This course seeks to introduce students to the many countries and cultures of the Caribbean. We will begin by discussing the unique yet connected histories of several Caribbean countries (focusing on Jamaica, Trinidad, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic); then we will look at maps, photographs, art, and other visual media; and we will end by listening to Caribbean music from artists such as Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff, and eating food from the region. By the end of the session, students will develop a contextual understanding of the Caribbean Islands in terms of both time and place. If you have food allergies, please email yalesplash@gmail.com

This course seeks to introduce students to the many countries and cultures of the Caribbean. We will begin by discussing the unique yet connected histories of several Caribbean countries (focusing on Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic); then we will look at maps, photographs, art, and other visual media; and we will end by listening to Caribbean music from artists such as Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff, and eating food from the region. By the end of the session, students will develop a contextual understanding of the Caribbean Islands in terms of both time and place.

It is often believed that the twentieth century was a time of unmatched violence and militarism in world history. While World War I, World War II, and many regional wars & genocides did represent a new epoch of large-scale technological warfare, these century-defining events weren't met only with patriotic support and fervor; in fact, the hawkish attitudes of the great world powers encountered at various points significant pacifistic resistance – from people in many corners of the globe and many walks of life. This class seeks to introduce students to these lesser-known peace movements and to assess their contribution to the conflicts and their aftermath. In essence, what is the legacy of the peace movements that emerged throughout the twentieth century? We will look at political documents, literature, art, and other forms of pacifism as a class to discuss their nuances and impacts.

This class will provide a historical background for the Pacific War, an important but less commonly discussed aspect of World War II. Not only will we delve into the key occurrences of the Pacific War with a particular focus on U.S.-Japanese relations (e.g., Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima & Nagasaki), but we will also attempt to understand and situate the events that transpired in this geographic region within the larger context of WWII. Prior knowledge of the time period will be helpful, but certainly is not required.

The haiku is a mere seventeen syllables, yet arguably the most powerful of all forms of poetry. During the first half of the seminar, we'll be tracing the roots of the haiku, a short form of Japanese poetry that developed during a culture boom in the mid-seventeenth century. After discussing the characteristics and thematic underpinnings of the haiku, students will go on to compose their own poetry. Learn the tradition of the form, and if you're creative, feel free to take some innovative risks!

A dash of insight, a spark of creativity, a flash of innovation... Whether you’ve got ideas or not, if you want to learn how to start your own company (next Mark Zuckerberg, anyone?), this class is for you. In this class, students will learn the basic entrepreneurial skills that can turn a fresh, innovative idea into a well-run, socially responsible business.

A dash of insight, a spark of creativity, and a big ol’ helping of innovation... Whether you’ve got ideas or not, if you want to learn how to start your own company (next Mark Zuckerberg, anyone?), this class is for you. In this class, students will learn the basic entrepreneurial skills that can turn a fresh, innovative idea into a well-run, socially responsible business.