Department
of Parareality: Course CalendarThe Department of Parareality Course
Listings
were accreted over the course of six years at Washington University in
St.
Louis, and was handed down as successive classes graduated. It is, by parts,
funny,
silly, and obscure-and very much the product of undergraduates. You have
been
warned.
These
course listings are copyrighted; you may make and distribute as many
electronic
copies as you wish as long as you keep the text entire and the
copyright
notice intact. You may also make one (1) hard-copy of the text for
your
personal use; with the sole exception that if you know any of the faculty,
especially
the emeritus, please give them a copy-we've lost track of everybody,
and
they might like to see it.
- the
Editors
The
Department of Parareality
Courses
1990-91
It has
recently been discovered that the standard form of reality is boring and
depressing,
and rarely of any use to anyone except business majors. The
Department
of Parareality offers a program designed to expose students to the
various
alternative forms of reality, for purposes of scholarly research,
economic
advancement, faith, hope, and charity.
Majors
are required to choose a concentration in one of four sub-divisions:
Literary,
Theoretical, Applied, or Other. All majors must take 102, 363, and
9.41
units of lower-level classes outside their concentration. Honors requires a
thesis
on a topic which the applicant can convince the chairman that someone
else
has approved; this thesis carries 1-6 hours of credit which, due to a
computer
error, will count toward whatever is listed as your second major, but
not
toward graduation.
Required
courses for the Literary Major: any 2 of 100, 105, or 120; 244; and any
5 of
301, 329, 357, 410, 417-8, 495, or 510. The lower-level literary courses
are
100, 105, 120, 130, 215, 235, 236, 237, 244, and 299.5.
Required
courses for the Theoretical Major: 152; 341; 381; any 2 of 315, 316,
415, or
416; and any 3 of 329, 342, 360, 370, 410, 432, 434, 437, 484/485, 493,
500,
501, 502, 541, 602, or 852. The lower-level theoretical courses are 110,
111,
112, 152, 190, 217-8, 219, 238, and 284.
Required
courses for the Applied Major: 101; 141; any other 2 lower-level
Applied
courses; 864; and any 5 of 302, 342, 350, 365, 390, 401/402, 411, 456,
485,
475, 543-4, 545, 565, or 7865. NB: 456 is strongly recommended for all
Applied
Majors. The lower-level applied courses are 101, 104, 107, 114, 131,
134,
171, 210, 211, 231, 241, 251, 271, and 291.
The
Other Major: We think we've covered everything of interest with the above
programs.
If you think we're wrong, and can find 8 upper-division courses along
a
common theme-say, parahistory -- that convinces the department chair, we'll
tell
the administration it's okay.
Chairman
of the Department:
Larry
N. Hammer (Compton School of Relativity)
Departmental
Secretary:
Janni
Lee Simner (Massachusetts State Home for the Terminally Confused)
Professors
Emeritus:
Steven Adams (North Dakota School of
Reprobacy)
Philip Earl Barron, Strom Thurmond Professor
(Westgate Conservatory)
Bard Bloom, Richard M. Nixon Professor (Lee
Conservatory)
Michael P. A. Bryant (College of William
& Mary & Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice)
Paul Burchard (Institute of Mathematical
Vegetarianism for the Big and Tall)
Bruce M. Ching (Khun Lun Seminary)
Michael Cadwalader (Bobby Knight Academy of
Investment Behavior)
Leon M. Clark (Philip Earl Barron School of
Pinball)
Eric J. Derbes (West Point)
Susan M. Germain (Belleville Academic Asylum)
Harold L. Graber (Philip Earl Barron School
of Pinball)
Dwiggit Hughes (Forest City Academy of
Perceptual Torment)
Craig A. Jennings (Defender Academy of
Missouri)
Michael E. Langridge (Pope Pius X School of
Baptist Theology)
Ann E. Lewkowicz (Antioch School of Social
Criticism and Paralogical
Precocity)
Shawn E. McNulty, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
Professor (Abraham Maslow Institute
for Mystic Enlightenment and Metaphysical
Oneness)
Marco Martinez (Somewhere-Near-Chicago
Monastery)
Dennis Matl (Architects Anonymous Asylum,
Extension Division)
Kelly A. Murphy (Oxford School of
Parareality, Arkansas branch campus)
Susan E. Orton (Oxford School of Parareality)
Charles E. Petit (Scott AFB School of
Medicine)
Joanmarie Russ (Lake Erie Institute for the
Terminally)
Julie L. Saterbak (FUBAR College of Library
Science)
Michael A. Seager (Missouri School of Mellow)
John Snee-DeThing (Lee Conservatory)
Carmen Votaw (Stubby Fingers Institute)
Cranston G. Vincent-Nagel (Kingsbury Academy
of Dance, Debauchery, and
Classical Languages)
James Walsh (Johns Hopkins)
Professors
Miscellaneous:
Greg Delos (St. Vincent and the Grenadenes
Academy)
Daniel Tod Fleischer (Leopold & Loeb
School of Medicine)
Elisabeth A. Foley (Yerblund Institute of
Macademia)
Liesl Heeter (Lounge Rat Conservatory)
Paul Ho (Washington School of Engineering and
Medicine)
Ian K. Kinman (Liberty Baptist College)
Jason Malkoff (Hobbiton College, the Shire)
Ya-Ching Lin (Lee Conservatory)
Marcia Metzger (Helen P. Leach Memorial
Insane Asylum and Gift Shop)
Barbara J. Orton (Marshall-Wythe Institute
for the Kneady, School of Baking
and Massage)
Bryan T. Paschke (Thor Institute of
Invulnerabilty)
Thomas Payerle, Samgar Gantuan Professor
(SPORUM Conservatory)
Thomas Serfass (Maine Pharmaceutical
Conservatory)
Seth Spaulding (Yeshiva University, it's
rumored)
Stephanie Strauss (Moscow State)
Debbie Wellborn (Bobby Knight Solitaire
Academy)
Courses
Now Offered:
000
Applied Catatonia
1 An
unidentified person who never does anything
100C
Introduction to Comics
A
survey of the basic artistic literature of parareality.
Selections
will be drawn from a basic group of Marvel and DC superheroes, to
provide
an elementary understanding. There will be three in-semester exams, at
which
attendance is required, given at 2-4 a.m. various Fridays.
P. Barron, MWF 10-11 p.m.
J. Walsh, TTh 11 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
101
World Domination
This
course will teach the basic methods of world domination creation or
adoption
of a deterministic quasi moral philosophy, generalized ignoring of
human
rights, military power, and other classical devices; if time permits,
there
will be a discussion of such modern methods as secret police, mind
control,
addiction of the subjugated people to an unholy drug, and similar
tricks.
The course will conclude with a survey of the methods of preventing and
escaping
coups d'etat, and even initiating one's own to bolster a flagging
government.
