Splash Fall 2016
Course Catalog

Are you interested in learning a new, creative method of writing? Are you someone who loves books, movies, or even just stories in general? Have you always dreamed of seeing you name on the New York Times Best Seller list but never knew how to make this dream possible? Enroll now in The Writer in You! to gain a better understanding of how a story is made from the creation and development of characters, ways to build a scene through dialogue, and develop your blossoming skills as a writer!

Are you interested in learning a new, creative method of writing? Are you someone who loves books, movies, or even just stories in general? Have you always dreamed of seeing you name on the New York Times Best Seller list but never knew how to make this dream possible? Enroll now in this advanced version of The Writer in You! Here, you will be able to better understand the foundations of well written characters, change any small idea into a sprawling epic, and become a versatile writer able to succeed in any genre!

With Clark University's very own improvisational comedy group The Peapod Squad, learn the basics of improv comedy through fun and exciting games, exercises and activities. We will be instructing as well as playing along as we explore the world of improv comedy from the basic skills, to the silliest of games.

Your nightmares ain't ready for this! Come and make your own dreamcatchers to chase away your bad dreams.

From Frozen to Spirited Away, animation enjoyed by people of all ages, all around the world. Learn about how animation began, as well as an in-depth look at what it takes for animators to create the great animated movies and tv shows that we all love.

We plan to explore the genre of hip-hop, going back through the origins, how hip-hop has changed, and examine the culture of hip-hop. We will be playing music examples and some select videos that pertain to hip-hop in general.

Join the Clark Keys, one of Clark's co-ed A Cappella groups for an inside look at collegiate a cappella. Join us in learning some basic vocal techniques and learning an A Cappella musical arrangement. No formal music experience required, just a passion for singing!

An interactive, high-energy course about the many mediums of poetry and how many forms it can take. We will explore rap, slam and free-verse, as well as, any themes and methods students want to learn more about. Students will be given the chance to write their own work.

In this workshop, we'll talk about some effective techniques for overcoming creative blocks in writing and ways to improve one's quality of writing.

Learn how to develop your own unique style with portrait photography! The course will teach basic photography concepts, look at other photographers' styles, and explore different ways students can capture their perspective through technology and technique.

This course will teach students the basics in how to write a song! To do this, we will study songs, learn popular chord progressions, and practice writing.

This course will teach students the basics in how to write a song! To do this, we will study songs, learn popular chord progressions, and practice writing.

The poetry we learn in school is usually pretty boring and dull, it shouldn't be that. Poetry is about being imaginative and saying whatever comes to mind. Let's do some activities to spark our imaginations and creativity and write fun poems

Digital Graphic Design:
Learn how to use design elements/principles (like color, scale, balance, etc.) to design an effective, modern, and visually-appealing digital poster! Learn the basics of Adobe Photoshop as we walk you through creating your own digital graphic!

Social Media Marketing:
Learn how to make the most of social media platforms (like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) to promote ideas, professional events, or even yourself! Learn fun, innovative social media techniques to generate interest and participation!

Do you want to be an artist, a musician, a composer, a designer, a creator?. Come learn how you can manage to have so many skills given so little time.

There is no poetry experience necessary of this workshop. We will be learning the basics of how words can be used as an art form through different styles of poetry. We'll cover spoken word, slam poetry, written free verse, and traditional poems. At the end, we will have a performance component in which you will share your work. This will be a space for freedom of expression, and it'll be loads of fun.

Have you ever wondered why the Wicked Witch of the West's face is green? Why do witches fly on brooms and wear pointed hats? Why are black cats and cauldrons associated with witchcraft? In this course we will examine the history of witchcraft, from its most basic roots, through the European witch craze, to the modern day understanding of witchcraft and the various hollywood adaptations that have led to our classical, stereotypical witch. We will look at the case of the Salem Witch Trials to understand what creates an environment conducive to a "witch hunt." This class will not be entirely lecture based, there will be class discussion as well as a few games. This is not a topic that is often explored within core curriculum, but it is an incredibly important topic, with a very rich history, that deserves attention and comprehension. Through this class students will hopefully gain a sense of the stereotypes around them, and how history becomes hollywood, and facts become legend.

Who really discovered America? Did George Washington really chop down a cherry tree? How tall was Napoleon? This course will look at the many historical misconceptions commonly accepted as fact in historical education today. We will explore how to critically examine a historical education, and go through a historical timeline while setting straight some of the most famous errors history textbooks today still present as fact. We will be looking at the ways in which you, as a student, can examine your own education and criticize the black and white way textbooks present a history that is comprised of many colors.

