Current Classes

Stacy Finkelstein, Art Department
This course will explore the dialogue between painting and photography. The students will be given a brief introduction into the interplay between the two disciplines through art historical and contemporary references. With nondestructive masking techniques, the class will use Adobe Photoshop to combine multiple photographic images. Students can work either with their own digital camera files or with appropriated images from the Web. Then they will be given the opportunity to digitally output their composite images.

Enrollment: 10   Cost: $5
January 17–20, from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m.
Hillyer 218

Louise Kohrman, Museum of Art
This course introduces students to the basic elements of drawing through a series of simple drawing exercises used to investigate the still life. Students will learn introductory-level drawing skills, forming a foundation for work in other media and more advanced drawing practice. They will be introduced to classical methods and concepts through a variety of traditional drawing materials. A variety of techniques will be taught to represent a three-dimensional world on a two-dimensional surface by means of linear perspective, pictorial composition, figure/ground relationships, shading, tonal value and spatial concepts. You can expect to gain a basic understanding of drawing principles and complete several sketches and a few final drawings.

Enrollment: 15   Cost: $25
January 9–13, from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m.
Hillyer 203

Patricia Wheeler, College Relations
Lace knitting places intentional holes in your knitted fabric to create beautiful designs with a series of stitch increases and decreases. If you have already mastered casting-on and knit and purl stitches, this class is for you. You will go beyond those basic stitches and learn to do some easy lace stitches such as the yarn-over, the slip-knit pass and knit 2-together. You will also learn an alternative way to cast on and how to work with a circular needle. The infinity lace scarf can be completed in a week and makes a great gift.

Enrollment: 15   Cost: Students bring their own materials to class
January 9–13, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Seelye 204

Imani Chanel Hines '13
Students in this course will learn to use needlework known as plastic canvas to create home goods. Over the course of the week, students will learn different techniques of stitching that can be used to produce a variety of items to decorate their homes.

Enrollment: 20   Cost: $20 maximum
January 17–20, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Seelye 109

Jeff Heath, Center for Media Production
This course is an introduction to using the video studio and studio equipment located in the Center for Media Production. The studio is the center of production for news shows, talk shows, sporting events, soap operas and many other types of programming. This workshop will provide an overview of how to produce a television show in the studio by learning how to use studio equipment. The group will work together to produce several different types of programming. Students will assume different roles such as producer, director, on-camera talent, writer, camera operator, audio technician and other technical positions.

Enrollment: 10   Cost: 0
January 17–20, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Center for Media Production, TV Studio (Alumnae Gym)

Alana Lehuanani Pilialoha Griep Wilson '14
Learn how to move your hips to beautiful Tahitian drumbeats and which hip movements flow to slow and fast drumbeats. You will learn the terms for different hip movements: ami, fa'arapu, otamu, toma, Tahiti toma, and varu. By practicing in class, you will be able to continue these hip movements at home and become comfortable with the motions. You will also learn how to accompany these hip movements with hand gestures and be able to perform a solo routine! A sarong is recommended but not required.

Enrollment: 15   Cost: $15 for sarong
January 9–13, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Berenson Leeds Studio

Melissa King '12
This course will introduce students to the popular fusion of jazz and hip hop dance styles seen in the videos of music's biggest divas. Students will learn original choreography to the industry's most iconic dance breaks along with new moves to hot tracks. Dance experience is recommended but not mandatory.

Enrollment: 25   Cost: 0
January 17–20, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Scott Gym

Carissa Dagenais '13
Theatre provides people with opportunities to expand their comfort zones in a highly organized and safe environment. It's not all about performance. This class will offer a glimpse into the world of theatre for a group of students who are interested in expanding their experience of self and group work. Depending on the group, this may include more physical work, creation of individual pieces, ensemble work or script work.

Enrollment: 15   Cost: 0
January 9–13, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Theatre 100, Mendenhall Center

Tom Silliman, dancer
This beginning social dance/ballroom class is accessible for all levels of dancers and will focus on the fundamentals of leading and following as a way to establish comfort on the dance floor. The class will focus on swing and night club two-step but will include other ballroom dances as time allows.

