2015 Programs
2015 Burst the Bubble Programs
Burst the Bubble programs are free, student-led, non-credit sessions where students who have a talent, interest, or skill share their knowledge with their peers. Burst the Bubble programs are offered during Winter Term and are open to all students at Elon University. Burst the Bubble programs do not include homework, tests, outside assignments or grades. There is no faculty or staff involvement in facilitating the programs.
BTB 001: Treasure Hunting Through Blockbuster Nicolas Cage Films
Facilitators: Daniel Griffin and Daniel Tucker
Mondays and Wednesdays 8:00 – 9:00 pm
Spaces Available: 20
This program relates to treasure hunting, and the exploration of different themes and motifs that derive from classical examples restricted solely to films starring Nicolas Cage, one of the world’s greatest actors. Students will learn about humans and their innate desire to embark on quests in search of rewards, and they will analyze the National Treasure films in a way they haven’t before. Towards the end of the program, students will have a chance to put what they’ve learned into practice through a treasure hunt on Elon’s campus for a hidden artifact. It is our job as treasure hunters to uncover this mystery!
BTB 002: Piecing the Puzzle Together: Autism in Today’s World
Facilitator: Michelle Landahl
Sponsored by: Autism Speaks at Elon
Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Spaces Available: 30
This program will cover Autism Spectrum Disorder in a variety of situations and contexts in society today. From the discovery, history, and characteristics of the condition itself to its presence and perception in the media and Hollywood, this program will examine various aspects of Autism and its place in modern-day culture.
BTB 003: Master the Rubik’s Cube
Facilitator: Laura Hollister
Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Spaces Available: 20
Learn how to solve the classic 3×3 Rubik’s Cube. We will start small with the basics such as how to turn the cube and how to read algorithms, and working our way up to solving/completing a Rubik’s Cube.
BTB 004: No Speed Limit: The In’s & Out of NASCAR
Facilitator: Alivia Mattioli
Tuesdays 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Guest speakers, insider prospective, event details, and much more offered from No Speed Limit! Drivers and industry representatives will be making pit stops on campus to share the business aspects, logistics of a season, and professional skill sets needed to break the barriers of this industry segment.
BTB 005: League of Legends 101 – CANCELLED
Facilitator: Matthew Sheehan
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 7:00 – 9:30 pm
Spaces Available: 20
League of Legends is a complicated game, but is incredibly rewarding once the basics are learned. My intention through this program is to help beginners understand the basics of the game in a positive, engaged environment. Veteran players are encouraged and welcome to attend to help facilitate the teaching process. This program is meant to be inclusive of diverse learning styles, so stop by if you’re interested!
BTB 006: The Basics of Brewing
Facilitator: Phillip Danieley
Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Spaces Available: 30
This program includes information about: how beer is made, the differences among the various styles of beer, the history of beer, the science behind the process of brewing, and the growing industry of craft beer. It will discuss what to look for when browsing through the overwhelming selection of beer available to the consumer, the terminology for tasting beer, and information on brewing beer.
*Open to students 21 years or older only.
BTB 007: Argentine Tango
Facilitators: Caroline Medley and Kaitlinn Brewer
Sponsored by: Club Dance: Elon’s Ballroom Dance Club
Mondays and Thursdays 8:00 – 9:00 pm
Spaces Available: 30
Come learn this spicy, sultry dance that traces its roots from the Buenos Aires underground. Argentine tango is sexy, simple, and fun – no partner or experience necessary!
BTB 008: Dino-mite: A Survey of Prehistoric Life
Facilitator: Jordan Claytor
Mondays and Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Spaces Available: 15
This program will give a general overview of prehistoric life with a focuses on dinosaurs and their relatives. We will discuss the current research about their evolution, extinction and surviving lineages.
BTB 009: Fierce, Flawless, Feminist: Beyonce’s Recipe for Taking Over the World
Facilitator: Evan Candler
Wednesdays and Thursdays 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Spaces Available: 30
This program will examine how Beyonce has become a world-wide phenomenon through her roles as an entrepreneur, artist, feminist, and international superstar. The program will also investigate Beyonce’s immense financial success by analyzing her business strategies, specifically the groundbreaking release of her latest self-titled album exclusively via Apple iTunes that disrupted traditional methods of how music is released. This investigation will also include references to Harvard Business School’s recent case study on Beyonce as well.
