The Webb Schools Unbounded Days 2020 Course Catalog

DO UNBOUNDED

THE WEBB SCHOOLS

2020 UNBOUNDED DAYS COURSE CATALOG

2020 UNBOUNDED DAYS

THE PURPOSE IS CLEAR Unbounded Days draws upon The Webb Schools’ enduring purpose of inspiring students to boldly reach for a greater sense of who they are and what they can achieve. Through immersive, collaborative, relevant and deeply engaging journeys that connect the classroom and the broader world, students expand their understanding of what it means to think, create and reflect. They learn that their possibilities and their minds are truly unbounded.

When Robert A. Hefner III ’53 made his generous gift to the schools, he made special provisions to enable us to learn directly from extraordinary individuals. In this spirit, Unbounded Days has been created. Unbounded Days has grown not only from Mr. Hefner’s personal thirst for creativity and love of exploration, but also out of his deep admiration for one of his former Webb teachers, Dr. Ray Alf, who first showed him how to think beyond what he could see.

COURSE LIST Unbounded Days will take place from February 26–March 1, 2020.

All courses will meet Wednesday, February 26–Friday, February 28.

Find listed below under 4 or 5 day courses, those that will utilize Saturday, February 29, and Sunday, March 1 to create more extensive educational journeys. Unless otherwise indicated in the course description, there is no additional fee. Students on financial aid will receive some fee relief. Any questions about fee support can be directed to jpeddy@webb.org or tsmith@webb.org.

3-DAY COURSES

4–5 DAY COURSES

Arts Collision

Baseball: America’s Pastime

Discover Catalina: Catalina Island

Build Your Own Brand

Marine Institute Exploring Crystal Cove: Discover, Conserve, Enjoy Food for Thought

Canyoneering in Zion It’s Alive! A Journey into Contemporary Horror Journey of Immigration and Asylum

Good for the Body, Soul and Community

Kayaking the Colorado River

The Great Escape

Thru-Hiking the California Backcountry

The History of L.A. through Sports Culture Investing in the 21st Century Ir Más Allá: The Culture of Central California L.A. Film L.A. Multicultural Adventure ¡No Se Habla Inglés Aqui!

Past, Present, Future: The Evolving Face of Natural History Museums Pre-PreMed Research with Drones: The Role of Technology in Biology and Conservation Rock Stars SoCal Marine Life

Unbounded Days is supported by the

ROBERT A. HEFNER III ’53 ENDOWMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE

3 Unbounded Days

SoCal Skateboarding Culture Tech Challenge A Time to Play: The Art of Dramatic Writing Urban Sketching The Webb Schools 4

ARTS

COLLISION

Faculty: Linda Silva

5 Unbounded Days

In this arts adventure, you will explore the connections between nature, urban settings and specialized environments through visual art, movement and music. The experience begins with an arts expedition through the massive boulders in Joshua Tree National Park with guest artist and acclaimed Los Angeles painter Blair Maffris. Then on day two you will immerse yourself in music and art at Pomona College. Eat lunch near Prometheus, the mural by prominent Mexican muralist Jose Clement Orozco, known as one of Los Tres Grandes. On day three you will discover the music industry through a Los Angeles recording studio to see and hear how music is applied to film and television and tour Paramount Studios to observe a working movie lot. By the end of the course, you will have seen, heard, felt and created art, and you will have a greater appreciation for ways to make art part of your life.

BASEBALL:

AMERICA’S PASTIME

Faculty: James Huerta & Steve Wishek Course Fee: $175

The goal of this program is for students to reflect on the cultural importance of baseball as the American pastime. Students will explore this topic while participating in one of the great baseball experiences, spring training in Arizona. Students will be introduced to the topic through an episode of Ken Burns’ baseball documentary and will be given three tracks in order to explore this topic: baseball as a reflection of the immigrant experience, baseball as a reflection of America’s increasing use of data and technology, and baseball as a business.

Students will use the unique experience of spring training in order to create a video journal in which they interact with fellow fans and explore questions they create in the spirit of sports journalism. Students can expect some reading, film viewing, video editing, writing and baseball games.

