Splash Fall 2016
Course Catalog

Have you ever wanted to make something special and handmade for your friends and family? Well I'll help you with that wish. Join this class and I will show you how to make some bracelets and iron-on patches. These are really easy and simple. Bring your own ideas as well. Open to beginners and amateurs alike.

Always wanted to take better pictures but never quite known how? Confused about how to take pictures that have that WOW effect? Don't have a top of the line camera (or any camera at all) but still want great results? This is the course for you. Two seasoned photographers will take you through tips, methods, and rules for creating great photographs. Whether you have a nice camera, your mom's old point and shoot, or just your cell phone, you'll get learn many of the styles pros, artists, and hobbyists use to create great images,

The class will teach the fundamentals of blues dance: correct posture, weight shifts, different positions, tension, tone, and traveling. The class is taught ambidancetrous, meaning that everyone will get to lead and follow. In doing this we hope to foster a higher level of dancing expertise, create a safer place for people of all genders and sexual orientations, challenge traditional gender roles, and shift the focus from roles and rules to dancing and connection. We believe that by learning both roles, students gain a better and fuller understanding of the dance and have double your fun!

And history: (Get excited)
Blues dance originated and evolved from African rhythms and movements. However, Blues dancing was never widely practiced as a "social" or performance dance in the United States outside of the Black communities; so it developed and thrived in smoky juke joints and at Blues house parties and rent parties, giving it a more intimate feel. Because Blues dancing lacked wider social approval and appeal, it remained strongly entrenched in African principles of movement, not only in the motion of the hips, but in the characteristic creation of, and dancing within, a boundary. Blues dance is strongly tied to Blues music, and many aspects of Blues dancing (for example, call and response, emotional intensity, and tension and release) are directly related to the music to which it is danced. There are many types of Blues music (rural, urban, up-tempo, slow, electric, delta, modern), and also many types of Blues dance, all with very different nuances and emotions. Incorporating modern concepts of partner connection, improvisation, and natural body movement. Blues is also an aesthetic that you bring to your dancing. Blues dance enables intense individuality in expressing the music, emphasizing that the music, not the dancer, leads the dance; the dancer is simply the interpreter. Blues dance demonstrates the passion of the entire range of human emotions - from sadness to joy - not just sensuality. If you don't have a visceral reaction to the music, your partner, and the environment, then you are missing the true beauty of Blues dance. Learning to Blues dance enables the dancer to more fully understand dance concepts such as simplicity, clarity, creativity, expression, intensity, and musical and emotional interpretation that are critical to advanced social dancing.
(adaptation by Nigel Kidder-Wolff and Grace Richmond
from Heidi Fite & Charlie Fuller’s website)

Come and learn how to tap into your inner self and express you personality through painting! No art skills required, just a willingness to be open-minded and a desire to express your creativity!

Harry Potter is the go-to example of the modern classic- a brilliant, emotional journey that has touched the lives of millions worldwide. in 2007, most fans felt assured that the seventh book was the defining, concrete conclusion of the saga. Yet now, not only are movie studios looking to cash in on the brand name with spin-offs, but J.K Rowling herself has penned an "8th book." What does this mean for those of us with a true connection to these characters? Are these works extensions of a beloved universe, or just cash-ins? What do authors truly "owe" to their fans, and who holds the power in that relationship? This class will explore these questions with regards to both Harry Potter and (indirectly) media at large.


Prerequisites
Knowledge of the Harry Potter series (preferably the books) and a working understanding of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (spoilers will come for those who aren't up to date!)

This course will be centered around tips and information about college in general, and specifically what life is like as a student at BC.

Would you like to take control of your financial future by understanding the basics of budgeting, credit scores, consumer behavior, and other personal finance concepts? Then this is the course for you!

This is a casual seminar style course led by the Splash Leaders to answer all your questions relating to the college admissions process, college life, or any general question about majors, classes, clubs, etc. Take a break from academic classes and spend some time with the eccentric and knowledgeable Splash Leaders gaining all the valuable information you would need to know to be ready for college!

This class will include survival tips for freshman year and discuss the transition to college life including: how to be your best self in college, how to handle difficult situations, and how to live with roommates.


Prerequisites
a willingness to engage in discussion!!

This course is designed to give students an introduction into the huge realms of business. Many students do know they want to study business when they get older, but not many know what field they want to study. If you have an idea of what concentration(s) you may be interested, this could put yourself ahead of the game! This class also gives an introduction to business ethics and philosophy, and we will analyze together some of the most famous business philosophers to ever live, such as Immanuel Kant, Ayn Rand, and Aristotle.

This is a casual seminar style course led by the Splash Leaders to answer all your questions relating to the college admissions process, college life, or any general question about majors, classes, clubs, etc. Take a break from academic classes and spend some time with the eccentric and knowledgeable Splash Leaders gaining all the valuable information you would need to know to be ready for college!

Enjoy a break for lunch with your friends! Please register for at least one lunch period on each day of the program.

