Splash 2011
Course Catalog

Ever wonder what all the hubbub with swing dancing is all about?

Swing dancing is a social partner dance most commonly done to the sounds of jazz, big band, and rockabilly. It's fun, easy, energetic, and versatile, with a healthy dose of goofy/crazy mixed in.

This 50-minute class will teach you the basics of swing dancing and will show you how to have fun with it on the dance floor. No previous experience is necessary and you don't need to bring a partner.

For more swing dancing, check out our Swing Dancing 102 class, which will build on the moves learned in this class, teach even snazzier moves, and provide you a chance to socialize/practice your dance moves.

This class builds upon the foundation of Swing Dancing 101. The first 30 minutes will teach snazzy moves that you can use to impress on the dance floor. For the last 1.5 hours, we will hold a dance with DJed music for you to practice the moves you've learned and for you to socialize with other students.



Prerequisites
Swing Dancing 101

Music has power. The beat, tone, rhythm, and ideas conveyed in a song have the ability to make someone cry, laugh, dance, get pumped up, or sleepy. This class introduces several skills necessary to increase one's ability to analyze the meaning of different types of popular songs, and why they are so powerful.

Music is expressed through different instruments and voice. In this class, we will learn how to use an everyday object to create music and will rehearse a piece together as an orchestra.

Progressive rock, or “prog”, has influenced modern music in styles from metal to hip-hop to video game music. We will cover the evolution of popular artists such as Pink Floyd, Rush, and Frank Zappa as well as more esoteric groups from Britain, Europe, and North America. We will also discuss the use of emerging technology in popular music and the effect of digital synthesis in the ‘80s on the genre.

Presentation of audio examples will make up a significant part of class time, and active discussion is encouraged.


Prerequisites
Bring only your love of music - no background in music theory or history is required.

Bellydance is fun, exciting and suitable for all body types. It is an exotic art form which will improve your muscle control, increase flexibility and furthmore, bring out women's natural beauty!

Warm-up and several fundamental movements will be offered in the first hour. And we will do a short choreography in the last 30 minutes. Come shake it up!


Prerequisites
Please wear comfortable exercise clothes.

A world-wind tour of music and instruments from Java, China, Russia, the Netherlands and Appalachia. Taking both a thematic and regional approach, we will look at both similarities in instrument design and unique cultural differences. There will be audio recordings and possible live demonstrations.


Prerequisites
Interest in music.

Rudeboys, punks, and anti-racist skinheads abound. Come to listen to music and think about subcultures! The 1960s marked a drastic change in the world and Jamaica in specific. With its roots in American r&b and caribbean calypso, ska emerged as a defiant form of dance music that emphasized its up-beats in direct contrast to traditional western stylings. The class will trace the evolution of ska through rocksteady into reggae and dancehall to windup with a consideration of the ways that it has influenced punk, hip-hop and most recently reggaeton. The class will frame the music through the various subcultures that embraced it. Recommend reading: Dick Hebdige's "Subculture: The Meaning of Style."

In this course, we will learn how cutting edge research in biomedical engineering is revolutionizing medicine and therapeutics. Research is currently underway to develop implantable materials to help regenerate damaged tissue or organs. Students will learn about how biomaterials have the potential to improve the quality of life for several suffering patients from a myriad of debilitating diseases.


Prerequisites
Basic biology and chemistry

Who needs 3D modeling software when you can draft with paper and pencil? Come learn the basics of the art behind drafting, and you'll have the skills to take on fields from scenic design to mechanical engineering.

Want to learn more about the Global Health Movement? Want to get hands on experience and make a microsurgery tester kit that will be sent to third world nations? Take the Engineering World Health class and you will have the opportunity to get hands on experience on making an electrosurgery tester kit as well as learn how engineers influence world health.

In this class we will discuss the basics of what electronics do. I will talk about common parts that you can find inside any electronics device you can think of and what they do.

Everyone in the class will build their own simple light and (hopefully) understand how it works!

If you're like me - you feel like you can't go anywhere today without seeing someone on their cell phone. So much is happening during this everyday process, but none of it we can see.

We will discuss terms that many of you may have heard of (3G, 4G, frequency, signal) and find out what cell phones DO.

The class will feature several easy-to-understand pictures that explain all the steps of the process.


