Can we really turn sound into something we can see? What are the limitations of staff notation? Where did it even come from? In this class, we'll explore how humans have been turning music into something we can see by developing systems of notation. We'll learn some of the history of the staff notation system (ever wonder why a treble clef looks the way it does?) and also explore its limitations. Finally, we'll come up with a new notation system!


Prerequisites
None. Ability to read staff notation might be helpful, OR it might be a hindrance to your creativity.

A technique that animations studios have been experimenting with for a few years is mixing CGI and traditional 2D animation. Non-photorealistic rendering has opened up an alternative to the ubiquitous “Pixar look.” The idea is to create an animated film using CGI and then to draw over each frame to give it a hand drawn quality. The future of animation looks incredible. The success of recent releases such as Netflix’s Arcane, Cartoon Saloon’s Wolf walkers, and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On have pushed the medium beyond being strictly “children’s cinema. Be prepared to discuss your passion for animation or filmmaking. No prior exposure to filmmaking is required.


Prerequisites
No specific prerequisites are necessary, however, our discussion would greatly benefit if you preview some of the following films/shows prior to class: Arcane, Into the Spider-Verse, Wolfwalkers or Song of the Sea, Soul or The Mitchells vs the Machines. Most of these are available on Netflix, but even watching some free clips available on youtube will suffice!

Come explore 150 years of vampire media as the monster becomes a massive cultural touchstone. In this class, we’ll be using media analysis, anthropology, and queer studies to examine vampires in literature and film. What exactly is a vampire anyway, and why are they so popular.? This classroom is a safe space for all! That being said, there may be discussion of anti-semitism, racism, and homophobia.

For our class, we will start with a 15 minute lecture on the Impressionist movement in the early 20th century. We will go through the rise of the movement and focus on some of the important artists who defined the era ie. Monet, Mary Casssat, etc. We will talk especially about the importance of color, concentrating on Monet’s painting “Impression, Sunrise.” We will also discuss the voices, artists, and subjects that were silenced or subjugated during the artistic movement, discussing Manet’s “Olympia.”

One of the art projects that we would like to introduce is one in which students will be encouraged to use their imagination. For this project, we will provide watercolor supplies and begin the project by painting a blank canvas with abstract shapes. Following this, students will take a pen and focus on drawing an image of what they see in the “blob”. We hope to encourage students to visualize images through the abstract watercolor and apply their imagination in creating their own drawings. We will end this project with a show and tell around the class to show how everyone's imaginations are different and how we all see the world through different perspectives. This show and tell will be concluded with a supportive round of critique where we will evaluate and admire the works of other students.


Prerequisites
None.

Are you a musician? Are you interested in band, chorus, or orchestra? Do you want to learn how to conduct different musical styles and time signatures? This class is for you! I'm an experienced band conductor and this class will give you the basics of conducting technique (as well as some cool tricks to spice up your performance!). Come see why conducting is a superpower!


Prerequisites
A background in basic music fundamentals (rhythm, style, tempo) will certainly help, but is not required!

In this class, students will see a live demo of visual development work for independent creative projects, and work on something of their own.

Ever felt lost in finding your own artistic "style"? How do artists develop their characteristic ways of arting? In this class we discuss how artists draw inspiration from life and other works to develop their own "investigative statements" (themes that guide their artwork). We will follow with an experimental arting session where you can experiment with forms to see what you like!

How has society historically come to demand that "ideal womanhood" demands wearing clothing that actively harms health? Through an explanation of the history and sociology of three clothing items - lipstick, corsets, and high heels - this course will use history as a lens to ask us to reflect on the relationships between our bodies and what we choose to put on them.

Are you interested in picking up a new hobby to kill time on long car trips? Have you ever wanted a way to convince yourself you're being productive while watching hours of tv on end? Well, look no further than this beginner's crochet class! This class will cover the fundamentals of crocheting for people who have never held a crochet hook before! We will be covering making a slip knot, the chain stitch, working in the chain, and eventually building up to single and double crochet. Experienced crocheters are also welcome to work independently on a project of their choice. Project patterns will be provided.

