Splash Fall 2011
Course Catalog

Curious about gospel music? Join Voices of Imani, Boston College's gospel choir, for an exciting introduction to this rich musical tradition! Learn a little about the history of gospel and praise music and jam with Voices! We'll teach you some of our favorite techniques (maybe you'll learn how to lay down beats or pick up some tips on soloing with a choir!) and songs. All are welcome, regardless of whether you have been in a choir your whole life or you are just secretly intrigued by this genre of powerful music.

The course is centered around the ideas of Russian director Sergei Eisenstein.
We will watch excerpts from films and discuss how principles of montage can be applied to film making and the arts.

Get your dance on with BC's premier hip hop group, Synergy Hip Hop Dance Company! Learn some swag, have a great workout, and embrace your inner dancer at our dance workshop, taught by current Synergy members! Check us out at syndance.com.


Prerequisites
No prior dance experience necessary!

Ever wanted to look the best you possibly could be? This class looks at different ways of dressing based on different body types.

Ever wondered about the stories behind your favorite rapper's lyrics or phrases? Ponder no more as we take a look at the classic albums by artists such as Jay-Z, Nas, Notorious B.I.G., and many others while connecting them to the popular artists of today. Some songs do contain explicit content.

Ever wondered what somebody means when they say "rococo"? Do you get lost in museums (literally or figuratively)? Do you wonder how humans went from cave paintings to pop art? This class will attempt to give a very brief overview of Art History in 50 minutes. Using an egg-timer to keep us on track, we'll go through 10 distinct periods of art and talk about the defining characteristics of each to give you a broad idea of the development of human creativity.

Do you love the laid-back Hawaiian culture and going to luau's? Enroll in this fun class and learn how to hula dance the true islander way. Both girls and guys are welcome!

Students will experiment with creating and critiquing poems and short stories.

Got an old t-shirt you never wear? Or maybe one that just doesn't fit right? Come update your look and learn how to cut up that old rag and turn it into the fashion statement!

Want to learn how to write an Oscar winning screenplay? It's easier than you'd think! By watching clips from award-winning motion pictures students learn to identify the easy formula which makes up nearly every successful screenplay.

Come learn the basics of drawing! If you've never drawn before or draw all the time, come learn something new.

If you have ever wanted to serenade someone with the strings of a guitar or just idly play by the fireside then this is the course for you! You'll learn the basics along with how to make your guitar gently weep. You'll learn the very basics, along with picking technique and chords.


Prerequisites
If you have a guitar bring it. Otherwise just bring your interest in guitar!

In this class we'll make our own jigsaw puzzle! We'll draw our own pictures and cut our own shapes! Come with creativity and a willingness to try your hand at some crafts!

Auditions: the word itself can strike fear even into the heart of the most well-trained thespian. Come shake off the nerves, perform your piece and share feedback in a small-group setting. Even if you don't have an audition coming up, it can't hurt to practice performing in front of others. Actors and actresses of all experience levels are welcome to join!


Prerequisites
Please come prepared with a 1-2 minute contemporary monologue of your choice to present to the class.

Ever thought of being a theater major? Here is your chance at finding out if this is what you really like! We'll read and analyze plays as well as perform a one act play in class!

Join the members of UPrising Dance Crew as they challenge you in Glitch movement choreography and tutting!
In the first hour of the workshop, you will be challenged to interpret musicality and apply it to body movements in a fast combination of slow motion and high speed movement!

In the second hour of the workshop, you will learn a tutting piece while on the floor! This will be tons of fun so get ready!!
UPrising was established on September 2011 and recently performed at the World Of Dance Boston!


Prerequisites
None

Everyone likes getting a little messy. Ceramics is a way to do that while still getting academic credit! This class provides an introduction to working on the potters wheel and hand building with clay.

The Lost Museum is the name art historians use to refer to all of the works of art that we no longer have. Stolen art, destroyed art, lost art & changed art all are a part of 'The Lost Museum'. In this class, we'll explore a museum that doesn't really exist. We'll look at works of art that should be in museums but aren't for some reason. We'll talk about art theft, destruction from war and the value of art over time.

When we think of hip hop, we think of conventional choreography in music videos: dougie-ing, or even jerking. With my workshop, I hope to introduce students to a lesser known form of hiphop: tutting. Tutting is performed with attention to the musics' rhythm by altering the position of the body and limbs in a synchronized, robotic manner, (Wiki) and I think my workshop will be able to not only demonstrate the art of tutting, but also create a fun enjoyable atmosphere for learning to dance as well.


Prerequisites
No prior dance experience necessary!

Ever wanted to know how music affects our brains? Are musicians smarter than non-musicians? Why does certain music make us feel happy or sad? Time to find out how music affects child development, individuals with special needs and all types people!

Students will have the opportunity to learn to make friendship bracelets and spread hope. They will attach a note of encouragement, and the bracelets will be delivered to pediatric cancer patients.

Writing a decent song is simple. Writing an extraordinary song takes just a little bit more theory. Using examples of well known popular music, we will break-down song writing elements and evaluate them in terms of simple theory that anyone can understand. An open mind and a desire to be expressive are required!


Prerequisites
Very basic musical skills and understandings are recommended, but not required

In this course, the campus will be our classroom. After a quick power point crash-course on American architecture, we'll take a walk around BC and learn some of the finer points of the architecture on campus. Come prepared to be engaged and make sure you check the weather forecast! We'll go outside rain or shine.

Want to learn how to dance like a Greek? Come learn three different Greek dances just like the ones in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding!" Enjoy delicious greek food while learning the steps to different traditional dances, going at whatever pace works best for you!