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BUILD YOUR

OWN BRAND

Faculty: Theresa Smith & Michael Szanyi

7 Unbounded Days

Nike, Apple, Kylie Jenner, Tiffany’s & Co.—these are all distinctive, well-known brands. Learn the tricks of the trade in this deep dive into branding—the process of creating a professional name and image for yourself. Guided by Kilter, an L.A.-based design agency, over the course of four days, you will identify your personal objectives in building your brand and move all the way from conception to execution. As you identify what is authentic to you and how to message that to the world both digitally and in person, you will have the opportunity to pinpoint your future goals, whether in business, politics, media or beyond. Topics covered include capturing your brand through effective photography (get out the green screen!), fashion and personal styling, building and leveraging your social media profile, networking and elevator pitches, and more. At the end of the course you will have created and launched your personal brand, shared that vision with your peers, and collected the tools to continue to refine and develop it.

CANYONEERING IN ZION

Faculty: Melanie Bauman & Lisa Blomberg Course Fee: $175

Ready for adventure? On this exciting fiveday trip, we’ll explore the “red rock country” of the Southwest and spend our final days in Zion National Park. Using a variety of techniques—rock scrambling, climbing, rappelling on rope and even swimming (dry suits will keep us warm!)—we will traverse the selfie-worthy topography of red rocks through slot canyoneering. Cutting through Navajo Sandstone, our technical canyoneering skills will help us explore this terrain firsthand. You’ll learn the skills you need from experts, who will guide us through rock formations and underground pools that were formed millions of years ago. Our final canyon—The Narrows—is home to one of the world’s best slot canyon hikes, following the Virgin River. Short dry hikes and wall climbs will round out our time as we enjoy some of the most breathtaking views in the Southwest! Spend four nights under the starry skies on this once in a Webb lifetime experience!

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DISCOVER CATALINA:

CATALINA ISLAND

MARINE INSTITUTE Faculty: Andrew Hamilton & Sarah Lantz Course Fee: $175

9 Unbounded Days

Twenty-two miles off the coast of California sits Catalina Island, a travel destination known for its rich history and beautiful natural environment. Working with the Catalina Island Marine Institute, this three-day course takes you on a marine science expedition. You will cross the ocean channel while looking for dolphins and whales, explore the underwater world off the shoreline while snorkeling, investigate the unique geology and biology of the island, and rediscover the night sky. We will stay at the beautiful Fox Landing camp, a quiet beach on the Catalina coastline, near Long Point (Catalina Island) State Marine Reserve, with access to Catalina’s marine diversity, undeveloped interior where bison roam and dark skies for stargazing. This is the perfect Unbounded experience for anyone who wants to learn more about the science of marine life on the California coast.

EXPLORING

CRYSTAL COVE

DISCOVER, CONSERVE, ENJOY

Faculty: Michelle Gerken & Kevin Riel

In this three-day course students will experience methods to conserve the California coastline as they camp and enjoy Crystal Cove State Park. Students will explore the park through a variety of activities. We will take a guided tour with the park rangers to learn more about the coastal ecology and participate in a volunteer conservation activity to help preserve this beautiful natural habitat. We will hike the hills and kayak the waterways to experience all the wonder this area has to offer. Our evenings will be spent watching the stunning sunsets, conversing by the fire, eating s’mores and relaxing in the sea air before we settle down in our tents for a nice sleep with the sea waves in the background. In addition to enjoying conservation-based experiences, we are going to enjoy the cultural delights including fish tacos, and weather depending, maybe a surf excursion and definitely some time on the beach.

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FOOD FOR

THOUGHT

Faculty: Ken Rosenfeld & Nicole Windmon

11 Unbounded Days

With the rise of Uber Eats, celebrity chefs, genetically-modified organisms, and allyou-can-eat buffets and restaurants, food has evolved from simple fuel into a defining element of our society and entertainment.

One consequence of this culinary renaissance is the shift from prioritizing health, culture, and environmental sustainability to flavor, convenience and the “Instagrammable” when making the bulk of our food decisions. Through guided and independent food adventures in Los Angeles food hubs, lessons from a gastroenterologist, a visit to a local farm and the restaurant it supplies, and even working with the Webb dining hall staff, students will gain a greater understanding of the role the food they put on their plate plays on their health and its cultural and environmental impact upon the world at-large.

