Classes 2009

MORNING SESSION
8:10 – 10 A.M.

101: ETHICAL ISSUES FACING SOCIETY
Should human cloning be allowed? Where should nuclear waste be stored? Should parents be able to pick the sex of their baby? Does the need for food and the farmland on which it grows outweigh the need to protect endangered species living in the streams which irrigate these crops? Decisions have to be made as technological and societal advancements lead us down roads no one has traveled before. Having an informed, open-minded populace is key to ensuring that our society makes the best decisions as we tread into these new areas. Be prepared to discuss very controversial topics in a safe, open atmosphere, and have your current paradigms regarding medical and environmental ethics challenged.

102: THE SATORI HAROLD
In Print and Video, Spread the News! How would you like to be involved in one of Satori's most important lifelines? The eyes and ears of camp, otherwise known as this class, will be responsible for documenting events, highlights, and thoughts throughout the week both on paper and on film! Be a part of creating the stories and producing the video footage that will ultimately capture how Satori 2009 will be remembered!
Course Restrictions: Must be a returning Satori camper; High School students only

103: WHAT WE ALL WISH MATH WAS LIKE ALL THE TIME
Ever get the feeling you could do way cooler things with math than anyone's telling you? In this outside-the-box math class, we'll explore brain-busting logic puzzles, impressive number tricks, and math connections in nature, music and art. No calculators needed!

104: MICROSCOPIC PAINTING ON A GRAND SCALE
Is it art? Is it science? Is it both? You decide! Students will create MACRO sized painting based on their microscopic observations of live, wild and typically unseen organisms. During this process, students will have the opportunity to have fun connecting art and science, while learning more about the world around them.
There is a $15 lab fee associated with this course which must be paid at the time tuition is due. Students will be instructed regarding the proper use of tools at the onset of this class - individuals will be responsible for proper use to avoid injury.

105: WRITE LIKE A JOURNALIST
Good writing is about more than who, what, where, when and how. It's about creating a sense of time and place. In this class, through journaling and other creative writing exercises, we will explore techniques for observing and recreating the sights, sounds and sensory experiences that bring words to life. Come prepared to learn how fun writing can be!

106: THINKING DEEPLY IN A SHALLOW WORLD
"Philosophy" literally means, "love of wisdom". Come join us as we discuss such important questions as "What is a mind?", "How can we tell the difference between reality and illusion?", "What is morality, really?", and "What makes me the same person I was when I was younger even though I'm not really the same?" These and similar questions have been asked for centuries and many scholars have come up with some very interesting answers. This class will balance an overview of some of the answers that have been suggested by philosophers with the opportunity to present your own ideas and debate them with others.
With a little luck, maybe we will find some wisdom along the way...

107: CATCH A BRAIN WAVE
This class will be held in a psychophysiology laboratory that can be used to measure GSR (sweat gland activity in the palms), heart rate, vasodilatation and constriction of peripheral blood vessels (using a photo electric cell placed on a finger), brain waves, eye movements, and facial muscle activity during emotional responses. Students will be “hooked up” to the equipment and we will look at your own physiological activity. We will also study lie detection (GSR), attraction (pupilar response), dreaming (rapid eye movement), stress (heart rate and vasomotor activity), and hypnosis (brain waves).

108: TRUE FRIENDS STAB YOU IN THE FRONT
Have you ever wanted to be part of a swordfight? Pretended to be Zorro? Cheered for the Olympic team? If so, this is the class for you! Over the course of the week, we will learn about fencing within a historical context, from its roots in medieval history to the modern sport. Our focus will be acquiring basic skills applicable to contemporary fencing, including offensive and defensive techniques. We will also spend time discussing individual progress and the cognitive processes essential to becoming a successful fencer.
Safety issues will be addressed and all necessary protective equipment will be provided.

MIDDAY SESSION
10:30 A.M. - 12:20 P.M.

201: THE PHILOSOPHY AND CULTURE OF SATORI
Satori, by the Zen Buddhist definition, is a state of sudden spiritual enlightenment. In this class we will explore not only the meaning of Satori, but the culture that surrounds it. We will study both the Japanese language and the writings of the Japanese. Students in this class will even get to use Japanese calligraphy and make their own Kanji. Prepare to be enlightened!

202: IMPROVE YOUR IMPROV
It’s not Drew Carry’s line, it’s yours! Believe it or not, you have all the necessary tools to be a good improvisational actor. Whether you think you’re a pro, or you just want to try it out for the first time, this class will give you a chance to explore your own comedic imagination, and turn it into an art form. Fun and profit are guaranteed.

203: JAPANESE
Konnichiwa! Nihongo o benyoo shimashoo! In this basic Japanese languagE CLASS FOR BEGINNING STUDENTS, learn how to write your name in Japanese, how to construct basic Japanese sentences, and how to say fun and useful phrases. This class is perfect for beginners as well as for those who have some basic understanding of the Japanese language.

204: KARATE
Ichi! Ni! San! Shi! Students will learn basic karate techniques and judo throws taught in the authentic martial arts atmosphere. The concepts of dignity and respect will be emphasized along with a strengthening of the spirit, which allows the student to push back the limits of their physical prowess. This course is taught by a black-belt in Karate. You will learn the discipline and grace of the art of Karate! Ha-ya!