Ever listened to Led Zeppelin? ZZ Top? Rolling Stones? Eric Clapton? I bet you have. But do you really know where they got their main inspiration from? I bet you don't. This course will take you from the Mississippi Delta, all the way up to Chicago, from the Civil War to the Sixties, following the history of the music that created all others: the blues.

This class will include quick introduction to how cameras make photographs, and an interactive lesson on the rules of composing visually appealing photographs. The lesson will be followed by a Photography tour through the BC campus during which students are encouraged to experiment the techniques they learned and review the photos with the class.

Have you thought about harnessing the power of the sun to charge your cellphone or music player?

Learn about photovoltaics and power electronics, then use that knowledge to design and build your own solar-powered USB port, useful wherever the sun is shining. Bring your favorite USB device!



Prerequisites
Prior experience with circuits helpful but not necessary. (Class will involve soldering, etc.).

Ever wonder how your camera knows that a face is it's view? Ever wonder how security systems know if a person is moving in front of the camera? In this class we will explain (in intuitive, simple terms) how facial recognition works. We'll also do some cool examples and discuss the limitations of this cutting-edge technology.

The class will consist of two parts: First we will introduce basic circuit elements including Resistors, Diodes, Capacitors, Voltage sources, and explain some circuit basics. The second part will be the majority of the class in which we will building an actual circuit. You will get to build your own circuit that blinks, or "dances" LEDs to the beat of your iPod (or music).

Want to learn how to make yourself (and others) more attractive in photographs? Learn how to photoshop heads onto different bodies! This useful skill can be applied in a variety of ways, including but not limited to: building a mutant army, really confusing your friends, and inventing new animal species!

How big is the universe? How big is the set of all real numbers? How big is the set of all integers? Are they all the same amount big? Are there bigger things than these?

This class will explore the concept and sizes of infinity. It will introduce a definition of cardinality and some basic mapping theorems. But mostly we will be thinking about things too big to think about, and drawing conclusions about them.


Prerequisites
Curiosity

Game theory is a lot of fun and is also a big part of our everyday life. Formally, game theory is a framework which economists use to mathematically capture behavior in games, but it also has lots of real life applications. Should a goalie dive left, right, or stay in the middle? What is your best strategy at an auction? In this class, we will discuss various key game theory concepts like nash equilibrium and dominant strategies. We will also play lots of fun strategy games and practice using game theory. There will be prizes!

A string of 1000 lamps, each with a simple on-off switch, are all off initially. 1000 people walk along the down the row of lights. Person #1 flips every switch. Person #2 flips the switches on lamps 2, 4, 6,
....., 1000.. Person #J flips every Jth lamp beginning with the Jth lamp. After all 1000 people have done their thing, which lamps
are on and which are off?

We will find a quick way to answer this question using divisors and prime factorization.

This class will also introduce students to mathematical notation, language, and thinking that is necessary in higher level mathematics in college.





Prerequisites
Algebra I

Ever want to make cool apps? Ever want to learn how to program but don't know where to start?

In this class you will learn in under 2 hours the basics of programming and how to make a simple app for Android smart phones.

There is no programming experience required, but if you want to follow along, feel free to bring a laptop. I will be using a Windows 7 laptop for my demonstration.


Prerequisites
Experience using a computer (how to install and uninstall stuff basically)

A group isn’t just what you join on facebook. It is an important algebraic structure found in many other fields of math such as combinatorics, linear algebra, and geometry. This class will teach you the basics about groups and how it can be applied to other fields


Prerequisites
Some experience with linear algebra and geometry will be helpful, but not necessary.

How many Apple products do you use? How many of your friends have ipods, ipads, iphones, macbooks or imacs? Do you remember your first ipod? What is the future of apple technology? In this class, we'll look at the development of apple products and even look at future developments.

Apple, Inc. did not become the world's most valuable company by selling poor-quality products. From iPods to iPhones, iPads to Macs, Apple products are designed to perfection in order to provide the best possible customer experience. Its no wonder then that Apple products have rated #1 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index for eight straight years in a row.

In this class you will learn about good product design using Apple products as examples. Comparisons will also be made with competing, non-Apple products in order to identify strengths and weaknesses in Apple's design approach.


Prerequisites
None

Bill James may not be the name of this year's Cy Young Winner or Rookie of the Year, but since the 1990's, his thinking has revolutionized the game of baseball. Here you will learn about WAR, OPS, BIP and all of the other statistical acronyms, why the new Brad Pitt movie "Moneyball" matters, how to compare Babe Ruth and Roger Maris to the sluggers of the steroid era, and how Bill James helped the Red Sox win the 2004 World Series.

Students will explore the cuisine, art, dance, and unique ecology of Madagascar. Class will also cover a brief instruction in Malagasy language (the language native to the island)

In this class we will discuss a selection of two epic battle scenes as they appear in the Odyssey and the Metamorphoses of Ovid. Through analysis of these two scenes, we will discuss how the epics compare and develop a general appreciation for these literary works and the epic genre.


Prerequisites
Please read over the materials, and especially the text of the Odyssey and Metamorphoses included in the files for this class. If you have time, skim the works in translation to get the general context of these excerpt (though we will go over this in class).

Lyndon B. Johnson once said,“The presidency has made every man who occupied it, no matter how small, bigger than he was; and no matter how big, not big enough for its demands.” Do you think you are up to the challenge? We'll take a look at those Americans who have been elected President. Our goal: to look at what makes some great and others failures. We'll also take a look at the upcoming 2012 Presidential Election. If you have any interest in politics, this course is for you!


Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of US History and US Government is recommended.

The City is a course that aims to explore how major world cities are portrayed in literature, music, and film. We will watch clips and read excerpts from pieces, gaining an understanding of the call, the vocation, of the city as a character.

Have you ever wondered why Greeks scream Opa or why they tend to break plates during weddings? In this course, we will discuss such questions as we learn about Greek culture and history. By the end of the course we will truly discover how accurately the film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" portrays Greeks and what makes Greek culture so unique.

If you've ever seen the movie The Lion King, then you have only experienced the beginning of the real South Africa. Unlock the myths and discover the truths about the culture, traditions, and yes, the animals of South Africa.

As long as people have been in the world, they've been trying to explain human existence. People from all civilizations have asked, "Where will I go when I die?" and "Why do we have night and day?" and "Is there a higher power in the universe?" Some of the earliest answers to these questions were explained in mythology. This class is going to take a look at the Greek and Roman perspective on this issue. From Homer and Hesiod to Vergil and Ovid, we will look at how this part of history viewed itself and its surrounding world.

Learn about social issues, cultures, religion, and politics of 3 African countries- Ghana, Malawi, and South Africa- through the personal experiences of 2 BC students.


Prerequisites
None

This class will study the work of Jenny Saville, a traditional painter who counts herself among the Young British Artists, an uber modernist group of British Artists seeking to push the limits of art. The object of this course will be to analyze Saville's artwork, the juxtaposition of Saville's traditional style and the Post Modern environment she exhibited in, and to pose the perennial questions: What is "art," and why does it matter?

For the first 30 minutes of class, students will have time to work on creative writing projects: poems, short stories, scenes or whatever they feel inspired to write. For the second half of class, we will share what we have written with the class and offer constructive criticism to each other. Whether you are an experienced writer or new to the craft of creative writing, you are welcome to join us and hone your writing skills! Bring your own writing instruments (pen/paper or computer if you have one) and your muse.

Chinese writing is unique among the world's major languages in that it uses thousands of characters as opposed to an alphabet with a few dozen letters. We will learn some basic characters, their organization and structure, the distinction between traditional and simplified scripts, calligraphic styles and typographical fonts, how new characters are created, how Chinese characters are used in the modern Japanese and Korean languages, and how Chinese is typed electronically. I will also discuss Chinese dialects and why the Chinese language did not (and will likely never) switch to an alphabetical writing system. About one-third of class time will be devoted to practicing writing characters by hand.


Prerequisites
This class is intended for students with very little or no previous experience with written Chinese, but previous study of any other foreign language is strongly recommended.

Would you like to go to Russia? In this course you can! We'll talk about various sites in Moscow and St. Petersburg and learn basic Russian phrases that you might use if you were to travel in the land of the tsars!


Prerequisites
a willingness to learn!

Glee as it enters its third season has become one of the biggest shows currently on TV and it is easy to see why. The show is filled with multidimensional characters, fantastic music, and is an all around joy to watch. Yet beyond all the slushie throwing, Sue craziness, and addicting songs lie real issues that many teenagers face on a daily basis. Join this class for an open and fun discussion on some of the big underlying issues of Glee as well as a look back on some memorable Glee scenes. All Gleeks and non Gleeks welcome.

We will examine the political structures of Harry Potter's world and discuss the ramifications of their political schemes. Attention will be specifically applied to the differences between the Voldemort's authoritarianism versus Dumbledore's multi-party meritocracy at Hogwarts. Division of power will be discussed within the context of the Ministry of Magic and their different branches of government. The class will cover all seven books, so yes, it contains spoilers.

Thanks to Christopher Nolan's recent movies, Batman seems pretty cool these days. As much fun as the Dark Knight's nocturnal pugilism (punching people) can be, there's much more going on under the surface. This class will examine some of the philosophical themes echoed by Batman and by some of his adversaries.


Prerequisites
Interest, of course! Viewing the Batman movies may be helpful but is not required.

The practice of modern medicine affects our lives everyday - from yearly check ups to getting a cast for a broken arm to the swine flu scare that overwhelmed the news in 2010. But have you ever wondered what the ancient Greeks and Romans did when they came down with an illness? They certainly did not get picked up in an ambulance for surgery. We will examine a span of Greek and Roman authors read in translation from Artemidorus to Hippocrates. Ancient medical practices covered a wide range of services including divining information from patients' dreams. As pre-medical students we want to explore the interplay between the principles of ancient and modern medicine so as to understand fully what ancient beliefs have influenced our health care system today, and which practices we should be glad we are not still taking advantage of as we step into our doctor's office.

It's not everyday you get to use your creative juices in an educational setting, and it's even rarer that you get to create something in class that you can take away to eat! In this class you'll learn how to make Cake Pops, the newest trend in the dessert world, get a glimpse at the discipline of sociology. We will focus on the dynamics of temptation and self-control, especially when it comes to sweets. If you're interested in sociology and have a sweet tooth, this class is perfect for you!


Prerequisites
Creativity, interest in baking, and a love for all things sweet

Ever wonder how the time line of Harry Potter lines up with real history? From Dumbledore's defeat of Grindelwald in 1945 to the epic Battle of Hogwarts ending in Voldemort's death, we'll talk about Harry Potter and how the plot line mirrors Muggle history.

Quod tu es, ego fui; quod ego sum, tu eris. To learn what this Latin phrase means and how it applies to us today, we will examine modern authors including C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, and T.S. Eliot in relation to their counterparts in the ancient world including, Caesar, Cicero, and Vergil.