Students must supply their own worlds; the bookstore will not carry
them.
Staff TBA
102
Data Warping
This
course will teach the manipulation of general numeric data, with special
emphasis
on data from the hard sciences. The methods will include Data Trimming
(deletion
of unwanted data values); Data Smoothing; Normal- and Poisson-valued
data
generation; Hypothesis Proving including Z, Student's T, Full Professor's
C-,
Poisson, and General Adjustable Model tests; and use of thought experiments,
fast-talk,
and small-angle approximations. Required for all majors. Credit 3
units.
Three Pre-meds
103E
Admiration of Rodents
This
class will teach the basic methods of admiring, worshipping, and adoring
rodents.
The class will cover the basic rodents (rats, mice, chipmunks, and
lions)
in the first three weeks, and then will progress to the more exotic and
unusual-
bandicoots and wombats predominating. (NB: The Department does not
approve
of this course, will not give credit for it, and will shun anyone who
takes
it.)
B. "The Infinitely Wide Guru" Bloom
104A
Termination of Rodents
This
class will teach the basic methods of terminating rodent lives and
otherwise
creaming the nasty little buggers. Techniques to be reviewed include:
autoclaving;
microwaving; emulsification; correct use of the guillotine (not
recommended-
slow and dull); crushing the head with a vise; drawing the rodent
through
a wringer tail-first; dissolution in molten fat; the Benihana method
(which
involves piercing the rodent with a skewer and roasting it live over a
hibachi);
and the ever-popular placing the rodent inside an automobile tire
(preferably
followed by a short road trip to the Yukon). Prerequisite: utensils
and
napkin. Credit 3 units.
D. Fleischer, MF 4:30-6:30 p.m. Lines C &
D, Wohl Cafeteria
105G
Introduction to Electronic Games
This
class provides a brief survey of electronic games, including history of
"quarter-dollars"
pre-1975, basic hand-eye coordination, and contrast/comparison
with
hand-held or home video games. Lab sections to meet in various suitable
locations.
Two quizzes over general rules, practicum midterm. Final grade based
on
performance. Credit 4 hours; $475.25 lab fee.
P. Barron, MTTh F 10-11 a.m. Final Edition,
Delmar
H. Graber, TTh 7-9 p.m. Wohl Gameroom
C. G. Vincent-Nagel, MTThF 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Mallinckrodt Center
L. M. Clark, F 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Blueberry Hill
(prerequisite: senior standing or
consent of the management)
107
Improved Insidiousness
This
class teaches Evil-stark, unrelieved evil as it is rarely found outside
comic
books, and is never believable. It includes methods of personality
warping,
ego manipulation (of self and others), sadism, murder (subtle, direct,
bloody,
and most foul), and terrorism. Also included is an excellent treatment
of how
to attain a mental and psychological state in which such methods would
become
pleasurable. Class work will include two written exams, and a research
paper
of 15-20 pages length.
M. "The Watcher" Martinez
K. "The Great" Forest
J. "One of the Old RA's" Goldman
110
Typing I
This
course will cover the basics of typing, including touch-typing and
proofreading.
Shorthand and dictation are also covered. (Note: this is an
entirely
theoretical course.)
J. "John Snead" Snee-DeThing
111
Typing II
This
course will take up where 110 left off, including methods of getting money
to pay
the typist, with extras for typists who know shorthand or are willing to
take
dictation. We will cover the standard price ranges and methods of lowering
prices
(e.g., hiring friends). The barter system in all its manifestations will
also be
covered.
J. "Still John Snead" Snee-DeThing
112E
Introduction to Stimulants
A
nontechnical tasting course, geared to developing perception of style and
structure.
Stylistic studies include the stimulants of the 19th and 20th
centuries,
including perceptual analysis of liquid stimulants (coffee, tea,
cola-not
New Coke --, etc., with a required short paper (1-2 pages) on Mountain
Dew)
and of procedures of ingesting solid forms (No-Doz, Vivarin, dry instant
coffee,
tea leaves, Morning Thunder). Introduction to long-term and intensive
use.
Examinations are given at unexpected times with at least one in the last
week of
classes or reading week. The exams will last from 24 to 48 hours,
depending
on circumstances. Classtime: 20 hours a day, 6 days a week (attendance
of
other classes is permitted during classtime, though not especially
encouraged).
Credit 6 units. Vaguely identical with Music 102E.
T. Serfass, all the time
D. Hughes, every waking moment
114 How
to be Powerful
This
course covers the basic methods of gaining power: lying, cheating,
stealing,
violence, good cooking, typewriter repair, dental hygiene, kidnapping,
writing
of epic poetry, feigning illness, creative nap-taking, food sculpture,
and
mass murder. A series of case studies will give the student practice in
determining
which one(s) of these methods is most appropriate to a given set of
circumstances.
K. "Stop that!" Murphy
H. "Black bolt" Graberrr
120A
Introduction to Dungeons & Dragons
This
course is a lab-and-discussion introduction to role-playing games. The
class
will go through the module "Descent into the Unknown." This course
does
not
count toward the literary concentration of the major.
S. Orton, M 11-12 p.m. (discussion) Sa 1-5
p.m. (lab)
121
Procrastination: Reasons, Methods, Justification and Encouragement
This
course may be repeated infinitely many times, but no credit will ever be
given.
It can and will be taken concurrently with most other courses, here and
elsewhere.
A. "No deadline is ever permanent"
Lewkowicz, J. "Maybe I'll clean my room"
Simner, B. "I'll get to it,
presently" Paschke, MWF 8-9 a.m., we promise.
130F
Nuclear War
An
intensive laboratory course in the methodology of successfully conducting
nuclear
war. Use and management of delivery systems, warheads, spies, saboteurs,
anti-missile
systems, propaganda, and other weapons are considered, especially
the
dread Super Quartet (Super Germ, Super Virus, Super Serum, Super Sperm).
Ethical
questions will be briefly considered, then dismissed. Prerequisite: dice
that
glow in the dark. Credit 15 units.
Lecture
section:
D. Fleischer, M 1-1:15 p.m.
Laboratory
sections:
A D. Fleischer, Su-Sa 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Lounge
B M. Seager, Su-Sa 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Lounge
C I. Kinman, Su-Sa 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Lounge
D M. Cadwalader, Su-Sa 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Lounge
E M. Bryant, Su-Sa 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Lounge
F J. Russ, Su-Sa 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Lounge
G S. Spaulding, Su-Sa 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Lounge
H E. Derbes, Su-Sa 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Lounge
I E. James, Su-Sa 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Lounge
J S. McNulty, Su-Sa 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Lounge
K D. Matl, Su-Sa 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Lounge
Z M. Martin, Spring Break, Everglades
131F
Sex and Values: How to Get the Most for Your Money
This
class will teach all about sex and values, including the impact of feminism
on
modern prostitution, the effects of the recent upsurge in sexual freedom on
the
world of pornography (with an interdisciplinary tidbit for economists on
supply
and demand), and other titillating and sexy things. Identical to Phil
131F,
according to the instructor's public relations agent.
