Course List for 2010 - more to come!

Click on the course title to read the description.

Art

Metalsmithing: Functional and Wearable Art

This introductory course reveals the mysteries of one of the world’s oldest and most diverse art forms. Through the exploration of materials, techniques and traditions, you 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. 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 art course, you (a) learn how to use your camera’s controls to achieve the technical and creative results you want, (b) shoot and develop your own black and white film and print your own enlargements in the college’s darkrooms, and (c) review the history of photography through a wide-ranging slide show of works by famous photographers. You have opportunities to explore the creative use of photography as a means of personal expression through a variety of projects. You also 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 everyone’s work.

Film, photo paper and all necessary chemicals are provided for you. Please bring your own camera. It should be one that allows you to manually change its settings, such as the shutter speed and aperture. (No digital cameras for this course, 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.  For this course, we'll learn to better understand both Hamlet and Shakespeare through close readings of the play, its performances (like Ethan Hawke's, Mel Gibson's, and Kenneth Branagh's), its rewritings (like Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Bret Easton Ellis's Lunar Park), as well as our own historical research and creative writing. 
Nate Eastman
Assistant Professor of English

Languages

Conversational Spanish

In most areas of the United States today there is opportunity to interact with native Spanish speakers. In this class you 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 are 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.
Rodolfo Guzmán
Associate Professor of Spanish


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 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 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.
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 lastly, at the physiological level, the brain and nervous system determine our actions. In this course, we 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

 

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.