GOOD FOR THE

BODY, SOUL AND

COMMUNITY Faculty: Sonsoles Cardalliaguet & Daniel Rios

Would you like to learn how to energize your mind and body? Have you ever wondered how to relieve stress, improve your concentration, increase your energy level, or develop your overall well-being? From a trip to the otherworldly Integratron structure and hikes in majestic Joshua Tree to a Bikram Yoga class, come develop some of the tools necessary to live a balanced and healthy life! Through this course you will learn about various forms of relaxing, including the benefits of essential oils and mindfulness techniques to incorporate into your daily life. Embody the truth that social and emotional growth are just as important as academic growth to a well-rounded education and gain the skills to make self-care and self-compassion a regular practice in your life.

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THE

GREAT ESCAPE Faculty: Andrew Neyer Course Fee: $50

13 Unbounded Days

You and your teammates are trapped in a room and only have 60 minutes to escape.

Everything around you is a clue that will lead you one step closer to the exit. Left only to your wits, creativity and teamwork will you have what it takes to solve the puzzles and make your way out of the escape room before time runs out? This course will push your problem-solving skills to the limit!

You will work together in teams to tackle several escape rooms around Los Angeles.

In addition to experiencing escape rooms, you will design and build one of your own here on the Webb campus. Learn from the designers and engineers of the escape rooms you visit to create one for yourself. If you enjoy problem solving, collaborative teamwork, design and a little competition, this is the course for you!

THE HISTORY

OF L.A. THROUGH

SPORTS CULTURE Faculty: Michael Hoe & Malick Mbengue Course Fee: $50

It’s no coincidence that L.A. is viewed by many as the sports and entertainment capital of the world. All five major American sports leagues have teams (sometimes multiple teams in the same league) in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Lakers and the Dodgers have won 21 titles between them. But beyond the glamour, L.A. sports tell unique stories about the rich history and culture of the city, the people who support them and the neighborhoods they call home.

Students will take a walk through time as we learn about the history of the city through the people and places that shape the L.A. sports landscape. Come explore L.A. with a completely new lens; tour iconic venues possibly including Dodgers Stadium, Staples Center or The Coliseum; experience the city vibe on game day; and interview fans, reporters, historians and everyday Angelinos whose lives are impacted by sports, whether they like it or not.

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INVESTING IN THE

21ST CENTURY Faculty: Will Allan & Janet Peddy

15 Unbounded Days

What is your financial risk assessment; are you conservative and bond-oriented or would you prefer to let it ride in the market?

It’s never too early to become a savvy money manager. Have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with the best— executives and analysts at Goldman Sachs!

Asset and investment management is an important field. Sound investing can help individuals and institutions prosper and meet their goals. This world-renowned firm manages The Webb Schools’ multi-milliondollar endowment. You will learn about the investment strategy they use to help ensure Webb’s future and then apply what you have learned by creating and pitching investment strategies for real-world individuals and institutions. Other topics that will be explored include cryptocurrency and venture capitalism. A visit to Goldman Sachs’ Los Angeles office will give you an overview of the industry and the opportunity to meet banking and investment professionals who play different roles in the company’s operations.

IR MÁS ALLÁ:

THE CULTURE OF

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

Faculty: Elle Brosh & Morgan Kapp Course Fee: $100

This course takes you on a journey up California’s coastline to Monterey Bay, a major vacation destination known for its sublime natural landscapes, diverse aquatic wildlife and mouthwatering burritos.

But Monterey is much more than just a tourist-stop. It is a place shaped by its geography, by empire and by migration.

Students will begin their exploration of the area at first glance by kayaking along the shoreline, touring the city aquarium and gazing into the crystal-clear tide pools. After experiencing Monterey’s natural topography and tourist attractions, students will delve deeper into the area’s cultural landscape by engaging with Monterey’s long history of Spanish colonialism, immigration and farm labor activism. Students will visit spaces such as Spanish missions and operational farmlands to learn about and experience the ways in which Monterey’s beauty and luxury was created and continues to be upheld by power structures and struggles within the community and beyond.