Does Nicki Minaj rule the world? Are Jay-Z and Beyoncé an actual power couple? Is Rihanna after world domination? Why are so many famous people that we have come to know and love associated with a "secret cult"? The Illuminati was once feared, and now it is feared again today. We will explore what the Illuminati stood for in the late 18th century, what caused their suppression, and why they are believed to be alive today. We will also examine why common celebrities are linked to this secret society, and what we, as part of the larger society, should do.

Are you interested in future job/internship opportunities? Have you ever questioned what made you unique? Have you ever wondered how you stand out in a crowd? So have I. However, I have a great grasp on how you can tell your story and so will you if you take my class. Come learn more about yourself and what makes you special.

Are you interested in abnormal psychology, autism spectrum disorders, or the disability rights movement? Autism: Fact and Fiction goes into the traits and sociocultural aspects of the autism. We will discuss in detail common misconceptions about autism and misrepresentations of the disorder in the media.

If you ever had any questions about the Second Great War, then this class is for you! I will be beginning from a few years after World War One to August 1945. This class will focus on the European Theater of war, with a major focus on the American and British forces during the war. We will discuss the Eastern Front a bit, but I will focus primarily on the war in Africa, Italy, and France. So come on in, this class is for anyone at any knowledge level! I greatly enjoy questions so make sure to think of one or two before class!

Come in and learn the World War history you really never learn in school! Ever wonder how the United States came back from the brink of destruction at Pearl Harbor, to field the largest and most advanced navy the world has ever seen? Then this class is for you! We will discuss the war from the Americans perspective in the Pacific theater, primarliy following one specific ship, the U.S.S Enterprise, as it fights its way through the largest conflict in history. I will be beginning a few months before Pearl Harbor, and culminating in the Japanese surrender to the United States. This course is for anyone and everyone, no prior knowledge required, so come on in and learn some new stuff!!!

Your eyes and brain are constantly working together to help interpret the world around you. But what happens when what you see and what you think you see don't match up? We'll explore many different types of optical illusions and see how our eyes and brain can play tricks on us. We will also discuss brain processes related to attention and memory.

Ever wondered why you find a particular tune so catchy or why you react so strongly to music? This class will teach you the psychology behind the experience of listening to music! Using the psychology of sound and emotions, this class show you whats going on in your brain while have your headphones on.

What does being a First Generation Student mean?
If neither of your parents received a four-year college degree you are a first student.
What are the expectations and adversities that you can expect from going to college? Join First-Generation Student Union from Clark in talking and learning more about it.

Come learn how to write a letter to a government official. We will teach you how to write a letter and then you get to write a letter (or more!) to a government official of your choice about an issue you're passionate about and then we will send them out when you're done!

We are going to examine powerful women on many sides of the conflicts in the Mideast! We are going to look at gender, religion, and organization through various elements of living in this dynamic and historical part of the world.

Sherlock Holmes used deductive reasoning to solve crimes, and was a master of presentation.

Let's delve into the secrets behind his methods. What's the nature of an argument, how can you best analyze a problem, evaluate it and come up with plausible solutions? What's this notion of validity and fallacies?

These are only some of the questions we will cover, as we explore the mysterious murder of Countess Hawthorne, who lived alone and was loved by all. The game is afoot!

Confused about what the election meant? Have no clue what a liberal is? Wonder what the results mean? Well we are going to explore the basics of politics and how they apply to you even though you can't vote. Sound smart and know what is going on this November!

Just because you have free speech doesn't mean your teachers can't tell you not to swear at school...but why? Find out! This is your chance to learn what you can and can't do and what to say if someone tells you otherwise.

Have you ever wanted to learn how politicians are always able to make stuff up on the spot? Do you want to sound smarter in conversations about thing you know nothing about?
In this class we will attempt to learn the art of Impromptu Speech. We will look at videos of the art, and practice it with each other. By the end every student will have a better sense of how to debate and hopefully be able to use this skill in real life.

What is creativity and how does it fit into the current school system? The evidence of what creativity actually is, is in our experiences in day to day life. Share your stories and connect with other students while looking at the world through a different light. This course will be mainly discussion based and students will be expected to openly participate in discussion.

