JAN 310-01 - Fencing and Swords in History and Popular Culture

Level:  300-level

Course Times:  9:15am - 11:55am

Course Materials Fee:  $75

Instructor(s):  Ellen Rigsby  & Carl Thelen

Email:  erigsby@stmarys-ca.edu & cthelen@stmarys-ca.edu

En Garde! Prepare to enter the world of D’Artagnan, Zorro, and Luke Skywalker. This class is two things: a beginning fencing class (that’s the easy part), and an exploration of all things swordplay in film and history, including a medieval duel with 30 people to a side! We will examine the cultural representations of fencing in the western tradition and through popular culture. You will get training in fight choreography using Star Wars lightsabers, and perform a fight for the class. There’s even a lesson about the relationship between fencing and communism. There will be a required field trip to observe a sword fighting practice with the Society for Creative Anachronism the second Thursday of class in the evening at Rockridge BART. And through it all, you learn to fence. Athletes, please note this class will feel like an additional workout to your regular schedule.

Prerequisites & Notes
SEM 250 or SEM 327

Credits: 3