Learning the basics about one of the world’s many renewable energy options.

You've likely experienced the feeling of being swept up into a tale—the rush of adrenaline when you wonder whether your favorite character will make it through, and the excitement when they (hopefully) conquer their fears. Together, we'll explore the art of writing short stories, from developing an engaging plot to crafting convincing characters and dialogue. At the end of the class, we'll work on writing our own short stories based on a series of writing prompts, so bring paper and a pen or pencil!

How do we know what is "true" and "untrue," "real" and "fake?" Can we trust our senses? Is there such a thing as an independent reality? In this class, we will explore some basic questions of epistemology (the study of knowledge) and metaphysics (the study of reality), considering the ideas of Descartes, Kant, Heidegger, and other trailblazing philosophers. Prepare to come away with more questions than answers.


Prerequisites
None

When one think of Japan, one may picture a society of hierarchy and order. But for activists in the late 19th and early 20th century, that was exactly what wrong with Japan. How did anarchism find itself in Japan? Where did Yale Divinity School, christianity, and Esperanto play into this? How did anarchism set the foundations of Japanese feminism? In this class, we will take a brief look at the history of anarchism in Japan and analyze primary sources to understand the beliefs and lives of three anarcha-feminists: Ito Noe, Fumiko Kaneko, and Kanno Sugako.

A basic overview covering all the major events of the history of Classical Rome, from the seven kings to the republic to the empire!

Who makes the vital ethical decisions when it comes to self-driving cars? What exactly are those decisions? Is there a philosophical precedent (the trolley problem) we can draw upon?

Join the course for a whirlwind guide to moral philosophy and how it applies to our lives and increasingly complex technologies.

Have you ever wondered what crazy stories were hiding in history books? The way history is usually taught in high school, most kids find themselves falling asleep. Who wants to memorize dates? That's not where the magic of history is - the magic is in the stories! This class will take a look at some interesting historical figures (and maybe some animals!) that students are not likely to have heard of, and the stories that make them so interesting.


Prerequisites
Just an interest in history!

Have you ever wondered how a carpenter from Nazareth from 2,000 years ago managed to change the entire world?

Are you interested in learning more about what more than 2 billion people profess to believe?


This class will explore how the Bible tells the story of humanity, from beginning to end, centered around one person, Jesus Christ. We will explore the images, symbols, metaphors that point to Jesus hundreds and thousands of years before his birth.

This class is for you if A) you're interested in Christianity and want to get a big picture view of what it's about, what is the Gospel, and how the Bible comes together to present this claim.

or B) You're a Christian looking to learn more about your faith and explore some amazing connections you probably never thought about.

I'm excited to see you there!


Prerequisites
None!

Liberal? Progressive? Centrist? Libertarian? Everyone is invited for this special course on the fundamentals of conservatism as a set of ideals and worldview. This class is for you if you want to break away from whatever political bubble you're apart of and learn what, why, and how conservatives think and believe. We'll talk about how faith, reason, work, and morality all shape conservative thought. Hope to see you soon!


Prerequisites
A basic understanding of government/civics.

Is punishment fundamental to society? Is punishment fundamental to a JUST society? What makes a society just? These are the questions I'd like to discuss in class. The relationship between punishment and justice is a complex one, and only through a deep dive in philosophy and, if we have time, history, can this be considered.

This course will detail the history of queerness as it pertains to Christianity, with an explicitly affirming stance towards accepting both queerness and Christianity in one's identity. We will go over the seven clobber passages and review the historical context that they were written in. We will also read modern queer theologians, and review the major organizations and resources for queer Christians today. Time permitting, this course will also cover queer Christianity as it is portrayed in media and movies such as I am Michael, Boy Erased, and the upcoming movie 1946 . This class is ideal for those who are interested in exploring the intersections between queerness and Christianity, both from an academic perspective and a personal perspective.

