Spring 2026 Course Search

Contemporary Chinese Poetry — CHI4220.01

Instructor: Ginger Lin
Days & Time: Tu/F 7:00PM-8:20PM
Credits: 4

While the language of classical Chinese poetry is practically inaccessible to even today’s native speakers of Chinese, the poetry of the five contemporary poets studied in this course is written in the vernacular and serves as a rich source of authentic texts for this course, which integrates language learning with poetry study. The five poets, all born after 1980, each offer a unique perspective into the changing society and culture of modern China.

Confucianism vs. Daoism: Classical Texts, Research, and Dialogue — CHI4402.01

Instructor: Ginger Lin
Days & Time: TU 2:10pm-4:00pm
Credits: 4

This advanced Chinese course engages students in a deep exploration of China’s two most influential philosophical traditions—Confucianism (儒家) and Daoism (道家)—through direct engagement with authentic classical texts. We will read selections from The Analects (《论语》) by Confucius, The Daodejing (《道德经》) by Laozi, and the Zhuangzi (《庄子》), accompanied by the instructor’s own translations to facilitate comprehension of classical Chinese.

The Scriptorium: Studio Ghibli — WRI2169.01, section 1

Instructor: Alex Creighton
Days & Time: MO,TH 10:00am-11:50am
Credits: 4

The Scriptorium, a “place for writing,” is a class for writers interested in improving their critical essay-writing skills. We will read to write and write to read. Much of our time will be occupied with writing and revising—essai means “trial” or “attempt”—as we work to create new habits and productive strategies for analytical writing.

The Scriptorium: Studio Ghibli — WRI2169.02, section 2

Instructor: Alex Creighton
Days & Time: MO,TH 1:40pm-3:30pm
Credits: 4

The Scriptorium, a “place for writing,” is a class for writers interested in improving their critical essay-writing skills. We will read to write and write to read. Much of our time will be occupied with writing and revising—essai means “trial” or “attempt”—as we work to create new habits and productive strategies for analytical writing.

Sustainable Agriculture: Advanced Projects — APA4170.01

Instructor: Kelie Bowman
Days & Time: TH 8:30am-12:10pm
Credits: 4

This course is for students who are doing advanced work in Sustainable Agriculture or community engagement work. Students will create an individual project developing project management skills that include planning, research, development, and implementation. The students will have the opportunity to collaborate with a community partner and will present their completed project at the end of term. A small project budget will be provided supported by The Bennington Fair Food Initiative grant.

SCRIPTORIUM: EKPHRASIS: WRITING ABOUT ART — WRI2167.01

Instructor: Camille Guthrie
Days & Time: TU,FR 10:30am-12:20pm
Credits: 4

This Scriptorium, a “place for writing,” functions as a class for writers interested in improving their critical essay-writing skills. We will read to write and write to read. Much of our time will be occupied with discussion, writing, and revising—essai means “trial” or “attempt”—as we create new habits and strategies for our analytical writing. We will write in various essay structures with the aim of developing a well-supported thesis; in addition, we will revise collaboratively, improve our research and citation skills, and study grammar and style.

Art in Public Spaces as connective tissue — DAN4380.01

Instructor: Martin Lanz
Days & Time: MO,TH 10:00am-11:50am
Credits: 2

In this course, we will explore various projects that aim to connect people with their surroundings and communities.
We will also explore the strategies that various artists have implemented to increase their audiences and interest in the arts.
We will analyze and design projects that seek sustainability, diversification, and access to the experience of art and culture.

By evaluating environments we could design artistic projects that promote art, artistic education, and the promotion of cultural products as actions to build community, identity, and a creative economy.

Toward a Just Transition — ENV2121.01

Instructor: John Hultgren
Days & Time: TU,FR 10:30am-12:20pm
Credits: 4

How do we transition to a low-carbon economy in a manner that doesn’t reinscribe the social and environmental injustices that have plagued our fossil-fueled economy? On one hand, the continued burning of fossil fuels is producing environmental crises that threaten to destabilize the very foundations of collective life, with poor and historically marginalized communities bearing the brunt of the suffering. On the other hand, renewable energy technologies are far from environmentally and socially benign.

The 24 Filial Piety Stories and Zhuangzi's Tales — CHI4407.01

Instructor: Ginger Lin
Days & Time: TU,FR 4:10pm-6:00pm
Credits: 4

This course introduces students to two foundational texts in Chinese thought: The Twenty-four Stories of Filial Piety, which highlight the Confucian ideal of devotion to one’s parents, and the Tales of Zhuangzi, which reflect Daoist values of spontaneity, naturalness, and freedom. By reading these works in translation and in modern Mandarin at the student’s language level, the class explores the interplay between Confucian and Daoist perspectives—two traditions that have profoundly shaped Chinese culture.