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Popular Culture and Music in Post-Colonial Africa — MET2140.01

Instructor: Joseph Alpar
Days & Time: TU 2:10pm-4:00pm
Credits: 2

In this course we will examine the role of music as a vehicle for political and social change in Africa. Our focus will be music-making throughout the continent of Africa during the nationalist struggles that resulted in independent African states and how musicians responded (and continue to respond) to the persistent challenges faced by those post-colonial states.

Global Environmental Politics — POL2108.01

Instructor: John Hultgren
Days & Time: MO,TH 10:00am-11:50am
Credits: 4

Contemporary efforts to confront our most pressing ecological problems are characterized by a tension between the global realities of these problems and the territorial borders and logics that define sovereign nation-states. This course will explore this tension in three parts. First, we will engage with a variety of theoretical and conceptual debates introduced by scholars of global environmental politics 鈥 a heterodox field that draws insights from international relations theory, international political economy, ecological economics, and environmental sociology (among others).

Latin American Ensemble — MPF4113.01

Instructor: Michael Wimberly
Days & Time: WE 10:00am-11:50am & WE 2:10pm-4:00pm
Credits: 4

This course will focus on the performance of Latin American music from all over the Americas, including South, Central, and North America, the Caribbean, and beyond. The ensemble will combine hands-on learning of diverse vocal and instrumental repertoire, traditional instruments (particularly percussion), and performance practices. Students will receive a thorough background in the cultural context of the music through in-class activities, listening assignments, and in the experience of learning the music.

Traditional Music Ensemble — MPF4221.01

Instructor: John Kirk
Days & Time: W 10:00AM-10:50AM
Credits: 2

We will study and perform from the string band traditions of rural America. Nova Scotia, Quebecois, Irish, New England, Scandinavian, African-American dance and ballad traditions. In addition, these will be experienced with listening, practice (weekly group rehearsals outside of class), and performing components. Emphasis on ensemble intuition, playing by ear, and lifetime personal music making skills (transposition, harmonizing, etc.).

examining space — SCU2214.01

Instructor: John Umphlett
Days & Time: TH 8:30am-12:10pm
Credits: 4

Are you interested in taking a closer look at the  immediate and collective spaces that we live in? What are some of the realities that exist around us and why/ how can we build work that pushes against these basic constructs.

molds — SCU2215.02

Instructor: John Umphlett
Days & Time: MO 1:40pm-5:20pm
Credits: 2

This course explores the art and technique of mold making and its supportive processes.Think about all the teeth molds we make when we munch through our evening supper. Our mouths often act as molds to shape the pressures related to communication and speech.  This class will investigate processes related to many different types of molds, from making multiple plaster part molds to flexible silicone examples.

Reading & Writing Fiction: Writing the Body — LIT4604.01

Instructor: Mariam Rahmani
Days & Time: WE 2:10pm-5:50pm
Credits: 4

This Reading & Writing Fiction course focuses on the novel, and in particular on reading and writing the body, with an emphasis on femininity. We will look at both the construction of and conspicuous erasure of the femme/feminine body. We will treat gender as a construct, discussing gender normativity, ciswomanhood, transness, and other related subjects and subjectivities.

Translating from Zero — LIT2573.01

Instructor: Mariam Rahmani
Days & Time: TU,FR 2:10pm-4:00pm
Credits: 4

Designed to help beginner translators with no experience build their own ethical translation practices鈥攚ith attention to issues of race, gender, and queerness鈥攖his course offers an introduction to translation via a hands-on approach. What pronouns do you use when translating from a language that doesn鈥檛 have gendered pronouns? Do you translate slurs? We will tackle these questions, plus the basics, thinking about a work鈥檚 tone, audience, and sociohistorical context in order to bring it to life in English.

Sustainable Agriculture, Building Regenerative and Resilient Communities — APA2348.01

Instructor: Kelie Bowman
Days & Time: TU 2:10pm-4:00pm
Credits: 2

Climate change, poverty, and food access are all compelling and urgent issues confronting our society. Growing local food is one significant way we can respond. Having received the Bennington Fair Food Initiative Grant with the mission to develop educational training programs in agriculture/food system workforce development and to create small business, this class will be practice based learning in regenerative agricultural practices and the creation of sustainable food systems.

Banjo — MIN2215.01

Instructor: John Kirk
Days & Time: W 11:00AM-11:50AM
Credits: 2

Beginning, intermediate, or advanced group lessons on the 5-string banjo in the claw-hammer/frailing style. Students will learn to play using simple song sheets with chords, tablature, and standard notation. Using chord theory and scale work, personal music-making skills will be enhanced. History of the African origins of banjo and its introduction to the western world will be discussed as well as past and present practices. Awareness of traditional styles of playing the instrument will be furthered through a listening component and ensemble playing with other instrumentalists.

Scanning Electron Microscopy Research Methods — ES4107.01

Instructor: Tim Schroeder
Days & Time: TU 2:10pm-4:00pm
Credits: 2

Scanning electron microscopes are a fundamental tool in the physical and life sciences. When equipped with an X-Ray spectrometer, a SEM can provide rapid physical and chemical data of specimens on extremely small scales. This class with cover the theory and practical applications of SEM imaging and analysis for advanced science students who have their own research interests. Students will be expected to develop and conduct an independent research project through this class.

Energy, Environment, and Climate — ENV2120.01

Instructor: Tim Schroeder
Days & Time: MO,TH 3:40pm-5:30pm
Credits: 4

The comforts and amenities of modern life require vast inputs of energy to power an industrial society. While the benefits of industrial society are significant, if unevenly shared, the environmental costs of energy extraction and production are significant. These environmental costs are also unevenly shared.

Environment and Public Action — APA2122.01

Instructor: David Bond
Days & Time: MO,TH 1:40pm-3:30pm
Credits: 4

Today it is clear that the environment matters. In activism and scholarship and public policy, the environment has become a potent (if sometimes obligatory) point of reference. Less attention, however, has focused on the emergence of the environment itself as a converging field of action for advocacy, science, and statecraft. In this seminar, we will reflect not only on what we know of the environment but also on how we came to know the environment.

Movement Practice: S茅n茅mali I- Drumming & Dancing — DAN2423.01

Instructor: Kaolack Ndiaye
Days & Time: TU,FR 8:30am-10:20am
Credits: 2

This course provides a vibrant introduction to the traditional West African rhythms and movements of the Mandingo and Wolof communities. Students will embark on a journey through both drumming and dancing disciplines, mastering intricate rhythms that will expand their musical vocabulary and enhance their dance techniques.