Jumbo Month Extended
Hello Class of 2024 Jumbos! We're thrilled you've all chosen to join the "Herd!" During this time of physical distancing, connection is more important than ever. So we'll be hosting Jumbo Month Extended programming over the next few months. Check back here continually for updates!
We'll be hosting (Web)ExCollege classes (taught by current students, staff members, and maybe you!), posting blogs, hosting "Elephant in the Zoom" hangouts, and more!
(Web)ExCollege Classes
Click on the date and time link to register for any class(es) you'd like - you will receive a Zoom link and password shortly before the class starts.
Modern Calligraphy
Rachel Brown, Associate Director of Admissions
For one hour, Rachel will show you the basics of modern calligraphy. These are the pens she loves (Tombow fudenosuke or Tombow dual brush), but you can use really any writing materials to achieve a calligraphic effect! Recommended materials: paper, calligraphy pens (if you have them!), but you can also use Crayola markers, soft tip markers, colored pencils, etc.
Origami
Jared Smith, Program Director, Bridge to Liberal Arts Success at Tufts (BLAST)
Friday, May 15, 4:00 - 5:00 pm EDT
BLAST Director and Tufts alum Jared Smith will show off his origami skills and have you follow along! Recommended materials: origami paper, or make your own by cutting any type of paper into squares!
Introduction to Tap Dancing
Emma Sonnenblick A'23
Wednesday, May 20, 2:00 - 3:00 pm, EDT
Emma is a rising sophomore in the School of Arts and Sciences. On campus, she is a member of the tour guide program, a participant in history society, and a choreographer/dancer for the Tufts Tap Ensemble. In this class, Emma will teach an intermediate/advanced level tap dance combination. Participants can expect about an hour of dancing and lots of fun!
The Force is Female: Star Wars and Female Characters
Christopher Panella A'21
Friday, May 22, 5:00 - 6:00 pm EDT
Christopher is a rising senior studying Film and Media Studies and English. This past fall, he taught “The Force is Female: Star Wars and Female Characters” as an ExCollege Explorations course. He is also a board member at the ExCollege and works as a Student Communication Group member for Admissions. In this class, participants can expect a sort of “crash course” in analyzing film through various medium-specific terms and ideas—in other words, we’ll discuss how film elements like lighting, camerawork, and costumes present characters. We will look at clips, discuss gender coding in film, and also focus on the “Star Wars: Forces of Destiny” miniseries, which highlights female characters from the saga and reexamines their developments and roles.
Cooking in College
Nina Pittas E'21
Wednesday, May 27, 12:00 - 1:00 pm EDT
Nina is a rising senior studying biomedical engineering, and is looking forward to doing virtual research in a cancer lab this summer. She also works part-time at a bagel shop in Medford. Nina lives off-campus, and one of her favorite things about living off-campus is having a kitchen! Nina will be joined by a special guest--her mom, Dr. Helen Delichatsios, who is a nutrition educator at Harvard Medical School. Nina and Dr. Delichatsios will teach you some fun and easy recipes to make during quarantine and to have in your repertoire for college. See the recipe here!
The Politics of Harry Potter
Theo Lim E'24
Wednesday, May 27, 7:00 - 8:00 pm EDT
Theo is an incoming Jumbo from upstate NY planning on majoring in Engineering Physics and has read the Harry Potter series at least 8 times! Have you ever wondered why pureblood supremacy exists in Harry Potter? Why are the houses so separate? Come discuss the history and politics of Harry Potter!
Environmental Economics
Lily Campbell A'21
Friday, May 29, 3:00 - 4:00 pm EDT
Lily is a rising senior from the Washington DC area majoring in Quantitative Economics and Math. Lily is conducting a senior thesis in the Environmental Economics field. On campus, she can be found leading tours, working in Tufts’ Office of Strategy and Program Development, eating at Hillel, or doing yoga on Pres Lawn. Environmental economics is the study of making decisions that are optimal for both our welfare today, future generations, and the environmental preservation. Lily will lead a discussion about some of the ethical dilemmas that are prevalent in the field, such as ecological destruction vs. economic losses, value of future generations, and how economic value is decided in policy today.
Body Positivity
Kayla Drazan A'24
Saturday, May 30, 3:00 - 4:00 pm EDT
Kayla is an incoming student from Menlo Park, California who is a mental health advocate at her school and in her community. Kayla has gone through training with The Body Positive to become a Body Positive Facilitator at her school, which enabled her to teach a class on Body Positivity to 7th graders, and this topic is close to her own heart in a personal sense as well. Body Positivity can also seem like a topic easier to broach if you are white or a woman, but really anyone can engage with it and is welcome to join and learn. In this session, attendees will learn about, discuss, and reflect on sizeism, intuitive eating, health at every size, and body positivity!