Trigger warning: While this course maintains an affirming stance towards queerness, it will cover homophobic texts and history which may be triggering for some folks.

You and everyone you know are entitled to dozens and dozens of fundamental rights, just for being a person. We'll explore the world of human rights- from the original 30 human rights declared by the United Nations in 1948 to the rights people receive on the basis of being a worker, a woman, a child, or a person with disabilities. Learn more about your human rights and leave empowered!

Just in time for the midterms, we'll be discussing the most significant presidential elections in US history: from the first days of the United States to the election of 1860, from the 1896 showdown over bimetallism to the election that sealed the New Deal and the election of 2016. Join us to learn about the pivotal issues in our democracy, how the presidential campaign has changed over time, and a 1,400 pound block of cheese.


Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of American history

An introduction to political philosophy as it relates to the state of nature and social contracts. We will chronologically examine how prominent political thinkers interpreted what became known as the "state of nature," or a society before formal social or political commitments. We will use their theories to try to answer the question of what inspires people to come together to form political groups, what rights (if any) they give up in that transition, and the relationship between the individual political actor and the state following this agreement.

In this course, students will be introduced to the basics of oral argument at the Supreme Court. They will learn about the role of oral argument in the Court's decision-making and basic argument-writing techniques. Finally, the lesson will conclude with students writing and delivering short arguments of their own on fun, not necessarily law-related topics of their choice.

What makes a story good? How can we best tell our own stories? In this workshop, we’ll focus on putting together the building blocks of a story: setting, character, and plot. We’ll read some excerpts from popular literature and incorporate what we observe into our own creative writing, which will be in response to different prompts that will give you ideas to get started. Hopefully by the end of our time together, you will have a newfound appreciation for some of your favorite stories and the foundation for masterpieces of your own!


Prerequisites
An open mind and willingness to participate!

What makes a story good? How can we best tell our own stories? In this workshop, we’ll focus on putting together the building blocks of a story: setting, character, and plot. We’ll read some excerpts from popular literature and incorporate what we observe into our own creative writing, which will be in response to different prompts that will give you ideas to get started. Hopefully by the end of our time together, you will have a newfound appreciation for some of your favorite stories and the foundation for masterpieces of your own!


Prerequisites
An open mind and willingness to participate!

Come learn all-things affirmative action related. Find out how this applies to you and your future!

What makes a life worth living? This course will look to explore this complex idea, through integrating key concepts within society, tradition, philosophy, and religion. Some people may have a quick response for this question, while others may still be searching, and students will be given the opportunity to contribute, discuss, and reflect on their collective ideas. Rather than focusing on abstract concepts, the aim will be to establish fundamental truths and then build out subjective frameworks. Everyone is welcome!

From the large following of the Kardashians-Jenners to the presence of Barbie dolls in popular culture, it is easy to see what people find (and have found) beautiful. For most people, however, these beauty standards can be hard to achieve--and worse, the constant comparison of oneself to these standards begins at a young age. This course will look at all kinds of (unattainable) beauty standards and the ways in which they are diffused, including Instagram, television shows, and movies. We will also discuss how we may be able to approach-and potentially change--our understanding of beauty.

In 1944, the third year of World War II in the Pacific, US and Japanese fleets clashed off the Philippines in the largest naval engagement in history: the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The wreck of the USS Johnston, a warship sunk during the battle, was discovered in the Philippine Sea in 2021. In this class, you will learn about the heroic David vs. Goliath story of the Johnston's final fight against superior Japanese forces, World War II naval tactics and technology, and the significance of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.


Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of the Pacific Theater of World War II recommended, but not required

Interested in art, music, and some history? This class is for you! During our interactive course, we'll be talking about cultural diplomacy: what it is, how it works, and the ways in which the United States engaged in cultural diplomacy during the Cold War.

