New Classes! New Exhibits! New Students! Most of the continuing classes are full, but I’m delighted to offer a few new spring and summer one days, including History and Science, Empires, and new museum based classes!
Image from the new ISAW exhibit, “Hymn to Apollo: The Ancient World and the Ballet Russes”
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New Class! Science and History – High Schoolers!
Do you love science, but hate history? Do you love history, but hate science? Can we study science through the study of history, and study history through the study of science, walking away with a good sense of these disciplines?
I’m designing a course that helps to bridge the gap between these worlds, sort of like a SHTEAM instead of just STEM or STEAM. Topics include forensics (from ancient Egyptian and Peruvian mummies to bog bodies, and more), DNA (what can DNA tell us about genetics, migration, adaptability, and evolution), climate change (how can we determine climate change over time and is there ancient evidence for climate change), technology (early attempts at artificial intelligence, inventions, etc), epidemiology (what can we learn about diseases in the ancient and medieval world through modern methodology), botany (plant evolution, GMOs, mind alternating substances and their uses), astronomy (ancient understanding of the sky), physics (before and after Aristotle’s four elements), and medicine (surgeries, cures and more). We’ll meet at the Met, AMNH, and other locations throughout the city.
I will offer a few sections of an INTRO class, spanning different topics to gain a feel for what interested teens like and the days/times available, and then work on a syllabus reflecting their interests. The target age group is 16 up, as the course is primarily college prep, but if there is interest in a middle school or early high school group, please reach out.
Here are some proposed days/times for the trial:
The trial class will be $25, and will include museum admission (we will probably meet first at the AMNH)
If you’re interested for your teen, please message me:
-your student’s name and age
-the day(s) you are available for the trial
-special areas of interest
Happy New Year to All!
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Teens! Swing by for some last minute December one day classes on Delacroix and the 19th century, Armenia and the Medieval World, and some Treasure Hoards! Email me at wendyraver@hotmail.com for details!
The fall semester filled up quickly, and winter session is also filling up fast! Check offerings under “Classes Offered” or email me directly!
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How can we use museum collections and popular culture to better understand themes in history and the humanities? We will be exploring heroes such as Hercules, considering cultural appropriation and Chinese-Tibet relations, World War II, the Cold War, the mythic Hero’s Journey of Joseph Campbell, and African colonialism and imperialism — all through the lens of the Marvel Universe (plus a little DC, too). Email me at professorwraver@yahoo.com for more information!
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ANCIENT AMERICAS (Wednesday afternoons/Friday afternoons)
APPROACHES TO LITERATURE takes on Ursula Le Guin and issues of gender in science fiction. Tuesdays early afternoon
Close reading of PLATO’S REPUBLIC on Tuesday afternoons
Interested? Email Wendy at wendyraver@hotmail.com or professorwraver@yahoo.com. Classes begin during the first week of May, and extend to the second week of June
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It survived for over 2,000 years…but an American breaks it off for fun. Why take a thumb from a warrior? What does this say about us?
It isn’t the first time that the army faced ruin. A rebellion against Qin Shihuangdi lead to the deliberate destruction of part of the site. Many warriors were destroyed, and the tomb partially burned. A worker stole a hand in more recent times, and was executed.
Read more about the Franklin Institute debacle here — and check them out before they leave! This may be the last time an international group decides to loan things to American institutions.
Photo courtesy BBC
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Wishing you all joy for the holiday season and upcoming year, no matter how you bring in the light!
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