BTB 010: Human-Animal Relations: Pets, Food Animals, and Wildlife
Facilitator: Clare Farrow
Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Spaces Available: 25
Why do we adore cats and dogs, yet fear spiders and hunt deer? Why are some species considered members of the family, while others are viewed as mere food entities or articles of clothing? Why do we cherish endangered species, but so willingly take the life of a spider or insect? The answers to these though-provoking questions and more will be explored in this burst the bubble program, where you will examine our relationships with non-human animals through discussion, documentaries, and interactive field trips. Learn about the exotic pet trade, factory farming, animals used for entertainment, and more. Trips to the Burlington Pet Adoption Center, the Conservator’s Center, and a farm animal sanctuary will provide students an opportunity to interact directly and form relationships with animal species they may not get to otherwise.
BTB 011: Contemporary European Politics
Facilitator: Alessandro Racioppi
Sponsored by: Italian Club
Wednesdays 8:00 – 9:00 pm
Spaces Available: 30
There is much discussion in North American news regarding the EU and current European policies, yet little of what is said is relevant, or necessarily the main subject of current politics in the Old World. In this program students will learn about European issues, which unlike the economy are often much more deeply rooted in society and nationalistic beliefs.
BTB 012: Writer’s Block: Breaking Creative Boundaries
Facilitators: Negesti Kaudo and Lainey McQuain
Sponsored by: Sigma Tau Delta
Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00pm-7:20pm
Spaces Available: 20
The Xi Omicron chapter of Sigma Tau Delta would like to provide a creative space for all those interested in multi-genre writing and optional writing workshops. Participants will be supplied with prompts and materials to inspire creative thinking. They will have the opportunity to receive feedback on creative works via the workshop method. This program will allow students to work on any pieces, new or old, and be facilitated by experienced individuals within the creative writing and English departments. We welcome fiction and non-fiction writers, poets, and playwrights to join us in our creative space! If there are any questions please contact Negesti (nkaudo@elon.edu) or Lainey (lmcquain@elon.edu).
BTB 013: A Peek into the Middle East
Facilitators: Kate Kirby, Benjamin Lutz, Albert Waters, and Kendall Dodge
Sponsored by: Arabic Language Organization
Tuesdays 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Spaces Available: 20
This Burst the Bubble program will enlighten participants of different cultural aspects of the Middle East. There are many stereotypes and negative connotations that revolve around this region of the world. It is important to inform people that these stigmas are not all true and that there is more to the Middle East than the media portrays. The first meeting will be an introduction to the Middle East and will feature geography of the region and teach participants the basic of the language. Students will learn the Arabic alphabet and basic grammar. The second meeting will be a discussion on the Middle East. Discussion topics include bridging stereotypes associated with the Middle East as well as current event topics. The third meeting will be a hands-on cooking seminar where participants can learn about typical cuisine and have the chance to make and eat some Middle Eastern comfort food and everyday favorites.
BTB 014: Modern Trends in Anime & Manga
Facilitator: Steven Taranto
Sponsored by: Anime & Japanese Studies Club
Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Spaces Available: 10
This program analyzes the present state of the Anime & Manga industry in Japan, including its history, current studios, present state, and topical issues. This program will also study otaku culture and its role in Japanese society.
BTB 015: The Bible and College Students
Facilitators: Addison Horner and Rebecca Schneider
Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00-7:00 pm
Spaces Available: 30
The purpose of this program is to investigate what the Bible says about God, about you, and about your time in college. Each meeting, participants will learn how to examine what the Bible says and how that can be applied to modern life. This program is open to students with any faith and/or spiritual background and will be largely discussion-based.
BTB 016: Reel Treble: Irish Dance Basics
Facilitators: Kerry Kurkjian, Kaela Wnorowski, and Katie Caler
Sponsored by: Elon Irish Dance Team
Mondays and Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Spaces Available: 30
Saint Patrick’s Day is… a little more than around the corner, but why not get a head start on celebrating the best holiday of the year?! Learn the basics of Irish Step Dancing and become the Lord of the Dance in no time! No prior experience is needed. This program will be extremely fun and energizing. Please join us, do a little jig, and get a great work out in the meantime!
