Changes

'''The Magical Land of Equestria: Harmony and Its Discontents''': The magical land of Equestria is home to the technicolor ponies of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. There, all three races of pony (unicorn, Pegasus, and earth) live together in peace. But are thins so simple as they seem? In this course, we will examine the history, government, and religion/philosophy of Equestria and grapple with questions of free will, democracy, and the true meaning of “harmony.” We will also watch the adorable ponies and eat popcorn. Yay ponies! (This course is open to non-“bronies” and those unfamiliar with the show. ) The class meets from 7 to 8 pm on Thursdays in Paresky 114. Contact K. B. DiAngelo at kbd1 if interested in taking the course. '''Folk Band 101: Contra Dance Survival for Musicians''': Have you always wanted to jam with a folk dance band, but weren't sure how to join in? Perhaps you're classically trained and looking for some musical variety? Contra dance is an American tradition of social dance fueled by the energetic, driving beat of a band. Whether or not you've been to- or even heard of- a contra dance, you can learn how to add your sound to a folk band and keep the dancers moving! We'll cover the form of dance tunes, melodic playing, chord structures and harmony, rhythmic figures, and making the most of your instrument's specific qualities. Although we'll focus on the basics, experienced folk players are more than welcome to jam with us! Bring your instrument and a favorite tune if you have one. Before we begin, stop by the contra dance on January 6th to see and hear an experienced band in action! The class meets from 2:30 to 4 pm on Saturdays in Currier Ballroom. Contact Annie Moriondo at amm5 if interested in taking the course. '''Complex beyond a Reasonable Doubt?''': “It’s possible to live without having heard it—but after you do, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.” – Steve Juon. Proclaimed a “crowning achievement”, “a seminal work”, and an “undisputed classic”, ''Reasonable Doubt'' is amongst what are considered classics of the Hip Hop Renaissance. Taking a look at what makes ''Reasonable Doubt'' stand out, this class will analyze not only the individual tracks of ''RD'' but also how those tracks interact and converse with one another, taking into consideration how they stand as raps, the social context and time they come out of, and what they can tell us about the human experience. This class will also operate as an introduction to rap, of sorts. The first class will cover what is looked for by most in a rap song, which will be included in the focus of every proceeded track analyzed during the course of the class. Hence, there is no pre-requisite for this course: join if you love 90s rap, join if you love the album Reasonable Doubt, or join if you simply want to understand rap if you don’t already. This class meets from 7 to 8:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Hopkins Observatory Classroom. Contact Jonathan Schmeling at jrs5 if interested in taking the course.