Interterm

This course will provide students the opportunity to experience and develop an appreciation of one of the oldest applications of chemistry: cooking. Students will perform a series of edible experiments that will be used to motivate discussion of the science behind food. There is no assumed proficiency in chemistry or cooking as this class is intended to be an introduction to both disciplines.

Instructor: Jamin Perry
Credits: 2 hours, P/NC
Meeting times: MTWRF 8:30 a.m.-Noon or 12:30-4 p.m.

This course provides students with an understanding of warfare and history during the last years of the unified Roman Empire (330-378 AD). In this effort, students will research, prepare, and command scale replica armies of the later imperial Romans and their many enemies.

Instructor: John Richards
Credits: 3 hours, P/NC
Meeting times: MTWRF 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., plus four evening sessions

This course provides an intensive focus on Spanish flamenco. Each class period will be split into two sections: 1) discussion of the history of flamenco music and dance and its place in literature, culture, and society, and 2) daily workshops on flamenco rhythms and dance technique. We will also host guest musicians and dancers who can teach us more about instrumental technique (guitar, cajón/palmas) and their personal experiences working with the flamenco community in Spain. Classes held at Baldwin Academy of Dance and Voice.

Instructor: Katherine Soll
Credits: 2 hours, P/NC
Meeting times: MTWRF 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Can machines think? Can they feel emotion? What defines self-awareness? Do robots have a soul? What does it mean to be human, machine, or something in-between? Is artificial intelligence even an appropriate term for a “thinking” entity (Artificial General Intelligence? Intelligent Agent? Superintelligence?)? How do these questions relate to how we define ourselves and other humans and nonhumans?

These philosophical questions underpin conversations about artificial intelligences dating back decades and even centuries and have led to diametrically opposed portrayals of AI in works of science/speculative fiction as either saving or destroying humanity. Many notable, more nuanced depictions, as with other popular themes in science fiction, offer reflections on modern anxieties, portraits of fears and prejudice, metaphorical or allegorical explorations of political, cultural, religious, and interpersonal issues. In particular, aesthetics and representation in the genre are often problematic in their depictions of race, ethnicity, gender, and other identity groups. In addition, the increasing ubiquity of AI in our daily lives (AI assistants like Alexa and Siri, smart homes, algorithmic recommendations, etc.) and the current debate and concern over AI displacing workers across blue-collar and white-collar industries make pop culture narratives about AI especially relevant, given their role in shaping public consciousness.

In this course, we’ll examine these issues by understanding the historical, philosophical, sociocultural, and ethical contexts of AI and critically analyzing specific representations in short stories, films, TV series, and video games. In particular, we’ll identify where and how these depictions can help increase awareness and understanding and where they might perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

Instructor: Jessica Elam
Credits: 1 hour, P/NC
Meeting times: MTWRF 1-4 p.m.

This course helps students, especially those in human service fields/majors, develop resilience and resistance to compassion fatigue and burnout. Students will engage with literature to develop a deeper understanding of the human experience, discuss these stories with their instructor and fellow students, and develop strategies for recognizing compassion fatigue and burnout. Those strategies will include exposure to self-care through mindfulness meditation and gentle yoga at Om Grown Yoga Studio in downtown Baldwin City.

Students will be asked to dedicate 6 to 8 hours/week to preparation for our meetings, reading the required books and engaging in journaling and self-care exercises. To these ends, students will be committing 18 hours during the Interterm period to class time and an additional 18 to 24 hours outside of class to prepare materials for discussion and engagement, for a total time commitment of 36 to 42 hours during the 12-day Interterm period.

Instructor: Robyn Long
Credits: 1 hour
Meeting times: MTW 1-3 p.m. (on-campus) and 7-8 p.m. SuT (Om Grown Yoga)

The construction of space is often well-defined substance through symbols, architecture, and the population that congregates there. However, it is something rarely noticed because people are accustomed to recognizing it as normal. The purpose of this course is to take an experiential/field research approach to the construction of space, especially sacred space. The course will begin at the Baldwin City campus and examine classrooms, library space, offices, and the chapel. Then the project will move with trips to Kansas City, Lawrence, and Topeka where we will examine the space constructed by various Christian, Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim buildings. The course will require students to attend worship services from multiple religions. As a result, classes will occur on the weekend.

Instructor: Nick Pumphrey
Credits: 3 hours
Meeting times: MTWRF 9 a.m.-4 p.m., including travel

This course includes a semi-local travel component. Students will be engaging with literature (both fiction and nonfiction) and poetry written by Kansas-based authors and visiting the sites that inspired, or continue to inspire, their work. The travel component will be via 15-passgenger van over three, 48-hour periods, planned for January 11-12, 18-19, and 23-24. If the Kansas weather makes travel unsafe, we have a make-up travel period from January 22-23. Students in this course must participate in all three travel components to pass the course.

