Power of Stories: Literary Interpretation and Storytelling Workshop

“Words are events, they do things, change things.” – Ursula K. Le Guin.

Everyone in the Barnard community has experienced firsthand the impact words can have, especially in the aftermath of violence or in ongoing crises. In this moment of immense loss of life, political strife, and public assembly, many in this community are using their words to effect change. There is no substitute for political protest and the staggering meaning it can make and break on the public stage.

This half-day workshop is not a substitute for political protest or speech, but another outlet for individual and collective sensemaking in profoundly troubling times. The goal is to bring students from a variety of positionalities and political perspectives together to interpret relevant poetry and literature surrounding the ongoing Israeli/Palestinian conflict, to write or tell their own stories (fictional or biographical), and together to read and interpret those stories with as much rigor and respect as published works of literature. We invite students to recommend poetry, short fiction, or excerpts from novels for the group to read at the beginning of the workshop. We seek students who wish to draw on their own creative energies to share something of their experience with others in a space devoted to careful reading, active listening, and self-expression.  

Event Date and Time: Friday, December 8 | 9am -- 1pm  

Location: TBD 

RSVP here

Contact us at dei@barnard.edu or pedagogy@barnard.edu

*NEW* Vergil feature to search for classes with open seats

 

Columbia has launched an updated Course Search in Vergil, which Barnard students can also use. 

The tool has similar search criteria as Student Planning, including the ability to look for classes that satisfy Barnard General Education (Foundations) requirements. It also has the option to “Only show classes with open seats” in the search results.

1-2 credit course options for Spring 2024

1. Fulfill your PE requirement if you haven't yet.

Register online and be sure to attend the first class meeting. PE courses may initially appear in your myBarnard program as 0 credits and will then be transformed to 1 credit (if you are eligible) after the final registration deadline.

Pro Tip:
Unfortunately, there is little to no space in PE for students who want this as an elective. Only students who have not yet completed the PE requirement will be able to preregister for PE. Dance, on the other hand (see below!), often has space

2. Take a dance class

Dance classes may initially appear in your myBarnard program as 0 credits -- if you don't change this when registering, you can fill out the Form to Request a Point of Dance Credit.

3. Search Vergil for courses between 0 and 2 credits.

You'll have to scroll through a lot of things that may not help you, like labs for courses you're not taking, courses limited to class years other than yours, but this will give you the most comprehensive listing.

Pro Tip:
Use the schools filters for "Barnard College" and "Faculty of Arts and Sciences" to refine your search to undergraduate courses offered on both sides of Broadway.  Check the detailed course descriptions in the Directory of Classes for prerequisites, restrictions, or special application procedures.

4.  Seminars in the sciences or humanities, 

such as these two short classes offered by the Barnard Film department:

Artemis Rising Short Course in Filmmaking

Artemis Rising Short Course in Film Production

5.  For those looking to refine their foreign language skills, 

the French, Italian and German Departments offer advanced conversation and grammar classes.   Some language programs also provide 1-credit directed reading courses.  You can also find supervised readings in some languages -- this spring there is this offering in Dutch. 

6.  For students who sing, play an instrument, or want to know more about music:

• Columbia/Barnard Chorus or Chamber Singers
  
• Voice Lessons or Music Lessons -- see Music Department website for info about auditions and fees 
• These may be free for music majors and minors, and those participating in University Chorus or Orchestra -- there is additional cost for other students.
  
• Ear Training -- offered on a variety of levels, check Music Department course listings for details

7.   If you're interested in Theatre, Dance, or Backstage work:

Practicum or Rehearsal & Performance (Theatre or Dance) -- for actors, dancers, stage managers, prop or costume makers, and theatre tech people. Check the course description to see who to contact if you are interested.

8.  If you're interested in International Affairs, Political Science, and/or Economics: consider a "short course" at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)

*check the course description for "course date" to see when the course starts & ends*
One of the "short courses" offered by the School for International & Public Affairs (SIPA). Search Vergil for SIPA courses between 1 and 2 credits, or the SIPA page of the CU Directory of Classes for 1-1.5-credit courses. You can't just register online for these.  Here is the procedure:

1. Check to see if the class you want is on the list of SIPA courses approved for Barnard students (forthcoming -- link will be added when available; in the meantime, use your judgment to assess if the class is academic as opposed to professional development)
2. Contact the instructor to ask if there is space available and if it is appropriate for you given your background. Get any approvals in writing (email is fine).
3. Contact your academic adviser for approval that the course appropriately fits into both your schedule and a liberal arts curriculum. 
4. Upload both approvals when submitting the online add form.

