Alumni-Led Intersessions

Intersession Week 2012 Expands Horizons of Many

This year's week-long program provided a wide variety of opportunities for students, staff, faculty, alumni, outside professors and even parents to broaden their horizons. More than 50 Intersession programs were offered in total, including those taught by 26 alumni who collectively gave over 500 hours of time!  While some students learned to cook without a kitchen, knit, build robots or learned photography, others immersed themselves in foreign cultures with travel to China, Peru and other distant locations. See videos...

Thank you to the 26 alumni who facilitated sessions this year, and special thanks to Amanda Murphyao '03 for leading the alumni recognition activities on behalf of the IAA!

Rachel Banke '08 Everett Brokaw '07 Kevin Colby '95 Cynthia Dang '03 Dean Dieker '03 Hilary Dietz '09 Julie Dowling '99 Michael "Bo" Driscoll '07 David Jordan '07 Micha Kilburn '95 Zack Maril '10 Julian Moore '09 Amanda Murphyao '03

Adam  Novak '08 Scott Page '09 Brian Patterson '89 Harrison "Max" Pfingsten '02 Alexandra Plattos '07 Andrew Ritchie '08 Brian Sebby '96 Andrew Stout '99 Danielle Strickland '10 Megan Welter '09 Michael Wong '11 Jenn Wylie '92 Claire Zhang '11

Intersession 2013

Alumni are invited to submit proposals to teach a course during Intersession each year.   A call for proposals will be sent in September 2012.  

Intersession Dates: January 7-11, 2013

Deadline for Proposals: TBA (typically October 2012)

Go to IMSA's Intersession site.  

What is Intersession?

Intersession is a week long learning opportunity offered during the students' first week at IMSA following winter break. Sessions are led by faculty, staff, students, alumni, and outside guests. Course offerings cover a wide range of topics, allowing students to explore areas of interest outside the curriculum. 

According to IMSA's Institutional Purpose Statement, Intersession is an opportunity:

• to address a burning question, interest, or idea.
• for students to explore concepts in different ways and relationships.
• for non-teaching staff to engage with students in these activities.
• for intensive study, with limited distractions of other classes learning.
•  to connect to previous and future learning experiences such as classes, or inquiry.

What Courses are Students Interested In?

Courses range from special math and science topics to cultural studies to off-campus educational trips and everything in between.  Based on a recent student survey, the most requested topics for Intersession are:

• Science: Veterinary Medicine, Medical Diagnostics, Pathology/Immunology, Medical/Medicine, Pharmacology,, Nature, Electronics Modern Physics

• Fine Arts: Music Theory, Music Composition, Art class, Drawing, Photography, Ceramics

• Humanities: Psychology, Modern Teen Literature, Law, Linguistics, Economics

• Technology: Games for Change.com, Photoshop, Online Technology, CAD design and woodworking, Adobe Flash on Macs, Manga/anime

• Other: Chess, Sewing, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Wood Shop, Improvisation, Movie Making, Urban Planning, Exploring Career Areas 

What Courses Have Alumni Taught in the Past?

Over the past six years, more than 150 alumni have volunteered to lead an Intersession course.  Click here to see a list of recent alumni volunteers and the courses they taught.

Can I Teach a Course for One Day Only?

Intersession is intended to be a week-long learning experience and courses must be held everyday, Monday through Friday.  Courses can be led by more than one individual, and in the past alumni have paired up to teach a similar topic and share the workload.  The IMSA Alumni Association is helping to connect alumni who are interested in teaching and submitting a group proposal. 

If you want to teach but are not available the entire week, please email Carolyn Johnson with the following information: your name, class year, general topic of course, number of days available to teach, and preferred session (morning, afternoon or evening).

How Do I Sign Up to Teach?

IMSA alumni are invited to submit proposals to teach a session during Intersession. Proposals are generally accepted each September for the following January.  Alumni can log into the Intersession website to submit your proposal.  The deadline for proposals will be announced in September.

Helpful Hints

• • Courses can be part time (morning, afternoon or evening) or full time (morning/afternoon or afternoon/evening) sessions.
  • Class must be held every day, Monday - Friday.
  • Courses may be taught by more than one individual.  Pair up to share the workload!
  • Each proposal submitted by an alumnus will require an IMSA staff sponsor.  If you don't have one, just leave that blank and we will help connect you with a staff member.
  • When completing the IMSA Resources section of the proposal, keep in mind that most teaching spaces are equipped with an LCD projector or monitor.  If you require additional equipment or ITS assistance, please make note of this on the proposal.
  • All submitted proposals are reviewed by a committee.  Approved sessions will be posted online.
  • For more information and to see the catalog of offerings from last year, click here.  
  • Need help or guidance with the proposal form?  Contact Carolyn Johnson.