2009-10 Courses: Fall

Academic writers across disciplines construct arguments by taking positions and supporting them with evidence. The nature of that evidence varies wildly—it can include personal experience, qualitative data from case studies, statistical evidence, ideas put forward by other writers. The focus of this course, which is appropriate for writers with all levels of experience, is on constructing effective arguments by using the right kind of evidence. Students will work with sources of evidence that feel most comfortable and also work on expanding their argumentative repertoire.

Students enrolling in this class are encouraged to co-register for Class in the U.S. or Public Thinking and Public Health. See www.evergreen.edu/eveningandweekend/integratedstudies for details.

Accompanied by live drumming, we will learn dances originating in Africa and migrating to Brazil during slavery. We will dance to the driving, rapturous beat from Brazil known as samba. For the people of the villages surrounding Rio de Janeiro, samba is considered their most intense, unambivalent joy. In addition, we will dance and sing to contemporary cross-cultural beat from Bahia: Samba-Reggae and the Candomble religious dances of the Orixas. We will also learn dances from other regions of Brazil, such as Baiao, Frevo and Maracatu.

Algebraic Thinking develops problem solving and critical thinking skills by using algebra to solve context-based problems. Problems are approached algebraically, graphically, numerically and verbally. Topics include linear, quadratic, and exponential functions, right-triangle trigonometry and data analysis. Collaborative learning is emphasized.

In this course, students will learn finger-spelling, cardinal numbers, vocabulary, conversation sign and ASL grammar. Introduction to deaf culture includes a reader, and invitations to participate in Deaf Coffee, and attend the Deaf Club.

In this first course of a year-long sequence, students will learn the Arabic alphabet and to read and write in modern standard and classical Arabic, the language spoken in all of the 22 Arab states and all Islamic countries (all Muslims have to pray in Arabic). By the end of the year, students will be able to speak at a novice level. Students will also learn some short poems and stories, as well as Arabic culture and some conversational Arabic.

Doing well while doing good is a challenge. Whereas some kind of help is the kind of help that helps, some kind of help we can do without. Gaining wisdom to know the paths of skillful helping of self and others is the focus of this four-credit course. We will explore knowing who we are, identifying caring as a moral attitude, relating wisely to others, maintaining trust and working together to make change possible.

This is the first of a two-quarter sequence in which students are introduced to the subject of audio production and its relation to modern media. Fall quarter will focus on analog mixers and magnetic recording with some work in digital editing. Main topics will include field recording, digital audio editing, microphone design and application, analog multi-track recording and audio console signal flow. Students will have weekly reading assignments and weekly lab times.

This is an introductory studio course in ceramic sculpture. Study will include construction and forming techniques, low-fire glazing and idea development. Half the registration in this course is reserved for freshmen and sophomores.

This class is designed to reinforce and build upon previous skills through rigorous practice of spoken and written Chinese. Students will work to improve pronunciation while expanding understanding of vocabulary and grammatical constructions. Students will also be exposed to a variety of cultural topics through readings and other interactive activities.

Who is most likely to be successful in school and college, and why? Is "class" the taboo subject in America's public education system as some social critics claim?  How accessible is higher education? We will explore these questions through sociological inquiry, seeking to better understand our own experience and related contemporary and historical scholarship. In our work together, we will pay attention to the foundational academic practices of an Evergreen education with your success in mind.

Students enrolling in this class are encouraged to co-register for Class in the U.S. or Public Thinking and Public Health. See www.evergreen.edu/eveningandweekend/integratedstudies for details.

Conflict is an integral part of interpersonal, group, and organizational relationships. In this course students will learn to analyze conflict dynamics, manage conflict effectively, and strengthen relationships through creative problem-solving. The course will provide an introduction to conflict management grounded in contemporary communication theory and research.

For beginning, continuing and returning students, this class will reawaken the joy, adventure and wonder of learning. Students will learn about human development, identify their educational goals and create an academic plan of study. Students will explore the five foci of the Evergreen curriculum: personal engagement in learning, interdisciplinary study, collaboration with faculty and peers, bridging theory and practice, learning across significant differences.

This is an introductory course in drawing. Study will include drawing structure, proportion and volume using a variety of approaches. We will also explore techniques and media, using still life and natural resources.

This course is an introduction to the principles and techniques in drawing. Students will gain a working knowledge of line, shape, perspective, proportion, volume and composition. Using both wet and dry media, students will experiment with the traditions of hand drawn imagery. Students will work toward the development of an informed personal style, aided by research of various artistic movements and influential artists. Students will be required to keep a sketchbook throughout the quarter and complete drawing assignments outside of studio time. Presentations on the history and contemporary application of drawing will contextualize studio work. A final portfolio of completed assignments is due at the end of the quarter.

Are destructive emotions innately embedded in human nature? Can they be eradicated? A growing body of Western research has examined these and other questions through the perspectives of Eastern psychology and philosophy, which view destructive emotions, perceptions, and behaviors as the primary source of human suffering. To alleviate this suffering, Eastern psychology has developed a rich and varied methodology for recognizing, reducing, transforming and preventing these destructive forms of mind and emotion. After examining the nature and function of the mind/emotions, students will choose one emotion to study in-depth and develop effective East/West interventions to transform this emotion/state of mind.

The Evergreen Singers is a continuing choral ensemble of The Evergreen State College community. No auditions are required. We will learn the basics of good voice production, and rehearse and perform songs from a range of musical idioms. Members of the Evergreen Singers need to be able to carry a tune, learn their parts, and sing their parts with their section. This class requires excellent attendance and basic musicianship skills.

This course will introduce you to the principles of animation and how to use Flash to create simple animated movies. You will have one completed animated piece demonstrating the fundamentals of animation at the end of the class and will be ready to build on this knowledge with further study of the art and practice of animation. This class is for the beginner who has no experience with Flash but wishes to learn how to create animations to be published online.

This introductory French course emphasizes mastery of basic skills through a solid study of grammatical structures and interactive oral activities. Students will develop accurate pronunciation, build a useful vocabulary and work regularly in small groups to develop conversational skills. The class is lively and fast-paced with a wide variety of fun and creative activities in music, poetry, videos and work with Internet sites. Students use additional activities in the Community Language Laboratory to accelerate their skills.

This class is designed to reinforce, practice and build upon previous skills. It will be fast paced, completely in French, with continued review of grammatical structures. Class is interactive, and emphasizes conversational skills through discussions with native speakers of video segments, music, poetry and Internet news clips. Students will be expected to interact completely in French in small groups related to particular cultural themes. Students will increase their reading and writing skills through study of selected literary excerpts and/or a novel.

This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of grant writing and fund raising. After an orientation to contemporary philanthropy and trends, students will learn how to increase the capacity of an organization to be competitive for grants and other donations. We will share ways to plan realistic projects, identify promising funding sources and write clear and compelling components of a grant, based either on guidelines for an actual funder or a generic one. Working individually or in small groups, students will develop their project idea, outline the main components of a grant and prepare a brief common application.