Course List for 2010

Click on the course title to read the description.

Art


Metalsmithing: Decorative and Wearable Art

This introductory course about metalsmithing reveals the mysteries of one of the world’s oldest and most diverse art forms. You learn the skills and techniques needed to hand make decorative and wearable metal objects. Your assignment: creatively represent your personal interests and experiences in your artwork. Through the exploration of materials, techniques, and traditions, you develop a deeper appreciation of historic and contemporary metal arts. Presentations and viewing of actual works enrich your understanding of metalsmithing in the context of contemporary crafts in our culture and in the world. You gain new technical skills, new appreciation of historical and contemporary artwork, and new art that you have created.

Nathan Jones
Assistant Professor of Art


Photography:
Introduction to Black and White Photography

Join Earlham’s Artist in Residence, Walt Bistline, for an intensive introduction to black and white darkroom photography! In this course you learn how to use your camera’s controls to achieve the technical and creative results you want. You shoot and develop your own black and white film, and print your own enlargements in the college’s darkrooms. You explore the creative use of photography as a means of personal expression through a variety of projects. You are introduced to the fundamentals of art criticism as you talk about your photographs with the class and join in our lively group discussions of your classmates’ work.  You also review the history of photography through a presentation of works by famous photographers.
Film, photo paper and all necessary chemicals are provided for you. Please bring your own camera,one that allows you to manually change the shutter speed and aperture. (No digital cameras, please.)

Walt Bistline
Artist in Residence in Photography

 

Humanities


Morality, Literature, and Me

What makes life meaningful? Am I a good person? How does an awareness of the inevitability of death influence our morality or our choices in life? How can we understand human suffering and the ways people deal with it? What is freedom, and when can it be restricted? Should our value systems be based on personal, sacred, or social authority? Using works of literature and philosophy, we examine these questions and learn about academic approaches to such concerns, while applying that knowledge to our own lives. In this course we examine such topics as: responsibility and moral choice; individual freedom and social control; and civil liberties, equality, and social justice.

Charles Watson
Associate Professor of Philosophy and
African and African American Studies


Shakespeare's Afterlife

Hamlet is one of Shakespeare's most well-known and well-loved plays, and four centuries after its first performance remains one of the greatest achievements in the history of Western art.  In this course, you learn to better understand both Hamlet and Shakespeare through close examinations of the play, its performances (as given by Ethan Hawke, Mel Gibson, and Kenneth Branagh), and its rewritings (as in Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Bret Easton Ellis's Lunar Park).  You also do your own historical research and creative writing. 

Nate Eastman
Assistant Professor of English


Languages


Conversational Spanish

Spanish is not only a tool for communication but also a window into a fascinating culture. In this class, you improve vocabulary and conversational skills through discussions of various topics ranging from everyday interactions to complex political and cultural issues. You consider the cultural aspects of formal and informal greetings, culinary traditions, origins and meanings of holidays in the Hispanic world, and current political topics in Latin America. In addition to classroom discussions, you use library, film, and online resources to further your study.  You also interact with the local Latino community. You must have completed at least one year of high school Spanish.

Rodolfo Guzmán
Associate Professor of Spanish


Japanese

Learning a language other than yours is an eye-opening experience. Learning a language very different from yours, such as Japanese, is challenging and exciting. You learn Japanese language and culture through 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 find out about the lives of Japanese young people, their interests, their plans for the future, and ideas and attitudes they have in common with American young people.  Plus, you experience dining at a fine Japanese restaurant.

Akiko Kakutani, Professor of Japanese Language
Jun Kawabe, Visiting Assistant Professor of Japanese




Natural Sciences


Oceans and Ice: Geology of Indiana through Time

This course explores the geologic history of Indiana.  You look at the remnants of ancient oceans and fossils in rock outcrops and reconstruct Indiana's ancient environment.  In addition, you make maps of glacial features in Indiana, learn about Indiana's landscape, and discuss glaciers and Ice Ages (past and future).  Part of the class also focuses on Indiana's energy and mineral resources, including oil, coal, and limestone.  You spend time in the classroom and the lab, but most of the time is spent outdoors.

Andrew Moore
Assistant Professor of Geosciences



Social Sciences


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, at the physiological level, the brain and nervous system determine our actions. In this course, you examine all four explanations by employing lectures, readings, films, hands-on activities, and discussion. Classical studies and contemporary research introduce you to the theories and methods of the field of psychology. A library project fosters skills in using psychological literature. See syllabus.

Nelson Bingham
Professor of Psychology



The "I" in Diversity

You hear about diversity all the time, but what is it, really?  How does it shape who you are and what you do?  In this course you engage in critical thought and discussion about social justice, respect for persons, race, ethnicity, cultural heritage, nationality, socioeconomic status, family structure, age, gender, sexual orientation, and religious and spiritual beliefs.  You also examine issues of equity such as oppression, power and privilege, and their intersections. Experimental exercises and discussion of readings, movies, and case studies help you understand the positive role cultural and physical diversity can have in your life. You then will be equipped to make a difference!

Shenita Piper
Associate Dean of Admissions
Director of Multicultural Recruitment


For More Information

If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.

Susan Hillmann de Castañeda, EC'93, Director Explore-A-College
Melissa Bickford, Program Assistant

Telephone toll-free: 1/800-EARLHAM (1-800-327-5426) ask for Susan or Melissa
Direct: Susan - 765/983-1330; Melissa - 765/983-1462
FAX: 765/983-1560
E-mail: Explore-A-College

Earlham College
801 National Road West
Richmond, IN 47374-4095

Earlham College affirms its commitment, in all its activities and processes, to treat people equally without concern for age, gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, or ethnic origin.