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IT’S ALIVE!:

A JOURNEY INTO

CONTEMPORARY HORROR Faculty: Elizabeth Cantwell & Wendy Maxon Course Fee: $100

This four-day Unbounded course will lead students on an odyssey of the weird, the spooky, the unsettling and the downright terrifying. While we aim to make you cringe, we will do so with a clear goal in mind—to give you a better understanding of how and why contemporary writers, filmmakers and artists are twisting and deconstructing the tried-and-true tropes of the horror genre.

We aim to participate in the current horror renaissance by helping students understand the deeply thoughtful underpinnings of an often misunderstood field. Students in this course should expect one overnight trip to a horrifying location and day trips to museums, art galleries, studios and other sites where artists are working to manifest universal fears into something tangible we will navigate together. As a culminating project, students will create their own piece of contemporary horror.

Content warning: Students may find some imagery and content explicit or disturbing.

17 Unbounded Days

JOURNEY OF

IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM Faculty: John Choi & Jess Fisher

The UN reported this year that we are currently witnessing the highest level of human displacement on record, some 29 million international refugees and asylum-seekers hoping to live legally in other, safer countries like the United States. This four-day Unbounded course takes students into direct personal contact with refugees in the greater L.A. area, and the people seeking to help them. We will meet with an immigration lawyer in Los Angeles, a group home manager for unaccompanied minor children in La Verne and refugees and host families in our local area. We will then travel to Adelanto for a day to speak with imprisoned migrants at the privately-run High Desert Detention Center. Finally, we will spend a day in San Diego to volunteer at a family shelter for refugees and to visit Friendship Park on the San Diego-Tijuana border, where families go to speak to each other through the border wall. Throughout the course, we will ask and reflect on the following questions: How does the process of seeking asylum work, what obstacles and techniques exist, and what are the stories and experiences of the people seeking asylum?

You must be 16 or older to sign up.

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L.A.

KAYAKING THE

FILM

COLORADO RIVER

Faculty: Brian Caldwell & Rick Duque Course Fee: $175

19 Unbounded Days

Join us for Webb’s first ever Unbounded Days kayaking expedition of the Colorado River.

This is no glamping trip. You will paddle about 8 miles each day, stopping for lunch along the way. The section of the river we will navigate is moving flatwater with no rapids-just beautiful green water. Each night we will prepare our meals and camp near the river. Along the way you will develop or strengthen your outdoor leadership skills including communication, navigation, collaboration and mental toughness. In addition, you will learn to identify and appreciate the different eco-systems of the Colorado River Basin, star gaze and consider the economic impact the 1,450-mile river has on the region, most notably the way it fuels agriculture in the Southwest. View the land and water from a completely different vantage point and challenge your body and mind along the way.

Faculty: Hector Martinez & Anthony Shin

Mr. Martinez and Mr. Shin aren’t just the “college guys.” We are also real people who love film and television and all things that relate to the entertainment industry. In that spirit, we would like to give you a “behind the scenes” look at some of the cool things associated with Hollywood. For three days we will explore lesser known but interesting aspects of the world of Film & TV, coming to understand how rooted the entertainment industry is in the city. Additionally, we will meet with Webb alumni and friends of Webb who are currently involved in the industry.

Through conversations with industry professionals and hands-on exploration, you will leave this course with a deeper appreciation for all that goes into creating cinematic magic.

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L.A.

MULTICULTURAL ADVENTURE

Faculty: Jim Dahler & Michael Kozden

21 Unbounded Days

Pack your bags for a whirlwind cultural and culinary tour around Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Mexican and Korean Los Angeles.

The City of Angels is a vast metropolis famous worldwide for its cultural diversity and ethnic neighborhoods. Traveling by public transport, you will experience these cultures firsthand by exploring local neighborhoods such as Little Tokyo, Olvera Street, Diamond Bar, the “626” Chinese community and Chino Hills’ amazing Hindu temple. Possible activities may include learning Chinese calligraphy and painting with experts, practicing the ancient martial arts of Tai Chi and Tae Kwon Do, playing traditional Asian games, including mahjong, Chinese chess, Go, and cooking your own meal based on what you’ve observed. Come tour L.A.: one of America’s most diverse cities!

