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Home ›CHIP Course Descriptions Fall 2012
CHIP leaders develop their own unique CHIP courses and syllabi. Each CHIP also has a faculty advisor who assists the CHIP leader and serves as the four-year CHC academic advisor to the CHIP’s students. Each CHIP meets once per week and features a group project, dinner, and field trip.
Most CHIPs have a summer reading requirement. To determine the reading requirement for each CHIP, see the individual CHIP course descriptions below. These CHIPs ask that students read an assigned text over the summer prior to New Student Orientation (NSO), in addition to the Common Reading Program’s text which all students read over the summer. Alternatively, select CHIPs integrate their text into the fall curricula, meaning that students in those CHIPs should purchase a copy of their CHIP’s text at the same time as other fall course materials for use during fall term, not over the summer. Review the individual CHIP course descriptions below to learn about the required reading for each CHIP.
Unlike the Common Reading, there is no online discussion forum for CHIP texts and students are responsible for purchasing their CHIP’s text independently. Students can purchase their CHIP’s text through any vendor; however, a link for online purchase is provided within each CHIP’s course description.
CHIP Director, 2012-2013: Alex Fus
Mia Schauffler: Culture of Cinema
Vera Keller, Friday at 9 am - CRN: 13411
In this course we are going to explore the world of film. We will delve into the plight of the disadvantaged filmmaker as we watch creativity and notoriety stem from desperation. We are going to question film as a medium: where does film line up on the art food chain? How can other artistic mediums such as writing be transposed into film and maintain their meaning? We will search out these answers as we talk to both student and professional filmmakers, visit our local art house movie theater, The Bijou, and even make our own films! Most importantly, we are going to watch and discuss movies. Movies, movies, movies! That’s what it’s all about. So join me in indulging in awesome, offbeat, and overly-hyped films as we explore cinematic culture at the University of Oregon.
Read Prior to NSO: Rebel without a Crew: Or How a 23-Year-Old Filmmaker With $7,000 Became a Hollywood Player, by Robert Rodriguez
Jan Raether: Everyday Ethics and Modern Morality
Susanna Lim, Thursday at 11 am - CRN: 13406
You approach a red light at midnight. Nobody is looking, and there is no chance you will be caught. Do you run the red? Or do wait for it to turn green? Do the circumstances matter? Although we are faced with ethical dilemmas every day, many of us have never thought them through. Are these decisions based on our morals? Our human nature? Our religion? The law? In addition to answering these questions, this CHIP will help us look at real-life ethical dilemmas. Together we will examine the justifications surrounding military operations, the ethics of businesses, environmental and global ethics, and more. We will watch videos, read about current and historical dilemmas, and confront ethical decisions ourselves. Whether you are open-minded or opinionated, this CHIP is for you!
Read Prior to NSO: Ethics for the New Millennium, by the Dalai Lama*
Paul Metzler: Food in the Pacific Northwest
Jennifer Burns Levin, Monday at 4 pm - CRN: 13409
Probably the most important decision you can make is what you choose to consume on a daily basis, but who has the time go through each of the social, political, moral, and health implications involved with each and every purchase you make? Using local foods as a launching point this class will explore the ethics of different methods of food production, the intricacies of local food systems in the Willamette Valley, the cultural reactions to conventional food production, and the historical food traditions of the region. Look forward to foraging around campus, visiting the Urban Farm, taking a trip to the farmers’ market, and, most deliciously, a mushroom hunt in Willamette National Forest!
Read Prior to NSO: Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer, by Novella Carpenter
Elizabeth Merchant: Gender and Activism
Joel Black, Friday at 2 pm - CRN: 13415
When we hear “activism,” which figures come to mind? Dr. Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez, Gandhi… While male activists loom large in history books, what about the women behind these groundbreaking social movements? This CHIP seeks to expose the challenges, accomplishments, and legacies of American activists and how gender plays a role in these movements. As activists, we will explore opportunities to get involved on campus and in Eugene while we learn about social movements, media issues, history, social justice, civil rights, pop culture, and much, much more! This course is open to students of any gender, and does not require any previous experience. Just come with an open mind!
Meredith Comnes: Living Language: Spanish
Roxann Prazniak, Monday at 5 pm - CRN: 13417
Spanish is a language with millions of hispanohablantes worldwide, and serves as the de-facto second language of the United States. However, español is not a bank of flavorless vocabulary words, but rather a diverse cultural code that paints histories and inflects identities. In this CHIP, we will celebrate and travel to the Spanish-speaking world through film, music, cuisine, geography, current events, and social issues. Activities will include a salsa dance lesson, language conversation circles, and a study abroad presentation. We will also explore ways to get involved at the University of Oregon with Spanish and any other languages you’d like to learn!