T. "Me Again" Serfass
134
Work and Power
The
fundamental problem of the world is unemployment-- nukes are just a joke.
Why are
so many people unemployed? They don't have Ultimate Power, and can't
command
a major business to give them a job. This course will teach you how to
use
Ultimate Power to become gainfully employed within sixteen years.
Prerequisite:
Ultimate Power.
J. "Still John Snead, really"
Snee-DeThing
141
Success Without Exams
A
development of numerous techniques for surviving and succeeding in this modern
world
without submitting to its rigorous and often harmful examination system.
Students
will learn the skills they need that will let them avoid with impunity
most of
the tests they will face in their lifetime. Two in class exams plus
final
examination; attendance at exams is forbidden. Credit 3 units.
T. "Big Sam" Payerle, TTh
12:30-2:00 p.m.
142
Toolbox Theory
The
theory and practice of putting together a fishing-tackle-box that will let
you
repair anything with just the contents of your backpack. Topics include:
correct
tool use, the truly necessary tools, efficient space filling,
do-it-yourself
electronics repair, and the importance of Walkmen. Credit 2
units.
P. "Would you mind terribly if I fixed
that seat?"Ho
152
Introduction to Daytime
This
course will introduce the innocent nocturnal student to the pleasures and
perils
of diurnal living. This course will meet at different times each week,
starting
at 2:00 a.m. and getting one hour earlier each week, finally returning
to 2:00
a.m. after twenty-four silly and horrible weeks. This course will teach
psychological
tactics for surviving and eventually even appreciating the various
aspects
and joys of the morning, afternoon, and evening. Credit 24 hours.
Daytime instructor: P. "Sunshine
Kid" Burchard
Nighttime instructor: D. "Nocturnal
Nuke" Hughes
161ABCDEFGQPiZ
Distribution Requirement Seminar
Students
will sit around late at night, drinking tea, swapping stories, and
receiving
a distribution requirement previously determined in consultation with
the
instructors. Faculty members will be in the next room, watching Dr. Who.
Prerequisite:
A notarized agreement not to breath a word about this course
outside
of the department. Credit variable, dependent on needs for graduation.
Staff, Su 10-11:30 p.m.
171
Self-Defense
The
best defense is a good offense. This course will teach the methods of
trashing
the room of an enemy. Basic techniques of carding doors, flaming Lysol,
baby
powder, pennying doors, moving furniture, stealing stuffed animals and
other
hostages, and Dixie-cupping will be covered. Final project: trash the room
of
someone other than your professor.
B. "I'm the best there is at what I do,
but what I do isn't very nice" Ching,
To be taught when you least expect it
181E
1-D Design
A
course for those who think they have no artistic ability but really have been
working
in the wrong dimension. Points, lines, and how to connect the two.
J. "Close Enough" Simner, TBA
190
Recognition of Ultimate Evil
Lima
beans. Wham! records. New Coke. Cheese Whiz. You know they're bad, but this
course
teaches you to recognize these as mere manifestations of Ultimate Evil.
Learn
how to face it, how to avoid it-no matter how it may stalk you. Learn the
Secrets
of the Economists, so that you may instantly forget them. Learn how to
recognize
Dean of Students so that you may instantly vaporize him. Learn several
other
irrelevant things. But through these misadventures, you gain an
understanding
of Ultimate Evil and its power source, busy work (contact any
Engineering
professor for complete details on busy work). Of course, you're
powerless
against these forces, so the course is for naught, but it'll satisfy
your
curiosity. Prerequisite: Para 107.
M. Cadwalader
198
Elasticism
How to
stretch. Anything. Knees a must. Credit variable.
D. Fleischer, Barnes Hospital
I. Kinman, Barnes Hospital
210 Sex
and Power
This
will cover the basic interrelations of sex and power. Methods of conversion
of lust
to useful electricity and heat are covered, with the standard methods of
interconversion
explained in a way adapted to easy home use. Prerequisite: Para
131F.
Credit
3 units
"The Great" Staff
211
Celibacy and Power
This
course will cover the methods of gaining power while remaining celibate,
even
under the most unlikely of circumstances. Readings will include various
Hindu,
Christian, and Hare Krishna ascetics, and Jerry Falwell; readings for
exercises
will include Penthouse, Oui, and similar journals. Several field trips
to
bordellos will be taken.
An unnamed and invisible "Downtrodden
Scum" instructor
215G
Intermediate and Advanced Video Gaming
Section
1: Space Games. Will include intensive theory and training in such games
as
Galaxians, Galaga, Asteroids, and Radar Scope. Final grade dependent upon
gaining
the extra ship. Credit 7 units.
H. Graber, MF 10:30 p.m.-12 a.m.
Section
2: Maze Games and Adaptations. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Scramble, and
Amidar
will be the focus. This course will be team-taught. Attention will be
paid to
adaptations such as Ms. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong Jr., Super Cobra, and home
video
versions. Credit 7 units, grade dependent as above.
S. Adams, C.G. Vincent-Nagel, L.M. Clark, MF
6:30-10 p.m.
217-218
Introduction to Quantum Physics
Same as
Phys 217-218.
219Q
Geography of Central America
The
professor, who gained his vast knowledge of Nicaraguan and El Salvadoran
topography
while falling through the air, dressed in fatigues and with a
parachute
strapped to his back, will lecture upon his findings and his insights.
You,
the student, will dutifully sit, listen, and take notes. Credit 1 unit.
Dismissed!
Not open to members of SAC (Social Action Collective, not the
Strategic
Air Command) or 4-F's.
E. Derbes, (meeting time and place
classified)
221
Guts and Power
In dis
course ya gotta have guts.
V. "Guts" Selby
231
Cooking and Power
How to
use cooking skills to gain utter and absolute dominion over a region as
small
as a dormitory floor-or even as large as a continent. Great culinary
leaders
of all time, from Genghis Khan to Jimmy Carter, will be considered;
Cordon
Bleu dishes will be prepared and forced on unsuspecting victims; and
buffet
luncheons will be given to subvert unsuspecting leaders. This course is
extremely
dangerous--if the current (non-gourmet) world dictators discover it,
all
participants will be sentenced to eat at McDonald's. Prerequisite: Para 114.
K. "Best Cook '82-'83" Narveson
234
Topics in Home Economics I: Cooking with Children
Boiling,
baking, roasting, frying, toasting, and the ever-popular puree. Course
texts
include "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift and "Hansel and
Gretel" by
the
Brothers Grimm. Weekly labs in the Bear's Den Cafeteria. Credit 3 units.