¡NO SE

HABLA INGLÉS

AQUÍ!

Faculty: Javier Valera & Joseph Vincent

There is no better way to learn a language than to live it. This course will begin with a language pledge, where students commit to speaking Spanish for the duration of the course. From there, we will explore the rich Latino history of the Los Angeles area. The first day will be based in L.A. proper, with stops in Olvera Street, Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles, Grand Central Market and La Plaza de Cultura y Artes.

The second day will take us to Long Beach for some volunteering and the world-class Museum of Latin American Arts. The course will finish off in the San Gabriel Valley with discussions with Mexican entrepreneurs.

Listen, learn, volunteer, eat and play entirely in Spanish. ¡No se habla inglés aquí!

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PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE:

THE EVOLVING FACE OF

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS Faculty: Drew Calvert & Andy Farke

23 Unbounded Days

Natural history museums are often portrayed as static storehouses for dusty bones, creepy mummies and antiquated viewpoints on humanity’s interaction with the natural world. The Los Angeles museum scene leads the way with new methods to preserve our collective past, engage today’s diverse audiences and look towards the future of museum spaces. During this course, we will explore the natural history museum scene of Los Angeles, while we also look at the ways natural history is presented outside of traditional museum spaces. We’ll then turn our attention to the Alf Museum and create a new experience for our museum-goers using cutting-edge techniques.

PRE-

PREMED Faculty: Stephanie Baron

Have you ever wanted to see if you have what it takes to make it in the medical field?

This course provides a taste of the training it takes to be a healer. You will be certified in CPR and First Aid. You will try your hand at splinting, stitching and suturing. You will attend practical sessions at Western University of Health Sciences—a real medical school. Once you have mastered these basic skills, you will see them in action by shadowing medical professionals in an operating room and emergency room at a local hospital. You will leave the course having learned high-level techniques usually taught at the graduate school level and be inspired to join the health care team.

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RESEARCH WITH DRONES:

THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY

BIOLOGY CONSERVATION IN

Faculty: Carissa DeRanek & Nika Haleftiras

25 Unbounded Days

AND

Conservation technology is an ever-evolving field as we learn to apply our knowledge of statistics, engineering and biology to complex socio-political problems. In this course, we will look at ways that technology is being incorporated into conservation science on both a local and global scale.

We will interweave foundational field techniques with cutting-edge technology used in conservation science today. We will get down and dirty with insects, fly high with drones, use spatial statistics to analyze maps created using ArcGIS and cap off the experience by imagining how futuristic technology can help reconnect humanity with nature at the San Diego Zoo. After an exciting day learning about conservation technology at the San Diego Zoo, we will enjoy some delicious Mexican food and reflect on our day at a beach bonfire (with banana boats). The culmination of our time together will be a presentation of the data we’ve collected and analyzed in the context of local ecology and its connections to policy.

ROCK

STARS

Faculty: Tom Jurczak & Geoff Owers

“Rock Stars” is a 3-day camping trip to enjoy and study the scientific wonders of Death Valley. This unique National Park offers the clearest, most stunning views of the night sky as well as some of the most interesting geologic features on planet Earth, not to mention an annual exhibition of natural wildflowers. Come explore the largest vertical range that science can offer in this part of the world—we’ll study the geology of Badwater Basin that lies at an elevation of 278 feet below sea level, as well as the wonders of the cosmos that are thousands of light years away. Telescopic viewing of the stars, photographic opportunities that can be embraced nowhere else (during both night and day) and short hikes to local features such as Natural Bridge and Scotty’s Castle will be part of this outdoor exploration adventure.

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SOCAL

MARINE LIFE Faculty: Stephen Caddy & Kevin Quick

27 Unbounded Days

There is only one Southern California.

