Viruses are fascinating entities that wreak havoc on every living organism on the planet, and yet they are not classified as living! We will study various types of viruses and the illnesses they cause. We will also try to purify bacteriophage viruses from Hampshire's soil and analyze them in the laboratory. Using genomics techniques and microscopy, students will identify and classify the particular bacteriophage they isolated through the course of the semester.

Earth's surface is always changing. Geomorphology is the study of Earth's surface, its landforms, and the processes that shape landforms. The goal of this course is for you to recognize common landforms and gain a quantitative understanding of Earth surface processes. Once you understand how surface processes work, you will have a better idea of how a landscape evolved to its present state and how the landscape could change in the future.

Inertia and the status quo dominate even the most modern societies. So what makes change happen? What makes an idea become a cause and a cause become a movement? In this class, we will examine major social movements in modern America. The Labor Movement. The Women's Suffrage Movement. The Civil Rights Movement. The Vietnam Anti-War Movement. The Women's Movement. The Gay Rights Movement. Occupy Wall Street. What did they have in common? What made each distinct? What strategic moves and mistakes did their leaders make?

This advanced seminar will meet for three hours weekly to read, in conjunction with selected theoretical and historical material, the texts of eleven plays by Shakespeare. The selection of plays will span Shakespeare's career and will include all genres. Through careful reading and discussion, we will explore what makes Shakespeare's plays so powerful, both for Renaissance audiences and for modern-day ones.

This seminar in social and literary studies of childhood will take up multiple perspectives on young people as writers of poetry. We will explore the work of recent scholars in childhood studies, literary studies, children's literature studies, and critical literacy studies who contemplate questions about young people as consumers and/or producers of culture; as potential poets in the future and/or actual poets in the present; as objects of adult teachers' pedagogical ideas and/or as subjects producing and performing their own ideas and artistry.

Beginning Spinning: Spinning is a group cycling class that guides participants through workout phases using music, warm-up, steady up-tempo cadences, sprints, climbs, and cool downs. You control resistance on your bike to make the pedaling easy or difficult as you choose. Constant adjustment is normal. This group cycling class is designed for all fitness levels and involves various cycling drills that offer an exhilarating cardiovascular workout. The class also teaches you proper form and interval training. Staff and faculty are welcome! Bring workout clothes, towel, and water bottle.

Top Rope Climbing, Section 2: This course is for beginning and experienced rock climbers. It will cover basic safety techniques, rope work, knots, and climbing techniques. Enjoy the opportunity to exercise your body and mind at many local climbing areas as well as Hampshire College's indoor climbing wall. Beginners are especially welcome. 5-College students will be graded pass/fail.