Read Prior to NSO: The Brief Wondrous Life Of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz
Dash Paulson: Media Storm
Helen Southworth, Friday at 1 pm - CRN: 13413
You are a media machine. Every day you visit Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter. You check Pinterest, Tumblr, and Reddit. You scan stories, glance at graphics, tune in to TV, and scroll through sites. Our goal is to learn how to navigate this Media Storm, practicing media literacy as we become smart media consumers and even creators. We will look at the latest in multimedia innovation at the University of Oregon, discuss what makes our ideas go “viral,” critically consider the future of mobile media, and investigate how journalism, advertising, public relations, and communications are mutating to meet new challenges in our increasingly connected world. This CHIP will work closely with the School of Journalism and Communication and will be useful to freshman considering media majors, but no prior experience is necessary-- all students will benefit from becoming media savvy as we survey opportunities on campus and in Eugene. During the term, we will hear from UO faculty, host a design workshop, and even visit the Oregon Daily Emerald newsroom. Most importantly, we are going to experiment together to help us become better media consumers, critics, and creators.
Read Prior to NSO: Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art, by Scott McCloud
Quinn Baxter: Music in the U.S.
Kelly Sutherland, Thursday at 4 pm - CRN: 13410
This CHIP is based on enjoying and experiencing music from different genres throughout history and discovering where the music being produced today came from. The goal is to leave the class with an expanded appreciation of different kinds of music as well as a drive to continue to go to concerts around campus, Eugene, and elsewhere. There will be lots of listening, some special guest speakers, and a concert or two. You don’t need to be a music major to take this CHIP. All you need are open ears and a willingness to discuss the sounds you’re hearing.
Hannah Mueller: Outside the White Box: Visual Art Beyond the Gallery
Ocean Howell, Friday at 11 am - CRN: 13407
Art is everywhere. Even a walk from the Duck Store to the Starbucks just off campus can be an art tour in itself. Look up at brick walls and down alleys; street art and graffiti is there. After ten weeks, we will be able to see art on the street as clearly as paintings in a gallery (the white box). In this CHIP, we will explore the definition of what we call “fine art” with a strong focus on street art. Readings, videos, art walks, and discussions will make up the class; no art experience or ‘talent’ required. Street art may not be traditional, but that doesn’t make it any less important to us as art enthusiasts. Together we will, as Banksy so eloquently states, “Think outside the box, collapse the box, and take a ___ing sharp knife to it.”
Read Prior to NSO: Seven Days in the Art World, by Sarah Thornton
Kelsey Stilson: Science in Popular Culture
Samantha Hopkins, Friday at 3 pm - CRN: 13418
The University of Oregon is well known for promoting exceptional undergraduate research, and there is no time like freshman year to enter a lab and find your passion! This CHIP will orient you to the amazingly diverse opportunities in science at the UO. We will be touring labs, going behind the scenes at the UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History, interviewing Graduate Students, and visiting the Hatfield Marine Science Center! Together we will read The Invisible Gorilla: And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons, view popular movies that interpret science in some rather interesting ways, and get out our microscopes as we examine the dynamics between scientist and society.
Read Prior to NSO: The Invisible Gorilla: And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us, by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons
Jeff Garrett: Sports and Society
Benjamin Dale DeLee, Tuesday at 1 pm - CRN: 13414
The University of Oregon is a school that has embraced sport as a branding and marketing strategy. Sport is one of the strongest forms of socialization in society, yet remains largely understudied. This CHIP, through class discussion and analysis of current events, examines the relationship between sport and society. We will go outside of teams, wins, losses, and what ESPN covers to take a critical look at sports’ role in American society and how it impacts race, class, and gender. Have sports had a positive or negative impact in our communities? How do sports create and enforce stereotypes? Highlights include a tour of the new Matthew Knight Arena, a visit from a sports business industry expert, and plenty of opportunities to get out and play in Eugene! This CHIP requires active minds and participation, so come with your game face!
Read Prior to NSO: Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream, by H.G. Bissinger
Matthew Miyamoto: Student Leadership: Lead the Way!
Daniel Rosenberg, Friday at 4 pm - CRN: 13405
The University of Oregon is home to some of the most powerful and dynamic student organizations in the nation. The Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO), our signature student government, controls an annual budget of over $13,000,000. With hundreds of student clubs, programs, organizations, and associations, there are countless opportunities to get involved on campus as leaders. This CHIP will engage students who want to serve as leaders at the University of Oregon and in the Clark Honors College. We will explore what it means to be a leader, and will look at the many opportunities for us to lead within the University of Oregon community.
