Fall 09
Political Ideologies
This poltical theory course will be an overview of political system-types we call "ideologies." The course will explain what an ideology is and also explain and define specific, major ideologies.
There will be an initial defining of the concept of ideology and setting up general categories of issues they address in order to understand given ones. Then individual ideologies will be reviewed and explained. The major ideologies to be addressed are: Democracy, Liberalism, Capitalism, Social Democracy, Socialism, Communism, Fascism, Totalitarian, Authoritarian, Monarchy, Libertarian, and Anarchism. The review will include looking at key similarities and differences, with emphasis on governing structures and economic systems.
Prerequisites: Very basic understanding of governments, economics, political principles. Emphasis on lecture and discussion. Suggested readings, none required. No assignments, but instructor willing to evaluate any written work students want to submit.
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Understanding Research Studies
“Studies are only as good as their methodology.”
We are bombarded with academic papers, research institute studies, surveys, government reports, studies from various other organizations, e.g. non-profits, political parties, etc., comments from pundits in the media, and articles of all sorts in print and on-line media that rely on presenting empirical data to present conclusions every day. It can be very difficult to understand many of these reports, particularly the formal studies of academics, research institutes, and government that aim to demonstrate causation.
It’s said that “knowledge is power,” but little attention has been given to the power in being a “creator of knowledge.” Authors of studies are creators of knowledge. We examine the “creation of knowledge.”
This course will present a basic primer on methodology issues in order to increase the student’s ability to understand and evaluate studies they encounter in their daily lives. It will be presented in common language and without engaging in studying the math of statistics. The course will look at these issues form a conceptual standpoint: What are the methodological issues, what do they try to get, strengths and weaknesses, and applicability to given approaches in given contexts?
Overviews of these topics will be presented: Information sources, quantitative vs. qualitative, identifying relevant factors—variables, margin of error, confidence intervals, correlation, causation, polls and survey methods, and “the scientific method.” Real factual reports in the public domain will be the main source of illustrating these issues. Prerequisites: None. Suggested readings, none required. No assignments, but instructor willing to evaluate any written work students want to submit.
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Designing for a Changing Future: Economic Stability Through Local Interdependence
People everywhere are seeking responses to the urgent problems of today--environmental degradation, growing scarcity of resources, especially oil, and an unregulated market economy that makes fabulous wealth for some and increasing financial and economic insecurity, if not poverty, for most. One response is the new emphasis on building a local economy--food and energy production and support for local businesses--to decrease the need for oil and production of CO2 and to increase community independence. But what can "independence" really mean in a world that relies on sophisticated technology, huge corporations to provide jobs and most consumer goods, and an educational system that prepares young people only to join the global economy?
This class will analyze this concept of "community independence." It will evaluate the essential needs of any community and then construct a framework within which these needs might be addressed through personal growth, creative thinking, investment, and cooperative work. It will offer specific ideas for evaluation in terms of their contribution to community independence.
Half of class time will be devoted to class discussion of ideas presented and ideas forthcoming from class.
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The Communist Manifesto, by Karl Marx & Frederick Engels
Students will read the Communist Manifesto, then attend the class to discuss
its contents, including relevance for today, guided by a prepared list of
discussion questions.
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Winter Bike Commuting and Maintenance
Learn techniques about how to effectively ride your bike in the winter! Winter is cold but biking through the winter is doable. Learn skills to push how much you can ride in the cold weather!
Winter is also brutal on your bicycle. The roads get slippery, the bike lanes are icy, and the salt corrodes your brakes and gears. Learn some maintenance tips for keeping your bicycle running smoothly throughout the winter.
This is a THREE WEEK class; week 1 will be focused solely on commuting tips and ideas for how to ride in the winter. Weeks 2 and 3 will be about bike maintenance and some tips on how to keep your bike running smoothly and safely during the winter.
Schedule: Thursday evenings, October 22-November 5, 6:30-9:00pm.
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Reporting 101
You’ve always wanted to get into writing and reporting, but you need some
basic skills. In this two-part session Gary Gilson teaches the basics of
identifying and developing a story idea, digging, cultivating sources,
organizing the material, identifying a lead and writing clearly, cogently and
engagingly. And on deadline.
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Learn to Play Recorder or Flute!
This class is designed for beginner and intermediate recorder, flute or oboe players who are interested in learning the fundamentals of performance and chamber music. Students will have the opportunity to perform as soloists as well as in small chamber ensembles and large recorder choirs. No previous experience is necessary. Please bring a flute, oboe or plastic/wooden soprano recorder to the first class.
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***REGISTRATION CLOSED *** Basic Bike Maintenance at Sibley Bike Depot (October)
***REGISTRATION CLOSED*** we'll offer another class in November.
This class is designed as a complete introduction to the basics of maintaining your bicycle yourself. Learning to fix your own bike can save you money, ensure access to reliable transportation, and be a rewarding personal experience to understand how your vehicle functions. You aren’t expected to know anything beforehand – the only thing you need to bring is yourself, your bike if you want, and a creative desire to learn!
Participants are encouraged to attend regularly, as each week builds upon skills and theories developed in previous sessions. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bicycle to work on; however, shop bicycles will also be available for tutorial and repair.
Class Schedule: September 13-27 - Three consecutive Sunday afternoons 4:15-6:30pm
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Bits and Bites -- Programming First Steps
Do you think that programmers are born with keyboards in their hands? Programmers are made, not born -- you too can code with the best of them. If you're interested in breaking down the barriers and mystique around programming, join us! Learn to code in a chill, non-judgmental environment.
Your facilitators, Gregg and Amanda, come from non-traditional programming backgrounds, and used to be N00bs. We have no patience for alpha geeks, macho baloney, and geek superiority.
Our big project is a web application that allows you to play a "Choose Your Own Adventure" that you write yourself! (example: http://cyoa.lind-beil.net/).
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stepping across the gaps- [Being in] Becoming culturally competent in the human services field
This course seeks to continue the dialogue and action steps for human
services workers working across lines of race, class, sexuality, politics and
religion to discern a shared set of values and ethics to inform a culturally
competent practice. It is assumed that we will not ever arrive at competence
but continually strive towards it evaluating our practice in context of the
people and families we work with (our clients), our colleagues and our higher
ideals. Special attention will be paid to the NASW Code of Ethics as well as
other Codes of Ethics (NACSW for instance). Of special interest is whether
(and how) we as human service workers (or foster parents!) in the social,
youth and family work fields are able to harmonize our different ethical, and
religious standards to overcome institutional and personal oppression along
lines of racial, class, sexual, political and religious difference.
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