A hands on approach to what it means to be a leader in today's society, how to rise above challenges and pursue your dreams. This course will explore the types of leaders a person can be and how one can develop these to their full potential.

What is creativity and how does it fit into the current school system? The evidence of what creativity actually is, is in our experiences in day to day life. Share your stories and connect with other students while looking at the world through a different light. This course will be mainly discussion based and students will be expected to openly participate in discussion.

Enjoy a break for lunch with your friends! All students must register for a lunch period.

Space. The vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big universe whose secrets we are only beginning to uncover. In this class we'll introduce some of these secrets in an out-of-this-world introduction to the ever-expanding concept we like to call Outer Space.

Learn about the most powerful big cat and its habits as we dive into what makes the tiger what it is. We will look at the conservation efforts around the animal and appreciate what an amazing creature this lovable cat truly is!

Learn about the most powerful big cat and its habits as we dive into what makes the tiger what it is. We will look at the conservation efforts around the animal and appreciate what an amazing creature this lovable cat truly is!

Sleep is a beautiful thing, and one of the most important aspects of our lives. In this class, we will look at how the sleep cycle works, what determines how much sleep you need, and the significance of dreams.

Sleep is a beautiful thing, and one of the most important aspects of our lives. In this class, we will look at how the sleep cycle works, what determines how much sleep you need, and the significance of dreams.

What wiggles and jiggles and can be made with just two ingredients?? SLIME!! Join my science partner in crime and I as we make this silly goop together and talk about science!

Have you ever wondered how you can image the atomic structure of materials? In this class you will learn how one basic concept of quantum mechanics allowed for the development of a state-of-the-art experimental technique, scanning tunneling microscopy, to do just this. This class will include a demonstration of Clark’s scanning tunneling microscope.

From tales about the origins of the Universe to the birth and death of stars and getting sucked into black holes (which are awesome!), we'll talk about astronomy - the science that deals with almost everything outside the Earth's atmosphere!

Join us as we use exploration, walking, and a wee bit of luck (we don't want to get the brunt of a supernova explosion now, do we?) to tour the Universe at Warp Speed (really, really fast) starting at the edge of our Galaxy and into the farthest known reaches - about 14 billion light years! Cool planets, stars and galactic clusters will drop in to say hi - the question is, will Dark Matter?!

We've all heard stories about the paranormal, of fiendish creatures and mystical apparitions. In this course, we use historical accounts and scientific data to understand what underlies these activities.

Learn how to describe a haunting, basics of an on-site investigation (we may yet make a ghostbuster out of you?!), and hear each others' experiences. We'll look at what's behind them, and at the tools that are used in documented incidents.

If you're up to explore the unknown, hop in - but, with a strong heart!

Disclaimer: This class discusses paranormal experiences and instances with minimal association with religion, culture or background. A diverse group of experiences and points of view is welcome and appreciated!

Make your very own ferrofluid, which will form spikes in liquid with the help of a magnet!

Invested in medicine? Want a high paying job that can never be outsourced? Then Pre-Health is for you. Join the Pre-Health Society as we discuss the enormous benefits and rewards from working in the medical field. Learn some cool medical history and famous people in medicine.

Join the Radio Of Clark University (ROCU) Team to learn what it takes to host your own Radio Show. We'll be meeting in the ROCU Studio where you'll learn the rules of the air, how the equipment works, and be pairing up to create and host your own radio show! No previous experience required.

Soooo, who will be the sole survivor of a dreaded werewolf and vampire outbreak? Come join us as we learn how to play this super quick, super fun game.

Each player has an agenda: as a Villager you will hunt down the Werewolves and Vampires; as a Werewolf or Vampire, you will convince the other villagers that you are innocent, while secretly attacking those same villagers each night.

There are dozens of special roles available to help both the villagers and the Werewolves achieve their goals. Perhaps you will be a Sorcerer, a Bodyguard or maybe a Seer.

Bottom line - will you be the last one to survive?

The donut, aka doughnut, is a much loved fried confection, often considered a dessert food. In this class, we'll discuss their history, their use in our everyday lives and some common myths.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the eating and enjoyment of doughnuts in the context of a modern American lifestyle.

Be prepared to consume some of these delightful confectionery treats!

Prerequisite: Some prior experience with donuts would be helpful. =)

Have you ever wondered how people come up with new ideas for games? It might be as simple as combining two games you already know in order to create a fun, challenging game.

Come join in as we create new games from some oldies, but goodies! We'll work in teams and each group will have the chance to pitch their ideas to the rest of the class!