Students are frequently taught that Leif Erikson discovered the New World centuries before Columbus. What is the evidence? Come explore the history and archaeology of the first excavated Norse site in North America.

In order to answer the question "what is a Jesuit University?" this course will compare the philosophy of BC to student life on/off campus. In what ways does BC attempt to distinguish itself from other colleges and universities? What do "liberal arts" have to do with anything? What is college life like in America? With these questions in mind, we will discuss various perspectives on the college experience.

What if, in hypothetical two-way races during the 2008 primaries, Clinton beats Obama, Obama beats Edwards, and Edwards beats Clinton? Is this even possible? (Yes.) What would then be a fair way to decide the "best" preferences of Democrats? Whether it's a T-shirt design contest or a presidential election, voting converts preferences of individuals into a single preference for the community. We'll discuss Arrow's Impossibility Theorem, which states that there is no "perfect" way of doing so. We'll demonstrate a few of the mind-boggling flaws that every voting method must have.


Prerequisites
Comfort with arithmetic; interest in voting, political science, decision-making, and/or economics.

What is wrong with the world and how do we fix it? Philosophers, political scientists, economists, and fiction writers have been trying to answer this question for centuries. This class will cover some the common themes among the ideas and ideologies of building a perfect society. The ideas covered in class will range from those of Plato to Marx to Aldous Huxley. This class will include a discussion.


Prerequisites
Familiarity with the basics of different types of government (true democracy, republic, oligarchy etc.). Students should also be familiar with different economic systems.

Honoring your elders is stressed in Mulan, the Hunchback of Notre Dame warns not to judge people on their appearance and the Frog Princess highlights how hard work pays off in the end. But behind the magic, illusion of innocence, and catchy songs you can remember years later, lies something more dangerous. So dangerous, that not many people truly notice it: gender roles, particularly those of women. All of the princesses essentially look the same and need a prince to save them. What is this teaching us as girls watching these movies? This class will take a look at some of the sexism and gender roles in the Disney Princess movies.


Prerequisites
Have seen at least two of the classic Disney Princess Movies: Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Little Mermaid, Mulan, Aladdin, Princess and the Frog

If you like being a boss, then this is the class for you. We all have an entrepreneurial side, come learn about what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur and how to build a career doing what you love everyday! As a class, we will come up with a business idea and discuss different business models while covering topics like venture capital, valuation, and the startup culture.

George Washington, Abe Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr. All great leaders throughout history. Many now ask where the greats of our time are. Do they exist or are we a forgettable generation? This course will examine this question and challenge you to change the course of our collective existence.

In this class, we will explore the psychological development of numerous serial killers. We will also attempt to analyze Dexter Morgan, from the Showtime hit series Dexter.

A riveting, interactive class based on something we all know so well: awkwardness. We are going to explore the causes of such a phenomenon, how to successfully cope with the issue, how to use the innate connectivity among humanity to develop meaningful communication skills, and ultimately how we can apply these lessons to our own lives. It is going to be an incredible mixture of amusing, meaningful, enlightening, and ludicrous concepts that will come to together for the ultimate realization: how to avoid awkwardness.

Does God Exist?

This brief course will be an introduction to Philosophy not simply as a development of comprehensive systems or as forming abstract ideas or even as a cultivation of critical and creative thinking potentials. Although Philosophy entails all those aspects, this course will explore philosophy as a way of life, as an orientation towards living problems.


Prerequisites
Students should read Plato's Apology.

Let's talk about sex! Sex is everywhere in our culture, so why do we want to talk about sex so often? And how are these discussions on sex framed? We live in a world where women are either "prudes" or "sluts" - either we don't talk about sex at all, or we talk about it in the wrong way. This is a chance to have an open conversation about sex with two college teaching assistants who are drawing material from what they've taught in their favorite BC feminism courses. We will address politics of the body, "slut shaming", gendered language, and how to have quality, safer sex! The class will include close academic analysis of Cosmopolitan magazine, tips and tricks for feeling safe, and how to be comfortable with your sexuality. This class will be real, honest, dirty, curious, self-aware sex talk!


Prerequisites
Must be open to talking about sensitive issues, such as rape and sexism. No personal sharing is required. This section is open to females only.

Where do we come from? Who and what are we? Where are we going?
In many ways, philosophy attempts to find answers to these questions. Yet, these are not just another set of regular questions. They are important--indeed essential questions to human living.
This will be an introduction to the most important task of philosophy--knowledge of ourselves.
Other topics will be covered, specifically how we can attempt to know what is really true and good in our pursuit of these questions.


Prerequisites
A sense of curiousity, an ability to ask questions and seek answers.

Chalons? Fallen Timbers? Dien Ben Phu? These are really important battles in the grand scheme of History, yet you have probably never heard of them. In this class we will look at many such battles, what happened between the two combatants on that fateful day (or days, and the far reaching consequences.


Prerequisites
n/a

'Be the cheese you see in the world'. Or is it, 'be the change you see in the world?' In a nation filled with poverty, injustice, and a cheese filled crust, where can we find change? What can we change. Let's discuss the modern plight of an American activist over a slice of pizza.


Prerequisites
None

What did Eve know in the Garden of Eden? Was Machiavelli serious about obtaining power by brute force? Did Nietzsche really want God to be dead? This class will explain the importance of three topics that shaped the Western tradition and provide an overview of alternative ways to interpret them.

Previous experience reading the Bible, Machiavelli, and/or Nietzsche is not required!