This course has several required texts and all should be available from your local public library, the Baker University library, or the Baldwin City Public Library for use during the course. If a student would prefer to own a copy of a particular text, used copies, electronic copies for an e-reader, and audiobooks are fine.

For three nights, students will be sharing a hotel room with two or three other students in the course. Preferences for roommates will be considered. Hotels will include breakfasts, and packed lunches and dinners during travel are included in the course fee. Dietary restrictions and allergies will be accommodated.

Students will have the opportunity to visit with the 2023-2026 Kanas Poet Laureate Traci Brimhall, Baker University alumna Candice Millard, and author and Professor Thomas Fox Averill at Washburn University.

Instructor: Robyn Long
Credits: 2 hours
Meeting times: 9-11 a.m. daily and travel

Students will examine the concept of a “bucket list” and the prominence of such a concept in the sport industry. Students will study, research, and discuss a wide scope of sport offerings, events, and experiences. A personal sport-related bucket list will be developed through an exploratory process of sport examination and personal reflection of values and goals.

Instructor: Chad Gerber
Credits: 2 hours
Meeting times: MTWRF 9:30 a.m.-Noon

This course is designed to improve critical thinking skills and practice problem-solving. Students will work with a team and use science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) skills to present a solution to a current world problem. During this course students will explore problems, talk to professionals, problem-solve, and present their solution.

Instructor: Tara Burnham
Credits: 3 hours
Meeting times: MTWRF 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

This course will provide students an opportunity to team-teach 5th-grade students visiting from various schools about three areas of science. Students will prepare a lesson, provide an educational opportunity, and work as a team to achieve an excellent learning environment for young learners in a STEM setting.

Instructor: Molly Anderson
Credits: 2 hours, P/NC
Meeting times: MTWRF 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Diversity in Education is a required urban field experience practicum that provides prospective teachers with the opportunity to gain valuable experience working in a diverse school setting. Candidates will be assigned to a school in Kansas City or Topeka. Self-reflection will be an integral component of this interterm. During the course of the interterm, candidates will be expected to progress from a classroom observer to actively impacting student learning. In cooperation with the classroom teacher, candidates will plan and teach a minimum of two lessons in an urban setting and one lesson in a virtual environment. This course is open to juniors and seniors.

Instructor: Charlsie Prosser
Credits: 3 hours
Meeting times: MTWRF 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Do you like Jared Diamond? Do you like anthropology? Do you like history? Do you ever wonder how the Spanish conquest of Mexico would have ended if Montezuma had defeated Cortes? In this course, we will explore the effects that guns, germs, and steel have had on human civilizations over the last 13,000 years. The course will use the title book as well as various journal articles to investigate said effects.

Instructor: Kyle York
Credits: 1 hour, P/NC
Meeting times: MTWRF 1-2:15 p.m.
Course format: On campus and synchronous remote

When it comes to lifestyle, the experience of most individuals in the United States of America is one of sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, sedentary behavior, lack of exercise, chronic stress, and other behaviors that lead to chronic inflammation and the development of chronic disease. This leads to the typical American living a long life (76 years on average) but spending the last 14 years of that life living with some level of disability. This class will give students an opportunity to critically examine their immersion in this dystopian culture as they collaboratively develop an action plan for a healthier alternative that will involve them as active participants in achieving not merely a long lifespan, but a satisfying and lengthy healthspan as well.

Instructor: Loree Weir
Credits: 1 hour
Meeting times: MTWRF 9:30-10:45 a.m. via Zoom

There’s too much fear in food buying today. This course will look at how misinformation, marketing half-truths, and label claims influence food choices and cause unnecessary fear and guilt in food buying. This fear hurts health as stress increases about eating the “right food” and gives the illusion that eating healthy is unattainable. Furthermore, these marketing strategies and label claims have the potential to increase food inequities. This course looks at research about how bad behaviors, deceptive label claims, and unnecessary drama surrounds our food choices.

Instructor: Erin Laurie
Credits: 1 hour
Meeting times: N/A

This course compares the history and purpose of hip-hop music to the use of song in Indigenous and Native American cultures. By surveying the modern hip-hop scene, we examine the lack of representation of Indigenous and Native Americans in this genre. Students then identify regional Indigenous and Native American hip-hop performers. We will study themes in the music and compare them to the more commercially recognized counterparts.

Instructor: Tasha Riggins
Credits: 2 hours
Meeting times: N/A

This course examines the life, career, and filmography of Adam Sandler. It will begin with a study of Sandler’s personal life, from his humble beginnings, to his time on Saturday Night Live, to his rise to stardom, all the way to him receiving the 2023 Mark Twain Prize for Comedy. Parallels will be drawn between Sandler’s career trajectory and the perceived American Dream as outlined in various sources of popular culture. Particular focus will be paid to the concepts of “success” and “failure” in their various definitions as personified in both Sandler’s comedies and dramas.