B. "Fingers" Orton, TTh 4:30-6 p.m.
235C
Introduction to Super Teams
236C
Introduction to Science Fiction
237C
Introduction to Fantasy
These
three courses will be taught more or less simultaneously, in a haphazard
team-teaching
fashion, by any members of the faculty that may or may not feel
themselves
competent to do so. Content variable, -4 to -1 units.
Staff, God only knows when
238 The
Essence of Shaving
The
joys of shaving, as taught by the masters. Manual and electric methods are
included,
and emphasis is put on the importance of constant practice in
developing
shaving skills. The final quarter will cover emergency methods of
shaving
(e.g., sharp rocks, machetes, standing in a strong wind, dermabrasion).
Must be
taken pass/fail. Credit 1 unit. May be substituted for Para 237C.
D. Brock
M. Bryant
B. Paschke
241
Thint and Power
In this
class athint for power, kchoychoy, and pleeshka.
Loor,
tist, and cospital will be discussed; anagram for dear life; and resume
after
two or three days. Recovery from catatonia. For beginners, thint athint
thint
thint or consent of the instructor is required. We will swivel prothkich,
ragar,
and limlip. That's all.
C. "Abstractionist" Votaw
244A
Fantasy Gaming
A brief
survey of such staples as D&D, AD&D, TFT, and EPT, followed by an
in-depth
Adventurer campaign. Final project determines grade: typical projects
include
clearing of baronies, quests for artifacts, and gaining immortality.
Concurrent
enrollment in Para 236C or 237C or consent of the instructor
required.
Ceoles the Couatl, Su 1 p.m.-?
250
Overcoming Math Anxiety
A novel
approach to a perennial problem. People are anxious about mathematics
that
they have seen before. This class will present material that its students
are
totally unfamiliar with, and hence haven't become imprinted with fear
thereof
(yet). This class will cover the basics of mathematics in a manner which
even
the most inexperienced of students will immediately understand. Topics this
semester:
Aronszajn, Kurepa, and Souslin trees; independence of the axioms of
set
theory (with forcing); Galois theory; measurable, inaccessible, and Mahlo
cardinals;
ZF theory; and algebraic and transcendental extensions. Credit 4
units.
Does not count toward major.
B. "The Mathanthrope" Bloom, F 10
a.m.-12:30 p.m.
251
Math Anxiety and Power
This
course will try a novel approach to using the Math Anxiety that we find all
around
us to give potentially unlimited power. Math Anxiety, according to the
great
Gurus of Madagascar, is the ultimate universal force; the world exists
only to
promote Math Anxiety. There are two fundamental ways to use this great
cosmic
force: the Path of Learning (artha), and the Path of Peace (moksha). The
Path of
Learning allows the adept to threaten the basic structure of the
universe
by soothing its fears about mathematics until the Powers of the
Universe
tremble. The Path of Peace, on the other hand, will allow the student
to
remain pure and innocent of mathematics, and (s)he will thereby eventually
attain
Nirvana. Prerequisites: Aronszajn, Kurepa, and Souslin trees; set theory
through
forcing; Galois theory; theory of cardinals; ZF theory; and algebraic
and
transcendental extensions.
B. "Dr. Strange" Bloom, F 10
a.m.-12:30 p.m.
262 Art
for Physicists
This
class will teach physics majors how to appreciate the finer structures of
life
without ever invoking the fine structure constant. The student will learn
appreciation
for the Pre-Raphaelites, how not to over-analyze techniques, what
not to
worry about when viewing a sculpture, and how to get in touch with the
Cosmic
Om without using a calculator.
TBA
271
Stimulants and Power
This
class covers the basics of how to take stimulants and thereby obtain great
power.
Topics include: caffeine/dominance interactions, pushers and shovers, and
the use
of speed to double the clock speed of a microprocessor. Prerequisite:
Para
112.
D. "Dwiggit" Hughes
T. "Vitamin C+" Serfass
284D
Grammar For Time Travel
A basic
introduction to the tenses of non-linear time. How to explain events of
your
past but somebody else's future. How to ask about events in your future but
somebody
else's past. How to describe an event that would have been in your past
if you
hadn't time-jumped forward two days in order to avoid it. How to explain
why you
are going back to the past with the intention of becoming your own
father
or mother. The construction and use of all tenses through the Future
Semiconditionally
Modified Pluperfect Subjunctive will have been covered.
Prerequisite:
Para
437 or equivalent, credit 3 units.
L. "Hideous, Unspeakable Languages"
Heeter, willan-on-be announced
J. "Non-linear Temporal Forum"
Simner, Su 10-11:30 p.m.
291D
The Power of Positive Drinking
Learn
how to get everyone around you drunk. Then you will be able to tell them
to do
anything you want, and (if you're persuasive enough) get them to do it.
The
standard methods of persuasion of drunks, especially including offering them
more
drinks, will be covered. We will also consider the famous case studies,
such as
the people who traded for furs with the Indians.
Tang experience
required.
Prerequisite:
Para 114
T. "Chemical Love and Pollination"
Serfass
S. "Furry Person" Orton
299.5
Solitaire-an Interdisciplinary Approach
A
course to be taught by 13 professors from nine different levels of exhaustion.
Topics
include: aggression, procrastination techniques, and creative cheating,
with an
emphasis on two, three, and ten player variations. This class will take
place
during the last three weeks of the semester, and should not be taken
concurrently
with any course requiring a passing grade.
Lin (course master), Simner, Ebert, Fisher,
Heeter, Strauss, Wellborn, Hammer,
Banchik, Spaulding, Carvello, McNulty,
Holmquist, Lounge, whenever.
301E
Comics and Civilization
A
historical survey of imagery and plots in the Western World, from the Stone
Age to
the present day, with emphasis upon the relation of comics to the
persistent
difficulties men face in their efforts to become civilized and
hastening
the inevitable decay into barbarism, bad grammar, and moral
degeneration.
Prerequisite: Para 100.
L. M. Clark, MF 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
S. Adams, TTh 2:30-4 p.m.
302 The
Art of the Practical Joke
This
class will teach the interested student how to appreciate practical jokes
played
upon him. He will learn the subtle and amazing esthetics of the
experiences
of having the contents of his room placed in the lounge for all to
see, of
having his blinds left open at a most inopportune time by his
(displaced-for-the-night)
roommate, of being stripped naked and painted yellow
in the
Quad, and of trying to pay tuition. The class will then proceed to the
pranks
of the masters (specifically, the Masters of Evil), which cannot be named
or
described to the uninitiated. The class will conclude with a Laurel and Hardy
filmfest
(the students will be locked into the movie theater, which will be
gradually
flooded with whipped cream during the course of the show).
Prerequisite:
Para 171. Credit 3 units.