Prerequisites
NONE! We will not go into much/any math on how exactly these things happen. We will mainly discuss WHAT happens. For those who are interested, I will provide some short info / links to Wikipedia articles that discuss more detail/math/science related to what goes on.

Everyone who is a student or professional in the science and engineering world always talks about what they research or what they make, but rarely do they talk about the research environment and social dynamics of this career path. This course will address what it's like to do research in academia as an undergraduate student, graduate student, and beyond as well as research in industry and government positions. If you are interested in learning what it's like to be in a research group and what you can expect if you are thinking about going into any science or engineering field this class is for you.

Ever wonder what the objects around you look like on a very small scale? Join this class to see natural and manmade structures on a micro- and nano-scale and also to learn about various techniques used to obtain these images, including electron and optical microscopy.

Pretty much, whenever anything cracks, fractures, deforms, sinks, shatters, or comes apart, we call it a "failure".

In this activity-based course, we will look at a couple of structural engineering examples. Why will they fail? Where will they fail? And (most importantly) how can we build them so that they don't fail!

Be ready to see engineering theory in action!!


Prerequisites
All students must be excited and ready to participate!

Pretty much, whenever anything cracks, fractures, deforms, sinks, shatters, or comes apart, we call it a “failure”.

Sure, buildings and bridges are interesting, but what's going on beneath them? Do you know that some buildings sink over time? And quicksand... it's not just a sci-fi movie stunt! This activity-based course will focus on some of the more dynamic types of geotechnical engineering failure.

Be ready to see engineering theory in action!!


Prerequisites
All students must be excited and ready to participate!

Ever wonder how a bridge works? Here you will learn about how an engineer builds a bridge and build your very own bridge using marshmallows and toothpicks. To top that, we have a prize for the best built bridge!


Prerequisites
Intro to Physics, Algebra, Basic Math

Carbon nanotubes are some of the hottest things in engineering these days. What makes them so great? How do materials scientists talk about them and run experiments to study them? Come find out!

Carbon nanotubes are some of the hottest things in science and engineering right now. How are engineers using them (or planning to use them) in everyday life?

Through group discussions and presentations, students will have the chance to read fun articles about nanotubes and present to each other!

You don't have to be in NASA to send things into space! Learn about a near-space ballooning project that the Adler Planetarium in downtown Chicago has been working on with middle school, high school, and college students to gather data about the atmosphere and give students hands-on experience with science, engineering, and problem solving.

Want to know how a robot works?
We will discuss the basics of robotics such as circuits, programming, controls, etc.
Don't worry, we'll make it as simple (and fun!) as possible!

Sustainability. It is simply good practice? Or is there a more critical imperative? Our class will explore today's most critical environmental challenges and their sustainable solutions. Join us as we analyze the environmental, social, and economic significance of energy consumption and natural resource extraction at a local and global level. We will then consider the sustainable design and developments that will lead us to a greener future.

Ever thought about what things are made of? Want to see some properties of cool materials? Come to "What is this Made From?" and see everything from levitation to multi-state materials.

Concrete is the most commonly used infrastructural material in the world. You encounter it everyday. And yet... how much do you really know about it? What is it made out of? How do you process it? What is the difference between cement and concrete?

There is no better way to familiarize yourself with this amazingly versatile and complex material than by mixing a batch of your own! In this hands-on class, we'll tinker with different mineral and chemical admixtures in a real concrete lab and see how dramatically the properties of the mix can be manipulated! And as we're mixing and getting dirty, you'll be given a brief history of the material, then fast-forward to the most recent innovations, including nano-modification and ultra-high performance concrete.

If you think you may be interested in civil engineering and/or material science, this is definitely the class for you!


Prerequisites
This class will be held in a concrete lab so just come prepared to get a little dusty.

We'll discuss some of the theories behind why humans engage in religious practices and talk about the roles that religion plays in our daily lives. This is not a class to discuss whether religion is "right" or "wrong" but rather to ask "how" and "why" about our own experiences.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to Kazakh language and culture. I will teach basic words and phrases that are most useful in everyday life and also cover prominent Kazakhs: mostly writers and scientists.

The course should be enjoyable and relatively easy and hopefully, students will pursue learning more about Kazakhstan and its culture.