205: INFECTIOUS AND EMERGING DISEASES
The immune system of humans and other animals and its role in preventing and controlling disease will be described. Many important questions will be explored, such as: What are the consequences when this important system is compromised due to faulty inheritance or disease? What role does the immune system play in the rejection of transplanted tissue or organs? How does a disease develop? Other topics of discussion that enable us to regulate the immune system and treat a number of different types of diseased, as well as current diagnostic procedures to evaluate the immune system for function and activity.

206: PLAN 9 FROM THE SATORI REEL
From storyboard to screening, this year in the Satori Reel, students will work at creating the ultimate cheesy science fiction movie, using the best techniques. They will learn the basics of mise-en-scene, along with tricks to replicating special effects and filming styles they see in blockbuster films. The film will then be presented at closing ceremonies for all to enjoy! So cue the action, and set the lasers to stun...the Reel is rolling.
Course Restrictions: Must be a returning Satori camper; High School students only.

207: PAINTER’S PARADISE
Calling all artists: This is the class for you! In this class, we will be painting every which way we can! We will use many different mediums: from finger paint to water paint and acrylic paint. The class will use the techniques from many periods in art history and will leave the class with beautiful artwork to take home! We will also learn about the different uses of colors and mediums in this class. Even if the only thing you have ever painted was a picket fence; this class is perfect for you!
There is a $5 lab fee associated with this course which must be paid at the time tuition is due.

208: PRINTMAKING
Students will be encouraged to follow their creative forces using Linoleum block, string, stencil and monotype as a mark making tool in combination with whatever other techniques are available, allowing for inventive mixed media opportunities. Students develop an understanding of the medium and learn good studio habits; the safe handling of tools, and materials.
There is a $20 lab fee associated with this course which must be paid at the time tuition is due.

AFTERNOON SESSION
1:10 - 3 P.M.

301: HANDS-ON GEOLOGY
This course will introduce students to geology. We will be doing some lab and some field trips. This course will make you get your hands a little dirty! The class will concentrate on the geology of the Spokane-Cheney area. We will go on several field trips looking at water features along the streams and rivers in the area, landslides and the geology of the scablands.

302: HOLY HISTORICAL ERAS, BATMAN! IT'S MEDIEVAL TIMES!
Whether you're a fan of high seas adventure or mysterious martial arts, it is a well known fact that pirates and ninjas pale in comparison to the knights and rogues of the middle ages. This class will introduce campers to the historical period known as the middle ages, or medieval times. We will explore some of the facts and fictions that persist about this era by comparing modern and medieval social structures, commercial activity, and belief systems. Classes to include everything from mock-tournaments to trials of etiquette and courtly protocol, as well as short lectures, guest appearances and amazing technological wonders the like of which you've never seen before!

303: UMMM….WANNA DANCE?!
Dancing with a partner is fun. There is no experience necessary to learn these dances: Swing, Salsa, Rhumba, Cha-cha, Merengue, Waltz, Fox Trot, and Tango. Warning: Boys and girls will dance together.
P.S. If you have taken this class before, you had better be practicing – whether you are taking this class or not.
* Bring one pair of clean socks to be worn only in the dance studio, dance shoes, or another pair of non-marking shoes that do not have too much traction, which you will only wear in the studio after cleaning.

304: LIVING LIFE ONLINE: THE BENEFITS AND DANGERS OF SOCIAL MEDIA
You probably post regular updates on MySpace or Facebook, maybe you've joined a couple of message forums or post on a blog, maybe you've even got a Flickr, DeviantArt or Twitter account. All of these services give you new ways to reach out and interact with people who share your interests, outlook and sense of humor but there are many dangers in living life so wide open. This class will look at many of the ways you can interact online while keeping yourself protected. We will be putting many of these skills into practice by maintaining a camp blog, and more.

305: BRING IN DA’ NOISE, BRING IN SATORI!
Experience the extraordinary world of African and Latin hand percussion. You will learn techniques for playing several different instruments in the four major families of African/Latin percussion: bells, shakers, mallets, and drums. We will take these techniques and learn to layer together drum grooves based on Duple and Triple time signatures, explore techniques for developing solos, and perform for other campers. We will also experiment with Organic (found) percussion by scrounging, salvaging, and building our own percussion instruments from the world around us. Remember, as a percussionist, the world is your instrument and the grooves are endless!

306: WHO DUNNIT?
Are you a closet mystery buff? Here’s the chance to show your stuff! In this class, we will create the characters and develop our very own Satori Murder Mystery. Campers will write, cast, and direct the murder mystery. They will also be the star performers in the Satori Murder Mystery. The class will focus on character development, plot, and of course, action! We will also be responsible for developing Satori’s 25th Top Ten List!

307: POLITICS ISN'T CURRENT EVENTS AND ECONOMICS ISN'T WALL STREET
Have you ever wondered why people don't vote? Or why anyone votes at all? Why politicians all seem the same? Perhaps you've wondered what +/- 3 percentage points really means when the question is "Do you plan to vote for Bush or Obama?" Maybe you've wondered how people decide how to vote, or how they decide anything for that matter. These are the questions that social scientists ask every day. We'll conduct opinion surveys, do a few experiments, and find out that there's a lot more to politics and economics than what you see on the nightly news.

308: IF I HAD $1000: ALL MY A'S, T'S, C'S, AND G'S
The Human Genome Project took 12 years and cost 3 billion dollars, and it is widely predicted that the cost of a doing a “Human Genome Project” on YOU will be cost less than $1,000 in next five years and take only a few days to complete. What will all your A's, T's, C's, and G's tell you about yourself? What don't they? Do you really want to know? We will discuss and explore what our personal genetic technologies have to offer in 2009 and beyond.