P. "Extremely Practical" Burchard
G. "Prell Hotline" Delos
315A
Topics in Parabiology I: Laundry
An
extensive course on this peculiar life form. Topics will include life-cycle
development;
spontaneous generation; methods of eradication (with a complete
study
of detergents); ecological adaptation to the harshest of environments
(field
trip optional, required for 4-credit class); predator-prey graphs;
dissection
of the tentacled varieties; cellular and molecular structure or the
equivalent;
and history. Credit 3-4 units.
J. Snee-DeThing, TBA
316A
Topics in Parabiology II: Stuffed Animals
The
history of these lovable creatures, from voodoo dolls to the present (with
absolutely
NO emphasis on either Barney or My Little Pony) will be discussed in
as much
detail as the instructor can be bribed into giving. Special topics to be
covered
whether time permits or not include: huggability, teddy bears vs.
others,
and the importance of stuffed animals to the college student (comfort,
defense,
etc.). Prerequisite: 12 years of childhood. Credit 3 units.
J. "Great Swimmer of the Universal
Oceans" Simner, TTh just before bedtime.
329
Magic, Math, and Ritual
An
intensive study of the interaction of fantasy, SF, and gaming on one talon,
and
higher mathematics on the other. Topics include comparative magic systems,
character
generation, probability and probability alteration, effective trap
construction,
and axiomatic set theory through forcing. Identical with Anthro
329
(perhaps) and Math 329 (very doubtful indeed).
B. Bloom, TTh 12:30-2 p.m.
341
Introduction to Classical Reality
This
course is a safety device, teaching students of parareality how to
understand
and how to act in the (admittedly boring and mundane) classical or
standard
reality; it is especially useful for students intending to spend time
there.
Topics include the canonical use of language, including the ways the
denizens
of classical reality keep the meanings of words fixed; the myriad
subtleties
of University grading and housing systems; how to eat in polite and
marginally-polite
society, including methods for getting a parabalanced diet
including
all of the oddball required vitamins while living in classical
reality;
and the conversion of currency between the various universes.
Recommended
for all majors. Prerequisite: Para 152. Credit 3 units.
C. Votaw, MWF 8-9 a.m.
342
Creative and Applied Dyslexia
Have
you ever wondered how some people can have so much fun while reading the
most
boring and worthless items of literary and authorial activity? The answer
is
simple and obvious-even to the uneducated and simple-minded. They are
demonstrating
the great and noble ancient Korean art of Creative and Applied
Dyslexia!
You, too, can learn this, the supreme art. The first half of the class
informs
the innocent and mild student how to misread a variety of common English
words
and phrases. The second third of the class teaches the now wily and
materialistic
student the many methods of Aliterary Dyslexia, the application of
the
first part of the course to non-written situations, such as everyday
conversation
and speech. The third sixth of the course initiates the student, by
this
time a creative genius every bit the equal of Alexander the Great, into the
Gift of
Tongues, allowing him to understand every written or spoken language.
The
methods of this course reveal the true meaning of the hymn "Ein Feiste
Burge
ist
meine Gott" to be "My goat is a rambunctious town." Students
taking this
course
for 4 credits will write a paper reconciling this hymn's true meaning
with
normal Protestant theology, which is to be translated by the student
himself
(which makes it easy). Credit 3-4 units.
B. "Stop That" Bloom, TTh 1-8 m.p.
350
Advanced Narcolepsy
Theory
and practice of deep, everlasting, eternal sleep, only occasionally
interrupted
by brief, dim flashes of outside life in the parareal world.
Techniques
of sleep in any environment whatsoever will be covered along with
methodology
for proper rolling, flopping about, and other assorted extraneous
motions
that indicate that you're not just lawn furniture being central.
Prerequisite:
Para 000.
M. Seager, nearly all the time
357G
Defender-Winning and Looking Good
An
intensive training course by the Master. Techniques of score manipulation,
space
wave survival, and attention-focusing will be foisted on all comers.
C. Jennings, MWF 9-10 p.m., Wohl Gameroom
360
Denotational Schematics
Denotational
Schematics is the science of arranging flowers by computer. We will
use a
VAX 11/760 with 870 Mbytes disk storage and three huge (really immense)
tape
drives, a hundred terminals, and twelve trillion bytes of core storage
(provided
by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and a good
deal of
scrounging around in garbage cans behind the School of Engineering) with
three
robot arms (with eight long, hairy fingers) and six ultra-high-resolution
telecamera
eyes (capable of looking at a prosimian on the moon) to arrange
lilies,
roses, geraniums, deadly nightshade, hummingbird feathers,
chrysanthemums,
liquor bottles, flax, gardenias, dried gerbils, and pea pods (on
loan
from the Digital Electronics Corporation, hereafter denoted schematically
by
DEC). It's really fun. Prerequisite: a sense of color, form, space, time,
magnetic
field strength, and beauty. Hope you like it.
M. "Supreme Ruler of Lee Hall"
Langridge
H. "Beep-beep" McDonald
363
Astral Projection
A lab
course in the methods of visiting the alternate planes of parareality for
research
and relaxation. The methods covered in this course are the legal ones:
caffeine,
lack of sleep, alcohol (for those over 21 -- honor system applies),
and
force of personality/abnormal psychology. Required for all majors. Credit 3
units.
Staff, TBA
365
Military Parareality
Uses of
parareality for tactical and strategic objectives; use of pinball and
video
games to create soldiers (speed of reflexes, the "Free Life" strategy
for
encouraging
bravery, etc.); comics to inspire heroism; fantasy for getting arms
allocations;
and excuses to fight for multinational corporations. Lab fee: your
body and
soul. Final project: a several-year lab in an unnamed South American
country,
fighting for the dictatorship and American interests against everyone
in the
country. (Danger: visible enrollment in this course opens the student to
attacks-mental,
moral, and physical-from pacifist faculty.)
C.E. "The Insidious" Petit
370
Ballistics
This
course covers the study of projectiles and projectile motion. Methodologies
of
hurling, heaving, and otherwise tossing various objects better suited to
other
uses are investigated in this course. We begin with paper airplanes, and
continue
through straw wrappers, anti-alcoholism pamphlets, Donkey Kong Jr.
cereal,
chocolate ice cream, traditional glassware, orbs (e.g., tennis balls),
finally
culminating in a review of the unique aerodynamic properties of lounge
chairs
and their possible effect upon lounge walls. Lab fee $10, directly
payable
to Residential Life.
I. Kinman, Lee 3 Lounge
D. Matl, Lee 3 Balcony
M. Cadwalader, Lines C & D, Wohl
Cafeteria
D. Fleischer, Mudd Field
380
Technology and Para-Human Affairs
The
influence of technology on the history of parareality and thence on all of
human
civilization. Topics include: discovery of fermentation and tea leaves,
distilling,
writing, electronics, laundry machines, stardrive, and video
screens.
Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Credit 3 units.
