Dance like your hair is on fire.

My buddies and I are imitating a breakdancing move pictured in our book. That's me in the white shirt.

Currently I am taking a class called Contact Improvisation. It is a dance course, which is little abnormal for me. Don't get me wrong, I am very much a dancer, but would not have expected to be studying it here at Luther. I am more of a social dancer, and have not yet had the pleasure of studying it in a formal setting.

 

In Contact Improvisation, two dancers rely on one contact point between them that is maintained throughout a series of movements. It focuses on balance, giving and taking weight, and momentum. It is really a blast and is quite amazing to watch and try. Today our class had the opportunity to share it with others. We held an open class/performance in which we showed other students what we had been working on throughout the semester and offered them the opportunity to try. 

 

This is one of the beautiful things about Luther and the liberal arts education. I am a biology major, studying the scientific sphere of the world around us. I learn about the natural world in both micro- and macroscopic perspectives. However, every Tuesday and Thursday I find myself jumping, spinning, and moving in very atypical ways. Last semester I studied evolution, ecology and biodiversity, but also created bowls, mugs, and cylinders in a pottery class. Obviously, there are set requirements for each major. This is meant to give students a deep understanding of the field they choose to study. However, so much is left wide open for students to try new things, to take classes that normally would not have been considered, or to seek a degree in another field, as well. I have enjoyed, and will undoubtedly enjoy more classes that offer me a chance to form a very well-rounded education.

 

So that is my two cents regarding the desired breadth of a college education. Take what you will, but know that I am going to have a great time next semester studying about chemistry, the ethics of energy usage, Buddhism and animal welfare.

 

Peace,

Collin