Enrollment: 30   Cost: 0
January 17–20, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Crew House Dance Studio

Elizabeth Hillis '12
The entertainment media are focused on male superheroes as illustrated by several recent offerings: Black Widow is the only female protagonist among the eight Avengers in the upcoming movie and the debate over the reboot of Superman by DC Comics. But what about the women of the superhero world? Can they only be relegated to supporting, "girlfriend" roles? Or are they really only just plot points for comic book authors to "fridge" (kill) over and over again? What makes Kitty Pryde just as over-powered as Wolverine? Or Huntress a more ruthless vigilante than Batman? Come to this course to read, watch, discuss and maybe even create some of the world's greatest super-heroines, lady liberators and women villains.

Enrollment: 10   Cost: $5 maximum
January 9–13, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Seelye 105

Kate Zdepski '12 and Lynx Marks '12
Inspired by the Reacting to the Past series, this course will explore the 1692 witch craze in Salem, Massachusetts. Students will interact with events by assuming the roles of historical characters to engage in debates fueled by primary sources. Class sessions represent four key times in the building hysteria of 1692. History books often describe only one side of an event; by dealing directly with individual political, economic and religious interests the course will demonstrate the importance of human agency in shaping our world. The $2 fee buys a printed game manual, which includes rules and primary sources.

Enrollment: 15   Cost: $2
January 17–20, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Seelye 107

Peter Wagner, Prison Policy Initiative
Explore the growth of a prison industrial complex through films, documentaries and short readings. How and why do rural politicians push for new prisons as job-creation mechanisms? When did private prisons come on the scene? And do we want the profit motive to dictate crime policy? What is the impact on the political process of prison labor and the powerful guard unions? How did prisons get to be big business when just 150 years ago the very idea of incarceration-as-punishment didn't exist?

Enrollment: 20   Cost: 0
January 17–20, from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m.
Seelye 101

Elayna Lalikos '13, Fourth-Level Black Belt
An introduction to the Chinese martial art known as Kung Fu. Students will learn basic self-defense techniques as well as breath control and methods for enhancing flexibility. Each session will consist of a light to medium cardio workout followed by self-defense material. There will be no tests, though students may be asked to perform techniques learned during each session. No experience in martial arts is required.

Enrollment: 15   Cost: 0
January 17–20, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Scott Gym

Lisa Thompson, ESS and Doug Raneri, ESS
Infusing our practice with prana (breath) and awareness is a key principle in the foundation of yoga. This five-day, workshop, totaling ten hours, is designed to deepen your experience of yoga and will incorporate breathing, asanas, meditation and philosophy around the idea of taking your yoga practice to the next step. It will be team-taught and will provide individual assistance and feedback. Some previous yoga experience is required.

Enrollment: 30   Cost: 0
January 9–13, from 9 to 11 a.m.
Ainsworth 304

Eliza Larson GR, Dance Department
Winter Yoga will introduce yoga as a physical practice and create a space to rejuvenate and restore energy for the upcoming semester. This is a chance to stretch and tone the body while relieving stress to create a deeper sense of well-being. Winter yoga will combine Hatha and Vinyasa styles of yoga. Open to students of all levels.

Enrollment: 25   Cost: 0
January 9–13, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Ainsworth 151

Makani Freitas, Office of Admission
Qigong is an internal art practice that is a combination of two ideas: Qi (pronounced "chee"), which means air, breath of life or vital energy that flows through all things in the universe and Gong (pronounced "gung" as in "lung"), which means the skill of working with, or cultivating, self-discipline and achievement. Relax...Move...Flow...This gentle practice of physical conditioning is an exquisite choreography of flowing standing postures. Qigong fosters balance, awareness and grace through meditation in motion, with an emphasis on body alignment. Soft and deliberate movements foster sound body and mind by boosting the immune system; creating a more focused, relaxed state of mind; and releasing stress.

