Current Classes

Ollie Schwartz '13 and the Bike Kitchen
Everyone who rides should learn how to repair their own bike. In this class, you will learn the mechanics of all the basic systems of the bicycle: the braking, shifting and rotational systems; how to true a wheel, adjust a derailleur, fix a flat and replace a fork. We will also cover bike safety and courteous road riding techniques through lessons and a group ride, weather permitting.

Enrollment: 10   Cost: 0
January 14–18, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Bike Kitchen, Talbot Basement

Paul Wetzel, Sarah Loomis and Joanne Benkeley, Center for the Environment, Ecological Design and Sustainability; and Caroline Moore, Five Colleges
Fall is an abundant time of the year with so much fresh produce you cannot even begin to eat it all. How do you preserve all that fall produce so that you can eat it during the winter? This course will teach you the basics of canning and drying food for long-term storage. Students 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 print and on the internet. This will be a hands-on class, and you will go home with many "fruits" of your labor.

Enrollment: 15   Cost: $15
This is a three-day class: January 14 & 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and January 16, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Unity House Kitchen

Sarah Moriarty, Kirsten Ritter and Jessica Daubner, ITS
This course is composed of two modules: database design and interactive SQL (Structured Query Language). Each module will be taught over the course of a two-hour classroom session. Students will learn the relational database model; the steps for logical database design; the central concepts of database design; several basic SQL commands (creating tables, importing data, retrieving data, etc.). Students will follow along with the examples in the lecture by completing the examples on their desktop. The presentation with exercises will last for about an hour. The remainder of the class period is dedicated to a capstone exercise in which participants apply the concepts they learned to a mini project of their choosing. No prior knowledge of programming and computing (aside from basic word processing) is assumed.

Enrollment: 20   Cost: 0
January 15 & 17, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Ford 342

John Caris and Cory Keeler, Spatial Analysis Lab
This introductory course will lay the foundation for more advanced and theoretical GIS study by introducing the major tools and techniques for processing geographic data. Course focus areas include spatial data organization, management, query and presentation. Completion of the course will provide students with the skills and knowledge to begin using GIS for independent research and related coursework.

Enrollment: 12   Cost: 0
January 14–18, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Sabin-Reed 104

Jennifer Matos, Center for Community Collaboration, and Laura Rauscher, Disability Services
This course will introduce participants to theoretical frameworks in social justice education. Students will apply those frameworks to contemporary societal issues (specifically racism, ableism and classism), and will leave the course with a sophisticated grasp of social justice education principles. What you learn in this course can be used everywhere.

Enrollment: 20   Cost: 0
January 7–11, from 1 to 3 p.m.
McConnell 102

Brandon Buehring, Residence Life, and others
This interactive course is designed to use performance arts methods to explore issues of identity, difference, oppression, inclusion and liberation. Participants will learn how to engage their communities as peer educators, using skills and techniques from various practices and pedagogies. Participants and instructors will create a personal performance and a collaborative final performance, incorporating the four phases of developing a liberatory consciousness: awareness, analysis, allyship/accountability and action. No prior experience with theater is required, and all are welcome.

Enrollment: 20   Cost: 0
January 14–18, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Bass Hall 210

Laura Malecky '13 and Hallie Hoffman '13
The term Prison Industrial Complex (PIC) is used to describe the expansion of the United States inmate population in relation to political and economic power. In this course, we will look at the historical conditions that have enabled this institutional structure, the interests (and intersections) of private and public entities in the growth of the PIC, and the corporeal agency of those who are imprisoned. This course will help one to better understand how the Prison Industrial Complex manufactures and maintains normative categories of race, gender and sexuality that shape notions of belonging in the United States.

Enrollment: 30   Cost: $5 to $10, printing costs
January 14–18, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Wright Hall 238

Cat Wagner, Teaching Fellow in Dance
Learn to swing dance! Participants will explore the introductory practices of East Coast swing. Learning both leading and following parts, students will engage in various aspects of partnered dance. No previous dance experience required. Please wear closed-toed shoes or sneakers and clothes you can move in!

You must have a current Smith ID to register for this class and to enter the building

Enrollment: 20   Cost: 0
January 7–11, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Scott Dance Studio

Seata Shyon '13
Learn how to move your hips to beautiful Tahitian drumbeats. Learn which hip movements flow to slow and fast drumbeats. You will learn the different hip movements: ami, tamau, fa'arapu, ami, ami fa'arapu, ope, toma, varu and afata. Through practice during 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.

Enrollment: 20   Cost: $10
January 14–18, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Berenson Leeds Studio

Ling Qiu '15
This is an introduction to Chinese traditional calligraphy, for anyone interested in Chinese culture and art. Students will learn the basic skills of using a Chinese writing brush and learn to write distinctive Chinese characters such as Fu (meaning "fortune"), Chinese idioms such as He Jia Huan Le (meaning "best wishes to all your family") and a short Chinese poem. No experience in calligraphy is required.

