SPRING SEEDS-IN-RESIDENCE (SIR)
SIR week 1: May 13-16, 2014
SIR week 2: May 20-23, 2014
SIR week 3: May 27-30, 2014 – PROGRAM FULL
Course Descriptions
(Alphabetical by course title)
Astronomy: A Voyage of Discovery - This course has been cancelled for all SEEDS-In-Residence dates
Blast from the Past: Geology & Earth Systems
(Discipline: Science, Geology, Earth Systems)
This course will take students from 4.5 billion years ago to the present day. We will discuss the past,
present and future of our planet and how the Earth works from the inside out. Studies of the Earth’s
past can help us to understand the effects of global change on our future. Students will learn about the
fundamentals of geology, including the three different rock types and relevant rocks and minerals found
within the Kingston area. Students will recreate past geological environments, ecosystems and
prehistoric habitats and creatures (such as dinosaurs) with the use of hand samples, outcrop displays
and fossil preservation. This course will allow students to learn through experimentation, field study and
fun interactive activities that relate to the current day’s topic.
COURSE CANCELLED –
LOW ENROLLMENT
Canadian Law – NEW COURSE added Jan.27/14
(Discipline: Law)
Students will gain exposure to the fundamental principles of the Canadian legal system. Topics include:
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Contracts, Criminal Behaviour, Torts and International Law.
Students will learn law terms, the role of a lawyer and will explore real cases. We will look at the
different types of offences, defences and evidence. We will also discuss the purpose of a contract and,
what happens when a contract Is breached. Students will learn about the operations of a trial and will
practice this new knowledge through a mock trial in our court room setting on campus.
Chemistry – tentative – UPDATE Jan 31.14: unsuccessful in obtaining a committed instructor
Creating Visual Narratives This course has been cancelled for all SEEDS-In-Residence dates
Creative Writing: Journeys of Imagination
(Discipline: Creative Arts, Writing)
Would you like to write stories that take readers to exciting new worlds or help them discover valuable
life lessons? Do you dream of becoming the next J.K Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Markus Zusak, Rick
Riordan, or maybe Stan Lee? This course will help you master the secrets of writing popular stories.
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You’ll learn how to develop an original story idea, create memorable characters, construct an emotional
roller-coaster of a plot, and write your story with flair.
Engineers: The Key to the Future
(Discipline: Engineering, Applied Science)
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be an engineer? Over the past century our world has seen
incredible developments in technology, medicine, infrastructure and transportation, innovations that
are all the works of engineers. In this course students will learn the basic principles of engineering and
through workshops design their own solutions to common problems faced by our world today. Students
will be challenged and encouraged to think critically as they explore the various potentials of an
engineering career.
COURSE FULL ALL WEEKS
From Kant to Can: How to use Philosophy
(Discipline: Social Science, Philosophy)
The Greek word philosophia means “love of wisdom”. Inspired by a sense of wonder and countless
questions, philosophers investigate meanings of concepts like justice, time, nature, freedom,
responsibility, happiness, and other facets of life. This course challenges you to discover philosophy by
exploring the contentious and unfamiliar in our everyday world. You will encounter an array of
philosophical perspectives in various formats, formulate thought-provoking questions, engage in critical
dialogue, and communicate your ideas through a mix of challenging academic projects. You will leave
with having developed a creative work that is shared in a public venue or in a publication.
COURSE CANCELLED –
LOW ENROLLMENT
Global Positioning Systems (GPS): Applying technology to find our way in the world
This course has been cancelled for all SEEDS-In-Residence dates
How to Paint like the Old Masters
(Discipline: Fine Art, Art History)
Ever wanted to learn the tips and tricks used to paint as realistically as possible? This course will be jam
packed with all the techniques you need to go from a photo to a small finished acrylic painting by
breaking down the process into separate, identifiable steps, just like Renaissance studios. Learn about
color, composition, and art history in a hands-on, multi-media process. Students will experiment with
both technical precision and personal expression to gain an understanding of the different artistic
methods, and to emulate different artists' styles.
Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads: How to Write Poetry
(Discipline: Creative Arts, Writing)
What is a poem, and how do you write one? Why did Marianne Moore call poems “imaginary gardens
with real toads in them”? In this class, students will learn about how poetry works the most practical
(and fun) way: by actually writing it! The course will provide an overview of the techniques and major
genres of poetry, and will give students the opportunity to put their creativity and critical thinking to the
test by writing and work-shopping poems of their own. Students in this class will engage in a range of
structured creative writing activities with the ultimate goal of producing a shared anthology of their own
poetry.
COURSE CANCELLED –
LOW ENROLLMENT
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LEGO Robotics and Programming
(Discipline: Computing, Applied Science) – COURSE FULL WEEK TWO
The course will introduce students to basic concepts and skills of programming through LEGO
Mindstorms® and Python. First, the students will learn, design, build, and program LEGO robots to
perform tasks such as following a line with the aid of the NXT software. By the end of this section,
students will know how to instruct the robots to interact with its environment using sound, touch, color,
and distance sensors. Next, the students will learn a new language Python to experience real life
programming scenarios. Simple statements and structures such as "if" and "loop" will be introduced. By
the end of class, students will be able to write simple Python programs such as a basic calculator.