Read Prior to NSO: The Corner Office: Indispensable and Unexpected Lessons from CEOs on How to Lead and Succeed, by Adam Bryant
Kelsey Ward: Sustainability
Mark Carey, Wednesday at 3 pm - CRN: 13408
Sustainability is a loaded word that encompasses much more than just environmental movements. We will think about the idea of sustenance related to issues of social justice, power dynamics, political activism, environmental stewardship, scientific research, environmental justice, and many others. You’ll learn how to get involved in student groups working on solutions to these issues. We’ll also explore the driving force behind many environmentalists: the outdoors. As we explore the beautiful University of Oregon campus and Willamette Valley, we’ll discuss and experience native plant and animal life as well as the natural history and ecology of Oregon’s incredible outdoors. We’ll hike Spencer’s Butte, volunteer at a native plant nursery at Mt. Pisgah Arboretum, visit the Eugene Saturday Market, and culminate with a hike along the Mckenzie River to visit nearby natural hot springs. This CHIP will emphasize activism to achieve solutions and how outdoor experiences create a moral imperative for action. Our discussions will be driven by the collective interests of the class. Hike! Play! Discuss! Debate! Bike! Converse! Celebrate Oregon and the scenic outdoors! Please feel free to contact Kelsey (kelseyw@uoregon.edu) with any questions. Our course text is The Future of Nature: Writing on a Human Ecology from Orion Magazine which we will read in short sections throughout Fall term. In the spirit of sustainability, I encourage you to buy the book used or from an independent bookstore, if possible. There will be additional readings of essays from Orion Magazine which will be posted on the course website.
Read Prior to NSO: The Future of Nature: Writing on a Human Ecology from Orion Magazine, by Barry Lopez*
Spice Walker: Theatre Arts: The Act of Exploring
Matthew Sandler, Thursday at 4 pm - CRN: 13404
The art of theatre can act as a person’s escape from reality while promoting inspiration and creativity in us all. In this CHIP, we will explore the overarching influence that theatre has in our world today, and the many ways to cultivate your passion for the arts within Eugene’s thriving theatre scene. Group activities will include trips to see local theatrical productions, discussion seminars with guest speakers, dinner outings, a “24-Hour Theatre” project, exciting collaborations with other CHIPS, and more!
Read Prior to NSO: All in the Timing: Fourteen Plays, by Davis Ives
Meagan Mandell: The Proper Care and Feeding of Writers
Frances Cogan, Friday at 5 pm - CRN: TBA
Are you a writer? Do you love to read? In this CHIP, we will explore the craft of writing as we build a supportive community for critique, growth, and creativity. It’s easy to get into a writing rut, or even quit writing altogether. Writing is hard. It can be lonely. But writing can also be a prayer, a moment when we leap without a net, tell the truth, discover who we are. If you’ve been looking to learn how to take care of yourself while nurturing your craft, or just looking for likeminds, you will find something worthwhile here as we explore literary pursuits and creative opportunities on campus. Whether your goal is writing your first short story or publishing in your first literary arts magazine, we will endeavor to fill your toolbox with what you need to grow as a writer and get involved in the University of Oregon’s creative community.
Read Prior to NSO: On Writing: 10th Anniversary Edition: A Memoir of the Craft, by Stephen King
Cole Goodwin: What is and What Could Be: Sci-fi in the Modern World
Louise Bishop, Friday at 1 pm - CRN: 13416
This CHIP is for anyone who has asked, “What if...?” and allowed their imagination to run with the possibilities. In this CHIP, we will examine science fiction and its manifestations in various mediums, including (but not limited to) art, film, and literature. This genre bridges the gap between the imagination and reality; it examines what is and envisions what could be. Science fiction has a tremendous influence in the world today, from providing rich sources of ideas for technological developments to the creation of huge networks of subcultures. We will delve as deeply into the genre as we can in ten weeks via various guest speakers as well as close examination and enjoyment of sci-fi itself. CHIP activities will include field trips to explore sci-fi communities on campus and Eugene, plus regularly hosted movie nights. All that is required is that you have an open mind and an active imagination.
Read Prior to NSO: The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
Anna Tomlinson: Write to Live
Mai-Lin Cheng, Monday at 9 am - CRN: 13412
Come explore the creative side of life! This CHIP will delve into poetry of all kinds, including Slam poetry, Modernist poetry and a selection of poetry from around the world. Classes will include creative writing activities, visits from UO creative writing programs, and deep discussion of some awesome work. We’ll also take a trip to Tsunami Books to hear (and possibly perform in) the Eugene Poetry Slam! The goal is to leave this class with information about creative opportunities on campus, expanded thinking about different types of poetry and the roles they play in literature and life, and inspiration for your own creative endeavors. There is no need for previous poetry experience to enroll in this CHIP!