Throughout history, philosophy and science have been “that couple”— you know, the ones that always seem to be fighting (without hurting the other, of course, so more like bickering… and take a wild guess at which one instigates it…), but on a foundation of mutual dependence and fiery passion.

We as a class will explore their complex relationship dynamics (beginning with a discussion of philosophy itself), how they have evolved together over time, and a bit about the new discipline of philosophy *of* science. This is foremost a philosophy class, taught through the lens of its relationship to science for clarity and interest.

Bioethics and the Law encompasses the intersection between policy, medicine, and ethics. We will cover ideas of informed consent, ethical debates, and explore the growing field of bioethics!

This course will explore the lives of powerful women across eras and the world. Guiding the course will be the contested question: can a queen be a feminist? We will study leaders including Cleopatra VII, Catherine II, Elizabeth II, Pocahontas, and Njinga of Angola to discover whether monarchial rule and female empowerment can coexist. To enrich discussion, we will be deconstructing the term "girlboss." Why do we associate queens with this label and what does that say about society's view of women today? The class may involve close-reading of primary sources, scene analysis of queens on TV, and friendly debate.

Cryptography has been in use for thousands of years, from ancient Greece until today. Codes (and codebreaking!) is the backbone of our modern society, powering everything from credit cards and cryptocurrency to the websites you use every day - including Zoom. In this class, you'll learn how to make and break your own codes to send secret messages to your friends!

Come learn about the basics of calculus in its most fun form: FOOD!! Math, and calculus in particular, is too often portrayed as a boring subject. Enroll in this section to learn just why calculus and math, in general, can be fun and filled with exploration and discovery. No prior knowledge of calculus is required, and I will go over every concept from the most fundamental level. The majority of the class will be taught conceptually, so all you need is a desire to learn something new and an appetite for some snacks.


Prerequisites
working knowledge of algebra

What is the geometry behind the incredible mosaic patterns in mosques? How do you fit an infinite plane inside a circle? What is the role of symmetry in art, math, and n-dimensional mobius strips?

Explore these questions and more by delving into the life of renowned artist (and secretly mathematician) Escher. The class includes optical illusion paintings, some unusual math, and a few hands on projects to make your own Escher inspired work. No art or math skills required!

Algorithms, or finite sequences of instructions, aren't usually associated with randomness. But in competitive settings, we can turn randomness to our advantage. In this course, I hope to cover three highly effective examples of randomized algorithms. Each topic will be accompanied by a small-group interactive activity. First, we will discuss an unbreakable encryption method from the American Civil War. Second, we will consider a stock investing game, where randomness and clever strategies prove just as powerful as being able to see the future. Third, we will explore how the human body uses randomness to activate and refine antibodies: the precision-guided munitions of the immune system. Finally, I hope we can come to appreciate and reflect on the importance of diversity in algorithmic design and society alike.


Prerequisites
Since these algorithms are state-of-the-art, the class itself will focus on their underlying concepts and applications, not mathematical details. At the end of the class, students will be provided with formalized mathematical treatments of each algorithm. Therefore, mathematical background is helpful but not required.

What's a real number? Are there more real numbers than there are integers? (Aren't they both infinite?) This is an exploratory course that seeks to tackle the underpinnings of the numbers we know and love. Topics will be driven by student interest and questions, but may include: construction of real/rational/complex numbers, integers, cardinality.

Will machines take over the world in the future? What is artificial intelligence and how does a machine learn? In this course we will explore a gentle introduction to these topics while covering some of the most influential algorithms in machine learning.

This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of group theory. We plan to offer the definition of a group and provide motivating and fun examples ranging from geometric ones (such as the dihedral group) to cyclic groups. We hope to introduce some important notions such as homomorphisms (and isomorphisms), subgroups, and quotient groups. In addition to theory, we hope to incorporate challenging problems and motivating examples across disciplines.