Night of the Living Twilight
(Discipline: Cultural Studies, Interdisciplinary) – COURSE CANCELLED WEEK TWO – LOW ENROLLMENT
Zombies only want you for your brains. And so do we. Come learn about the magical world of all that’s
undead and sometimes glittery in this course that will span the beginnings and progressions of zombie
and vampire myths across cultures. We’ll explore what these creatures are, why they exist, and why
everyone seems to want fangs (or a crossbow) these days. Through activities, guest speakers, film clips
and more you’ll not only learn about monsters, but why and how they were created in the first place.
Drawing on franchises like The Walking Dead, Twilight, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and World War Z, we’ll
look at how the medium changes and affects how we understand these creatures. At the end of class,
use your knowledge to create your own original work, whether a piece of art, a short film, short story, or
anything you can imagine!
Pathology: From DNA to Forensics
(Discipline: Medical Sciences)
During this course, students will be introduced to the human body and its major systems, disease, DNA,
genetics and crime scene investigation and analysis. Students will learn about the power of observation
in eyewitness testimony as well as the history of autopsy. Hands-on activities will include fingerprinting,
blood typing (with simulated blood), and examining plastinated organ specimens. You will get the
chance to be a Crime Scene Investigator and solve your own mock crime scene.
COURSE FULL ALL WEEKS
Pirates, Robots, and Ninjas! Improvisational Theatre
(Discipline: Creative Arts, Drama)
Do you want to know what it’s like to create scenes on stage WITHOUT A SCRIPT?! Students will learn
about the history, theory, and practice of improvisational theatre through a combination of lecture and
performance – emphasis on performance! Improv is about quick-thinking, mental flexibility, working
with groups and narrative and character building. Improv starts on stage, but it can continue through all
aspects of your life. Improv is often associated with comedy, but it can be serious too. This class is
perfect for students who want to work on their theatrical presence, or presentation, teamwork, social,
or debate skills in an open, inclusive, and FUN environment.
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Problem Solving, Mathematics, and Origami
(Discipline: Mathematics)
Geometry is a lovely kind of mathematics because it's all about pictures and shapes that you can see and
touch. Our days together will be spent exploring some interesting shapes and writing our own
mathematics problems from them. And of course solving those problems. Some of the shapes we will
make ourselves with origami, while we learn more about the history of geometric origami and the
(secret) society of origami mathematicians.
COURSE CANCELLED –
LOW ENROLLMENT
Putting Plants to the Test: Field Research Methods and Laboratory Techniques in Plant Biology
(Discipline: Science, Biology)
This course will incorporate current field and laboratory techniques, which will explore the cellular
function, identification, naming, and classification of plants by the use of laboratory experiments, field
trips, and lectures. The course emphasis will be towards hands-on activities such as preparing slides,
looking at the inner workings of plant cells through a microscope, taking field trips to practice field
research, and taking home a pressed, preserved, and mounted plant specimen.
Recording, Mixing, and Sound Design for Music and Media
(Discipline: Applied Science, Technology, Music) – COURSE FULL WEEK ONE
Music can be a balance of personal creativity, science and technology, and in this course, we will take an
applied look at how you can create music and sound for use in a variety of purposes. This is a hands-on
course where students will learn about and gain experience in the artistic and technical aspects of digital
recording. Students will learn recording and mixing techniques, gain software knowledge and skills, and
try their hand at sound effects creation, sound design for music, film and gaming, and re-mixing a
professional recording. Where possible, students will expand their understanding by exploring other
facilities and labs on campus.
Songwriting
(Discipline: Creative Arts, Writing, Music)
How do you start to write a song? We will explore the art of songwriting through hands-on experience
in a workshop setting. We will develop and hone our ability to work with ideas, melody, and groove.
We will work in an encouraging, playful atmosphere, in small and large groups, as well as individually.
This workshop will be a fantastic whirlwind experience of experimentation with ideas, sounds, and lyrics
as we create and record ‘demos’ of your songs (either individually or in small groups). No previous
songwriting experience is necessary, only a willingness to experiment and take risks. Note: Everything
will happen FAST!
The Pinnacle of Performance: Your Body as a High Performance Machine
(Discipline: Kinesiology)
The marvels of the human body from an integrated physiological perspective will be brought to life in
this course. How does our body sustain exercise? How is oxygen delivery to your active muscles
regulated? What exactly is going on in there? These common questions will be answered via live
laboratory demonstrations by exploring how physiological mechanisms and numerous systems
(cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal etc.) function together. The heart, lungs, blood vessels and
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muscles work together to allow for humans to not only exercise, but also function in our day-to-day
lives, so let’s watch it happen! This course will give you a chance to be an exercise physiologist, perform
experiments, ask questions and witness the marvels of the human body in real time!
The Social Self: An Introduction to Social Psychology
(Discipline: Social Science, Psychology, Sociology)
In this course, students will learn how our thoughts and behaviours are influenced by the presence of
others (real or imagined). Specifically, students will learn about the self-concept, culture, self-esteem,
the perception of others, and how we can get others to comply with our requests. Students will
participate in psychology learning labs, debate the usefulness of “common sense,” learn how advertisers
use social psychology to influence their behaviour and, in turn, evaluate their own tactics in influencing
others.
Writing Comes Alive!
(Discipline: Creative Arts, Writing)
Do you want to write the next great song, book, or movie? All you need is an idea and the tools to make
it grow. Join songwriter/novelist Trevor Strong (of the Arrogant Worms) for a trip into the limitless
world of creative writing. Learn how to find ideas, develop their possibilities, and make your writing as
good as it can be. Get those ideas out of your head and into the world! All styles of writing are
welcomed and explored.
COURSE CANCELLED –
LOW ENROLLMENT
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