Enrollment: 25   Cost: 0
This class is eight days, split between two rooms:
January 10, 12, 17 and 19, from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. in Ainsworth Gym
January 11, 13, 18 and 20, from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. in Ainsworth Gym

Scott Johnson, ESS
As you learn to rock climb, part of venturing out on your own might involve learning to lead climb. With lead climbing you place protection along the way, as opposed to top-rope climbing, where the anchor is pre-set above you. This fun gymnastic course will review belaying basics, equipment, lead belaying, placing protection and anchoring on sport rock climbs. Previous experience belaying and climbing is recommended.

Enrollment: 12   Cost: 0; gear is provided
January 17–19, from 10 a.m. to noon
Ainsworth 304, climbing wall

Eric Barnes, Philosophy Dept., Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Pool cuts across the boundaries of race and class in our culture, but it remains primarily a man's game. Women and men compete separately at tournaments, although men have no natural advantage. People often assume that women don't shoot well, but you can defy this stereotype. This class will teach students of all levels the rules and skills of pocket billiards (i.e., pool). Students will learn the rules of 8-ball, 9-ball, cutthroat, and straight-pool. New players will begin by learning the fundamentals, while experienced players will begin with strategic issues like shot selection.

Section I is appropriate for anyone, starting at beginners. If you have played much at all, you should probably be in the Section II. Both sections cover the same material, just at a different pace.

Enrollment: 12   Cost: $20
Section 1: January 9–13, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Section 2: January 9–13, from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m.
Packard's, Masonic Street
No alcohol may be consumed during this class

Merrilyn Lewis, Development Office
Do you find it easier to text someone than to talk to them? Does the anticipation of getting caught in a never-ending conversation make you uncomfortable? This lively, interactive session is guaranteed to improve your conversational skills, your poise in social situations and your comfort level. We will cover introductions, networking for success, how to manage food and drink even when interviewing for a job, and best of all, how to engage in meaningful conversations. Most important, you'll learn how to get out of sticky or boring conversations, graciously.

Enrollment: 80   Cost: 0
January 9, 10 and 11, from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m.
Seelye 106

Paul Wetzel and Joanne Benkley, Center for the Environment, Ecological Design and Sustainability
Caroline Moore, ITS
Fall is an abundant time of the year, with so much fresh produce you cannot even begin to eat it all. In winter you cannot grow any food, but you still get hungry. How do you preserve all that fall produce so that you can eat it during the winter? This course teaches the basics of canning and drying food for long-term storage. Participants will learn tips on buying or picking produce, equipment needed for canning and drying, the actual steps of the canning process, safety in the process and what resources are available in books and on the internet. We will emphasize a hands-on approach to the class and you will go home with many "fruits" of your labor.

Enrollment: 10   Cost: $15
January 17 and 18, from 8:30 a.m. to noon and January 19, from 9 to 11 a.m. Bodman Kitchen, Chapel

Linda Loi '13
We all love dim sum--but good dim sum is difficult to find in Northampton, and the components seem hard to make. I will teach you how to make delicious dumplings and package them just right!

Enrollment: 12   Cost: $15
January 17–19, from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m. and January 20, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Bodman Kitchen, Chapel

Scott Johnson, ESS
Have you ever seen a track in the mud, sand or snow and wondered what it was? Become a nature detective by learning to read animal tracks, figure out what kinds of animals passed by--and maybe even learn to tell what they were doing. Learning these skills will make even a casual walk across campus into an adventure! This course will start on campus with the basics and then head out into the woods in search of various critters such as porcupines, weasels, foxes and moose. Please dress for hiking outside. Gear provided free.

Enrollment: 11   Cost: 0
January 17, 18 and 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. Paradise Pond Boathouse

Alexis Peter Surovov, Development Office
Fly-fishing is both an art and a science that brings the participant in direct contact with the natural world. This course explores the world of fly-fishing in all its facets-- biology, tackle, river dynamics, conservation and literature and history (did you know it was invented by a nun?). Learn to cast a fly-rod and discover a passionate new hobby.

Enrollment: 12   Cost: $20
January 17–20, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Indoor track, center courts