Listed below are course descriptions, center affiliation and information on cross-listed courses.  Instructors and additional information are included if available.  All information is subject to change.  Always refer to www.vashoncollege.org for the most current course information.

SURVEY COURSES

SURV 101: Vashon 101; A Journey Just Begun:  Offered: Fall Semester
Center for Island Studies
11 Weekly Sessions Team-taught   Prerequisite: No
Clock hours available
Vashon 101 is an extraordinary journey through Vashon history, from the geologic formation of the island, up to the present political and social challenges facing the island.  Island ecology, the first human settlements, European discovery and eventual settlement, economic development, and island relationships to the rest of the state and beyond are explored and discussed.  Lecture format with classroom discussion, light reading, and extensive supplementary bibliographies. 

SURV 131: Artful Vashon     Offered: Spring Semester 
Center for Island Studies
12 Weekly Sessions* Team-taught   Prerequisite: No
What does it mean to be artful?  How does Vashon show artfulness?  How might Vashon become more artful?  Examples and theories from many historical and contemporary art forms will be studied in order to understand how gifted artists use artful ideas and techniques to realize their works.  Artfulness as it can be applied to daily activities that are not “works of art” will also be explored---the designs of homes and businesses, gardening, food, conversations---the ways in which we conduct ordinary affairs of living together on a small island.  Theory will be balanced with practice as instructors, artists, and students develop artful solutions and applications.

SURV 161: Energy Choices     Offered: Fall Semester 
Center for Business and Commerce
7 Weekly Sessions* Team-taught   Prerequisite: No
Clock hours available
This course is facilitated by Vashon Island Energy owner Jim Warren with guest lecturers from Puget Sound Energy and other local energy professionals.  Topics covered include renewable and alternative energy options, various commercial green power programs, energy efficient design and conservation considerations, and an overview of the Pacific Northwest power grid. 
*1 All Day Saturday Field Trip “Energy Resource Tour” by bus: includes visits to PSE headquarters in Bellevue, Snoqualmie Falls low-hydro tour, Wild Horse turbine tour, a solar farm under construction, and a large hydro dam facility.  (Lunch provided.)

ACADEMIC COURSES

HIST 224: Introduction to Taking Oral  and/or Video Histories   Offered: Fall Quarter
Center for Island Studies
5 Sessions  Bruce Haulman Prerequisite: No
Bruce Haulman and occasional guest faculty will cover the fundamentals of taking oral and video histories.  From research techniques to interviewing methods, to practical aspects of using audio and video equipment, students will learn how to plan and execute oral and video histories.  Each student will have the opportunity to complete a short project and make a ten minute presentations at the last session.  Students must provide their own audio and/or video equipment. 

ITDS 241: Comparative Island Studies    Offered: Fall 2008 (tentative)
Center for Island Studies
? Sessions  ? Instructors  Prerequisite: Vashon 101
An in-depth, comparative examination of contemporary issues and problems confronting islands.  Are island communities different from one another and neighboring mainland societies?  How do islands fit in a global economy?  Are mutually beneficial partnerships to be had among developed and developing islands?  What research methods should be employed or developed to pursue comparative island studies?  Extensive reading, research project required.

SCIE 233: Undersea Vashon Adventure Offered: Summer Interim 
Center for Island Studies and Center for Digital Communications
5 Full Days/ 2 Sessions Team-taught  Prerequisite: No
Marine biology meets Digital Video in this field and computer lab week-long class.  Using high definition underwater cameras and trained divers, students will explore the Vashon and Maury waters, recording what they see, and learn from marine experts.  The final product will be a student-created and -edited DVD to show what they did on their summer vacation.  All video footage and stills will also be archived by Vashon College for future research purposes.

SCIE 301: Global Warming in Context  Offered: Spring Semester 
Center for Island Studies
Various dates and venues  Guest Lectures Prerequisite: No
Combining hard science and local anecdotal information, participants learn about the scientific research behind theories of global warming on climate change, and the measurable environmental changes that are occurring.  How is the island affected and what should we do to prepare for an evolving climate? Related to COMM 201: Vashon Reads and Leads.

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COMMUNITY EDUCATION

COMM 201: Vashon Reads and Leads  Offered: Summer Interim
Center for Island Studies
Various dates and venues   Panel Discussion  Prerequisite: No
Vashon Reads and Leads is a Community Book Project; the entire island is invited to read a particular book, in this case, Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature and Climate Change, by Elizabeth Kolbert.  Co-sponsored by Vashon College, the Vashon Public Library, Books by the Way, and Vashon Book Shop, this program is aimed at helping people become educated on a difficult and needlessly politicized topic.  People are invited to come together for discussion over two potluck dinners in July and August.  Related to SCIE 301, Global Warming in Context.

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TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLS COURSES

TASK 201: Introduction to Digital Media Offered: Spring Semester
Center for Digital Communications 
?? Weekly Sessions Instructor: F. Foster Prerequisite: Basic computer experience 
Beginner level instruction on the use of various kinds of media software, getting started in the use of specific media software, editing techniques, and more.  Set up so that students can work on a real project of their own or a Vashon College project.

TASK 234: Undersea Vashon Adventure Offered: Summer Interim 
Center for Island Studies and Center for Digital Communications
5 Full Day Sessions Team-taught  Prerequisite: No
Marine biology meets Digital Video in this field and computer lab week-long class.  Using high definition underwater cameras and trained divers, students will explore the Vashon and Maury waters, recording what they see and learning from marine experts.  The final product will be a student-created and -edited DVD to show what they did on their summer vacation.  All video footage and stills will also be archived by Vashon College for future research purposes.