How you ever marvelled at the brilliance of authors in 20th century? How beautifully they see the world around them, how easily they portray the inexhaustible complexities of the human condition.

Come along to have an open discussion on how we can take their advice and observations on society, to better help us live a more fulfilling, and perhaps even happier life.

But before the class, please consider these words by Oscar Wilde, "Education is a wonderful thing, but it is well to remember that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught".

Authors explored: Oscar Wilde, Somerset Maugham, Jack Kerouac (Thoreau.. yes he's 19th century, but too good to ignore)

In this course, we will analyze the presence of social trends in animated media, and discuss what their inclusion tells us what is to our society and how comedy and aesthetics work to make these ideas easier to absorb, criticize, or enjoy. We will be viewing clips from a lot of popular children and adult cartoons.

Have you ever wondered why you "like" someone when you meet them? Why you are drawn to a friend or partner physically or emotionally?

How we relate to other people is the single most important thing that gives our life meaning. Let's find out why.

***If you're a junior or senior, I highly suggest taking this course as a way to learn about college social dynamics and how to make the most out of the college social scene***

We will analyze different mental disorders and relate them to TV show characters that exhibit the disorders.


Prerequisites
None

From Nordic runes to Old English to Shakespeare, the English language has undergone some major transformations over the years. This course examines different cultural influences and how language changes over time. Come find out how the evolution happened and why English is so confusing.

Do you love ice cream? What about Ben & Jerry's ice cream? In this class, you can learn all about Ben & Jerry's as a company and how their corporate responsibility makes a positive impact.

The history of the Soviet Union is one littered with brutal acts of terror, mass oppression, and war. Joseph Stalin's rise to power ushered in a dark period of collectivization, deportations, purges, assassinations, and war crimes almost inconceivable today. This class will attempt to not only describe the events themselves, but the motivations behind them, and the ramifications that they continue to have on particular areas of Eastern Europe today.


Prerequisites
Some knowledge of Russian history (1917-1989) as well as a general interest in the subject matter

Whether you love the Bard of Avon or find him “loathsome as a toad”, he remains today one of the greatest names in the history of Western literature. To shed some light on this, we will be looking into the theatrical and thematic elements of his plays, as well as the historical context of Shakespeare’s career. Hopefully, you will leave the class with a better understanding of Shakespeare and his plays, and insight as to why people still bother to read and perform them 400 years later.


Prerequisites
It would be helpful if students have read something of Shakespeare's plays. However, if your knowledge of Shakespeare extends no further than the movie "The Lion King" (which was loosely inspired by Hamlet), that's okay too.

Want to learn about your strengths, mindfulness, hope, resilience, and gratitude? Positive psych focuses on what is right with a person and how to improve our lives by focusing on enhancing strengths rather than defining weaknesses. Learn about what science says can improve your happiness and enhance your overall wellbeing!

Get your fedoras and whips ready! In this brief introduction to archeology, we will learn about proper archeological methods, tools, locations, and what we do with the things we find. There will be a specific emphasis on the work done by the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon, Israel, home of the only confirmed Philistine Cemetery. *Cue adventure music*

Do you know or want to know more information about the global water crisis ad what you can do to help end it? Join the Boston College chapter of charity:water to learn more! We'll give you tips on reducing your water usage, tell you some crazy facts about just how much water you use, and more importantly tell you how you and your friends can help the cause!

Students will learn the basics of economics through simulations in which they will decide on how to allocate scarce resources and also practice their bargaining skills!

Globalization is becoming an important part of business. Unfortunately, to win new business often forces business to adapt to corrupt practices. So the question is: If you need to bribe a government official in order to gain a lucrative government contract, is it worth it? Is it the RIGHT thing to do? We'll debate this and more in the course.

Recent news stories involving Apple protecting cell phone information and an NFL player taking a knee during the National Anthem have spread like wildfire and have evoked different opinions from different people. This class explains the legality of protest and the strength of legal privacy protections in the context of these two narratives as established by pivotal Supreme Court case law interpreting the Constitution. Students will discuss arguments on both sides and leave with an understanding of what the Supreme Court has ruled in the cases of a controversial protest and a government attempt to view private information on a cell phone.

Exploring the physics and scientific aspects of Christopher Nolan's hit 2014 film Interstellar

Did you know giraffes can run up to 35 miles per hour? Have you ever heard that the wingspan of an albatross is up to 11 feet? If you find these fun facts remotely interesting, this is the course for you. Sit in on this interactive class to debunk common myths, discover areas of controversy, and acquire some jaw dropping animal facts that will make your friends think you're an expert.

This course will go over some of the chemicals in everyday products (shampoo, deodorant, conditioner, etc.) and will see what kinds of effects they have on the body. We will also take a look at labeling of ingredients of such products and what the labeling actually means.

Boston College EMS will teach basic skills on how to respond to common medical emergencies, including diabetic emergencies, allergic reactions, and stroke. In this class, you will have the opportunity to work hands on with EMTs to learn how to properly take a blood pressure and blood glucose. You will also have the chance to give a basic neurological assessment, administer an Epi Pen tester, and more!

