Class Descriptions
Session A – 45-minute Classes
Tour CA Labs
Don Kingman, Director of Operations
Are you curious about the construction that has transformed the main campus this
year? Well, you should join Don Kingman for a tour of CA Labs in progress! When it is
completed, by the 2016-2017 school opening, CA Labs will double the existing classroom
space for science and technology and create an adaptable, state-of-the-art setting for
interdisciplinary exploration that will facilitate collaboration among science and
engineering, as well as the arts and humanities. Get a peek at the innovative building
design, creative use of space and the beautiful garden spaces that will transform the
way our community learns together. CA Labs will be a physical expression of the school’s
commitment to strong student-teacher relationships and experiential learning, or as
Rick Hardy has said, “a revitalization of our core values and an unlocking of potential.”
A Marriage of Heaven and Hell: A Brief Look at William Blake's 1794 The Tyger
Parkman Howe, English Faculty
By considering Blake's imagery, rhythms, poetic forms, and illustrated versions of his
most famous lyric, we can approach his dictum: "If the doors of perception were
cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite." We will also look at thirteen
of Blake's own illustrated printings of The Tyger, keeping in mind that "The tygers of
wrath are wiser than the horses of instruction."
Prediction Markets
Mark Engerman, Mathematics Department Head
Learn how different organizations use markets’ ability to aggregate information to
improve the quality of their forecasts. Applications are as diverse as business, politics,
and (almost) counter-terrorism.
Join the Community and Equity Conversation at CA: Exploring Intersectionality
Laura Twichell, English Faculty and Assistant Dean for Community and Equity
The Community and Equity (C & E) Team at CA works in support of the school's mission
of embracing the diversity of backgrounds of its people and fostering respect for
others. Come hear about C & E’s 2015-16 initiatives, sample student programming and
explore one of the hottest topics in social justice, intersectionality. Learn the basics so
you can engage your student in conversation around the critical topic of identity
development.
Poetry as an Intersection of Imagination and Intellect
Ayres Stiles-Hall, English Faculty
In collaborating to unpack a few short lyric poems, we will explore how poetry engages
both creativity and logic, making it a fantastic way to consider small details of language,
big questions about life, and everything in between.
Reading the Classics in Concord
Liz Penland, Modern and Classical Languages Faculty
Greek and Roman literature have been a part of Concord’s history since its founding
days. Famous literary figures of the 19th century used texts in Greek and Latin to inspire
their work. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller and
Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, all read and even translated texts from Greco-Roman
antiquity and applied them to their own historical circumstances. This workshop will
provide an overview of the literary interaction between Greek and Roman authors and
Concord’s history and also talk about the innovative ways that CA is participating in this
tradition by reading Latin and Greek today!
Session B – 45-minute Classes
Tour CA Labs
Don Kingman, Director of Operations
Are you curious about the construction that has transformed the main campus this
year? Well, you should join Don Kingman for a tour of CA Labs in progress! When it is
completed, by the 2016-2017 school opening, CA Labs will double the existing classroom
space for science and technology and create an adaptable, state-of-the-art setting for
interdisciplinary exploration that will facilitate collaboration among science and
engineering, as well as the arts and humanities. Get a peek at the innovative building
design, creative use of space and the beautiful garden spaces that will transform the
way our community learns together. CA Labs will be a physical expression of the school’s
commitment to strong student-teacher relationships and experiential learning, or as
Rick Hardy has said, “a revitalization of our core values and an unlocking of potential.”
Looking and Seeing
Chris Rowe, Visual Arts Faculty
What is the difference between Looking and Seeing? Do we all see the same thing when
we look at art? How do you figure out what the artist is trying to say? How does your
own personal history, taste, or life experience shape that message? Think of this course
as “Art History 101” in 45 minutes as we explore how to look at art and what there is to
see. From classic works to contemporary art, Chris Rowe will guide us through a “look”
at various artwork to help foster appreciation, to help deepen our experience when
visiting galleries and museums and to enable us to really “see” art and the artist’s vision.
To Hell and Back in 45 Minutes
Cammy Thomas, English Faculty
A guide to Dante’s Divine Comedy, and especially to Inferno: how is it organized, what
does it look like, who’s down there, how can we understand their punishments, and
where did Dante get his ideas? We will also examine images by William Blake, Salvador
Dali, Gustave Dore, and more.
The Future of a College Education
Kate Peltz and Peter Jennings, Directors of College Counseling
The cost of an elite education continues to climb. Why is this? Is technology to blame or
a significant part of the solution? Have you or any of your family members taken an online course? What is the future of traditional campus life? Join the debate: In an
increasingly online world, will brick and mortar colleges begin to represent the past
more than the future? We will explore what’s driving the high cost of an undergraduate
degree and examine the latest alternatives and trends in higher education.
HANZI – Ancient Chinese Pictionary
Wenjun Kuai, Modern and Classical Languages Faculty, and George Larivee,
Mathematics Faculty
Learn some basic Chinese characters that will help you translate the most well-known
Tang poem in 45 minutes! (No prior knowledge of Chinese is required.)
CA’s Literary Connections
Martha Kennedy, Library Director and Archivist, and Topi Dasgupta, History Faculty
Join a conversation about the many writing luminaries who have visited campus and
inspired CA students to pursue the writing life. We will explore works by faculty and
alumnae/i poets, novelists, journalists, and historians. Phil McFarland, Faculty Emeritus,
will join us as a special guest.