In this class, we will discuss how to play a role in the marginalized communities from both at home and abroad. The class will look at how you as an individual can serve communities and the personal development that you can gain from it. This is a great class for students interested in volunteer work!

Based on the book by bestselling author Gary Chapman, this class explores the five major ways in which humans express love. By learning to identify them in yourself and others, you can learn to master them. All relationships, both platonic and romantic can benefit from learning more about the love languages.

This course will outline the problems that threaten human life on this planet. The first half will use current scientific data to express the danger of food and water shortages, climate change, pollution and the population explosion pose on the human way of life. The second half will explore the feasibility of solutions relative to current culture and what those solutions might be through a discussion based forum.

Using Clips from "The Chappelle Show," This class will aim to have an honest discussion on whether the show aims to create honest dialogue between people of different races or simply play off viewer's prejudices.

J.R.R. Tolkien's literary universe, from its conception to the final tales told, is full of insights into the philosophies of our own lives. This course will survey the history of his Earth, prominent figures and events, along with the major themes that shed light on what it means to be a an actual human tied to the rock we all live on. There's poetry, there's philosophy, there's war, and there are wizards that make it all go swimmingly.


Prerequisites
Must have read any of Tolkien's literature or seen any of the films of the Lord of the Rings trilogy directed by Peter Jackson.

This course will be looking at the origins and development of gladiators in the classical world. Origins and types of gladiators will be explained in order to get a better understanding of the daily life of the average gladiator at the height of Roman dominance in the Mediterranean.

We have all seen Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley jump, fight, scream, steal, drink, and shoot. But how much of the movies are actually true? Who were the real pirates of the Caribbean? In this course you will discover the similarities and differences between how we see pirates and what really happened.

What is language? Are humans the only ones who have it? What happens if you are never exposed to language? Does language influence our thoughts? And what about accents and sign language? These are just some of the topics we discuss in the study of Linguistics. Learn about what makes human language unique, and how the brain operates with or without language. Find out if we are programmed to learn language from the beginning, or if it’s something we just pick up along the way. We will take you through all the cool parts of language, starting with how we map all the sounds that are humanly possible, how we talk about and study language at all levels, language disorders, word histories, and language in society. Join the word nerds in our discussion of all things linguistic!

Learn everything you ever wanted to know about global warming, or should we say climate change. Hear about the science, what the world is doing to change, and what needs to be done. Better yet, express your opinion and hear what your peers have to say! Climate Change is an exciting field for a multitude of reasons and this is a great opportunity to learn about if for the first time or extend your knowledge.

Every wonder why you don't bleed out into oblivion when you get a cut? Or wonder what blood types really mean? Or wonder why blood tastes salty? Or why vampires like to DRINK IT??? Come to my class and find out!


Prerequisites
If you faint when talking about blood, this may not be the course for you. Unless you like fainting. Otherwise, all are welcome!

What makes poison poisonous? This course will address the basic mechanisms of toxicology, including inactivation, overloading, protein inhibition, and the pathophysiology behind each toxin. We'll examine some of the most common environmental killers, and how they work. Finally, we will examine antidotes specific to each toxin and the mechanisms behind them.


Prerequisites
NONE I will do my best to make sure everyone can understand this class!!

In this course we will make liquid nitrogen from scratch in minutes, shrink balloons, and even send a ping pong ball whizzing across a table. Many scientific properties can be observed at low temperatures and liquid nitrogen is a great way to see these properties in action.

How does plate tectonics affect our planet? We will discuss fault boundaries and landscape development as well as the hypothesis of snowball Earth and how tectonics may have an impact on our climate.


Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of earth science.

The course will explore explore how the brain and body are affected by stress. It will look at the hormones and synapses involved in stress and how these can lead to short term and long term health problems.


Prerequisites
Basic biology, some understanding of brain physiology would be helpful.

From the microarrays to VEGF halting, we will be analyzing and discovering new and upcoming ways to research and even cure diseases which have been thought of as being incurable.


Prerequisites
While higher level in nature, everything will be explained in such as way that it will be understandable if some semblance of genetic knowledge is known, such as what DNA and RNA is.

Everyone craves ice cream once in awhile. Take this class, and you’ll never have to run to the supermarket again to satisfy your sweet tooth! With a dash of scientific background and a few scoops of sugar, milk and ice, we’ll teach you just how easy it is to make your own ice cream. Sign up for this class if you want a sweet retreat from a day of more serious Splash classes and join us for a super awesome ice cream sundae party. We’ll even provide the toppings!

We will show you how to do some very cool scientific demonstrations, and why they work. For example, we will teach you how to breathe a huge fireball using nothing more than simple kitchen supplies.

Have you ever wondered what happens to that soda can or plastic bottle that you put into a recycling bin? In this class we will explore the basic concepts that a soda can and other products take when they are recycled. Come learn about how the recycling process works and all that entails to become more "green"!

The sheet of paper you are looking at right now, is made up of mostly empty space. The pencil you're holding in your hand is not mathematically speaking touching your hand right now. The atoms that make up your body have been through two supernova explosions. Come learn about the Universe and have your mind explode.

EKG's, or electro-cardio-grams, are pictures of the heart taken from the outside of the human body using electrodes. Sounds complicated right? Wrong. In this short class, I will go over the basics of the anatomy of the heart, how the electrical system works.
Then we can look at what an EKG is, how it works, what it looks at, and how it is used in medicine.
I'll throw in a few case studies and different rhythms so that we can all get some practice.
This is also a cool trick to use at parties. Because lets be honest, who doesn't read EKG's at parties?


Prerequisites
Willingness to learn about anatomy, medicine, and electricty.