This course will take a look at some of the strange and seemingly crazy things we believed at different points in history, and in particular a few select landmark people and experiments that helped establish fundamental scientific principles of today.

Failure is a guaranteed part of life. We as juniors in college have had our fair share of missteps (Some that could have been avoidable, others not so much.). These shortcomings are affectionately dubbed as "Losses," or "Ls" for short. We have come to realize that dealing and recovering from these Ls is more important than trying to avoid them, and we want to instill some of this knowledge into you. Come join Humza and Danny in learning about the psychology behind the concept of resilience.

Life is almost universally identifiable. We all know it when we see it, more or less. So why is it so hard to define? Understanding the property that animates matter was the goal of early biologists, but as the years marched on, this began to change. Modern biology focuses on the characterization of the specific substrate in hopes of discovering exploitable biological machinery. This class goes back to the roots of biology and uses our modern understanding of organic life and its dynamics (with a focus on life's informational properties) to ask once again the old question: what exactly is the physical phenomenon of life?


Prerequisites
This course will assume a basic understanding of the major sciences (biology, chemistry, physics), but most concepts will be explained in class and questions will be welcome at any point during the period.

As pilots of the X-fighter, we must create new devices to destroy the new Death Star by the Sith. Using basic Newtonian physics and circuits, we will be building devices that we will use to finally destroy the Empire!

Learn about splinting, musculoskeletal injuries, and spine immobilization from Boston College EMS. Students will be able to practice these skills during the class period!

Climate Change poses a significant threat to our future but how much do we really know about its causes and effects? This class will aim to provide a basic understanding of the processes and feedbacks related to climate change and may potentially touch on future solutions to a growing problem.


Prerequisites
Basic understanding of chemistry and physics.

Come on out to learn about what football is. We will go over the basics, what is a pig skin, background about the NFL, then we will go into some fun drills that football players go through, then we will have a 7 v 7 and play a pick up game!

Do you love the Red Sox? Do you already miss Big Papi? This class will be a discussion of the effects David Ortiz has had on baseball in New England from his acquisition in 2003 to his retirement this year.

Feeling sassy? A little cynical? Come and learn about the true art of sarcasm! We'll look at sarcasm through the lens of literature and media and finish the class with a Sass Master competition!

Did you know that Mickey was originally named Mortimer? That Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was nicknamed Disney's Folly during production and went 400% over budget? What about the fact that Disney was sued by biologists over the portrayal of hyenas in The Lion King?

This class is meant to bring out the child in you by exploring uncommon facts about all things Disney.

(Even if you have taken this class in the past, there will be new facts)


Prerequisites
Have an interest in Disney

Want to start exercising and don't know how to start? Do you exercise but want to get more out of it by creating a regimen of various forms of exercise? This course will give you the tools to get the most out of exercising while minimizing soreness and injury!

Can't get enough of the USWNT? Join me as we walk through their fandom, their battle for equal pay, and how they've changed the "women in sports" conversation.

Ever wonder how deaf people communicate? Fascinated by sign language? Want to talk with people without having to speak a word?

If any of these are true, this class would be great for you. In less than one hour, we will learn how to finger spell (ABCs) and some basic signs.

Ever feel at a loss for words? Taking the first step is always scary, but you never know when you're going to get to know you're new BFF or mentor. Don't let your inhibition get in the way any longer-let's dive into the conversation together!

We will look at how college is shown in movies and talk about whether it is accurate.

If you know the Pokemon theme song by heart, this is the class for you. We offer an introduction to the exciting world of anime (Japanese animation)! We will discuss some themes of the three main archetypes of anime: shojo, shounen and kodomo. We will delve into the rich culture of Japan through this underrated art form.

Learn about the greatest rapper of ALL time. We will talk about his childhood, his pre-fame years and his most influential albums

When Life Gives You Lemons...Make Money! Join Smart Woman Securities BC to learn how you can turn your allowance, birthday money, or earnings from a part time job into more for your future!

This hour-long class will discuss the American presidency. It will cover the powers granted to the President by the Constitution as well as how the President's role has changed during American history. We will be looking at a number of presidents such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, and others. The goal of this class is to encourage you to think about how the next President should act upon taking the Oath of Office in January 2017.


Prerequisites
It would be helpful (but NOT required) to have a basic understanding of American history.

The Resistance? Coup? One Night Ultimate Werewolf? What do all three of these games have in common, besides being super fun. They call for lying, deception, and deduction. You must either manipulate your way though the game as a spy, or fight to stay alive as a villager. In this class we will play games, then discuss what went right, and more importantly, what went wrong, as well as discuss our own personal strategic choices, why we made them, and how we plan to change them in the future.

Have you ever wanted to impress your friends with your juggling skills, but you don't really have any? Well, let's change that. In this class, we will learn how to do a simple three ball juggling toss. Learn the basic form so that you can practice and become a master of the art!