Learning Curve

Majoring in computer science with a minor in breezy summer style

Adriene Hill Jun 3, 2014

Learning Curve

Majoring in computer science with a minor in breezy summer style

Adriene Hill Jun 3, 2014

Conde Nast, publisher of InStyle, The New Yorker, and Allure among others is planning to partner with universities to create certificate programs, and, down the line, master’s degree programs. We’ve envisioned some course offerings, just for fun, of course…

Summer Style Made Easy: Creating a shared cultural language for the modern woman

Department: Gender studies; Instructor: Wintour

Explores the vast differences in pseudo-fashion culture among women of different socioeconomic and geographical backgrounds. The class will consider the value of a shared language for these women and the strong connections created by a depth of understanding of the sundress and capri pant. We will examine the way that fashion allows for greater communication of self, community and social identity, while connecting with that which is uniquely feminine. And we will consider the way that summer 2014’s signature graphic tees can facilitate such communication without traditional speech.

Pre-requisite: “Must-Have Fall Looks” or “The Fall Fashion Extravaganza”
Finally! A Cure for Your Hangover: A scientific exploration of a health epidemic

Department: Biology; Instructor: Dadich

An introduction to the molecular, cellular and biological processes involved in inebriation and subsequent veisalgia (the scientific term for a hangover). We will explore what scientists do and don’t understand about the hangover—marked by symptoms including headache, fatigue, nausea, and repeated absences from your 8:30 a.m. Philosophy of Modern Dance class. We will research common explanations for veisalgia, including dehydration, too little of the enzyme NAD+, and an over abundance of acetaldehyde in the body. We will also consider correlations between cytokines and hangovers and we will look at why drinks with higher levels of congeners can contribute to more severe hangover symptoms.

Required Reading: “If You Build It, They Will Drink” ; “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions”
A Geek’s Guide to Grilling: Roasting meat and human advancement

Department: History, Archaelogy; Instructor: Reichl; ONLINE ONLY CLASS

We will delve into the history of cooking food over open flame, looking at evidence that the practice may go back to Homo erectus. This class will explore how the introduction of cooking was one of the most important moments in human history, allowing primitive humans to eat more things, and waste less time chewing. There will be extensive consideration given to the ways that consuming more calories and protein with less work has allowed humans to flourish as a species. This class is required before you can register for ARCH 302: “10 Foods You Didn’t Know You Could Grill.”
28 Tips for your SEXIEST Body Ever!: The art and science of using numbers to tell stories

Department: Folklore, Neuroscience; Instructor: Wells

We will revel in the classic examples of numbers in storytelling, including “A Tale of Two Cities”, “TheThree Musketeers”, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, and “18 Real Breakthroughs in Beauty Products”. We will consider the power of the numbers to stimulate the mind, looking at what neuroscience can tell us about tapping into the brain’s innate desire to understand the world around us.

Please bring your favorite examples of numbers in storytelling to the first class.

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