Fresh classes for springtime
By David Wonpu
Registration for the upcoming 2007 spring quarter is in full swing. With Santa Clara students snapping up class schedules like proverbial academic hotcakes, crafting the perfect cluster of courses is of utmost importance.
Besides fulfilling requirements, however, there is plenty of room in most schedules for classes that have the potential to enrich a Santa Clara student's otherwise stressful life.
* Theatre 8: Acting for Non-majors
One of the most popular classes, the course is being offered with two different sections this spring.
The course is perfect for those who crave something both fun and challenging, not to mention those who want to be able to say they've got to "nail a monologue by lunchtime."
It will be taught by Mark Monday, the coordinator of acting in the department of theatre and dance.
Professor Monday has an impressive resume which includes a stint as the artistic director of his own production company.
* History 122: Pirates of the Mediterranean and Caribbean: Contact Across Cultural Boundaries, 1300-1800
While "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" was a bloated, lackluster sequel to the 2003 original, interest in the high-seas sailing, swashbuckling individuals portrayed by Johnny Depp and others is still at a high.
If one wishes to move beyond simply ogling at the same poster of Captain Jack every college student has taped to their doors, History 122 is the course of choice.
It hasn't been offered in awhile, and perhaps the success of the Disney movies is at least part of the reason why it is reappearing.
As Disney's expertise lies solely in selling false hopes and dreams -- not historical accuracy -- professor Fabio Lopez-Lazaro's course is bound to be quite interesting.
* Ethnic Studies 125: Latinas/os in the U.S.
The recent "south of the border" party has sparked heated debate over political correctness and the engagement the average Santa Clara student has with people of different backgrounds.
No matter if one is sympathetic to those involved, empathetic to those in the Latino community or apathetic about the entire situation, Ethnic Studies 125, taught by professor Ramon D. Chacon, is a timely offering indeed.
* Ethnic Studies 190: Historical Perspectives on Hip-Hop Culture
The department is offering this brand new course taught by professor Tamika Brown.
Ethnic studies courses "always end up being over capacity," says office manager Pauline Nguyen, so be sure to have those course numbers handy.
* English 121: Studies in American Film
Finally, any self-respecting amateur film buff should be lining up to take professor Ron Hansen's Western film course.
One section of the course is being offered, with a long meeting time each week to view the film.
In addition to being an already successful novelist, Hansen's 1983 novel "The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" is being put on the big screen starring Brad Pitt and is scheduled for release sometime this year.
Contact David Wonpu at (408) 551-1918 or dwonpu@scu.edu.