Prerequisites
Interest in the topic

Have you ever wondered why we dream, what they mean, and why dreams can be so bizarre? This class will give an overview of the interpretation of dreams according to Sigmund Freud. I will cover how Freud categorizes the mind into the id ego and superego, and then move into what dreams are and why they occur (in relation to the brain), according to Freud, as well as classifying the different types of dreams he believes exists. A portion of the class will be dedicated to breaking down an example of a dream (either one brought in by me, or one that a student brings in if they wish).


Prerequisites
Optional: Students can jot down the details of a dream they had recently and bring it into class to be analyzed (this is not required and students will not need to share their dream if they do not want to).

Can't understand what they're saying? We'll decode some great works from British literature.

Have you ever witnessed a situation that was so perfect it almost seemed fictional? Or maybe one day you noticed some previously overlooked detail that made the world seem just a bit more exciting. If you've experienced either of these moments, you already understand the essence of Creative Nonfiction.

Creative Nonfiction (CNF) is a genre of writing whereby completely true stories and everyday happenings become works of art. In this course, we will read excerpts from notable CNF essays and discuss what makes CNF unique. Once we've figured out what makes an essay Creative Nonfiction, you'll get to write your own.

Is hip-hop Dead? What does hip-hop look like? How does one see hip-hop? This class will look at hip-hop on film throughout history, with an introduction to early influences (Watermelon Man), classics (Beat Street), and contemporary interpretations (Brown Sugar). This class will think about hip-hop both as an art/aeshtetic as well as a subculture with its own elements. The class will use film analysis to explore hip-hop both as form of social resistance and a creative expression.

The Putnam Competition is the college undergraduate answer to the USAMO. As an introduction, come tackle some A1 problems from throughout the history of the contest. This class is similar to the B1 class but with different problems.


Prerequisites
You should be fairly comfortable working with proofs: reading, writing, and understanding them.

The Putnam Competition is the college undergraduate answer to the USAMO. As an introduction, come tackle some B1 problems from throughout the history of the contest. This class is similar to the A1 class but with different problems.


Prerequisites
You should be fairly comfortable working with proofs: reading, writing, and understanding them.

How many problems on this years Putnam Competition? 12!
Can we solve them all in one hour? Probably not!
Will we try? You bet we will!
Will we succeed? Come find out!


Prerequisites
You should be fairly comfortable working with proofs: reading, writing, and understanding them.

How do you handle a full-grown red-tailed hawk or make a 20-pound snapping turtle purr? Discover the answers in this class that takes you through a typical day at a wildlife hospital. We'll talk about the people involved, medical facilities, and of course, animals!


Prerequisites
An interest in animals

Classical mechanics is much more than $$F=ma$$.

The properties of conservation of linear momentum, angular momentum, and energy may seem like magic but are in fact deeply tied to the symmetries of the physical systems that express them. This result is known as Noether's theorem.

We will cover the basic philosophy and equations of the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of classical mechanics (you may have already heard of the Principle of Least Action) to hopefully arrive at a glimpse of the link between symmetry and conserved quantities.


Prerequisites
A good understanding of calculus (derivatives, integrals, Taylor series), linear algebra (dual vector spaces), and Newtonian physics (F=ma) is required. Some background in genuine (i.e. proof-based) math would certainly help, though the focus will be more on intuition than rigor. Recommended reading: Vol. 1 of the Feynman Lectures on Physics.

In this class, we will take a brief but illuminating look at the AIDS epidemic. We will examine what makes the HIV virus so deadly and hard to fight, we will examine how it first spread from a population of hundreds to millions, and the costly toll it has had on society. We will examine why it spread so quickly in the homosexual community of San Francisco.

This class will also include discussions that will enable students to share their views on the most controversial aspects of the epidemic.

So you've heard that Quantum Mechanics (physics in VERY small scales) is pretty weird. You might've heard people talk about things like multiple universes, the double-slit experiment, zombie-cats… Sound interesting? Would you like to hear more about this weird stuff without having to take college level math? Then this class is for you.

The universe; our experiences; the time we feel; our reality. Life appears to be guided by universal rules. Perhaps you have heard the story of the apple falling on Newton's head, leading to one of the great revolutions of human thought: the pursuance of gravity. Well, whether or not such a story is true, Newton's developments led to a paradigm shift in the way people study the world around them. Later, in the early 1900's, a patent clerk named Albert Einstein initiated one of the most impactful revolutions in all of history regarding how humans should view gravity, and their reality; this view is called the special and general theory of relativity.