Prerequisites
Familiarity up to calculus, and an interests in. proofs (although prior experience in proof writing is not necessary).

Ancient Egyptian math departs from the modern treatment of algebra by emphasizing creativity and intuition. We will learn how to count, add fractions, and apply our understanding to problems considered by scribes in the Rhind Papyrus. The main goal of this course is to enjoy the beauty of the Egyptian approach to elementary arithmetic.

Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections represent a rapidly growing public health crisis, killing at least 1.27 million people globally each year. Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that infect bacteria, are entering the spotlight as an alternative to antibiotics. Phages can directly treat bacterial infections and some can even force bacteria to evolve loss of their antibiotic resistance. Come learn about the power of phages and cutting-edge research being conducted right now at Yale's Center for Phage Biology and Therapy!


Prerequisites
Knowledge of basic biology helpful but not required

Most of us take hearing for granted. But behind this ability is a complex process of translating pressure waves in the air to meaningful percepts that we can understand. In this class, we will explore how sound is transduced to signals for the brain, how the mind interprets those signals, and how this intricate system can be disrupted. Our high-level tour of psychoacoustics will touch upon many other areas of science, including physics, biology, and of course, psychology. However, no prior knowledge is required and it may even be better to come in with a fresh set of ears!

Have you ever felt swept away by the power of a rushing river? Have you ever wondered how your room lights up with the flick of a switch? Did you know that these two processes can be connected? Join us in learning about the wonderful world of hydropower, where turbines can turn water into light. This course will provide an overview of the fundamental physics and technology of hydropower, impacts on people and the environment, current innovations in the field, and the ways hydropower can help us fight climate change. We will explore the Rocky River Hydroelectric Power Plant, the first major pumped-storage hydroelectric project in the USA, as an example of hydropower innovation, along with several other examples of hydropower around the world. Get ready to dive in!


Prerequisites
None

Chemistry plays a huge role in crime scene investigation. Come learn about how techniques like chromatography, mass spectrometry, and fingerprinting help scientists analyze evidence and solve crimes!

An introductory course in the functions and applications of regenerative medicine.
We will delve into some foundational biology of regeneration within the human body and then look at applications of this science in research and everyday life!

Leaf patterns, crystal lattices, population sizes, and meandering rivers. What do these, and pretty much everything in nature, have in common? They hide numerical patterns that offer fascinating insights into the workings of the nature. Nature to numbers means quantifying the ordinary objects and baffling behaviors that you and I come upon everyday. I hope to explore how great scientists of the past have recognized these patterns and used them to advance our scientific understanding. Then, we're going to make our own observations on less studied phenomena and see if we can discover any hidden designs in nature.

Have you ever had to get stitches? In the surgical world, "stitches" are called sutures. Learn various basic suturing patterns, when they are necessary in survival situations, and when they are used in the operating room. If you are interested in a career in medicine or are an avid outdoor-enthusiast who could benefit from some survival safety training, this class is for you!

In this course, you will learn all about black holes! We will explore how space and time become distorted close to a black hole, how black holes form from collapsing stars, different types of black holes, how we can see black holes, and how black holes launch jets moving close to the speed of light. If there is time, I will tell you about my research on what happens when a star gets too close to a black hole.

The class is mostly conceptual, but there will be a small amount of algebra involved. If you are not a math person, feel free to join anyway, the math will be brief!


Prerequisites
Have you seen Newton’s Law of Gravitation? Do you know about the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g. microwaves, X-rays, gamma rays)? Do you know about conservation of energy?

What role do neurons play in our ability to learning? How is our mind and brain interpreting the world around us? What can optical illusions tell us about how we perceive and how do artists use this to their advantage? In this class, we will dive deeper into these fundamental questions to better understand human consciousness.

Learning the basics of land navigation, which involves map reading, knowing terrain features, understanding and plotting coordinates, planning routes, pace counting, compass familiarization.

