Lifeguard Training
(PED 232)
Taught by veteran lifeguard Nila Peavy, this class teaches students the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies.
Graduates of this course earn lifeguard training, first aid and CPR/AED certificates necessary to become professional lifeguards.
Peavy said any student more than 15 years old is eligible to register, but to stay in the class past the first day with the eligibility to still earn the certificates, students must pass two tests. The first test is an endurance test where students swim 300 yards continuously, while the second test is a break test, where students swim 20 yards, dive seven to 10 feet to retrieve a 10 pound object and then swim back 20 yards with the object.
Peavy said students who don’t pass the tests can stay in the class for fun, but cannot obtain certificates.
“The class is demanding, but it’s a good opportunity for Sinclair students,” Peavy said. “Summer pools will be opening and hiring soon after the class is over so the demand is there.”
Peavy said lifeguards that work at Sinclair earn around $11 per hour.
The three credit hour class is offered on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Rasta and Reggae
(AFR 297)
Listed as a three credit hour African American Studies class, Rasta and Reggae provides an introduction to Caribbean culture and touches on Rastafarian philosophy and music that influences the region.
The course is taught by Sinclair Adjunct Professor Ivy Chevers. Chevers lived in Jamaica for 18 years as a member of the Peace Corp.
“It’s a wonderful country, but when students get into the class they realize it’s not all beaches and white sand,” Chevers said. “They get an honest evaluation of Jamaica.”
Chevers said the class also covers Jamaican culture, religion, the maroons, slavery and resistance. Chevers said the class was first opened for registration in winter quarter.
“Most of the history is focused on Jamaica. The students in the class are having a great time and have learned a lot,” she said.
The class is offered on Tuesdays and Thursday between 2 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Comics and Culture
(SOC 117-50)
Comics and Culture Instructor Craig This said the goal of this class is twofold: the first is to help students come away with a better understanding of comic books and graphic novels, as well as their history and place in popular culture, while the second goal to help students understand the role of popular culture and how it influences them.
“Students see how American values, religion, violence, images of women and racial/ethnic groups in the United States are played out in comic books,” This said via e-mail. “Consequently, comic books and graphic novels not only reflect the values and norms of the society around them but also help influence and lead to discussion about comic books and graphic novels.”
This said besides studying and analyzing comics, students will also read scholarly articles about comic books, as well as watch cartoons and movies because he said that’s where most Americans first experience comic book characters.
Comics and Culture is offered on Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Psychological Experience of Film
(PSY 297)
This psychology class dives into the perception of film and the experience using the exploration of psychological themes. Dr. Lea Ann Lucas leads the class that plans to cover popular and historical films.
“Students have the opportunity to experience how films shape our popular psychological culture through their accuracy of portrayal of psychological issues,” Lucas said in an e-mail. “The course is for anyone who enjoys good discussion and films as well as psychology, art and culture.”
Lucas hopes students will be more critical of what is seen in movies when the course is finished. Lucas said her area of expertise is clinical cross-cultural psychology.
“I love films and how they reveal fact or fiction in our own lives,” she said.
The class is offered on Mondays and Wednesdays between 2 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.