J. "Again, John Snead"
Snee-DeThing, TBA
381
Advanced Stimulants
A more
extensive and intensive study than that provided by 112. It is
recommended
that all majors take this course, though it is by no means required.
The
stimulants to be covered are probably the same as those for 112. Illegal
stimulants
are possible topics for special projects, but the department takes no
responsibility
for those who get caught.
T. Serfass and D. Hughes, all the time
390
Religion and Power
How to
gain power as the head of your own private religion.
Methods
of using pre-existing religions and creating your own will be discussed.
Topics
include TV evangelism, Christian and Islamic fundamentalism, standard and
exotic
pantheons, creating holy relics, the L. Ron Hubbard method, and how to
target
a specific segment of a population. Acquisition of godhead will be
discussed
if time permits. Prerequisite: Para 114. Credit 3 units.
L. "Physics Evangelist" Hammer, Su
9-12 a.m.
401
Criminal Behavior for Fun and Profit I: Misdemeanor
An
exploration of the ways in which you may transform your random criminal
impulses
into an organized campaign of terror and amass hordes of riches. This
elementary
course covers the basics of crime: traffic violations, petty theft,
criminal
trespass, mass murder. Prerequisite: Para 107 and access to small
armaments.
Lab/bail fee $100.00.
I. Kinman, MWF 10-11 a.m.
402
Criminal Behavior for Fun and Profit II: Felony
A
continuation of Para 401, this course teaches methods which may ultimately be
used to
achieve final victory, destruction of Western society, and dominion over
the
universe. Criminal topics include: mail fraud, grand theft auto,
embezzlement,
smuggling, most conspiracies you can name, sale of controlled
substances,
and tax fraud. A small final project will involve applied nuclear
extortion.
Prerequisite: plutonium. Co-requisite: Para 401. Lab/bail fee:
$5000.00
cash on the barrelhead, plus $45,000.00 collateral.
I. Kinman, MWF 10-11 a.m.
410
Topics in Social Parareality
An
in-depth consideration of the social commentary of parareality. Topics
include:
gun control in Spiderman and Daredevil, James Blish, Orwell, Kornbluth,
Ursula
K. Le Guin, Kilgore Trout, and T. Sturgeon. A serious term paper will be
required.
Prerequisite: Para 215 or consent of the instructor. Credit 4 units.
C.G. "Apache" Vincent-Nagel, M
10:30-11, W 12-3
411
Dramatic Cooking
This
course will cover the entirety of methods of dramatic cookery. It will
start
with a summary of the great dinners in history, such as Alexander's Feast,
the
Last Supper, and the Crimean War. Then, with a wild sweep, the course will
turn
from theory to the most useful practicalities that you can imagine: how to
cook
dramatically. Methods to be covered include: having a nude person of the
opposite
gender (or, if such are not available for the purpose, a greased
walrus,
an Appalachian Spring, or a horde of man-eating fig trees) leap from the
hollow
interior of a cake; the fine art of Incendiary Cuisine, including the
theory
of thermonuclear legumes and "First Spice" capability; and the method
of
Deceitful
Appearanciation, which enables one to serve the "Blazing Hyper-Heated
Curry
Chili of DOOM" disguised as simple "Petits-Fours a la Creme Brule
avec une
Piscine
de Quelque Chose d'Autre." Prerequisite: Para 231 and 234. Credit 3
units.
B. "Flametongue" Ching
415C
Topics in Parabiological Evolution I: The Quantum Gecko
A case
study of its origins, physics, and development.
Heavy
emphasis will be placed on contemporary accounts and theories. Includes
real-time
age calculations based on the average distance traveled at v=c. The
last
part of the course will be concentrated on the care and feeding of your
quantum
gecko.
J. "Jason of the Geckoes" Malkoff,
MWF 9 a.m.-8:30 a.m. (objective)
416A
Topics in Parabiological Evolution II: Predators and Prey
A study
of comparative para-ecology in the more active (hence more suitable for
experimentation)
environments. We will conduct experiments in accelerated
evolution,
predator/prey role reversal, and specific adaptations (development of
poisons
and poison immunities, concealment, flight, and defense). Credit 5 units
due to
exposure to various environments. Meal card required.
S. "M." Germain and M.
"S." Martinez, MWF 4:30-5:30 p.m.
417
Introduction to Dungeon Mastery I
A
complete (nay, compact) study of the methods of game-mastering an existing
dungeon
or adventure. The first ten minutes will be devoted to E. Gary Gygax
modules;
the rest of the semester will be spent on the works of the masters.
This
course is more theoretical than previous courses in this area, and has
applications
in fantasy and SF as well as gaming. Some exposure to TFT or
Adventurer
required. Prerequisite: two years experience. (Hack-and-Slash members
may try
to substitute a brief description of their adventures, but it will not
be
accepted.) Credit 4 units.
B. Bloom, T 10-11 p.m., F 5-6 p.m., Sa 8-10
a.m.
418
Introduction to Dungeon Mastery II
Continuation
of Para 417. Credit 4 units.
B. Bloom, T 11-12 p.m., F 6-7 p.m., Sa 10
a.m.-12 p.m.
432
Nutrition and Color
Topics
include the Chromatic Theory of Nutritional Balance: if a meal contains
the
three primary food groups (green, red, and blue), it is nutritionally
complete.
The lectures will be so convincing that, although the theory is in
fact
false, your body will in fact believe it and you will be able to subsist on
a diet
of grass, blood, and the sky if meal plan prices increase.
A. "Knife and Fork" Zupan
434
Topics in Home Economics II: Statistics and Lunch
Don't
know a T-test from a T-bone? This is the class for you. You will learn all
about
the preparation of a fully stratified sample space; the analgorithmic
method
of linear and quadratic regression with infinite datasets; calculation of
polynomial
probability distributions over the real numbers; and the correct use
of the
chi^2 test with Cauchy random variates. After all this, you will be
introduced
to the deep, dark secrets of Home-Economical Statistics:
combinatorics,
the Z-test, and multiplication of reciprocal integers. The final
grade
incorporates grades based on a hot and cold buffet luncheon for sixteen
(with extra
credit given for a statistical analysis of queueing for plates), and
an
impromptu class meeting at the student's house. Not open to Psychology majors
or
sophomores.
S. "Random Deviate" Orton
(Psychology)
L. "Normal Distribution" Downing
(Sophomore)
437
Paralinguistics
Lower-
and variable-socioeconomic communication forms; argots and jargons used
in
parallel realities (chemistry, computer science, art); the life-cycle of a
phrase
(case studies to include `skeevatz', `what he said', and
`isochronolocojestrism');
and the effects of stimulants and depressants (limited
to
legal ones, probably) upon language, and vice versa. Research will be done in
the use
of language to control the incursions of laundry and the trajectories of
a
pinball. Prerequisite: Para 484AQ. Credit 4 units.
