Interim today still harkens back to the original Interim proposal, giving “both teacher and student the liberty to explore, to experiment, to try new approaches, and in doing so to run risks that cannot be run during the regular semester when the emphasis is different. … The Interim program has as its keynote innovation and experiment.”
Dr. Li Qing Kinnison (Chinese) and Dr. Chris Waidner (chemistry) taught “Chinese Calligraphy,” both through study of master calligraphers and hands-on practice.
In “Grounded at Glendale,” Dr. Kaye Savage (environmental studies) and Dr. Katherine Steinmetz (psychology) spent the month with students at the college’s Goodall Environmental Studies Center studying place and the effects of stress on humans.
Students were regular performers on campus during Interim thanks to the “Bluegrass and Mountain Music” course taught by Dr. Anna Harkey (sociology and anthropology).
Leaders in the field of wilderness medicine were on campus during Interim to teach “Wilderness Medicine and Survival.” Dr. Chuck Smith (biology) led the course.
“Fly Tying and Fishing” explored the rich literature associated with fly fishing and tying as well as the local fishing waters. The Rev. Dr. Ron Robinson ’78, Perkins Prothro Chaplain and Professor of Religion, and Dr. Philip Swicegood (finance) taught the course.
“Just Tri It” gave students the opportunity to explore the world of triathlons. Ben Cartwright (accounting) and Dr. Jeremy Morris (biology) and taught the course.
Dr. Tasha Smith-Tyus, director of career services, taught “Adulting 101: Building Lifelong Skills in College." Cooking lessons were a part of the experience.
“Pandemic” was one of the games that students in Dr. Geoffrey Mitchell’s (biology) “Tabletop Gaming” Interim played, analyzed and reviewed. As a final project, students designed and constructed a prototype tabletop game to share with the class.
“Yoga: Science, Psychology and Practice,” taught by Dr. Katherine Valde (philosophy) and Dr. Jennifer Bradham (environmental studies), met “Slow Reading and Mindfulness,” led by Dr. Carey Voeller (English) on the horseshoe behind Main Building for a month of rejuvenating mornings.
In “The Way We Roll: Skating Skills Exploration,” Jessica Scott- Felder (studio art) led students on a journey through the social subculture of skating.
Dr. Dave Pittman ’94 (psychology) and Dr. Caleb Arrington (chemistry) taught “The Science and Art of Craft Brewing.” Students had to be 21 or older to participate.
Dr. Amy Telligman (environmental studies) taught “Environmental Studies, Science in Context: The Science of Fermentation.”
Students in “Kitchen Chemistry” with Dr. Zach Davis (chemistry) and Dr. Heidi Bostic (chemistry) explored the chemical reactions that occur during cooking. They also enjoyed tasting … most of the time.
Students in Dr. Michael Webster’s (studio art) “Furniture Design- Build” course transformed raw lumber into a contemporary heirloom.
Dr. David Sykes (computer science) and Dr. Caroline Mark (French) spent the month with students interested in “Storytelling with Computer Animation.”
Dr. John Lefebvre (psychology) emphasized the study of the elements of architecture and how they relate to each other and to human beings during the “Amateur Architecture” Interim. Wofford’s new buildings made for good discussion.
The area around Wofford offers many great riding opportunities, as students in “Mountain Biking the Carolinas” discovered. Dr. Mackay Salley ’95 (physics) taught the course.