Debated to be the most superbly engineered sword in the world, the katana spans into the modern day from deep roots in Japanese culture. Popularly recognized as the icon of samurai warriors as their primary weapon on the historical battlefield, Iaido reinvents the use of the sword as a means of practicing precision, refinement and manners inspired by more civilized settings. As a form-based martial art, Iaido is normally practiced without the presence of a physical opponent.

Students will review topics on handling equipment, maintenance and the practice of Shichido. Introduced at the intermediate level are two-arrow forms called Hitote and Tsukubai. Both will be practiced at short range and then gradually at a more distant target. Students will learn the difference in equipment required for long-range shooting and how to synchronize with other archers in their practice. In order to harmonize with others, surrendering the ego becomes a necessary objective. Being too fast or too slow during this process of the form is an indication of undesired individuality.

Archery was historically considered the most elite of samurai military forms. To be an archer meant you were beholden to defending your lord's stronghold from distant threats. After the era of great civil war had ended in Japan by 1600 A.D., samurai warriors were at a loss for a way to keep current their military tactics. The need to repurpose the paradigm of their fighting and destructive methods caused the samurai to shift towards scholastic pursuits, religion and philosophy. Students will encounter a standing form of Zen meditation or Ritsuzen, by way of the Japanese bow.

Students of all fitness levels will experience aerobic plyometric training in a full introduction to strikes and kicks. Proper technique on how to safely align hands, wrists, feet and ankles in order to absorb impact on a bag will be closely examined and practiced. Equally as important is the study of how to properly and safely hold the different types of bags for a partner with respect to each exercise.

We have only a finite period of time in our lives to practice what we love. How will you spend that time before it is too late? This class is an immediate follow-up to OPRA-0102 "Intermediate Shotokan Karate", where students with two or more consecutive semesters of training are invited to stay and polish their kihon, favorite kata, work on torite (escaping techniques), practice applications of advanced movements or request one-on-one instruction.

Material and content explored in OPRA-0101 will be expanded to include more combinations of techniques; greater freedom in sparring; and more complicated kata. Students will be trained for voluntary participation in the semi-annual Kyu Test at the end of each semester. (Only practitioners with membership to the national organization of SKA will receive formal rank or promotion). Special practices focusing on endurance and practical forms of self-defense will also be featured at the end of the semester.

Shotokan Karate began as an unarmed form of self-defense for civilians native to the Ryukyu island chain off the southern coast of Japan: Okinawa. During the forceful annexation of Okinawa to the main island of Japan in the late 19th century, any individual with a working comprehension of hand-to-hand combat was considered a threat to the Japanese military incursions. Training and practice of karate had to be held in secret and late at night. No previous experience in any martial art is required for this class.

Save for the brief Y2K scare, we rarely think critically about technology, how it shapes and informs our lives. Furthermore, as students of the social world, sociologists are a little behind the times in thinking about how technology affects data collection, analysis, and re-presentation. For this course we first develop a critical perspective on media and technology, but then take a unique next step: throughout the semester there are workshops on Podcasting, Powerpoint, Wikis, Video, and Photography to put those lessons into practice. SOC 101 is required.

For qualified juniors and senior majors only.  By permission of the instructor and the chair.

This course will be taught by a visiting professor of Chinese from the Hampshire College China Exchange Program. Danni Song and supervised by Kay Johnson. Students entering this class will be expected to have completed beginning Chinese or the equivalent of an intensive college-level first year Chinese language course. The main text for the semester will be Integrated Chinese Level 2 Part 1 and Level 2 Part 2 (Third Edition). Emphasis will be placed equally on speaking, reading, and writing. An additional practice session will be added at a time that suits the students' schedule.