P. Barron, TBA
456
Power, Power, and Power
This
class will give you power. Lots of power. Such impressive power that people
will
not be able to look at you without getting their eyes burned out. Such
impressive
power that the administration will lower your tuition and allow you
to keep
pet poodles and freshmen in your dorm room. Such impressive power that
your
professors will bow down whenever they see you. Such impressive power that
you
will break the floor that you walk on. Such impressive power that your
breath
will boil water and your voice will shatter concrete. Such impressive
power
that you will almost be able to beat Craig Jennings at Defender. Don't you
want
it?
Staff
461
Power from the Stars
It is not
often realized that the pseudoscience of astrology is one of the most
powerful
disciplines in modern America. Why? Not from any essential validity of
its
own, but because several of America's foremost leaders (such as R. Nixon, B.
Graham,
R. Reagan, and G.H.W. Bush) and hindmost leaders (such as I. Amin, D.
Quayle,
T. O'Neil, and J. E. Hoover) believe implicitly (if secretly) anything
presented
to them in astrological terms. This course teaches you to be an
astrologer
of a national reputation sufficient to become the most trusted
advisor
of one of this nation's leading power figures-and leaves you
sufficiently
cynical that you cannot believe a word you say. Prerequisite:
Aquarius
101, Libra 101, Leo 201-2, or a background in Virgo or Cancer and
consent
of the instructor. Not open to Gemini.
C. E. "Stars on Thars" Petit, TTh
2-4:30 a.m. Crow Observatory
475A
Raising Goldfish for Fun and Power
This
introductory-level class teaches the basics of raising goldfish. We start
with
the most common forms of goldfish, such as those with fur, feathers, and
freshman-class
ID's, and detail the care, tending, and methods of declaring each
of them
aquatic (hence suitable for stabling in dorm rooms), with some
clandestine
survey of methods of concealment from those evil personages who do
not
accept their piscinity. We conclude with an advanced topic, such as aquatic
goldfish
or pet administrator-fish.
1 Staff (from the Convent)
484AQ
Introduction to Time Travel
A basic
course in theory, practice, and uses. Non-linear time theory, mechanics
of
movement, building your own time machine, non-paradoxes, explanations to
natives,
proper etiquette upon meeting ancestors/descendants, uses of inside
information
of future events, and protecting long-term investments will be
covered.
Final exam covers methods of recovering your $100,000,000 from the
compound
interest from $.01 left in a bank account 100 years previously.
Prerequisite:
Para 284C and concurrent registration in Para 485. Credit 3 units.
L. "Back into Your Deep, Dark Past"
Heeter, MWF 4-5 a.m.
L. "Bizarre Consequence of General
Relativity" Hammer, MWF 3-4 a.m.
J. "You want it when?" Malkoff, MWF
2-3 a.m.
B. "No Time Theory like the
Present" Paschke, MWF 1-2 a.m.
485
Time Travel Laboratory
Laboratory
accompanying Para 485AQ. Final exam (separate from the lecture's):
student
will deposit 1 cent in a bank and take measures to insure that she does
not
receive 100,000,000 worthless slips of paper 100 years later. Concurrent
registration
in Para 484AQ required. Credit 25 units.
J. "Not Now" Simner, October 27,
9-9:30 a.m.
G. "Lima Bean" Delos, October 28,
9-9:30 a.m.
P. "Maxwell was Crazy" Shawhan,
October 29, 9-9:30 a.m.
B. "Something from your childhood,
perhaps?" Orton,October 30, 9-9:30 a.m.
Advanced Lab, by permission of instructor
only: L. "Do you REALLY think
Einstein was right?" Hammer, 9-9:30 on
another time-line to be arranged.
493 The
Ottoman Empire: 1919-Present
At the
peak of its power, the Ottoman Empire ruled half the galaxy, supported
human
rights, had no taxation, and had the favor of God. But heartless Christian
historians
have erased all memory of its glory and righteousness. In this class
we
investigate those glories, understand the tricks of heartless Christian
historians,
and go to New York to join the Ottoman Liberation Front, an
extremely
kind and humane militant organization which will conquer the United
States,
annex it to the Second Ottoman Empire, and start real liberty and
justice
and freedom of religion. Prerequisite: two or more years of guerrilla
warfare
experience or consent of the Sultan. Credit 4 units.
Staff, TBA
495
Seminar in Comparative Reality: Ariosto's ORLANDO FURIOSO and Its Legacy in
Modern
Comic Books
In
conjunction with this year's Renaissance/Baroque/'60s Celebration, this
interdisciplinary
course will examine the nature of Ariosto's art and its
influence
on Marvel and DC inkers, scripters, and pencillers. It will especially
concentrate
on the theatricality of Ariosto's narrative, on his manner of
imitating
and inspiring imitators in the description of characters and emotions,
and on
what can be seen by comparing ORLANDO FURIOSO with its imitators from
Shakespeare
to Clairmont. No prerequisites. Identical with Art-Arch 4963 and
Drama
495.
Credit
3 units.
Staff, TTh 3-5:30 p.m.
498
Independent Research
Prerequisite:
consent of the department. Credit variable, 1-100 units.
499
Senior Honors Thesis
Prerequisite:
consent of the chairman of the department.
Credit
1-6 units. Does not count toward graduation.
500
Clairvoyance
501
Preventing Flight in Birds
This
class teaches all the many tactics for preventing flight in birds. We start
with
the simplest cases (penguins, emus, Scottish country dancers), which can be
kept on
the ground with simple applications of barley, ground salmon, and rum.
We then
move to the more complicated cases, such as sparrows, cormorants,
pigeons,
superheroes, and the White House; we will do a number of comparative
studies
(rock salt vs. table salt (iodized and uniodized), clipping pinfeathers
vs
clipping primary and secondary feathers). Finally, each student will do a
project
in preventing some interesting bird from flying: these may either be
endangered
(bald eagle), extinct (dodo), or fictional (roc, phoenix, duck).
S. "The Missing Wing" Robinson
M. "Sancho De" Bryant
502
Theories of Investment Behavior
The
Mass Hysteria Theory of Investment Behavior-also known as the Herd Mentality
Theory-is
investigated in this course. The differences between a Wall Street
investment
broker and your average moose or caribou are investigated in detail
in the
first five seconds of the course, followed by a long (possibly infinite,
though
countably so) discourse surveying their similarities and reasons why the
DJIA
(which, for the uninitiated, stands for "Dow Jones Industrials
Average" and
is not
an acronym for some obscure spy agency) has utterly no relation to
reality,
as well as noting the similarity of all this to astrology. Credit 3
units.
M. Cadwalader, MTWThF 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
510Q
World Creation
A very
specialized class in the methods, physics, and esthetics of creation of
an
alternative universe. This class is limited to five students. Prerequisite:
Para
417-8, 215, 329, either 236C or 237C, and consent of the instructor. We
will
use AD&D and Adventurer extensively in this class. Credit 6 units.