The year-round sun, endless beaches and casual living make it the destination for millions of travelers every year. But just being at Webb doesn’t mean you actually live here. Grab your bodyboard, flip-flops, snorkel, wetsuit, and sunglasses and make your way to the sand. To the water. To the sun. We will travel to iconic beach towns and snorkel areas to experience the vibrant marine life of Southern California in the mornings. Then jump in the water for some radical bodyboarding to really feel like a native. We will partake in some iconic local food and end our days with some classic movies about the beach lifestyle. Soak up the sun and fun.

SOCAL

SKATEBOARDING CULTURE

Faculty: Mark Dzula & Ardina Greco Course Fee: $50

From Dogtown to the Bones Brigade, skateboarding runs deep in Southern California. Delve into the artistry, culture and commerce of skateboarding. Design a deck. Take a lesson and skate at a park.

Visit the Skateboarding Hall of Fame. Explore intersections of style, culture and commerce.

Make a skateboarding video. Make a zine.

Watch a documentary about SoCal skateboarding culture. Participants will discuss leisure spaces, like skate parks, and explore the role of recreation in teens’ lives.

Hey skaters: this course is open to all skill levels. Even if you have never skated before, you will be able to enjoy this course and skate safely.

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TECH

CHALLENGE

Faculty: Tim Coates

29 Unbounded Days

Learn to be a tech ninja. The only prerequisite is that you love solving problems and coming up with creative solutions. You won’t be sitting at a computer all day. You will be actively building, searching, creating and solving tech challenges as part of the ultimate Cicada 3301-like scavenger hunt. In the morning you could be creating electronic musical instruments and, in the afternoon, building a network from the ground up for a LAN party. The workshop will cover electronics, networking, cryptography, coding and microcontrollers. Each topic will be introduced through challenges such as building and writing code to run animatronics. Challenge yourself to build and create in a way you never thought possible.

THRU-HIKING THE

CALIFORNIA

BACKCOUNTRY

Faculty: Greg Gerken, Howie Kalter & Viviana Nicolosi

This 5-day course is designed to connect students to place and nature via a backpacking trip into the wilderness.

We will explore the wilderness as only few are able—by carrying everything we will need to survive into the backcountry.

This will be a very active Unbounded Days course. Be prepared to carry a 30–40 lb pack between 6–10 miles each day. During this trip you will learn skills like navigation, camp cooking, nutrition, and will connect to nature through first-hand experiences and observation. We will also teach leadership and decision-making skills that can be applied to areas other than wilderness exploration. There will be a lot of time for reflection and self-discovery while we are on the trail. Our goal is that all students in this course learn how to safely enjoy the great outdoors and share their experience and knowledge with others.

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A TIME TO PLAY: THE ART OF

DRAMATIC WRITING Faculty: Stef Plumley & Brian Rogers

31 Unbounded Days

In a word, it starts with words. Join us on a three-day investigation into what makes a successful script for the stage or screen.

We will connect with theater experts for conversations on craft and what really makes Star Wars tick. And you will do some creating yourself! We will journey into Los Angeles for inspiration and writing exercises (and some good food); and over the course of the three days you will create a short play that will be performed on our last night together. Whether you are a budding play or screenwriter or just someone who wants to try their hand at something new, be prepared to immerse yourself into the world of dramatic writing. You never know, a Tony Award or Oscar just might be out there in your future!

URBAN

SKETCHING Faculty: Eric Hansen & Alex Valdez

A sketchbook and a field kit of art supplies can lend an artist special license to perch on a street corner and render one’s impression of city life while everyone else hurries to work. Urban sketching is a fast, flexible, fun art genre—made popular online at www.urbansketchers.org. It authorizes students who may not yet consider themselves artists to examine public spaces and empowers students to slow down and spend more time than they’re accustomed to spending in one spot. In this Unbounded learning adventure, we will ink and paint compositions of settings as different as the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu temple in Chino Hills and Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles. Discussions, readings and free writes will probe how human imagination and noticing can accord a place its soul or death. This is an excellent course for those interested in learning more about sketching, architecture, urban landscapes, and the value of observation and slowing down.

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THE WEBB SCHOOLS 1175 West Baseline Rd. Claremont, CA 91711–2199 909.482.5214 webb.org