Enrollment: 10   Cost: $6
January 14–18, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Bass 204

Louise Kohrman, Museum of Art
In this course students will be introduced to the basic elements of drawing through a series of simple drawing exercises used to investigate the still-life and deconstruct our pre-conceived notions of "drawing." Students will learn introductory level drawing skills, forming a foundation for work in other media and more advanced drawing practice. Students 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 exploration of line, linear perspective, pictorial composition, figure/ground relationships, shading, tonal value and spatial concepts. You can expect to gain a basic understanding of basic drawing principles and complete several sketches and a few final drawings.

Enrollment: 20   Cost: $30 to $40 art supplies
January 7–11, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Hillyer 203

Scott Johnson, Outdoor Program
As you learn to rock climb, part of venturing out on your own might involve learning to lead climb. As opposed to top-rope climbing, where the anchor is set above you, with lead climbing you ascend a cliff or wall while placing protection along the way. Although we will start with a quick review of belaying basics, the majority of the class will focus on lead belaying.

You must have a current Smith ID to register for this class and to enter the building.

Enrollment: 12   Cost: 0
January 14 & 15, from 9 a.m. to noon
Climbing Wall, Ainsworth 304

Elayna Lalikos '13
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.

You must have a current Smith ID to register for this class and to enter the building.

Enrollment: 30   Cost: 0
January 14–18, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Scott Gym

Eliza Larson, Teaching Fellow, Dance
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 with an emphasis on Pranayama as a tool to focus and find deeper connections in the body. Open to students of all levels. Bring your own mat.

Enrollment: 25   Cost: 0
January 7–11, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Berenson 3

Dahlia Nayar, Guest Artist in Dance
A ten-hour yoga intensive open to all levels. Students are encouraged to bring their individual concerns to the class, and each session will be modified accordingly. We aim to build a vigorous practice, expanding awareness of alignment and breath. The week will also include an introduction to yoga nidra practice, a deep healing guided meditation derived from Tantra yoga. Yoga straps and eye pillows will be provided. Bring your own mat.

Enrollment: 25   Cost: 0
January 14–18, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Berenson 3

Penney Roberts, Development Office, former trainer
This stretch class involves Pilates, Yoga, and general stretching exercises. We will concentrate on relaxation, centering energy, breathing techniques, and positive body image and attitude. Stretches improve strength and balance as well. Wear comfortable clothes that move with you. Sneakers, socks or bare feet are all acceptable, whatever is your preference. Bring your own yoga mat.

You must have a current Smith ID to register for this class and to enter the building.

Enrollment: 15   Cost: 0
January 7–11 and January 14–18 (a two-week class), from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Ainsworth 151

Melissa Edwards, Teaching Fellow, Dance
Exercise the dancer's way by learning ballet exercises and jazz dances. Build strength and flexibility with yoga and Pilates-based workouts. Music and a community environment will keep you motivated and reduce your stress. Take away new and exciting ways to keep you fit at home, reinvigorating your routine!

You must have a current Smith ID to register for this class and to enter the building.

Enrollment: 15   Cost: 0
January 14–18, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Scott Dance Studio

Scott Johnson, Outdoor Program
Learn to read animal tracks and figure out what kind of animals passed by and even what they were up to. Learning these skills will make even a casual walk across campus into an adventure. We will start on campus with the basics, then head into the woods in search of signs of critters from porcupines and weasels to fox and moose. Please dress for winter hiking. Gear provided free.

Enrollment: 15   Cost: 0
January 14 & 15, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Meet at the Boathouse

Peter Sapira
Do you find yourself putting off assignments because you don't know where to start? If so, then this workshop is for you. We will address the basics of thesis statements, supporting ideas, structure and content to provide you with a comprehensive and flexible approach to start any writing assignment.

January 14, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Sara Eddy
Handling sources can be tricky, difficult and confusing, even for experienced writers. This workshop provides guidelines and strategies for when, where and how to summarize, quote and paraphrase; its goal is to make college writers more confident and effective handlers of source materials. The technical rules for quoting (short and block quotations) and citing sources are also reviewed.

January 17, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Gail Thomas
Is your life running away with you? This workshop offers effective strategies for managing time, organizing course work and planning projects. Topics will include achieving balance, changing habits and facing procrastination.

January 16, from 10:30 a.m. to noon

Holly Davis
If you suffer from grammar phobia—if you are unsure about grammatical usage and terms, this workshop will ease your fears. In this workshop you will learn the ten most frequent grammar and usage errors made by student writers and tips on how to avoid them.

January 16, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Naila Moreira
I'm a writer—why do I need numbers? Statistics and data can power your prose, whether you're writing for class, for the news media, for a scientific journal or even for fun. We'll talk about how to use numbers to make powerful and convincing arguments in writing—and about how numbers can just as easily be misused to deceive, such as in the news media.

January 17, from 10:30 to noon

Brian Turner
This workshop will review practical editing techniques to strengthen your writing. We'll discuss active and passive voice, word choice and issues of audience and tone.

January 17, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Debra Carney
This workshop will present techniques for writing and delivering effective public presentations. We'll discuss how to structure speeches, handle stage fright, rehearse and use visual aids—among other speech-related topics. Participants will receive a brief public speaking assignment prior to the workshop.

January 18, from 10:30 to noon