B. Bloom, TBA
541
Eccentricity and Strangeness
This
class will investigate these all-important modes of social existence, and
how
they have dominated world politics and economics throughout time. Topics to
be
covered: Genghis Khan's use of food sculpture in world conquest; how the use
of
skateboards and Defender led to the discovery of gravitation;Nocturnalism and
the
Robber Barons; the Cloak-and-Spider politics of Renaissance Italy; Wagner's
use of
General Relativity; the use of coded whistles in early Christianity;
Communist
Biology; kleptomania as the driving force for the Holocaust; and
others
beyond number. Credit 6 units.
T. Serfass, TBA
S. Orton, TTh 1-2:30 a.m.
S. Germain, TTh 1-2:30 p.m.
H. Graber, T 1-2:30 a.m., Th 1-2:30 p.m.
J. Walsh, T 1-2:30 p.m., Th 1-2:30 a.m.
L. Hammer, occasionally TTh 1-2:30
B. Ching, anytime but 1-2:30
543 How
to Become a Superhero
The
first semester of this course covers origin myths and the like, starting
with
the simplest ways of becoming mighty (e.g., being a mutant or an alien),
with a
survey of the perils of simplicity (e.g., being chased by sentinels or
hordes
of angry peasants simply because you're alive). We will spend much of the
semester
on the more elaborate methods: getting warts from a radioactive toad;
being
taught the martial arts by the Infinitely Wide Guru; discovering the
Mystic
Ice-Axe of the Magus in a cave in Brooklyn; or being zapped by the cosmic
mutant
alien sorcerer-god Fladnag and his cyborg sidekick Snidgol. The last part
of the
semester will be spent on advanced techniques, such as building a costume
with
all sorts of super-weapons and mega-powers in it. Credit dependent upon
successful
completion of Para 544.
P. "The Living Tribunal, Part I"
Burchard
544
Life as a Superhero
This
course will teach those who passed Para 543 what it's really like. Topics
include:
sex and super-strength (how not to crush your inamorata); insurance for
duels
with super-villains; how to make heroism tax-deductible; air-traffic
licenses-when
you need them, when you don't, how to avoid filing flight plans;
how to
maintain a secret identity; how to survive the discovery of your secret
identity;
and how to pay for all that equipment.
B. "The Living Tribunal, Part II"
Ching
545 How
to Stop Being a Superhero
Open to
a few select students from Para 544. This class will cover methods of
losing
one's powers. The easiest ways are covered first: death (temporary or
permanent).
These methods, although simple, are risky-many dead superheroes
return
to life with new and improved powers. Tactics of insulting readers (to
inhibit
resurrection) are covered. We will spend a small amount of time on more
esoteric
and more effective methods: gold kryptonite, radioactive anti-spiders
(or
anteaters), and storage of enchanted hammers in bank vaults.
B. "The Living Tribunal, Part III"
Bloom
552
Food Sculpture
This
class teaches the student the methodology and esthetics of food sculpture.
Construction,
training, care and feeding, and similar nice things will be
covered.
Meal card strongly recommended.
K. "The Cook" Murphy and M.
"Roomie Redbait" Cadwalader
565
Improbability Theory
Advanced
methods of warping reality to fix the odds in your favor. Topics
include:
loading the dice/deck; stings, scams, and fast-talk; telekinesis and
clairvoyance;
finite and infinite improbability generators; deals with the
Fates,
Timelords, scriptwriter, etc.; and using your godhood. Credit 3 units.
B. "Acey-duecey again!" Paschke,
TBA, Las Vegas
602
Curing the World's Ills
A
discussion of the schemes that the Great Thinkers of the Universe have created
for
curing the world's ills, starting with Plato's plan to make the entire world
ideal
and the Realm of Ideas worldly, Aristotle's plan to replace people with
bison,
and Socrates' plan to eliminate Plato and Aristotle. We will discuss the
plans
of the great modern thinkers: Nietzsche's attempts to revive democracy in
Lapland,
Swift's "Modest Proposal", Mussolini's struggle to revive free love
in
Australia,
and Nijinsky's Thousand-Year Diet for Political Reality. Finally, we
will
devise even more ambitious plans and con the U.N. into implementing them.
Victory
will be near us!
H. "3-foot-long Fangs Dripping with
Poison" Brayman
7865
Staying Warm and Power
This is
a full and snug coverage of all the methods ever used to keep warm. All
of them
will be discussed. The simplest and least expensive (e.g., lying in a
tub of
hot oatmeal, spending nights in public buildings, dramatic cooking) will
be
demonstrated in class, while the more exotic (exercise, lecherous play, and
blankets)
are reserved for semester projects. This class will discuss the
power-dynamics
of warmth; how to gain power by offering freezing politicos,
sorcerers,
and warlords warmth in return for their eternal servitude; and how to
reduce
your power bills as you stay warm.
S. "The Hot One" Orton
C. "Warm Heart" Petit
805D
German for Swans
The
content of this class is obvious. There is not that much that We could say
about
it that would make It any clearer, so We will not write anything at all
about
the Content. It's all in German anyway, so none of You could read it.
There
are tests given just before each migration, and an oral report on a book
of
major significance for Egyptian prehistory. We reserve three hours each week
for
verbal dissection sections, in small groups of 5-71 swans each. That's all.
M. "Ach Ja!" Cadwalader
864
Choosing a Mate
This is
the most useful how-to class you can ever take.
This is
the most important class of your life. Even if you have never taken a
class
before or plan to take a class again, you must-yea, MUST-take this class!
It is
REE-quired! It is essential! God will get you if you do not take this
class!
Really, it's VERY VERY IMPORTANT AND VITALLY NECESSARY FOR LIFE AS A
DECENT
HUMAN BEING UPON THIS EARTH OF OURS. I can't emphasize this enough.
(Wrong.
You can.-Ed.) This class, to get down to the nitty gritty, tells you how
to
choose a first mate for any ship you happen to captain. What to look for. Is
it
better to have someone who can navigate if the navigator gets scragged by Her
Majesty's
Navy, or someone who can whip the galley slaves when the Spanish
Armada
is on your tail? We can tell you this! Does the mate need to have his own
cutlass,
or will a couple of marlinspikes and keels do? Is it more important for
him to
be trustworthy-a guy you can turn your back to when fighting three Roman
triremes,
or should he be strong enough to lift a barrel of rum when you're
scuttling
a Chinese junk? We know this, too! Remember: your choice of first mate
can
determine, within three standard deviations, whether you'll be rolling in
doubloons
and pieces of eleven up to your very good eye, or walking the plank
off the
coast of Krakatoa!
D. "Redbeard" Schafer
M. "The Skull and Crossbones Lady"
Miller
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