I want you to feel free to come to this lecture, regardless of your background in math or physics, so that we may explore the pleasures of this great theory together. We will discover the fascinating -- and sometimes incredulous -- behavior of light: how its speed appears the same whether you're standing still on Earth or flying at Mach 2 on a jet plane, how it becomes bluer while falling towards Earth (this is NOT why the sky is blue!) and redder while escaping from it, and how it curves in the gravitational field of the Sun, the Earth, and even you! We will explore the special relativistic effects known as time dilation and length contraction, where moving clocks read time slowly and fast-moving space ships become compressed laterally. Finally, we will conclude with an exiting discussion regarding the exotic stellar objects known as black holes and, given the time, much more incredible phenomenon! On behalf of my group, I hope to see many of you there so that we may share our knowledge and learn together!


Prerequisites
curiosity!

We will explain how the visual system creates our experience of reality even when the physical world does not match our perceptions. It may surprise you to realize how much of our subjective experiences are created on a moment to moment basis!

Learn more about this unique field that applies chemical analysis to issues in history, archaeology, and art preservation.

The phrase 'fighting off a cold' is commonly used, but the implications of this common immunological description are astronomical. Every day our body is tirelessly fighting to defend itself against foreign invaders looking to destroy our cells and commandeer our body. This class will take you to the front lines of these battles as we follow the lives of three of our body's bravest warriors: the macrophage, the T-cell, and the B-cell. Microbiological methods of foreign microbe fighting will be introduced, as well as a sketch of the ruthless job training (aka selection and differentiation) of the more specialized T and B cells.



Prerequisites
Some basic high school biology, should know general functions of the parts of a cell and be familiar with mitosis and meiosis.

We all know it's common practice for a physician to look between the legs of a newborn child and pronounce them a girl or a boy, but how did that differences get there in the first place? And are the physician’s proclamations always correct? This class aims to give a brief introduction to the mechanisms behind human sex determination as it occurs in the fetus and how that impacts a newborn. At the end of the class, we will explore what happens if something in this process goes awry.

Note: This class will make use of some explicit images of neonatal genitalia.


Prerequisites
Some basic biology

When metals corrode, where does rust form? Where do catalysts catalyze? How do fuel cells and gas sensors work? All sorts of useful technologies rely on chemical reactions at the interface between materials and their environment. We will cover how the atoms at materials surfaces affect the chemical events that happen there.


Prerequisites
Students should be enrolled in (or have completed) a chemistry course.

In this course, we'll look at the controversial nature of biology in today's world. Is it OK to make an animal from two that don't normally breed? How about to alter an athlete's DNA to make him faster? To choose your child's gender? After talking about these issues and more, we'll take a poll of everyone's positions and see how these opinions compare.

As we approach 2012, you may be wondering: Is the world going to end? And if so, how? Will it be awesome? Hollywood has provided us with an inspiring collection of global catastrophes, ranging from flash freezing the surface to gigantic fiery asteroid impacts to distinctly one-sided human vs. alien wars. But could they actually happen? In Physics of the Apocalypse, you'll learn about the physical reality behind (literally) earth-shattering events, and how the seemingly ridiculous might be more possible than you think. We'll compare Hollywood-depictions of global disasters to their real-life scientific counterparts, providing you with an understanding of the physically correct – but certainly no less spectacular – ways that our planet might meet its (possibly fiery) end.

In this course, you will learn how to make your own graphene, the material for which the 2010 Nobel Prize was awarded! In addition, hands-on activities will illustrate how to turn scientifically interesting nano-materials, like graphene, into useful technology.

Want to learn about Electron Microscopes? We'll sit down at one and you'll learn how and why it works. You'll even get to use a Scanning Electron Microscope and take a picture of the nano-world.


Prerequisites
Two (mostly) working eyes.

Ever wonder how House MD and other doctors on TV actually go about solving medical (or medically-related) mysteries? Join us as we explore some of the tests or tools scientists and physicians use to solve mysterious ails and illnesses and to pinpoint their causes. We'll be looking at techniques from forensic science, molecular biology, medicine, and even organic chemistry in order to learn how to "crack a medical mystery"!


Prerequisites
Some biology and chemistry knowledge recommended, but not necessarily required.

In this class, we'll discuss the biology, psychology, and history of the period between age 11 and age 20. Come prepared to talk about your own experiences as one of these "teens."