Instructor: Trevor Belt
Credits: 3 hours, P/NC
Meeting times: N/A

Destination: Ecuador

Ecuador is a nation of over 13 million people. Like the United States, Ecuador’s government features a democratically elected President serving for a four-year term. The Galápagos Islands, well known as the birthplace of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, are part of a province of Ecuador. In this course, you will explore and learn about the current economy of the country and its new economic development. Additionally, you will also learn about Ecuador’s history and industries of agriculture such as Cacao; the Banana, the Oil, and manufacturing such as textiles and steel. The course will also explore the country overall culture.

Credits: 3 hrs.

Instructor: Nadia Novotorova | nadia.novotorova@bakerU.edu

Destination: Yucatan

The course will offer various interpretations of the history, themes and developments among the Maya people. Meaningful student participation that encourages critical thinking strategies will help us individually and as groups as we determine how and why people lived in this region. This course will require that students also understand how the delicate ecosystems work in this area by learning from guides who will take them through jungle and coastal areas. Students will have an opportunity to explore ancient Maya communities as well as interact with today’s Maya people in their villages.

Credits: 3 hrs.

Instructor: Leonard Ortiz | leonard.ortiz@bakerU.edu

Destination: Madrid, Toledo, and Barcelona, Spain

The focus of this two-week experience is on building awareness and understanding of contemporary Spanish identity and culture, with an emphasis on the historical contexts that have brought Spain to its current state. This will be achieved through work completed prior to departure for Spain in addition to the experiences gained while “in country” for 14 full days (does not include transatlantic portion of the trip). Contemporary Spanish cultural identity is complex, even more so for foreigners. Among the dimensions to be explored in the proposed course are: regionalism, history, religion, language, food, immigration, European integration, and diaspora.

Credits: 1, 2, or 3 hrs.

Tentative travel dates: January 8-23, 2024

Deposit: $300

Estimated total cost: $2,300 (includes airfare, lodging, most midday meals, entrance fees for all group activities, train and metro)

Instructor: Dr. Judy Smrha | jsmrha@bakerU.edu

Destination: Northern Spain and southern France, specifically Lisbon (Portugal), Santiago de Compostela, San Sebastian, Toulouse, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseilles

This is the first in a series of faculty-led programs following “in the footsteps” of the Apostles, specifically following St. James and Mary Magdalene. We will visit sites dedicated to each and will have the opportunity to join with pilgrims who have been visiting and worshiping at these sites for more than 2,000 years. Each morning will start with a briefing over breakfast, and we’ll incorporate several cultural and gastronomic adventures into the program as well, including cooking courses; wine tasting; group meals; optional worship services; museum visits; tours exploring the work of Cezanne, Zola, and Hemingway; and free days!

Credits: 3

Tentative travel dates: May 21 – June 7, 2024

Deposit: January 15, 2024 ($1,500), February 15, 2024 ($1,500), March 15, 2024 ($ 1,000)

Total cost: ~$5,000, scholarships are available, and final cost will depend on the number of participants

Instructors: Robyn Long, Ph.D. (Professor of Psychology and Director of Study Abroad)  rlong@bakerU.edu and Nicholas Pumphrey, Ph.D. (Associate Professor of Religious Studies) npumphrey@bakerU.edu

Information sessions will be held on several occasions in the fall of 2023.

Destination: Pacific Northwest (USA)

 On a cross-country road trip, students will experience the aesthetic, ecological, and cultural value of seashores through intentional artistic expression and reflection while learning about the unique physical and biological nature of each site. Students will investigate coastal habitats through hands-on exploration and visitor center experiences and will produce original art (medium of choice) and natural history descriptions in field journals. Students will consider the relationship between human culture and different coastal environments. 

More Course Info

 Credits: 3

 Tentative travel dates: May 28 – June 15, 2024 

Deposit: $400 

Estimated total cost: $900 

Instructor: Scott Kimball | skimball@bakerU.edu 

Destination: St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands)

This is an PADI Openwater Scuba Certification Course that will involve four major components. 1) Through a hybrid format of online and classroom presentations, students will acquire the academic knowledge associated with safe diving. 2) Through instruction in confined water (pool), students will acquire the practical skills associated with safe diving. 3) Through on-site instruction in open water. Students will apply skills learned in confined water to ocean diving. 4) Throughout the final days of the travel portion of the course, students will make multiple and varied dives as certified divers.

 Credits: 3

Tentative travel dates: May 22-29, 2024

Estimated total cost:$2,300-$2,800

Instructor: Rand Ziegler | rand.ziegler@bakerU.edu

Destination: London & Paris

Travel to London and Paris to experience the timeless culture of these two famous world cities and see how monarchy and revolution have shaped the modern cities they are today.

 Credits: 3

Tentative travel dates: May 22-June 8, 2024

Deposit: $1,000

Estimated total cost:$2,900-$3,200

Instructors: Erin Morris | erin.morris@bakerU.edu and William Duncan | william.duncan@bakerU.edu