2012 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 teaching the programs.

BTB 001: Anarchists, Libertarians, and the Austrian School: Why Government is the Problem

Instructor: Ryan Griggs
Tuesdays and Thursdays 12 – 1:15 pm

This workshop will explore current events, economic, and social history through the lens of the free market using commentary, research, and videos from Austrian economists and free market-thinkers to explore the cause of economic booms and busts and the nature of our current political atmosphere.

BTB 002: A Peek into the Middle East

Instructor: Arabic Language Organization
Tuesdays 5:00-7:00 pm

This Burst the Bubble course will enlighten participants of different cultural aspects of the Middle East. This program will show that there is more to the Middle East than the media portrays, and discussions will discuss how to bridge these stereotypes. Participants will be introduced to basic Arabic language through learning the alphabet and basic grammar. The course will end with a hands-on cooking seminar where participants will learn about typical cuisine including Middle Easter comfort foods and everyday favorites.

BTB 003: Manufacturing Technologies

Instructor: Ethan Glassman
Mondays and Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:00 pm

Attendees will learn to use tools such as a manual milling machine, a 3D printer, usage of both pen-and-paper designing and intro to CAD designs. Potential breaking out into electronics assembly and design depending on interest, as well as designing to complete some basic challenges using the technologies introduced.

BTB 004: Dork, geek and nerd culture in pop culture

Instructor: Edith Veremu
Tuesdays 6:00-7:00pm

Whether you call them dorks, geeks and nerds, they’re here to stay. This class discusses the prominence of dorky/geeky/nerdy characters in pop culture and the various stereotypes and realities surrounding this population.

BTB 005: Hooked on Crochet – Introduction to Crocheting

Instructor: Melissa Martlock
Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:45-6:00pm

During the course of this class, students will learn the fundamentals of crochet, and then apply those basic principles to create projects such as scarves and hats. Students will also learn to read patterns so they can continue to create, with endless possibilities, even after the class has ended. I will be available to students outside of class if they need help, or wish to learn more than class time allows.

BTB 006: Beginners Knitting Class

Instructors: Rebecca Stamper and Hannah Larson
Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00-6:00pm

Knitting is not just for Grandmothers! This class will teach you the basic knit and purl stitch and will cover basic projects like cell phone cases and scarves. More advanced knitters are welcome to attend and work at their own pace.

BTB 007: Argentine Tango

Instructors: Tara Corbett and Patrick Ma
Mondays and Wednesdays 5:00-6:00pm

Participants will learn how to dance the Argentine Tango.

BTB 008: Trolling is An Art: What We Can Learn About Grammar From the Internet

Instructors: Kate Schefer
Mondays and Wednesdays 12:00-1:00pm

Using cartoons and posts from popular websites and blogs, participants will learn the importance of grammar in everyday life. It is imperative that college students not fall prey to the grammar mistakes of the Internet, and this brief workshop will help them avoid the most common and fatal errors while entertaining them. Posts will be pulled from such blogs as The Oatmeal; Hyperbole and a Half; xkcd; and more.

BTB 009: We want you… to be a peer educator!

Instructors: SPARKS Peer Education
Tuesdays 12:00-1:00pm

The purpose of this workshop is to discuss the importance of peer education on Elon’s campus. In the workshop we will discuss the role of peer educators on campus, the importance of leadership on campus and the ability of others to become peer educators in their own organizations at Elon. The workshop will serve as a mini-training to encourage others to step up as peer leaders. Peer educators come in all different forms and we hope that this workshop will empower more students to assume the role of a student leader and peer educator.

BTB 010: Reel Treble: Irish Dance Basics

Instructors: Catherine Falvey and Kerry Kurkjian
Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-6:30pm

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! Students would be learning the Irish Dance basics, learning a couple simple steps and getting a great work out! Along with teaching the dancing, we would have a conditioning aspect. Plus, who doesn’t want to be able to say they know how to “Riverdance”?