Students (grades 7-9) will receive an introduction to genetics by learning about DNA, the molecular instructions of life. Health applications such as mutations and diseases will also be discussed. Following the lesson, each student will have the opportunity to conduct their own DNA extraction procedure.

One question: were you the "shark kid" in elementary school? Then this is the course for you! In this course, we'll be *getting our feet wet* with a crash course on all things Chondrichthyan - answering questions like "How did sharks become the apex predators of our oceans?" "What is so unique about shark physiology?" "What mysteries still exist in shark research?" "What do we know about how sharks are impacted by climate change - and how do we protect them?"

Ever thought about how life may look on other planets? Would alien life really be so alien? We’ll take a look at some of the basic building blocks of life, and explore concepts like entropy and thermodynamics, to answer the question: what are the limits of life?


Prerequisites
None!

What should we do with thousands of tons of toxic nuclear waste that will be dangerous long past our lifetimes? How do you design a warning message that can be understood 10,000 to 100,000 years into the future? And how do you combat human’s natural tendency to do exactly the opposite of what you tell them to do?

This course will have students brainstorm possible solutions to these questions and learn what experts have to say on the matter too.


Prerequisites
Be willing to chime in!

Are you scared the government is spying on you through your webcam? Do your grandparents ask you to make sense of the last hacking story they read on the news? Then this is the class for you! In this class, you're going to learn how to think like a hacker so that you can keep yourself safe from hackers. You'll learn some clear, actionable steps you can take to keep yourself safe online and why you (probably) don't have to worry about the government hacking your webcam. This class is designed for anybody who uses the Internet, regardless of technical knowledge -- most "hackers" know exactly as much about computers as you do!

In times characterized by an explosion of awareness and language to describe our experiences, there can be a sense of catching up to do, both with the current times and the history informing the changes we’re seeing today. This seminar focuses on the language used to discuss gender and sexuality, the discourses and theory surrounding experiences and how we discuss them, and how we come to understand ourselves in the context of all of this.


Prerequisites
None

Learn all about sustainable/reusable menstrual products here! We will talk about menstrual cups and discs, reusable period underwear, reusable pads, and more! We will demonstrate how to use various products, as well as talk about the health, environmental, and monetary benefits of using these products. Our hope is to make knowledge about sustainable menstrual products more accessible!

The purpose of this course is to give students the knowledge to think more critically about their consumption behavior. We will analyze how this applies to many different settings, from sport, technology, travel to fashion. We hope to give students enough information to apply this to their everyday lives.


Prerequisites
No prerequisites

Lyrical analysis takes an approach to understanding music in the same way that one would usually take to analyzing literature. With experimental music like Frank Ocean's, it can be interesting to look at the more cryptic lyrics as a means of appreciating the music in a different way. In this class, we'll take a deep dive into Ocean's song "Pyramids" to get a better sense of what one of his most famous songs speaks to on a cultural level.


Prerequisites
Have listened to some Frank Ocean (preferably the song "Pyramids").

Have you ever thought about the stock market, wondered how people retire, or just want to figure out how to use, save, and grow your money efficiently? This course, taught by volunteer instructors from Yale’s Dwight Hall Socially Responsible Investment Fund, will teach students how to responsibly manage their personal finances now and in the future. Topics will include saving, borrowing, and creating an investment portfolio (covering topics such as diversification, index fund investing, and the power of compounding interest). No prior finance-related knowledge is required!

You use keyboards more often than you may think. Whether it's for school, work, or personal entertainment, you spend a great deal of time typing everyday.
Mechanical keyboards offer a more customized, ergonomic, aesthetic, and *satisfying* approach to this daily routine. Keyboard enthusiasts are quick to tell you that this hobby can become a dangerously addictive and expensive rabbit hole, but some mechanical keyboards are actually less expensive than a typical office keyboard.
In this once-in-a-lifetime class, you'll get to learn all of the secrets about this lifestyle upgrade and tips to get started on your own :)