Name of Course/Module: Astrofuturism: Exploring the Universe of Speculative Fiction

Subject Area: Humanities

Course Description:  Recently, speculative fiction has become the catch-all phrase describing not only established genres such as fantasy, science fiction, and horror, but a new blending of stories that fall within the boundaries of these categories. Students will begin the course by reviewing traditional genre definitions. Students will then build on their understanding by examining how writers such as Ray Bradbury, Octavia Butler, Ted Chiang, Ursula K. Le Guin, to name a few, play with these genre boundaries. We will explore questions such as: What world of possibilities can speculative fiction provide the reader?  How might speculative fiction meet our moment? How might it be fun to mash-up genres, both as readers and writers? By the end of the week, students will have opportunities to write speculative fiction pieces while engaging in discussions about the works read. 

Eligibility: All interested students

Dates: June 26 - 30

Synchronous Sessions: 10:00 am to 11:45 am; Office hours: 12:00 pm –1:00 pm

Name of Course/Module: Gastronomic History

Subject Area: Social Sciences

Course Description: Food has served historically as both a catalyst for change and a reflection of identity. Learning about the history of food teaches us about how people have adapted to changing circumstances, how networks of exchange have shaped cultures, and even how wars have been won and lost. Digging into the history of our most basic need - to eat - satisfies the appetite of the student who is interested in understanding humanity. This course will allow students to consume history in a new and delicious way by sinking their teeth into one of the underlying forces that have driven humans to do what they do - Food!

Selections from Tom Standage’s a History of the World in 6 Glasses and An Edible History of Humanity will serve as foundational texts for class discussions. Class time will also include opportunities for students to engage in case studies of the intersections between gastronomy and history.

*No actual food will be served in this class.

Eligibility: All interested students

Dates:  June 26-30

Synchronous sessions: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm; Office Hours: 12:15 am - 1:15 pm

Name of Course/Module:  Genetic Genealogy

Subject area:  Humanities & Science

Course description: Genetic genealogy is the combination of genetic analysis and traditional genealogical and family history research. We will discuss and research a variety of topics including inheritance patterns, relatedness, endogamy, admixture (ethnicity) estimates, at-DNA, mt-DNA, Y-DNA, and X-DNA, haplogroups, and ethics. We will also briefly discuss traditional genealogy to provide context for what genetics can provide as an additional source of data. Please note: No student is expected to have access to DNA results; all sample data used will be provided by the instructor. We will not be discussing any health- or wellness-related options provided by DNA companies.

Eligibility: All interested students

Dates: June 26-30 

Synchronous sessions:  1:00 pm - 2:15 pm; Office Hours: 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm

Name of Course/Module: Identity Mapping: Intro to Ethnic Studies

Subject Area: Humanities

Course Description: This module will introduce the foundations of ethnic studies as an exploration of the self by engaging in an examination of identity formation. Students will build community through intentional activities to build trust and respect. As students map their identities, they will explore how the different pieces interact and intersect. To examine the ways in which identity is socially constructed, students will evaluate value systems and power structures that shape discrimination, stereotypes, and the -isms (racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and ageism). Students will also examine how identity categories have developed and changed in United States history.

Eligibility: All interested students

Dates: July 5-7

Synchronous sessions: 10:00 am -11:30 am; Office Hours: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Name of Course/Module: Topics in Linguistics

Subject Area: Humanities & Science

Course Description: Linguistics is the scientific study of language. We will explore topics related to student interest in a three-day crash course in linguistics. Topics could include: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics (language and gender, power, dialects, etc.), language contact, literary linguistics (stylistics), first and second language acquisition, etc. Part of the last session will include share-outs of what students found looking into a topic of their choice (can be done as small groups or individually).

Eligibility: All interested students

Dates: July 5-7

Synchronous sessions: 10:30 am-11:45 am; Office Hours: 11:45 am-12:45 pm

Name of Course/Module:  Psychology of Learning

Subject area:  Humanities

Course description: Students will learn about the current psychological research related to the brain and learning. How does the brain learn new information? What are the optimal ways to learn new information? What are the habits that lead to optimal learning in school? Students will reflect on their own learning practices and explore ways to make their learning experience at TJ more efficient and healthier.

Eligibility: All interested students.

Dates: July 10-14 or July 24-28 (2 sessions offered)

Synchronous sessions:  10:00 am-11:30 am; Office Hours: 11:30 am -12:30 pm

Name of Course/Module: Human Geography

Subject Area: Humanities

Course Description: Students will learn to identify, interpret and explain the distribution processes and effects of human populations on Earth. Topics we will explore include the nature and perspectives of geography, population, migration, cultural patterns and processes, political organization of space, agricultural and food production, industrialization, and cities and urban land use.

Eligibility: All interested students.

Dates: July 17-21

Synchronous sessions: 10:30 am -12:00 pm; Office Hours: 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm

Name of Course/Module: Sports Diplomacy: International Relations Through the Lens of Athletic Competition

Subject Area: Social Sciences

Course Description: What do protests, hostages, defections, doping, and deportation all have in common? Are they plot points in a new Bond film? No! These are all real life examples of controversies occurring as a result of international sports competitions. Students who sign up for this engaging enrichment module will learn about history by looking at case studies of 21st century global sporting competitions where geopolitical chaos made more headlines than the athletes themselves. Following a chronological journey across several continents, students will develop a deeper understanding of the role sports play in international relations by analyzing primary and secondary sources and engaging in context-based discussion.

Eligibility: All interested students.

Dates: July 17 – 21

Synchronous sessions: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm; Office Hours: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Name of Course/Module: Leadership and Legitimate Decision-Making in Times of Crisis

Subject area:  Humanities

Course description: Times of crisis create significant challenges requiring leadership and effort in determining what is the right thing to do. Time is limited, and decisions must be made with haste.  Even the right decisions have unfavorable consequences.  Over the course of the week, students will learn how to prioritize what is necessary for leading and learn a variety of ethical frameworks to have in their toolbelt to help them determine what to do.  Students will work through ethical dilemmas and by the end of the week learn more about themselves than they might have expected.  On the last day, upon availability, students will have the opportunity to engage with ethicists from the Hoffberger Center of Ethical Engagement at the University of Baltimore.  

Eligibility: All interested students

Dates: July 24 - 28

Synchronous sessions:  11:00 am-12:30 pm; Office Hours: 1:15 pm -2:15 pm