 

New Deadlines and Policies for PDF and Withdrawals in Fall 2023 ONLY: Deadline is now Dec 11; You may take up to two classes P/D/F

Per the November 10 email from Dean Grinage and Provost Bell, the following changes are in effect for the Fall 2023 term, only: 

The deadline to change your grading option to P/D/F has been extended to December 11, 2023.  You now may also change your grading option to P/D/F to up to two classes.  

Here is how to change your grading option to PDF: 

Barnard students will use SSOL to elect P/D/F grading

-Click here to elect a Fall 2023 course for P/D/F grading.  (Use a browser other than Safari).

-Click on P/D/F grading then Grading Option Change Request.

This form can be used to elect Pass/D/Fail for a course where that option is not available in SSOL.

To undo/ revoke your p/d/f election  - or switch the election to a different class (this must be done prior to the P/D/F grading deadline):

-Go to ssol.columbia.edu and go to Pass/D/Fail Uncover.

The deadline to withdraw from a course and receive a mark of W has also been extended to December 11, 2023. 

To withdraw from a class, use this online form, following these steps:


1. Consult with your adviser.

2. Get an email from your adviser confirming they approve you to withdraw from this specific class.

3. Download that email as a PDF or save a screenshot of it.

4. Complete and submit the online W form on or before the W deadline, uploading your adviser’s confirmation email when prompted to do so.

5. You will receive an email confirmation once your W request is processed, ordinarily within two business days. 

Note that the W will not appear on your record until the end of the semester when final grades are entered.

Columbia University Projected Final Exam Schedule for Fall 2023 available online -- use this to make winter break travel plans

Planning ahead for winter break 2023-2024?  Please check the Columbia University Projected Final Exam Schedule first!  Days and times are accurate; the only difference between the "projected" exam schedule and the full schedule is the latter will also have locations. The detailed, class-by-class list for both Columbia and Barnard classes should become available online after midterms.  

Note the following instructions regarding exam conflicts or exam hardship for Barnard students: Students will occasionally have two exams scheduled for the same time. If you have exam conflict (two exams at the same time) or exam hardship (defined as three exams within a 24-hour period or four exams within a 48-hour period), please fill out this form. Examinations are not rescheduled to accommodate travel plans. 

Neuroscience and Behavior Department - Program Planning Meeting on Thursday Nov, 9th

The NSB Department will have its Program Planning Meeting on Thursday, November 9th, at 4:00pm, in 203 Diana. Please come to learn more about our department, our courses, research opportunities, and to have your questions answered. 

If unable to join in person, you can attend on zoom:

https://columbiauniversity.zoom.us/meeting/97292221692

The meeting will also be recorded. The link to the recording will be sent to students in the NSB mailing list and to any student requesting it to mmiozzo@barnad.edu.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the meeting.

NSB Faculty

Registration Period Nov. 13-17: Meet with your adviser and register during your assigned time, beginning on TUESDAY 11/14/2023 for Juniors

As a reminder, you are encouraged to meet with your adviser sometime before your first assigned registration time (for juniors) Nov 14.  You will soon be able to plan courses, but you will not be able to register until your assigned day and time during the Nov 13-17 registration week.

Haven't met with your adviser yet?  Contact them to set up an appointment.

To Register for Spring 2024 Courses:

• Be sure you have met with your adviser, and that you know what to register for so you're on track to graduate!

• Be sure you have planned (yellow) your preferred Spring courses in Student Planning so they'll be ready to go when your registration time begins.

• Log into the Barnard Portal and find your registration times and check for holds (Academics tab --> Planning Your Courses --> Registration Appointments & Holds).  
  

• Resolve any holds before registration week, so nothing gets in your way!
  

• Log into Student Planning via myBarnard as soon as your first registration time begins on Tuesday 11/14, and no later than the end of your last registration time on Friday 11/17, and click the blue "REGISTER" button on the upper right.  

• Unless a course has note informing you of special registration procedures (application, writing sample, audition, must attend first class to confirm, etc.), you will be registered for any course that shows up in green on your schedule.

• Many courses will initially waitlist all students (e.g. Organic Chemistry I, Bio 1502). If you aren't able to add a class, add yourself to the waiting list and/or select a "plan B" option.

• NOTE: Please aim to be fully registered (green) for at least 12 credits by the end of this week, or you may be charged late fees.  There will be additional add/drop times in the coming weeks and months, along with the customary final "shopping" period at the beginning of the spring semester.

Questions?  Meet with your adviser or a dean.  

What is open and what is closed during the election day break?

 

Monday Nov. 6 
No classes
Administrative offices OPEN
Some Profs, Deans -- including Dean Siegel -- and staff may be unavailable (check first if you're planning to go to office hours)

Tuesday, Nov. 7

No Classes
Administrative offices CLOSED
Polls OPEN