Every child dreamt of epic river adventures rivaling Huck and Jim’s days along the Mississippi, but if you took it to another level then this is the class for you! Finally get those lifelong questions answered (we know they’ve been bugging you): What determines the shape and patterns of rivers? How and why do they change location, sometimes slowly meandering and other times suddenly avulsing? What does that even mean? In search of these answers we revisit our childhoods in the form of a 2 meter sandbox (ok, an experimental stream box) where we test river building predictions through what we like to term “Sandbox Science.”

Without the heart, there is no life. It is time for us to learn about our hearts so that we can take better care of ourselves. Come learn how the heart works, how to keep it healthy, and how exercise affects the heart. You will get to use some medical equipment and microscopes, which could be great practice if you are interested in healthcare!! So come pay homage to one of the most vital organs in your body, by learning how to take care of it!


Prerequisites
Basic use of microscopes.

Everyone knows that one of the best parts of chemistry is blowing things up. Come learn about the chemical structure and synthesis of explosive materials! Sadly, we can’t blow anything up ourselves, but we can watch videos of it. Along the way, we’ll learn about organic synthesis, how explosives are made; thermodynamics and characteristics of explosives, why things explode; and plenty of other awesome and explosive chemistry.


Prerequisites
Know what a Lewis structure is? Good.

When it boils down to it, cooking is putting basic chemistry and basic biology together to feed ourselves. Cooking and food preparation is an art that has been around as long as people have existed, and like us, has also evolved. Learning why food is made the way it is or what certain ingredients do in a recipe can be fun, interesting, and delicious!
Snacks will be provided!


Prerequisites
Basic Biology,

How many Facebook friends do you have? This course will evaluate how social media is transforming the way we interact. We will analyze the social implications of both facebook and twitter, and discuss how the prominence of each may cause more harm than good.

This course will provide a brief history of one of the English Premier League's elite teams. We will also highlight the highs and lows of the club in recent history. There will also be video of some of the best goals from all of your favorite Chelsea players including Lampard, and Drogba. Glory Glory Chelsea!

Through extensive research and practice, I have come to terms with the fact that Pikachu is by far the best character in the game, and I would love to show you why. Along the way, I can teach you a few tricks and maybe give you some hands-on-controller lessons.

This course we countdown some of the top Yankee Red Soxs game while also giving a brief history of both teams.

This class will teach students the life saving skill of CPR. Students will get to work with CPR mannequins, giving them hands-on practice. Students will learn how to identify a person who is in need of CPR, how to begin the proper emergency protocol, and how to correctly perform chest compressions. While CPR cards will not be administered, by the end of this class, students will have learned the skills necessary to perform CPR!

Pesky telemarketers keep calling your house? Room mate still wanting to borrow your toothbrush? Creep in your philosophy class still asking what you're doing every Friday night? Nerd from your high school wants you to follow them back? The answer is NO! It's practically universal in every language, but can you say it? Better yet, do you know HOW to say it?

Do you meet kids from New Jersey and crack a joke about Snooki, or do you just look at them with pity in your eyes? Have you ever wondered what life is really like on the Jersey Shore? This class is designed to not only to show the reality of the Jersey Shore, but to open students' eyes to the realities of stereotypes in general. Students will see how easily skewed our perceptions of people and places can be, especially when based solely on what we see in the media, on television, and in books.

This class will explore the social issues in today's society through the lens of childhood Disney movie favorites. We will explore the themes of single parenthood, wealth, and poverty, among many others. And if you have ideas of your own that you would like to bring to the discussion - Be Our Guest!

Want to learn more about BC? In this interactive class, you will work with the Student Admissions Program and participate in a scavenger hunt around the Boston College campus, learning fun, interesting information and completing challenges along the way!

If an emergency happens, are you prepared? This class will cover basic first aid techniques including treatment of bleeding, sprains, broken bones, shock and other first aid emergencies. Students will get the opportunity to practice some of these skills in a hands-on capacity. While a First Aid card will not be administered upon completion, students will learn valuable skills that could one day help them save a life.

Dave Chapelle is a well known comedian who is known for his racially charged skits and stand-up routines. After watching clips from Dave Chapelle, we will engage in a conversation about the role of race in comedic contexts, and how to address racially charged material.


Prerequisites
None

Writing an essay for a college application can seem daunting, but it can actually be fun! This class will cover examples of personal essays that range from the nontraditional to the bizarre and outright crazy.

Nervous about applying to and attending college? Think you've got it all figured out? Well, you don't. But we might. This course will guide you through the ins and outs of college life, dating, awkwardness, communal bathroom etiquette, and much, much more.

Learn how to make healthy foods that are quick and easy to prepare! You will get to sample and help create snacks that are easy to make at home on a tight schedule and budget.

Please note, foods that contain nuts will be used in this class.

You're supposed to spend one-third of your life sleeping, but what really goes on while you sleep? If you've fallen asleep during class or can't go a day without coffee, you should take this class to learn why that's happening and what you can do to fix it. Getting a good night's rest could help improve your performance throughout the day whether it's taking a test or playing a sport.

Anyone who has seen the popular sitcom How I Met Your Mother knows the character Barney Stinson’s The Bro Code. This class will interpret the subtle language contained within the Code in an effort to delve into the psychology of the "Bro."

(Both males and females are welcome to take this class)

Want to make friends quick in college? Let us teach you some great recipes that will help you make everyone want to be your pal freshman year. We've got some great recipes for easy college cooking and would love to chat about the college experience. We'll even give you the recipes for success to take home.

