss what makes these figures frightening or horrifying. At the end of the class, students will have an opportunity to imagine and draw their own monster!

Students will learn the process by which the National Collegiate Athletic Association marshals its myriad resources to the detriment of athletes, para-athletes, students, student-athletes and everyone else.


Prerequisites
An interest in and understanding of collegiate athletics and the big monies associated with the Big Prize.

A review of some of the most basic logical fallacies we fall for every day when listening to our friends, reading the newspaper, or watching a debate.


Prerequisites
None

Have you ever wondered what Henry the VIII's underwear looked like? How about Marie Antoinette? This class has those answers and more. The Evolution of Underwear will provide an overview of underwear from the middle ages through the 20th century. Particular attention will be paid to the ways that underwear was used to mold the body into the ideal shape, and to how that ideal changed over time.


Prerequisites
None

Socrates said "The unexamined life is not worth living." In this course, we seek to examine why we do what we do, and how that relates to what ought to do (or ought not to, as the case may be). Killing a life to save twenty? Giving money to a homeless person? Stealing for a good cause? Though the answers to these questions may be unclear, we shall examine several moral frameworks that can be used to resolve these issues. By the end of the course, students will have a lens through which to interpret their own ethical dilemmas and begin the process of actually living better.


Prerequisites
Interest in logical thinking and openness to new ideas!

Learn to grow tomatoes, squash, root vegetables and herbs at home, and take home the start to one of these vegetables!

Concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) have recently become firmly ingrained in popular consciousness after major controversies involving the NFL and revelations that nearly 15% of veterans returning from conflict zones in the Middle East have suffered a concussion [1]. This course reviews some advances in neuroimaging methods which have greatly increased scientists’ understanding of mTBI, addressing tools such as Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG). While the course focuses on the application of these methods to the study of mTBI, the topics discussed may provide useful information for broader areas of neuroscience as well.


Prerequisites
Some background in biology, chemistry, and physics is suggested but not required.

Insects make up more than 50% of all species on Earth, so why don't we know more about them? Come learn about insane mating rituals, devious disguises, and terrifying predators that belong in a horror film. There will even be edible insects to snack on...if you're brave enough.

This course will be a brief examination of the many diverse forms of dinosaurs that once roamed our planet. We will spend a lot of time discussing features of skeletal anatomy, and looking at how paleontologists put together these clues to form a more complete picture of the dinosaur world when they were alive.

Ever wondered how far we have come as a country, as a world, and as a species in uncovering the mysteries of outer space? In this class, we will study the history of space exploration and the achievements to date of various countries in the launch of spacecrafts, probes, telescopes, shuttles, space stations and more for the purpose of studying astronomical objects. Students will learn about some of the most groundbreaking missions, the renowned space race, and how data analysis is performed through many techniques, such as spectroscopy. Prepare to have your mind blown!

Are you interested in knowing if multicultural Greek life is for you in college?

Come learn with sisters of Lambda Pi Chi about the history of multicultural Greek life, the culture behind it, and the differences between more mainstream fraternities and sororities. Learn more about strolling, stepping, and everything else Greek from alpha to omega.


Prerequisites
Curiosity and enthusiasm about Greek life!

From Korean dramas to K-POP, Korean culture has become popularized since the late 1990's, a phenomenon referred as "Hallyu", or the Korean wave. Currently, there are about 80 million people worldwide who speak Korean. Although Korean is considered to be one of the most difficult languages for English speakers to learn, its alphabet is surprisingly easy to pick up!

In this crash course to Korean, you will learn the history of the language as well as how to read its alphabet!

Is learning a new language on your bucket list? Want to learn how to greet people in Pulaar, a dialect of one of the most widely spoken West African languages today? You're at the right place! Come and learn some basic Pulaar and scratch out that wish from your bucket list.


Prerequisites
No prior knowledge necessary, just enthusiasm!

In this class I will teach you the basics of cutting hair with a clipper and scissors, as well as:

1. How to do a buzz cut
2. How to do a fade
3. How to thin hair
4. How to do a quick-trim
5. How to precision hairline cutting

We may even cut someone's hair if we have any volunteers!


Prerequisites
None

Journaling is an opportunity for self-expression. This course will explore free writing, collage journaling, food journaling, listing, diary, book journaling, travel journaling, and commonplace books. There will be explorations of possible angles to personal journaling, looking for inspiration, and spending time customizing a journal inside and out.

Take your classic dessert drink and add some unusual culinary techniques from the modernist kitchen! We'll give you a behind-the-scenes look at the chemistry of root beer floats and top it off with some pizzazz!

Learn to tie some fun knots!! Take your favorite knot. We'll be tying square knots, bowlines, slipknot chains, alpine butterfly hitches, and more (time permitting)!