New Media: Intersection of Dance, Music and Film
Michael Bennett, Performing Arts Faculty and Amy Spencer, Performing Arts
Department Head
Explore how the integration of live performance with technology extends the language
of performance into new territory. Last fall, dance, music and film faculty joined
together to offer a pilot course that explored the intersection between these three
distinct, but closely related, disciplines. Student dancers, musicians, and filmmakers
collaborated to create a series of short film compositions and a culminating live
performance that integrated projected media. We will talk about how the process
unfolded and view the student-generated work. We will also preview plans that
continue our ongoing efforts in support of student exploration and collaboration in arts
and media.
Session C – 90-minute Classes
Fundamentals of Meteorology
John Pickle, Science Faculty
Are you a weather channel junkie? Then this class is for you. Using a variety of handson activities, animations, and movies, we will explore how the fundamental processes of
the atmosphere create the weather – and how to use these tools to forecast.
Modern South Africa and the Legacy of Nelson Mandela
Sally Zimmerli, History Faculty
Nelson Mandela has a cherished place in history for his remarkable accomplishments,
despite the brutal oppression he faced in his native South Africa. He dedicated his life to
the creation of a non-racial South Africa where the voices of all could be
heard. Following his release from prison at the age of 72, Mandela led South Africans to
forgive and move forward. Many ask, how could a man oppressed and imprisoned by
his own government then turn around and make peace? How did he forgive, and help
others do the same? We will briefly discuss the main aspects and historical events of
the Apartheid regime as well as the opposition to it. We will then examine the fall of
apartheid and the creation of a new nation through the remarkable path to truth and
forgiveness led by Nelson Mandela.
From Dye and Design to Function and Fashion
Peter Boskey, Visual Arts Faculty
Color. Pattern. Print. Design. Have you ever wanted to design a fashion collection?
How does a designer capture print or pattern in a sketch? We will explore how pigment
and pattern on cloth can translate to a design sketch and transform the clothing design.
Using tie-dye and printed fabrics, we will learn the basic tools of rendering pattern,
tracing models and fashion illustration to design our own clothing. No previous
experience required!
The Documentary: Creative Process and Intellectual Journey
Ben Stumpf, Computer Studies Department Head and Visual Arts Faculty
Nonfiction films aim to capture both truth and memory, educate and entertain us, move
us to tears or action and open our minds. In this class you will examine some of the
great documentaries of the past century and discuss what it takes to make your own.
Dive into Design Thinking
Amy Kumpel, Math and Science Faculty
Design Thinking is about taking risks, trying things that might not work, learning from
your mistakes, and working with others towards a common goal for the common
good. Come explore Design Thinking (as developed by the d.school at Stanford and the
global design firm IDEO) with a hands-on building project like we do in our Engineering
Design course!
Roe v. Wade in History
Stephanie Manzella, History Faculty
If you have never read the text of this historic decision, you might be surprised to
hear what it actually says. Come see how we unpack this case in our Constitutional
Law class and consider it in the context of the early 1970s.
Make a Plate
Monica Ripley, Visual Arts Faculty
Functional and beautiful! Practical and Pretty! Hand-made ceramics can transform an
everyday utilitarian item like a plate into a wonderful piece of art. Have you ever
wanted to try your hand at functional pottery? Here is your chance to roll up your
sleeves and get creative. Come to the ceramics studio to learn the basics from ceramics
teacher Monica Ripley about plate making, decorating, and firing. Prepare to get your
hands dirty – creative clay work is a messy (but really fun) business! Aprons provided.
Mindfulness Meditation: Practices for Daily Life.
Elise Hoblitzelle
In her role at CA, Elise works with students to develop lifelong skills and practices. These
include deepening their capacity for self-awareness and relational connection,
developing tools to effectively face challenges in their lives, and facilitating
understanding of their neurobiology. This course will combine guided sitting meditation
and other mindful practices along with exploration into why and how mindfulness is
beneficial. Amidst all the current buzz about mindfulness, come learn the deeper roots
and practical applications of this profound practice.
A Feast for the Eyes Under the Umbrella
Jonathan Smith and Cynthia Katz, Visual Arts Faculty
Jonathan Smith and Cynthia Katz will take you on a short walk to visit their professional
workspaces at The Umbrella Community Arts Center where they will share their current
works in progress and finished pieces of art. Jonathan teaches painting, printmaking
and figure drawing at CA. As a teacher and artist, Jonathan has been particularly
inspired by his students’ ability to challenge themselves and take risks effortlessly and
consistently in their work. Cynthia teaches photography and artists books at CA. She
strives to impress upon her students the importance of photography in our culture as an
exploratory and story-telling tool. Cynthia and Jonathan will talk about how their
personal, artistic pursuits inform work with students.
Paddle the Rivers of Concord
John Drew, Assistant Head of School, Academic Dean and Science Faculty
Jump in a canoe right from CA’s own riverfront boathouse and join Assistant
Head/Academic Dean John Drew for a paddle on the Sudbury River. As you travel on the
river, John will highlight the significance of the landscape surrounding the school and
the town of Concord. With a nod to Tom Wessels’ “Reading the Forested Landscape”
we will look at the local ecosystem and how it creates a sense of place.