Each colloquium is conducted by means of directed discussion, with emphasis on close reading and writing. Priority is given to incoming students in the fall-semester sections of the colloquia. Other students should consult the course instructor about possible openings. Enrollment in each section limited to 20.: Writing comes from reading. In this course, we explore how other writers have used the short story form and, in so doing, have become part of a tradition—a tradition that students in the class, as writers themselves, will join.

Each colloquium is conducted by means of directed discussion, with emphasis on close reading and writing. Priority is given to incoming students in the fall-semester sections of the colloquia. Other students should consult the course instructor about possible openings. Enrollment in each section limited to 20.: Poet Dean Young encourages the poet to “riot in the unattainable.” In this class students are encouraged to riot (on the page) while reading widely, from Basho to Bishop, in order to understand the ways in which poetry gives voice to the ordinary and the ineffable.

This course offers the opportunity to read contemporary poetry and meet the poets who write it. The course consists of class meetings alternating with public poetry readings by visiting poets. On five selected Tuesdays, the course also includes Tuesday Q&As with the poets, which meet from 4–5 p.m. Students with class, lab or required work conflicts are excused from Q&As. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Course may be repeated.

Twenty-first century East Asia is in flux with Japan's international normalization, South Korea's rocky democratization, North Korea's nuclear assertiveness, and China's steady rise. Now comes the Donald Trump administration, with questions about a "clash of civilizations" reflected in weakened alliances, a nuclear Japan and South Korea, a North Korean rapprochement or conflict, a trade war or even a real war in China.

The course explores the influence of Asian cultures on the diplomacy and negotiating styles of East and Southeast Asian countries. Specific countries include Japan, China, North Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Case studies are based on current and on-going regional and global issues. Enrollment limited to 20.

This course provides an overview of essential issues in music and sound as they relate to dancers and choreographers. Particular attention is paid to rhythm in all its guises, music terminology and categories, personal versus cultural meaning in music and sound, and strategies for finding and making music. There is a strong emphasis on listening, formulation of clear statements about music, ethical questions regarding collaborating and communicating with musicians, and the differences between working with recorded and live music.

Combined enrollment Spring 2016 142/242. This course introduces African dance, music and song as a traditional mode of expression in various African countries. It emphasizes appreciation and respect for African culture and its profound influence on American culture and art. Enrollment limited to 30.: This course is a comprehensive introduction to flamenco, a product of Spain's blended Andalusian culture. Principles of flamenco musicality and structure are combined with the foundations of flamenco dance technique.

Combined enrollment Spring 2016 142/242. This course introduces African dance, music and song as a traditional mode of expression in various African countries. It emphasizes appreciation and respect for African culture and its profound influence on American culture and art. Enrollment limited to 30.: This is an introductory technique course to Traditional Korean Dance. No previous dance experience required. Korean identity, culture and aesthetics will be explored through dance.

These one-credit topics are designed to give students a weekly study of a specific dance technique to augment their on-going training. Students registered for a topic in this course must have completed or be concurrently registered for a related two-credit technique class and are required to be at the high intermediate or advanced level in that technique. Dance faculty should be consulted concerning questions about level placement.

First-year MFA students enroll in this course to accrue independent study credit for their grad event choreography, but only in the semester when their grad event piece is not created within a choreography course (DAN 521 or DAN 553). (E)