Ever watched figure skating on TV and wondered how Olympians perform those graceful moves? We will watch videos of jumps, spins, and bloopers to find out how simple rules lead to awesome axels.


Prerequisites
Multiplication

Think you’re good at making unbiased decisions? Think again! In this class, we’ll explore some of the classic errors the human brain commits in decision-making, decisions that can cost companies millions of dollars and can affect the way you see your life.

SAVE DARFUR! Buy a T-shirt!

Where is Darfur again?

This course will explore the positive and negative effects that "T-shirt activism," intense, short-term promotion of a humanitarian crisis, has had on the Darfur genocide. It will also explore the role of the media, focusing on victimization, exploitative images, and the concept of "poverty porn."


Prerequisites
No knowledge of Darfur, activism, or genocide needed. We welcome students from all academic backgrounds.

Ever taken a Spanish course before and wondered when you get to learn phrases you'll actually use? Or ever not taken a Spanish class before and want to learn some Spanish? This course teaches some basic phrases, along with rather fun/useful/humorous ones, that you may or may not use when surrounded by people who only speak Spanish.

NOTE: This class is meant to be an exposure to the Spanish language and does not at all qualify as a prerequisite for any Spanish classes you might take through school. ;)


Prerequisites
None necessary, though a little background might be helpful.

Starcraft II is a futuristic strategy game which pits alien races against each other in battles for resources and supremacy. Students in this class will learn the basic mechanics, tactics, and strategies used by top-level players. In the end, focusing on becoming better at SC2 will help students understand improvement in general.


Prerequisites
Must have a basic understanding of Starcraft or Real Time Strategy Games. While having students who actually play is preferential, students who are interested or who play other games would also take a lot from the class.

Learn about Taiwanese culture while making mochi!

Take a fascinating tour of the world exploring and learning about the many different undiscovered creatures that roam it.

We’ll look at humanoid (Bigfoot), draconic (Loch Ness Monster), and other many weird creatures that we’ve tried to study but only come so close. There will be extensive review of scientific evidence supporting the existence of these creatures.


Prerequisites
An intellectual curiosity and interest in mysteries

Anyone who's seen the Winter Olympics has likely been enchanted by curling, where granite stones slide across the ice in a game of skill and strategy. We will introduce the quirky ice sport, shift to some key ideas of Zen Buddhism (mindfulness, in particular), and then discuss the intersection between mindfulness practices and curling. As strange as it seems, there are parallels between the two, and our discussion will focus on how we can practice mindfulness as part of our passions and hobbies - and in everyday life - to live more peacefully with ourselves and the world around us.

We'll take a look at how travel by train has evolved over the last century, from the great streamliners of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s to the creation of Amtrak and its perpetually uncertain future. We'll also touch on the idea of true "High Speed Rail" in the US.

Are you a game show fanatic? This class will explore the history of television game shows from the 1950s to the present. We will also discuss some of the electronics and technology used in building the sets, and cool software used in developing games, from game board design to motion recognition. But more importantly, you might even be invited to Come On Down and play your favorite game for prizes!


Prerequisites
Must enjoy at least one game show!

Whether you have ever (or never) read a magazine or newspaper, watched Steven Colbert, or written a blog, this is the class for you. Students will learn how to write a factual news story and by the end of class, will have written their very own news article.


Prerequisites
Ability to read and write

Over the course of human history, innovation has been the key to financial growth and economic prosperity. Yet, underlying this success lies a hidden problem inherent in most innovation that ultimately fueled many financial crises.

In the first part of our class, I will cover the basics of innovation, and then extensively cover the details of what actually happened in the financial crisis, and how 'history repeats itself'. I will be covering information about any of the following: the gold standard, bank runs, securitization, mortgage backed securities, insurance, and credit default swaps. This material will be covered, but having some background information beforehand might be helpful to better understand the concepts.

In the second part of the class, I will give some insights on how you might be able to start investing and a basic overview of options and stocks.

I will cover the following:
*What is a stock and why do they exist?
*Important ratios
*Technical Analysis: How to read charts and profit from certain price signals
*What is a derivative? What types of derivatives are out there?
*What is an option? Why options?
*The elements of an option, and how to take advantage of these elements
*Trading the option (beginning trading ideas)
*Stocks or options?


Prerequisites
Having a basic understanding of economic concepts might be useful, but it is definitely not required!