We will discuss the common dietary pitfalls of teens, college students, and adults. Then we'll explore how to eat strategically for paticular results, and how to approach eating habits from a place of mindfullness, balance, and moderation.

An appreciation of 90's music is essential to your future college experience. We will not only be teaching you the pop hits of the 90's, but the deeper tracks that influenced a generation. We will also provide you with a list of hidden 90's gems that you can bring home and impress your friends with.


Prerequisites
Being born in the 90's

Want to learn about the tradition and history of Boston College? Want to find the coolest spots on campus? Want to win some cool swag? In the Boston College SCVGR Hunt, students will combine the knowledge learned in class with team building skills to complete tasks that will bring them all around BC campus. This class will use one of the hottest social apps, SCVGNR, to complete a scavenger hunt. Winning this SCVGNR hunt will take a lot of determination, teamwork, and some serious detective skills. If you think you have what it takes, sign up and accept the challenge.


Prerequisites
SmartPhone (Iphone or Android) recommended but not required. If you have one, please download the SCVGR free app before you come.

Outreach Representatives will get to mingle with the BC Splash team members in appreciation for their work.


Prerequisites
Must be an official BC Splash High School Outreach Representative

Students will explore various cultures of the world by baking, cooking, and of course indulging, in traditional foods. They will learn not only how to make the dishes, but also information about the dietary customs and traditions of the regions.

So you find yourself serving 25 to life for a crime you didn’t commit. The food’s terrible, your cellmate snores, you got to get out of this concrete box. How? This class will teach you the basics of breaking out of prison. Using real life case studies, we’ll examine mastering the escape. With some unconventional objects, the art of deception, logic skills, and a little luck, you’ll be out in no time. (DISCLAIMER: These methods are for philosophical purposes only and under no circumstances should they be applied in real life prison situations.)

What makes players remember your story and talk about it for years? What makes your world fantastic, scary, and deep? This course will help you to add intricacies and depth to an existing D&D campaign or get you ready to build a fantasy world from scratch. Topics covered will include: story arcs, NPCs, and world creation. Dungeon Masters of all levels of experience are welcome. This class is designed primarily for Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 edition, however the strategies covered here are applicable to almost all editions.


Prerequisites
Students must have played Dungeons and Dragons or been a Dungeon Master

Learn the ancient art of sushi from beginning to end, including proper rice cooking and ingredient selection. You will also learn the techniques required to roll some of the standards such as the Veggie and California.

Are you an aspiring politician? Or maybe you fancy yourself as a party boss? The course will give you an insider perspective from a congressional campaign ranked as one of the top 10 races in the 2010 elections by Politico. This course will teach how to win campaigns at any level. We will also look at case studies from other successful campaigns.

Want to look like a million bucks without paying for it? Come to The Art of Thrifting and Recycling Clothes! In this class you will learn ways to save money on fashion as well as how to reduce waste by recycling items of clothing.

Ever wanted to learn what it takes to survive in the outdoors? Come find out with this class on building shelters, land navigation, and fire starting. These valuable skills are necessary in any survival situation and are the pillars of success for any military personnel. Come prepared to get dirty, no open toed shoes are allowed.

You want bragging rights? We will school you the fine arts of fantasy football so you absolutely dominate your friends, family, teachers, strangers, and anyone else who you might want to mystify with your knowledge of the greatest sport on two feet.

We will draft fantasy football teams for the day and follow the games live for that day.

Aaron Rodgers + Wes Welker = Championship

Have you ever watched the Amazing Race where people travel around the world in a giant scavenger hunt? Have you ever wanted to be on the Amazing Race? Well your dream can come true as you compete in the Amazing Race around Boston College. The class will begin by learning about Boston College then move onto the race around campus. The first one to complete the course will win a prize while learning more BC.


Prerequisites
None

How would it feel to have more than 24 hours in a day? Although physically impossible, it is certainly possible mentally. We will explore numerous techniques to help you hack life and get more than 24 hours out of your normal day. Topics addressed will include basic to advanced life management, time optimization, speed reading, sleeping tactics, and more.

Students will take a look at some of today's most popular celebrities and unlock the secrets behind why our culture is so completely fascinated with these stars.

Zombies have become a pop culture icon scaring generations since the 60's. This class will explore the origins of the zombie both biologically and in literature and film. The class will also focus on standard defense in case we one day face our own zombie apocalypse.

Whether you're applying to your dream school or just that part-time job you really want, your interview can make it or break it. Know what kind of questions to expect, how to handle those really tough/awkward questions, and best of all, leave this class actually looking forward to your next interview!

Could you recognize an apple based on taste alone? What about a radish, lychee, quince, bacon, jicama, walnut, puff pastry, doughnut, or grapefruit? In this class, students will be challenged to a competitive blind taste test in hopes of identifying different types of foods. We will also discuss the five basic tastes, how taste buds work, and the interaction of taste and other senses (Why you can't taste food when you have a cold!).

This course will cover the basics of one of the most important college skills - EA Sport's classic video game Fifa Soccer. This class offers hands on training, not only in gameplay, but in the intricacies of the always challenging manager mode. Professor Kozak is widely known in the Fifa world for taking 4th-Tier Chesterfield FC to 2 Premier League and 1 Champions League Titles, and Professor Siler is undefeated this year in all Fifa matches. No course prerequisites besides ambition and finger dexterity.


Prerequisites
Two hands, desire, and thirst for footballing glory.

