BC_Splash Spring 2022
Course Catalog

If you're interested in learning what mindfulness is and some quick skills - join in!

How do you teach people something that doesn't exist? We're going to look at how some fantasy writers approach the concept of "teaching magic", including Harry Potter, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Witcher, and more.

Love watching musical theater and hoping to sing on stage someday? Join our vocal class for a 50-mins singing practice, and let’s enjoy the beauty and joy of musical theater together!

This course will examine 21st century meme culture.


Prerequisites
Must have a sense of humor

Interested in learning how to take great photos? This class will teach you the fundamentals of photography, and will be a mix of lecture and hands on examples!

An introduction to using Notion, an organization, planner, note-taking software all-in-one application.

Want to learn more about how to prepare for law school while in high school and in college? Join this interactive class with tips on how to best prepare yourself for a career in law and test your knowledge of basic legal terms and law school information through fun games!

Do you like to argue? Do you like to win when you argue? This course is perfect for just this pursuit. In this class, you will learn how to go beyond simply telling someone in an argument that they are wrong, you will learn several ways to point out flaws in your opponent's logic. There are few things more satisfying than declaring in an argument, "Not only are you wrong, but here is the error in your reasoning..."
After the course, students can expect to leave feeling more confident in their ability to reason, to have an understanding of the basic syllogism, And to be able to point out exactly where an argument starts to become fallacious.

What were the chances that two Founding Fathers would die on the same day, the 50th anniversary of American independence? What were the odds that a pair of twins separated at birth would have nearly identical lives? How crazy is it that your best friend just verbalized what you were thinking a moment ago?

In this class, we’ll unpack the psychology behind coincidence, examine the most bizarre coincidences in history, and determine how our perceptions of the world account for conspiracy theories! It’s time to know: is it really a coincidence, or is your brain tricking you?

Have you ever wondered where J.R.R. Tolkien got the inspiration for Lord of the Rings? Or what Game of Thrones is really based on? Join us in our exploration of early medieval literature! We'll travel back in time to the 8th century AD in order to engage with characters whose mystique has captured readers' imaginations for ages. Get ready to meet Beowulf, Sir Gawain, and Merlin as you never have before!

In this class we will talk about the Greek gods and goddesses and their complicated relationships, messy history, and interpersonal drama! From being on opposite sides of the Trojan war, to wrecking Odysseus' ship then saving him, there is a ton to talk about and explore in their complicated world!


Prerequisites
N/A

What do Osamu Dazai, Edogawa Ranpo, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Soseki Natsume have in common? They are all characters featured in anime (and apparently their namesakes are famous authors as well?)! In this class we are going to look at anime and the relationship it takes with literature and philosophy. We'll be looking at different portrayals of writers and themes in their works in anime and look at the writers themselves, to see what makes them so interesting.

From video games, to movies, to books and TV shows, we are collectively obsessed with the ideas of "lost Civilizations." Fantasy, Sci-Fi, or non-fiction, we are enthralled with the ruins of those who came before. In our own history, from the Bronze Age Collapse to the "End of Rome" in the West, this idea of collapse and end fascinates us. In this class, we will examine the very idea of a Civilization collapsing in context of human history, philosophy, and art. We will consider what constitutes a Civilization, why Civilizations strain or collapse, and if Civilizations can truly end. We will end by thinking of our present in the context of these lessons of Civilization.

A course all about friendships, re-evaluating the friendships that are currently in your life and learning to make new ones.

Today's political climate has become more polarized than ever. From the January 6 Insurrection to the historical $3 trillion Infrastructure Bill proposed by the Biden Administration, it seems the overlap between Left and Right is ever decreasing. In such a divided climate, many wonder where the middle ground has gone, and what factors have contributed to the harsh division between Liberal and Conservative. Examination of genetics and psychology offers us one of many answers to this complex question, which we will unpack in this class

Why did Homer claim the sea is "wine-dark" ? How are Ancient Egypt, Columbus's travels, and Isaac Newton's love of witchcraft connected? Most importantly, why are raspberry ice pops blue?

These questions and more will be explained in a crash course of the history, science, and psychology behind the most influential color on the rainbow

It's a crazy world we live in right now. Understanding international relations is a complex and imperfect science, but we can try. This course will cover the basic theories of international relations and we will try and analyze what is going on in the world.


Prerequisites
None

If you want to know why a coffee cup and a donut are the same shape, then this is the class for you! In this course, you will get an interactive introduction to topology and how topologists can stretch and manipulate shapes. We will even answer the age-old question: how many holes does a straw have?

Ever wanted to decode a secret message? Learn how cryptology works with a crash course in Caesar, Atbash, and Substitution cyphers, and maybe learn a thing or two about math and language games along the way.

This class will be taught by BC MEDLIFE and it will be an overview on Public Health and health inequities across the globe

Have you ever heard the hashtags #StrawFree or #SaveTheTurtles? Have you ever wondered why exactly plastic straws, and other plastic products, pose a threat to the environment and organisms living in it? If so, this class is for you! We will explore the sources of plastic pollution, and the harmful effects of plastic on the health of the environment, organisms (including humans), and even economies. We will also explore several solutions to this issue, and answer the question "What can we, as students, do to help solve this issue?"

Are you a car-enthusiast or just someone who loves science? Well, this class is perfect for you! We will be designing our own cars while learning how they work. May the fastest car win!

This course will explore the basics of Python. You don't need any previous experience with coding.


Prerequisites
none

Are you interested in becoming an EMT, or even just what it is like to be an EMT? This class, taught by members of Boston College EMS, will give you a look into the life of an EMT. You'll be able to see the vehicle that we respond to emergencies with, the supplies we have inside of it, and the lights and sirens we use when we get a call! We will also go over the process of becoming an EMT, and what we do on shift.


Prerequisites
None

Genetic engineering technology is already quite advanced and we commonly alter the genetics of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Genetic engineering in humans has not yet become common, but it will inevitably arise in our lifetimes. What should the limits be? What ethical, legal, and personal considerations should we take into account?

This class will briefly introduce you to how genetic engineering technology works, and then we will discuss the countervailing arguments on how genetic engineering should be regulated.

Be prepared to discuss. I am interested in learning what you think - not just hearing myself talk. You may find that you leave this class with a different opinion than you had before!


Prerequisites
None. Some exposure to genetics will enrich the discussion but is not necessary.

Are you interested in medicine or would like to know how to help people in an emergency? In this class, taught by members of Boston College EMS, Boston College's student-run EMT organization, we will go over how to control bleeding, how to perform CPR and use an AED, how to help someone having an allergic reaction, and many more common medical emergencies! No medical training is required to take this course, just a desire to be able to help others in emergency situations!


Prerequisites
None

This course will discuss the changes and continuities in teen fantasy media in the wake of the Twilight saga.

Have you ever wanted to decorate cakes like you see in a bakery?

Come learn how to pipe basic decorations, and decorate your own cake! We'll also chat about what it means to have courage and how to cultivate more of it in our lives.

Come check out some real surfboards! We'll talk about the history of surfing, how to surf, and some cool things - big wave science and surfboard science and whatever you want to hear about!

This is an interactive course where we will look at the the basic functions of the stock market and explore the role of investing in the real world. We will identify the big players in the industry and discuss thought provoking current events.

Want to learn tips, tricks, advice and the characteristics needed to become an effective student leader? Then, this is the class for you! I will talk about my experience in student government and how I have increased my leadership skills through those experiences.