Burst the Bubble – January 2022

These programs ran in January 2022.  Check back in early November for an updated list of programs that will be offered in January 2023.

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 (the month of January) 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:  Agent Orange and its Victims

Facilitator: Sophia Del Priore
For this workshop, I would like to educate students on about the effects that Agent Orange has had on Vietnam veterans directly and the effects that it has on generations now and to come. I also want to touch upon PTSD and its effects on veterans (zoning on Vietnam veterans) and what we can do to help.
Thursdays; 6:00pm – 7:00pm

BTB 002:  An Introduction to Dungeons and Dragons

Facilitator: Tommy Biggs and Elon Tabletop Gaming Club
Description: In our Burst the Bubble we will talk through the steps of how to start playing Dungeons & Dragons. We will start with creating a character, learn about the online systems to deal with the times of COVID-19, and then wrap up with one-shots where people can test out the characters they created. Participants will also hear more about the Elon Tabletop Gaming Club, when we meet, what types of games we play, and how they can get involved.
Fridays; 6:00pm – 7:00pm

BTB 003:  Barefoot Dialogue

Facilitator:  Morgan Chisholm
Barefoot Dialogue calls people with diverse perspectives to engage in dialogue with each other and the world around them. Enter as strangers and leave with truly meaningful relationships. It’s composed with care to invite the participants to live through encounters of difference in the room, respecting the chosen vulnerability of each person. Groups are facilitated by two trained student-facilitators and launch discussion around various topics determined by the facilitators. It’s entirely student-made/student-led. Each dialogue topic is formed based on the participants of the group, so while I cannot speak for the future, past discussions have explored themes of self-acceptance, gratitude, and dealing with loss. Wrapped up in that is how we relate to each other from each of our perspectives and how that affects our relationship with the world at large. There is power in choosing to be vulnerable with the earth, with each other as participants, and with yourself as Barefoot endeavors to increase human and land relations for the benefit of our community.
Wednesdays; 5:00pm – 6:00pm

BTB 004:  Intro to Embroidery

Facilitator: Amaya Sheffield
In this program we will learn and practice basic hand embroidery stitches and embroider a tote bag. This is perfect for anyone interested in arts and crafts and is open to hand embroiderers of all levels!
Thursdays; 6:00pm – 7:00pm

BTB 005:  Introduction to ASL

Facilitator:  Marina Jansen
I have been studying American Sign Language for about 2.5 years.  I am conversational in the language and grew up around a very large Deaf community. I love sign language, and would love to share some facts and debunk some myths about this language and culture! I also am minoring in TESOL and hope to become a certified interpreter or translator one day.
Wednesdays; 7:00pm – 8:00pm

BTB 006:  KADNS (Korean/American Dancing ‘N’ Singing)

Facilitator:  MariLu Ravel and Alycia Morgan
Student-led workshop with focus on improving dance and vocal proficiency in context of the modern music industry on a global scale. Learn the choreography and vocals (harmonies included) from popular songs trending in South Korea as well as in the U.S. Looking for students interested in dancing and/or singing, willing to meet as a group and rehearse for a short time outside of the given workshop time if needed.
Wednesday and Fridays; 5:30pm – 6:30pm

BTB 007:  More than Just BTS: Conversations in K-Pop

Facilitator:  Annabelle Stephens
Come join us for an exploration of the world of K-Pop! Whether you already consider yourself a fan, someone recently getting into K-Pop, or someone who is curious about the sound, culture, and community, this workshop is the perfect opportunity for you to learn more! Our focus is on open conversations surrounding your favorite groups and other fascinating details about the international genre you may never have thought about. We will be discussing cultural, economic, and historical aspects in order to deep-dive into what exactly K-Pop is, how it got so big, and where it is going in the future. During each meeting, we hope to provide Korean snacks and have a catered food event for the last workshop. We will also listen to suggested songs, so be ready to jam to your favorites! Join us to share what you know and to find a safe space amongst people passionate about all things K-Pop!
Thursdays; 6:30pm – 8:00pm

BTB 008:  Music Criticism 101

Facilitator:  Benjamin O’Connor with WSOE
This crash course on music criticism will teach the basics of what makes a good music review as well as alternative ways to write/express reactions on a piece of music. We’ll be analyzing music critique from music critic legends like Lester Bangs to modern YouTube reviews, to even going beyond the structure of criticism. Each session will be lecture-type discussions with short workshops on reviews we write in class to discuss and to get to know the other music critics on campus. Good music taste not required but HIGHLY suggested.
Wednesdays; 6:30pm – 8:00pm

BTB 009:  Swing Dancing

Facilitator:  Meghan Malone
For the first half-hour to hour I will be giving swing dancing lessons. Participants will partner up and learn the basic steps and specific spins and dips and other East Coast Swing moves. They can choose to learn basic and/or difficult moves. For the second hour we will have social swing, where jazz/big band music will be played and people can dance with their friends and other workshop participants, experimenting with the steps they’ve learned.
Wednesdays; 6:00pm – 8:00pm

BTB 010:  The Art Of Fear: How To Write Horror

Facilitator:  Caroline Morrison
Behind every story that sends shivers down your spine, makes you cringe away from the page, and makes you triple check the lock on your bedroom door, is a process.  Horror literature has captivated minds and hearts throughout history, from the gothic novellas of the 18th century, to the ‘Penny Dreadfuls’ of the Victorian era, to the more modern adoration of Stephen King.  In this workshop, we will explore some of the most iconic horror stories in history as well as some of the political and historical context behind them, engage in creative writing exercises to help develop the literary techniques of horror, and use this knowledge to craft short stories of our own.
Wednesdays; 5:00pm – 6:30pm

BTB 011:  The Marvel Accords: Peace in our Time?

Facilitator:  Hunter Copeland
What would you do if you had superpowers? Sign your rights away to international government and be part of a team? Or would you operate outside the governments reach? Maybe you prefer to work alone? The Sokovia Accords present these challenges and more to members of the Avengers team. Delegates will have the opportunity to alter the timeline and possibly bring peace to the world.
Tuesdays and Thursdays (Starting January 6); 6:00pm – 7:00pm

BTB 012:  Zen Buddhism in College Contexts

Facilitator:  Hunter Kobin
I would like to introduce students to the ideas and traditions of Zen Buddhism. I would also like to introduce a history of Zen and then move to practices that are present within Zen. The class will start with the foundational history and ideas of Buddhism and Daoism that led to Zen, then focus on oneness and the self’s perceived place in the universe, then finish with meditation, self-writing, and riddles.
Fridays; 5:00pm – 6:00pm

BTB 013:  An Introduction to Children’s Theatre

Facilitator: Tommy Pegan
A step by step process of producing a Children’s theatre production. This course will cover several in topics in theatre and how to cater these skills to a child’s understanding. These skills include: picking a show, casting, directing, vocal directing, choreography, design, and more.
Wednesdays and Fridays; 6:00pm – 7:00pm