Humans could simply view nature as a repository of material resources for our use. Many would argue that this is the primary perspective of modern society. And yet mythology, history, and science show that there is a much deeper connection to the natural world -- one that provides spiritual and psychological sustenance as well as multiple forms of physical support. In this first-year seminar, we will explore the human bond to nature through readings from a wide variety of sources and disciplines, and also through short field trips out into the local landscape.

Studies some aspects of discrete mathematics. Topics include sets, functions, elementary probability, induction proofs, and recurrence relations.

Advances in computing allow entities in business and government to gather and analyze data in increasingly large quantities. We will try to understand what data science is, why it matters, and what knowledge is needed by consumers and practitioners of data science. We will look at case studies drawn from science, industry, and government and use these to discuss the societal impacts and ethical issues that should be on the minds of data scientists.

This course is rooted in hands-on exploration (including a lab experience) of the science of food and cooking. After being introduced to the key chemical and biochemical molecules that comprise food, we will discover how to manipulate these molecules during cooking. The topics that we will discuss include taste, baking, fermentation, whips, and foams. Related cultural and historical approaches to food and cooking will be discussed throughout the course. Readings will complement our hands-on explorations and lab work.

In this course, we will look at movement as a dance form and as political activism. This will be a literary, media-based, and technical exploration of the history and influence of Black Dance culture. This class will concentrate on understanding the roots, influences, and Africanist presence in American dance culture. Students will be required to think critically and analytically while articulating their thoughts about the material orally and in writing.

This course explores the premise of our bodies as archives, through which movement can become a means of knowing, learning, and deepening connections across varied disciplines and modes of thought. The course asserts that the body can be a critical site of knowledge production and discovery, shaping the ways in which we engage in creative and scholarly work. We will study theoretical concepts prevalent in dance research, and analyze those ideas at work in both the choreography of contemporary artists and our own creative bibliographies.

To register for an Independent Study with Hampshire College faculty you need to communicate the faculty member's name to your Registrar's office along with your Course Request and Instructor Permission form.

To register for an Independent Study with Hampshire College faculty you need to communicate the faculty member's name to your Registrar's office along with your Course Request and Instructor Permission form.

To register for an Independent Study with Hampshire College faculty you need to communicate the faculty member's name to your Registrar's office along with your Course Request and Instructor Permission form.

To register for an Independent Study with Hampshire College faculty you need to communicate the faculty member's name to your Registrar's office along with your Course Request and Instructor Permission form.