Women in Prisons - Violations of Human Rights
Elli Cho A'24
Monday, June 1, 5:00 - 6:00 pm EDT
Elli is an incoming student from sunny Southern California (Irvine). Elli was the founder and president of her school's Gender Equity Club and was a school ambassador for Mental Health with the Counseling Department. In this session, participants will learn the problem of the women's prison system through an intersectional lens, discussing how the prisons are violating women's rights by not offering them menstrual products, traumatizing pregnant prisoners, and forced exposure. The treatment of transgender people in prisons will also be addressed.
The Phenomenon of K-Pop
Dan Nguyen A'24
Tuesday, June 2, 7:00 - 8:00 pm EDT
Dan is an incoming first-year student planning on studying biopsychology on a pre-med track, but he's also interested in international relations. At Tufts, Dan hopes to start a K-pop dance team! Ever wonder how Gangnam Style or BTS became so mainstream worldwide in recent years? In this class, we'll discuss how the K-pop industry functions, all the different genres of K-pop (yes; K-pop is not just one genre), analyze its methods of appealing to a global audience, and possibly even learn a short iconic K-pop dance together! Come join us, regardless whether you're a K-pop fan, to get an answer to our burning question: just why is K-pop so popular?
Demystifying German
Emily Lazorchak A'21
Wednesday, June 3, 7:00 - 8:00 pm EDT
Emily is a rising senior double majoring in biology and Spanish with a minor in German. She fell in love with the German language through her favorite soccer team, FC Bayern Munich, and has found community at Tufts through the German Language House and German department. Curious about foreign languages and cultures? Want to switch things up for your Foreign Language Requirement? Just looking to pass the time? Join Emily Lazorchak (’21) for a session of demystifying German! For 45 minutes, you’ll learn a few basics of the language, explore stereotypes of German language and culture, and take a look at the playful side of this often-misunderstood language. To round it all off, you’ll get a peek into opportunities surrounding German and Germany at Tufts. Come for the Lederhosen, stay for the Meerschweinschen!
Introduction to American Sign Language
Logan Pincus A'24
Thursday, June 4, 1:00 - 2:00 pm EDT
Logan is an incoming first-year student from northern New Jersey. Logan is very passionate about studying foreign languages - in fact, he's studied over 10! He attends a school with a significant deaf community and signing community, so he has immersed himself in the culture and language throughout high school. In this class, participants will learn about Deaf culture and American Sign Language. By the end of the class, everyone will be able to introduce themselves and gain the skills to make a basic connection with a deaf/hard of hearing person!
Breaking and Making Puzzles and Codes
Claudia Henry A'24
Wednesday, June 10, 7:00 - 8:00 pm EDT
Claudia is an incoming first-year student from Maryland looking to share her love of puzzles and codes with as many people as possible. She's spending the last 6 weeks of her senior year deep in puzzle making and is now hoping to share some of her work and what she's learned with some new faces. The majority of the class time will be spent analyzing puzzles in small groups. The class will discuss the shortcomings and strengths of different puzzles and perhaps design their own puzzles.
Soccer around the World
Wanci Nana A'24
Friday, June 12, 6:00 - 7:00 pm EDT
Wanci is an incoming first-year student from Manassas, Virginia. A future member of the Tufts Men’s Varsity Soccer team, Wanci enjoys listening to hip-hop/rap, dancing, and meeting new people! In this interactive class, Wanci will lead a discussion on the history of soccer, the significance of soccer in different cultures, and an overview of the different leagues and tournaments around the world along with their governing bodies. All interested in soccer, sports, and global cultures are welcome!
Tisch College of Civic Life Programming: Navigating the Pandemic: Knowledge, Resilience, Civic Purpose and Engagement
The pandemic is confusing and unpredictable. For some, it can be isolating, damaging, and even tragic. As a major research university, Tufts offers a wealth of resources to learn about the disease and its social impact and how to take care of ourselves, help others, and be civically engaged during the pandemic. During the summer of 2020, Tisch College is launching an 8-part, weekly webinar series aimed at supporting students and the entire Tufts community as we all navigate the COVID-19 crisis.
Topics will include:
- emotional resilience in the face of trauma and uncertainty
- civic engagement and voting
- dispelling COVID-19 misinformation with science
- the public policy and economic implications of the pandemic
- physical health and nutrition
- building and maintaining connections despite social distancing
These free weekly seminars will be offered Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EST starting June 10 and will be open to current and incoming Tufts students, 2020 Tufts graduates, and other members of the Tufts community. Students who attend at least six of the eight sessions will qualify for a certificate of completion.
Learn more and register on the Tisch College website here.