EPEC Fall 2006

The Development &amp; Historical Significance of Circus Styles &amp; Performance
Type of activity: Course

This semester-long study is compromised of a group of students who are interested in furthering their knowledge of the historical significance and impact of circus performance as both an art form and a cultural phenomenon. Throughout the semester we will examine the various historical movements and performing arts that have blended together to create the modern culture that is "circus." The whole group will look at the same overarching topics at the same time but each individual participant will have a set of his or her own questions to answer within each topic. Hopefully the answers to questions can translate to our experiences as performers and influence the performance and inner workings of our troupe. You must contact the facilitator to be involved in this activity.

Meeting Places &amp; Times: ASH Conference Room - Monday, Friday 10:30-Noon Start Date: Friday September 15th End Date: Friday December 8th Number of Meetings: 22 Maximum number of participants: 12

Facilitator: Sarah Clark, sjc04@hampshire.edu Bio: Sarah Clark is a third year Div II student studying storytelling through the visual arts. She focuses mainly on animation and illustration but has recently begun to branch out into the world of circus performance. She is a signer for Hampshire's Circus Folk Unite, the circus troupe, and is also, and most importantly, an avid Frank Sinatra fan.

Physical Conditioning for Circus (&amp; Anything Else)
Type of activity: Workshop

This is a conditioning workshop for anyone looking to make their circus better. On most days, we will do a simple warmup, and then use five-part strengthening sets which will include workouts for cardio, arms, legs, core, and back. We will start small and build upon our workout over the semester. We will not use machines! Anyone of any skill level is welcome. If you have a favorite workout, please bring it, and we can incorporate it into our workout. We end in song. You do not need to contact the facilitator to be involved in this activity.

Meeting Places &amp; Times: Friday after Circus – 5:30-6PM,  Sunday in the South Lounge – 4PM-5PM,  Monday/Wednesday in the South Lounge 10:15-11:15PM Start Date: Sunday September 10th End Date: When they kick us off campus! Number of Meetings: ~45 Maximum number of participants: All are welcome!

Facilitator: Jacob Lefton, jwl04@hampshire.edu Bio: Jacob Lefton is a third year Div II student who is concentrating in Modern Storytelling. His studies have led him to circus and an involvement in Circus Folk Unite. Through this, Jacob managed to get a job at the Circus Smirkus summer camp. He learned how to teach these strengthening exercises from professional circus performers.

A Glimpse of the Fantastic Images of Mystery and Fascination in Children's Books and Other Media
Type of activity: Course

We will meet weekly for 1-2 hours to discuss books and artwork (including illustrations and staged photos, for example), looking at themes of fantasy and mystery. Those who wish may stay to discuss personal work and participate in group projects. Anyone who participates beyond book discussions can recieve an eval at the end for their portfolio. Group projects and individual work (when desired) will be exhibited at the end of the semester. Planned projects include building a puppet stage and sets and having a puppet show, storytelling (ghost stories for halloween), and making puppets and masks. Since this is intended to be an interdisciplinary experience, students are welcome to work in any media. You must contact the facilitator to be involved in this activity.

Meeting Places &amp; Times: Kiva, Mondays at 5:40 Start Date: Monday, September 25th End Date: The end of the semester! Number of Meetings: 11 Maximum number of participants: 12

Facilitator: Fonda Lucas, mfl02@hampshire.edu Bio: Fonda is a final semester student working on a div III in children's literature and multi-media illustration.

ILDES: Thinking, Planning, and Acting for Sustainable Development in Latin America
Type of activity: Project

This semester we will learn how a nonprofit functions within the US and how an NGO functions in Latin America, we will learn about sustainable, ecological, local development, and we will use our knowledge and skills to grow and develop the Latin American Institute for Ecological and Sustainable Development (ILDES for its initials in Spanish).

One of our central projects will be the creation of a curriculum/syllabus focused on the concepts we are learning about this semester. We will also create a plan to carry out the curriculum next semester.

ILDES is a nonprofit / NGO that works to help create a coalition of organizations working for similar social change, and to create a network of resource exchange. To do this, we need to know how a nonprofit functions (within the US) and how an NGO functions (in Latin America). We therefore need to understand the following topics and concepts: facilitation (vital to many other actions), management, direction, fundraising, website creation and maintenance, coalition building, international networking, internship coordination, and college campus and international activism.

We also need to understand the issues and fields around which we promote and cause social change and development. This means that we will explore issues of: sustainable, ecological development, local development, permaculture, agriculture, history, economics, resource management, human rights, law, education, solidarity, and many more.

The only requirement for participation is interest. Everyone is encouraged to contribute what they are motivated to contribute. Note: ILDES is an open organization that appreciates new participants. However, it is not necessary that the EPEC participant be a part of ILDES. Everyone with an interest in the issues listed above is invited to participate in this EPEC project.

Some of us are going to the symposium "Banking on Biodiversity: The Ecological and Socio-Economic Dimensions of Sustainable Agriculture," to be held at Antioch University in Keene, NH, on Saturday, October 28. More information is available at www.centerfortropicalecology.org..

Meeting Places &amp; Times: Wednesdays, 7PM to 9PM in ASH 222 Start Date: Wednesday, October 25 End Date: None planned Number of Meetings: 6 this semester

Facilitator: Patrick Gibbs, pag05@hampshire.edu. Box 660 Bio: Patrick is in his third semester. He spent June, July, and August in Argentina working on a farm and participating in meetings about agrarian reform. He's particularly interested in food politics, agriculture, economics, and using computers as an appropriate technology. Patrick has been participating in ILDES since April, and he is a signer for the Spanish Club.