You've seen all the movies. You've read all the books. Well, get ready to take your knowledge to the next level with the ultimate Harry Potter Trivia Challenge!

We will play some team games and some individual games, so get ready to enjoy some fun competition!

Get excited to make your very own computer game using Power Point and a very simple trick! No experience necessary; just bring some creative ideas!

In this class, we will be focusing on a famous, long-running, crime drama t.v. show: Law and Order: SVU. The class will consist of short clips from the series. We will then analyze the show and their characters from both a writer and viewers' perspective to discuss character development and how this show relates to our life.

*Previous knowledge of Law and Order: SVU will be helpful for this class

There isn't a day that goes by when we're not uploading a photo to Instagram or checking our Twitter feeds. It's a simple science: we, in the twenty-first century, have become addicted to social media. But have we ever really wondered what dangers lurk with it? This course will examine these threats and further our understanding of what may happen if we don't act on them. From hacking to online bullying, these dangers come in many forms, and thus our goal of the class is to come up with action plans for each of these. To clarify: this is NOT an anti-social media class, but rather a course to make note of the threats that having Facebook, Twitter, etc. pose, and come up with solutions to each of these problems.

College tests aren't like those in high school, but imagine how well you could do on your tests by learning how to study for college exams! Learn useful studying techniques that many college students across the country have that earn themselves A's, and utilize this new knowledge in the high school classroom setting. Show your teachers you are ready for college!

This guided tour of Clark University is required for all students who are part of the MWCC Gateway to College program.
Students not part of MWCC may not register for this session.

This course will combine both lecture and hands on demonstrations of basic first aid that can be used in medical emergencies. Taught by the trained EMTs and First Responders of Clark University EMS. This class is tailored to teach the average person to react to medical emergencies. All levels and interest are welcome to attend. The idea of this course is anyone should be able to learn the material. The hands on part will give more specialized age appropriate information.

This course will combine both lecture and hands on demonstrations of basic first aid that can be used in medical emergencies. Taught by the trained EMTs and First Responders of Clark University EMS. This class is tailored to teach the average person to react to medical emergencies. All levels and interest are welcome to attend. The idea of this course is anyone should be able to learn the material. The hands on part will give more specialized age appropriate information.

Brooms up! Come learn how to play real-life Quidditch with Clark's own Ravenclarks! This workshop will involve an introduction to the sport, training stations for each position, as well as scrimmages. Be sure to be prepared to exercise outside, rain or shine (You can't cancel Quidditch!!!). Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Brooms up! Come learn how to play real-life Quidditch with Clark's own Ravenclarks! This workshop will involve an introduction to the sport, training stations for each position, as well as scrimmages. Be sure to be prepared to exercise outside, rain or shine (You can't cancel Quidditch!!!). Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Interested in taking a year off after graduation before entering college or the workforce? Follow in Malia Obama's footsteps and come learn about different gap year opportunities! From travel to service and everything in between, you are bound to find a program that suits your interests. Emphasis will be placed on inexpensive and paid options.

What does it mean to be "queer"? Can someone be bisexual but only date men? What's the difference between "gender identity" and "gender expression"? Come learn about the huge variety of identities that make up the LGBTQ+ spectrum and the pros and cons of assigning them labels. You don't need to be LGBTQ+ to come; all are welcome!

Learning how to plan ahead by studying supervillians

Are you worried about the big issues of today - climate change, inequality, racism, sexism, and more? Do you want to change something in your school, your community, or the world? Do you want to know how to organize with your peers to make that change? Sign up for this class to learn how to facilitate effective meetings, plan actions, and make the change you want to see!

Do politics intrigue you? Do you like memes? If so, this is the class for you! This course will delve into the process of electing a new president, from selecting delegates all the way through the electoral college. It will take a comedic approach, specifically focusing on the 2016 election and following Sanders, Cruz, Clinton, Trump, Rubio, and more fight for control of the most coveted governmental office.

Learn how to make connections and maintain professional relationships through networking and apply these to help you in college and the workforce.

Want to reduce your environmental footprint? Want to take a critical look at the way we live that results in waste? Want to learn hands-on skills to live zero waste? Join us in our zero-waste 101 seminar! We will talk about the steps we all can take to reduce our waste and increase our environmentalism!

Let's talk about sex! Come learn about the basics, from consent to protection to anatomy and everything in between. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers. This workshop is LGBT inclusive!