Sign up for student forums!

Since they're not advertised through Wesmaps, it can be tough to find good information about student forums.

Jason Bitterman '10 sends in some info about his upcoming student forum, "Comics as a Language:"

Interested in reading and discussing comics? Sign up for the comics student forum this semester!

We will be looking into a variety of comics, including mainstream comics, graphic novels, alternative comics, and manga. Over the course of the semester we will try to define what comics are, discuss different methods of cartooning, and determine what comics can do that no other medium is capable of.

If you are interested, please email jbitterman@wes.

Long Lane Farm sends in some info about its student forum, "Sustainable Agriculture and Sustainable Food Distribution:"

The Long Lane Farm is offering a student forum this semester focusing on sustainable agriculture and sustainable food systems. This forum will be worth one full credit, and will involve weekly readings, some weekend practical work at the farm, as well as a final project. We can accept up to 15 participants, but also please let us know if you're interested in auditing. There will be a meeting for those interested on this coming Thursday (the 22nd) at 8 pm at Earth House. If you cannot attend, but are still interested, please let us know! Contact us at longlanefarm@gmail if you have any interest - we will send you an application.

Annie Paladino '09 sends in a blurb about the "Intro to Stage Management" class:

Interested in learning about stage management? Stage managing a show this semester and want to have a group of people to bounce ideas off of? If you've ever been interested stage managing theater performances at Wesleyan (or elsewhere!), but weren't sure where to start, come learn the ropes in this .5 credit student forum!

What does a stage manager do? The stage manager is one of the most important positions for any theatrical production, coordinating and serving as a point person for virtually all aspects of the production/rehearsal process. At Wesleyan, student stage managers often have to make do with on-the-job training; this forum aims to provide an alternative, low-pressure environment where students can develop the skills necessary to be a successful stage manager.

Shows are always in need of competent stage managers, and this is a great way to get involved in theater at Wesleyan or just see how this process works! Contact Annie Paladino '09 (ampaladino@wes) if you are interested!

And Melody Chang '12 tells us about the student forum, "The past, present, and future of sustainability:"

Join us this semester for a student forum about sustainability! Worth 1 credit and capped at 15 students, this forum will be meeting Monday & Thursdays 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Sustainability is a word used left & right these days but - what is it? Does it really matter? How did we get to our current state and what can be done to move towards a more "sustainable" world? Topics to be covered include: climate change, energy, water, waste, & food systems, economic & governmental policy, social justice, religion & finally personal values as they pertain to a continued existence on earth.

Email mchang@wes for an application and more detailed outline of topics to be covered. Thanks!

To see all of the student forums approved for this semester, check out the Registrar's webpage.

Student Forum: Volunteerism in India

If you're looking for some extra credits this semester and are interested in social change, check out this student forum:

Dynamics of Volunteerism and Social Change in India
Spring 2009, 1-Credit Student Forum, Reli 420

Course Description: This forum studies the ever-increasing phenomenon of international volunteers in India, within the larger context of social change. Among the questions to be addressed are: What are the agencies through which social change comes about in India, and where does international volunteerism fit into the larger picture? What are the religious and cultural sensitivities that volunteers must be aware of, and how are these concerns the product of India's history?

Finally, special attention will be given to practical concerns: How can volunteers create and facilitate social change amidst the often overwhelming insider-outsider dynamics? This forum will give students a practical as well as theoretical grounding in the dynamics of volunteerism and social change in India. Students who are either considering, or already have, done work in India will be especially interested in this course.

Space is limited! To learn more, contact nmodan@wesleyan.edu soon!!

Rap Manager to Speak at Student Forum

Daniel Weisman, manager of rapper Wale, is coming to speak to the Hip-Hop Student Forum tomorrow about the music industry, Wale, etc. Show up if you've got questions or want to hear him speak.
Date: Wednesday, September 24th
Time: 6:30 pm
Place: Fisk 210

[edit 9:41, replaced pic of Wale with one of Weisman]

Eat food, get academic credit... hooray!

Tressa Eaton '09 writes:

Study food, make food, and eat food. And get a full course credit while doing it!

In this forum, we will learn about food growers and producers in Connecticut. We will take weekly field trips to visit farms, dairies, restaurants, bakeries, and factories to develop an understanding and appreciation of Connecticut-made foods and the processes by which they are produced. There will be readings each week relating to the places we visit and workshops about making bread, cheese, preserved foods, etc. The site visits and workshops will be a practical application of the assigned readings. Participants will also be required to help organize and run the weekly Wesleyan Farmers Market.

Classes will meet on Fridays and will be taught by Ellie Wiener '09 and Tressa Eaton '09. Email Tressa as soon as possible to get an application: teaton@wes.

Hip-Hop Student Forum

Student forums are open for the fall semester. Check this one out if you're into hip-hop and looking for another credit:

Love hip-hop? Need an extra credit?
Take the Hip-Hop student forum, Wednesdays from 6-9 pm.
…email epodborits@wes if interested

Ecocriticism: it's so hot right now!

Adam Tinkle '08 and Will Blomquist '08 will be running a student forum this semester titled Contemporary Environmental
Philosophy. Here's what Adam has to say:

We are going to be holding a student forum this semester for a full credit to explore the wide range of contemporary theoretical perspectives in the burgeoning field of environmental philosophy. We'll read from subfields like deep ecology, ecofeminism, Green political theory, animal liberation and many others. A tentative syllabus is available here, but the class will generate much of the syllabus together. Email atinkle@wes with your name, class year, and any relevant coursework or experience in the fields of philosophy, environmental studies or critical theory, along with a few words about why you're interested.

We are tentatively scheduling the course for Wednesday nights. We will be holding an organizational meeting to discuss logistics and hand out the first reading at 4:00 PM this Friday on the first floor of Usdan.

EDIT: Corrected the title of the forum.

Work with your wood... while building furniture!

Andy Zack '09 and George Bennum '09 will be leading a student forum on woodworking this coming semester. George writes:

In this course we will cover the history of woodworking as well as practical applications. There will be several introductory projects that will build basic woodworking skills, and a final project in which students will create a piece of furniture of their own design.

Class size is limited to 6, and the students will be working in conjunction to create a set of furniture that has a common theme. Please contact George Bennum (gbennum@wes) if you are interested in taking the class for more information. All abilities are welcome.

Six is a small number. If you're interested, get on it!