Aren’t you bored with just watching things NOT move? Do you wish that your possessions were flying in the air instead of sitting on your desk? I know I was, until I began a fun and exciting new venture: juggling! With juggling I have been able to improve the velocity of the things that I own, impress random acquaintances, and make others feel more inept at talent shows. WOW! Whatever the reason, I know that you also desire to master the age-old art of keeping bizarre objects in the air all at once. Apparently it increases brainpower and social prowess too. Take this course! I guess could come in handy??


Prerequisites
Poor hand-eye coordination, at least two arms (preferably more), and what your psychiatrist calls a narcissistic and irrational need to be the center of attention

From the Salem Witch Trials to the Lizzy Borden murder case, New England’s history is brimming with the macabre and the mysterious. Students will explore some of the creepier legends of this region.

In this class we will discuss how to successfully build and operate your very own Guerrilla Unit by learning from Guerrilla movements throughout history.


Prerequisites
n/a

This course will explore not only different techniques of making chocolate but will also introduce students to various chocolate brands and factories all over the world. Samples will be provided! If you sign up for this class, please list any food allergies.

From drama and comedy to reality shows, this course will introduce students to the wide variety of television programming. We will be looking at the differences between television genres and the main elements that are attributed to each category.

The SAT doesn't have to be intimidating. With some practice and a few tricks, you can achieve your best score. All three sections will be covered, and a few general tips for the SAT II tests will be discussed.

Have you ever taken a step back and wondered why you think your body, hair, and clothing should look a certain way? Such is the power of advertising. Come explore and discuss how the images presented in magazines, on television, and in movies influence the way females think about beauty and behavior. Has our world created a singular image of femininity? What has and what will this image do to our society? Do we have an obligation to challenge the hold advertising has on the portrayal of women, or are we helpless to do anything? Who has the freewill in this relationship - the advertiser or the buyer?

This class will delve into the secret symbols and meanings of the dollar bill. All that is required is to bring a dollar bill with you!

This class is for any student who is interested in politics, so-
cial justice, human rights, or environmental issues and wants
to do something to advocate for one of these issue. We will
be giving a crash course in community organizing, educating
students on the basic skills they need to mobilize there peers
to support a cause. While this class will be taught through
the lens of environmental justice, the skill acquired can be
used for any campaign.


Prerequisites
none

Want to learn how understanding the basic concepts behind running a profitable lemonade stand can put you on the path to financial independence and success? This class will provide you with the introductory knowledge you need to take what you've got and turn it into big bucks. Personal finance and investing have never been this easy!

A puzzle created in the 80's by Erno Rubik, the Rubik's Cube has puzzled even some of the best thinkers. Students will learn the secrets of solving the cube.


Prerequisites
Bring a Rubik's Cube if you have it otherwise just bring your puzzle solving logic.

This course will teach students the basics of one of the world's greatest sports, volleyball. We will start out with the basics with hand on practice in the gym, and then move onto playing a game. Get ready to kill the ball.

Boston College's Shaw Leadership Program offers students a look at their own leadership style and leadership today.

You have never paid for searching on Google, so have you ever wondered how Google earns a profit? This course will give you an overview on different tech business models, and the approaches different technology companies, such as Google, Apple and Amazon, take to grow their businesses.

Health affects every human being, and the provision of health is a human right- necessary for anyone to even function. Health transcends borders, and global health is the area of study that attempts to provide health for all around the world. Yet, this is a monumental task, incorporating governments to volunteers in developing nations. This course allows students to examine policy organizations like the World Health Organization to current health challenges like the Millennium Development Goals. Students will especially learn ways to initiate and be involved with global health projects while in high school.

This course will cover a brief history of the martial arts, the varied paths they have taken and the beauty behind them. It will also involve interactive instruction in martial arts, taught by a traditional karate student of over 16 years. We'll go over basic self-defense, simple Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and a traditional karate (Isshinryu). We'll also discuss the mindset that distinguishes true martial artists from bullies.

In this inspiring course, you will learn about several of the world's most famous fashion designers. Love Chanel's quilted handbags but want to know more about the famous Coco? Interested in Givenchy but want to delve into his relationship with his muse- actress Audrey Hepburn? Have a desire to understand the beauty of Valentino's designs? All this and more awaits the students of this class! This fabulous course will allow you to learn more about haute couture, but more importantly, the genius men and women who bring it from the runway to the world.

The two instructors of this course are high school state champions in table tennis and want to share their experience and knowledge with you! They will teach basic shots and serves and there will be a tournament at the end of class to showcase how much you have learned. If you have a paddle please bring it, if not we will have extras.

To bromance or not to bromance is not the question because who wouldn't want one. However, becoming an expert at the bro-date and with bro-etiquette is not as easy as it seems, but that's where BroMontana (me) comes in to teach you all the secrets.
Additionally, I know that especially for the ladies bromance can raise a lot of questions such as: Is this ok? Is it normal? Does he not love me anymore? The answers to these questions will also be revealed in the course. Come out bro's and ladies to learn and embrace what has become the Bromance.


Prerequisites
knowledge of the sport of lacrosse highly suggested but not necessary.

We all have a deep rooted love for the Disney movies that we watched growing up. A lot of people can quote scenes and certainly sing along with the lyrics. But is there more to the movies than meets the eye? What are the movies really teaching the children? That true love always conquers all? Or that women need men to get them out of trouble? We will watch clips of certain movies and discuss plot lines to try to discern the real meaning from the movies we all love.


Prerequisites
A general knowledge of Disney films

Are you stressed and looking for a way to relax? Well come to this class and learn a new technique to help you get some much needed relaxation.
We will be learning a basic mindfulness meditation that is accessible to everyone.
Also, time permitting, we will discuss some of the main ideas in Buddhism.