BTB 017: Bursting the Heteronormative Bubble
Facilitators: Olivia Ryan and Elizabeth Nichols
Sponsored by: SPECTRUM
Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Spaces Available: 30
Students will explore the many facets of the LGBTQIA community, and learn how to be an active ally to the cause for civil and social justice. We will examine everything from books, movies, and TV shows, to religious, social and political constructs, and discuss their implications on the LGBTQIA community. Students will dialogue about these ideas in order to gain insight on what it means to be an ally to this community. This program is open to all, regardless of age, year, or prior experience. Whether you’re an expert or someone just starting to get involved, this program will entertain, educate, and inform!
BTB 018: Beyond Stereotypes & Myths: An Introduction to Modern Africa
Facilitators: Omolayo Ojo, Muhammad Musah, and Maggie Macdonald
Sponsored by: Elon African Society
Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-6:30 pm
Spaces Available: 30
How well do you really know Africa? The truth is the stereotypes you are exposed to do not depict an accurate portrayal of the continent. Africa is increasingly prominent within the global context, therefore it is important for Elon students to stay abreast of the current themes and topics that are relevant to the African continent and beyond. We aim to break down Western stereotypes about Africa and their implications. Topics will include: Interactive History/Culture; Africa and the Media; Modern African Migration; Development; and African Entrepreneurship. We will also incorporate food, music, and dance in order to highlight the diverse connections that we all share and allow students to participate in various African cultures.
BTB 019: Healthy Interpersonal Communication and Interaction: Visions of a College
Campus without Rape and Sexual Assualt
Facilitators: Elaina Vermeulen and Matthew Johnston
Wednesdays 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Spaces Available: 20
In this program, we will learn about personal decision-making processes and healthy behaviors that will equip students to work towards creating a positive campus culture around issues of gender, sex and intimate relationships. Adapted from Colgate University’s “Yes Means Yes” program, participants will explore a wide range of perspectives through reading selections and discussion. Participants will leave this program with the confidence and vocabulary to properly express expectations, limitations and preferences in any given relationship or interaction.
BTB 020: Beyond IKEA: Swedish language and culture
Facilitator: Isabelle Agostini
Tuesdays 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Spaces Available: 25
A program that will focus on learning Swedish (What people speak in Sweden) and Swedish culture. Depending on what the program wishes to learn, that will be the focus. If you think Sweden seems like a cool place, love meatballs and have any interest in learning some of the foreign names of IKEA furniture you should take this program!
BTB 021: Introduction to Dungeons and Dragons: Role-playing Leadership
Facilitator: Dillon Lynch
Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:45 – 9:00 pm
Spaces Available: 20
This time around, I want to place emphasis on what it takes to lead a party of people to victory. While teamwork is important in any encounter, that dragon isn’t going down unless someone calls a few shots. Players will be encouraged to play leadership roles with their characters and possibly DM, or run, a game session.
D&D 4.0 used.
BTB 022: Sun Signs: The Accuracy of the Zodiac In Our Lives
Facilitator: Negesti Kaudo
Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm
Spaces Available: 15
Horoscopes can be eerily true or completely false, what’s yours? In this program we will get an in-depth look at the personality traits and characteristics of the 12 Zodiac signs (Aries to Pisces) to see how accurate the sun signs are to our lives. We will discuss personality, compatibility/relationships, and stereotypes for each sign. Come see how true to your sign you really are!
BTB 023: The Total Package: Learning to Style Your Makeup, Clothes, and Hair
Facilitators: D’Netria Spear and Jordynn McKnight
Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Spaces Available: 30
As college students, it can be difficult to stay up to date on the latest trends in fashion. You want to be stylish, but you may not always have the time. No worries! “The Total Package” will not only give you tips to discover your own personal style but you will also learn new ways to wear your makeup and hair.
BTB 024: Western Mythology: Stories of Our Beginnings
Facilitator: Emily Liles
Mondays and Wednesdays 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Spaces Available: 20
Some of the first stories told in the West were myths of creation and legends of God’s and heroes. This program will explore some of the best of the creation myths and stories of Greek, Roman, and Norse mythologies and how those myths still echo in modern times.
BTB 025: Financial Literacy for College Students – For the Present and Future
Facilitators: Matthew Zimpelman, Richard Segal, and Kevin Smeaton
Sponsored by: Beta Alpha Psi
Mondays and Wednesdays 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Spaces Available: 30
Life (and post-grad life) is stressful enough before piling on bills, student loans, income taxes, budgeting, and investments. This program will serve as a crash-course for understanding the implications of income taxes, investing in the short and long term, determining personal budgets, paying back student loans, and the dangers of credit cards and credit scores.