Earlham College | Explore-A-College

Wilderness, Education, and Leadership
This course will explore some of the various ways wilderness has been constructed and utilized in the United States from both practical and theoretical perspectives. You will be introduced to the historical development of the wilderness concept in the United States in addition to the variety of meanings and purposes articulated by its defenders both past and present. Through the lens of outdoor recreation and education, we will consider why wilderness is valued and the purposes it serves both to the individual and to society as a whole. We will explore models of leadership and group dynamics and the variety of ways outdoor education (and other wilderness uses) can be applied. You will supplement classroom discussions with a number of field experiences, including high and low ropes course events and a final off-campus multi-day expedition to a regional wilderness area.

Instructors: Jay Roberts, Director Wilderness Programs
Tom Ferrell, Wilderness Associate Director

People and Power in the Middle East
Why is there so much conflict in the Middle East? Who lives there, who has the power, and why does it seem that they just can't get along? When and how did the countries of the Middle East come into being? Why does the search for peace seem to lead nowhere, and why does the United States keep getting tangled up in Middle Eastern controversies? These and other questions preoccupy many Americans, especially since 9/11/2001, but it's difficult to find an expert who doesn't have a political agenda, and satisfying answers are not easy to come by. In this course, you will work with primary documents from Middle Eastern history and learn how historians use such materials to develop historical explanations. You will also examine some specific cases of political, ethnic, religious, and economic conflict involving Arabs, Israelis, and Palestinians, the superpowers, the Lebanese, Kurds, Iraqis, Iranians, and Kuwaitis, and the Islamists. You may even begin to find your own answers to some of these questions.

Peace Studies: Nonviolence for Fun and Prophet
Did you know that the number of nonviolent actions has increased dramatically in recent years? In the midst of wars, nonviolence has often been overlooked. Since the beginning of the 20th century there has been a great increase in thinking about and acting on the notion that nonviolent responses to injustice are more effective than violence. This introduction will focus on some of the theorists of nonviolence as well as some significant nonviolent actions. We will take brief looks at the psychological, sociological, historical, and religious aspects of nonviolence. The class will be interactive, including class exercises – and movies, too!

Instructor: Lonnie Valentine
Associate Professor of Peace and Justice Studies
Earlham School of Religion

"Not only did EAC get me even more excited about going to college, it helped me to decide my college major. In addition, it taught me countless valuable things, and most of all, to do better and reach higher in life. It was overall an incredible experience that I will never forget!"

Reina Shishikura, Osaka, Japan

Metalsmithing: Functional and Wearable Art
This introductory course reveals the mysteries of one of the world’s oldest and diverse art forms. Through the exploration of materials, techniques and traditions, students develop a deeper appreciation of both historic and contemporary metal arts. Wearable and functional objects are explored for creative and expressive potential as we develop skills in hand fabrication. Slide presentations and viewing of actual works enrich the studio experience with an understanding of metalsmithing in the context of contemporary crafts in our culture and our world. Students go away with new technical skills, new appreciation of historical and contemporary artwork, and new art they have created.

Journalism
Rapidly advancing technology and other political, cultural, and economic forces are changing fundamentally the ways in which reporters and editors consider, select, and convey the news of the day. This also affects the ways in which different audiences now receive that news. We are living in the Information Age; more than ever the public's views – particularly those of the 15-29 age group or the e-Generation – on critical and sometimes controversial issues are shaped by innovations like 24-hour news access, Internet forums, Web logs, "conservative" and "liberal" radio, and even alternative, entertainment oriented "news" programming like the Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live. What becomes of the traditional precepts of journalism – objectivity, clarity, and thoroughness – in such a new environment? How have "the basics" changed to meet new expectations of today's readers, viewers, and listeners? What is gained and what is lost in making those changes? These are some of the issues we will examine in this course as you discuss the evolving nature of the news. In addition you will gain some practical insights on news collection, production, and distribution through the development of the New Student Week edition of The Word, Earlham’s campus newspaper.

Writing for College
In this course, you will explore writing as a process (the craft of writing) and writing as a product (ideas and arguments worthy to be read and discussed), with a special focus on types of writing often assigned in college courses. You will read published texts and those you produce for the class, discussing these texts to share insights on the subject matter and on the writer's craft. You will revise your work based on peer and instructor feedback, build skills in research and in the evaluation of sources, and work collaboratively to enhance analytical, critical and imaginative skills. Education is a loose theme around which readings and some writing assignments center.

Conversational Spanish
In most areas of the United States today there is opportunity to interact with native Spanish speakers. In this class you will advance your ability to hold conversations with Spanish speakers and learn about their cultures and ways of life. Through literature, music, movies and conversations with native Spanish speakers, you will be immersed in exploring issues of social life, education, politics, and other current issues facing young people today. Class, tutorials, and library and Internet assignments provide the academic setting for focus on grammar, pronunciation, prepared oral presentations and spontaneous conversation. And, of course, an exploration of Hispanic culture must include some traditional food and una fiesta! You should have completed one year of high school Spanish.

Intensive Japanese
Learning a language other than ours is an eye-opening experience. Learning a language very different from ours, such as Japanese, is challenging and exciting. You will learn Japanese language and culture through intensive and interactive activities, and through group and individual projects with the help of reading and writing exercises. By examining films, animation, video programs and other resources, you will find out about Japanese young people’s daily lives, their interests, their plans for the future, and ideas and attitudes they have in common with American young people. You should have completed one year of high school Japanese and mastered hiragana.

Aquatic Ecology
This course will allow you to participate in active research in aquatic ecology. We will study how land use practices impact the quality of local streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. We will also participate in extensive hands-on field and laboratory investigations of water chemistry, plankton communities, and aquatic insects. While some material involves specific water pollution issues, this is primarily an ecology course designed to acquaint you with organisms and their environments. We will spend time in lecture and laboratory settings, but the majority of our effort is spent in the field. As a capstone experience, you will complete a short scientific research paper about your findings.

Exploring Human Behavior
Have you ever wondered why people act as they do? Psychologists offer four kinds of answers to this question. People influence each other through social processes. The physical environment affects us psychologically. One’s own personality has important effects on behavior. And lastly, at the physiological level, the brain and nervous system determine our actions. In this course, you will examine all four types of explanation by employing lectures, readings, films, hands-on activities, and discussion. Classical studies and contemporary research will introduce you to the theories and methods of the field of psychology. A library project fosters skills in using psychological literature.