Interdisciplinary Arts 0256 - Making Brooms - The Circular Economy versus the Material Economy

This class is a collaboration between Hampshire College faculty Donna Cohn and Division II student Luka Eriksen. We will start the semester by learning and practicing the techniques of traditional broom making that Luka learned while enrolled at Berea College in Kentucky. We will gather natural materials from surrounding local habitats. We will make brooms that are functional, to a chosen specific task that can also be beautiful works of art. We will explore the meaning and value of making things by hand, using renewable materials, and practices that have little negative impact on the environment. We will also look at other examples of broom making - the medium and high-volume production of inexpensive brooms. This class will involve a combination of reading, writing and making objects. Each student will do a final project which involves designing and making an object, either to sell, barter or give as a gift. Keywords:Broom, design, craft, project-based

Environments and Change Lab/Materials fee: Maybe - will apply for LC funding Field Trip fee: (mileage, admission fees, etc.) Maybe - will apply for LC funding Students should expect to spend 8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time