Juggling: An Introduction

Catalog description

JUGGLING: AN INTRODUCTION - - - The UNIV 101 & UNIV 104 courses offer a blended course format which includes two primary components, one focusing on the academic topic, taught by a faculty member with the second component devoted to new student transition topics, taught by a professional staff partner instructor. This freshman seminar course will explore an intriguing intellectual topic, help freshmen hone critical thinking and writing skills, and assist students in making a successful transition to university life. - - - This course will both teach students to juggle and study juggling from a variety of angles, drawing upon multiple disciplines across the arts and sciences. Readings, viewings, and discussions will cover: the art of juggling, based on videos of choreographed and scripted performances; the global history and cultural significance of juggling; juggling in literature, art, and popular culture; the math and physics of how juggling works and how jugglers have used such calculations to develop new tricks and patterns; and the science behind the physical and cognitive health benefits of juggling. Evaluation will include several short writing tasks, a "test" for proficiency in at least two juggling skills (live or video), and a live or video presentation, which could be a performance, a demo teaching a skill, or an informative presentation about a juggling-related topic. No prerequisites and no prior juggling skills, level of math, or other knowledge required. The class is geared toward beginners and near-beginners at juggling, from those who have never tried learning to juggle to those who can juggle 3 objects but wish to learn more beginning-to-intermediate tricks, patterns, and props. Advanced jugglers will probably not get much out of it. NOTE: All UNIV 101 and UNIV 104 courses are restricted to students in their FIRST SEMESTER at the University. Students MAY NOT register for more than one UNIV 101 or UNIV 104 course.