Summer 2025
AGEC 4990/AECL 5990: Farming and Environmental Innovations for Northern New Mexico and Similar Geographies Worldwide
May 19-31, 2025
Instructor: Craig Edwards | Department of Agricultural Education
Instructor: Jeff Vitale | Department of Agricultural Economics
The near semi-arid, mountainous farming and livestock grazing systems in and around Taos, NM and the surrounding region are highly vulnerable to climate-related shocks. These environmental challenges notwithstanding, local farmers and livestock producers, including Indigenous populations of the Taos Pueblo, have survived in the region for a millennium. Their existing practices, which often integrate longstanding cultural beliefs, customs, and local resources, will be explored and how the introduction of innovative technologies complement rather than compete with such. Technologies designed to augment and extend agroecological, sustainable farming and livestock raising practices include managing for optimal wildlife habitats and biodiversity, rotational grazing systems, virtual fencing, use of drone devices, improved water conservation strategies, and select data management approaches, among others. The area of study offers valuable field trip opportunities for students to observe and interact with these and other innovations. This course will emphasize effective strategies and methods for introducing these and related innovations to facilitate appropriate and sustained adoption by agricultural producers and other environmental stewards in the geographies of northern New Mexico and similar regions around the globe.
Haunted Taos: Ghosts Stories as Social Justice
ENG 4630: Advanced Fiction Writing
ENGL 5730: Seminar in Fiction Writing
June 9-20, 2025
Instructor: Aimee Parkison | Department of English, Creative Writing Program
In this creative writing course, we will write, study, and tell ghost stories to examine how a “ghost” might function as a reminder of past injustice and a pathway towards healing. In addition to writing and workshopping original stories, we will study the craft and culture of ghost-story lore as a hybrid literary genre connected to cultural influences. In what ways can hauntings and the uncanny be understood as wish fulfillment, a desire for closure? To explore this, we will focus on hauntings connected to Taos and the Southwest as well as ghost stories of national, international, and literary significance–haunted oral histories, theories, legends, folklore, sightings, and narratives. In addition to attending fiction workshops at the Doel Reed Center, writers are encouraged to visit locations related to death, legends, and ghostly lore, including cemeteries, museums, and “haunted” locations in and near Taos while crafting narratives that echo the past in the present.
ART4800: Experiencing Taos Architecture through Web Design
June 9-20, 2025
Instructor: Ting Wang-Hedges | Department of Art, Graphic Design, and Art History
In this course, students will have the opportunity to design and prototype a long-scroll page website using Figma, a cloud-based design and prototyping tool that is free to students and offers full access to all its features. While an introduction to Interaction Design and Website Basics, including web anatomy and structure, will be covered, students will focus their designs on the rich architectural heritage of Taos, New Mexico. Each student will select a specific building or landmark in or around Taos, and their website will serve as a captivating storytelling platform. The objective is to explore the intricacies of their chosen architectural piece—examining its history, unique attributes, and the influences of Indigenous culture in its design. The final outcome will be a long-scroll website that provides an engaging and informative experience, allowing visitors to learn about the significance of Taos architecture while appreciating its cultural context.
MUSC 4600/5600: Chamber Music – Taos Edition June 30 - July 12, 2025
Instructor: Ryan Robinson | Michael and Anne Greenwood School of Music
This Brass Chamber Music course is designed to offer students collaborative and immersive experiences in small ensemble settings, focusing on the unique challenges and rewards of performing brass repertoire. Students will explore a wide range of chamber music, from classical to contemporary works, and will develop skills in ensemble playing, communication, and interpretation. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of blending sound, perfecting intonation, and crafting a cohesive musical interpretation within the group. Through regular rehearsals, coaching sessions, and performance opportunities, students will gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of brass chamber music and refine their musicality in a dynamic, team-oriented environment. In addition to ensemble work, the course will address practical aspects such as rehearsal techniques, programming, and the development of effective practice habits within a chamber setting. Students will be exposed to both standard literature and more diverse, less traditional works, providing a well-rounded experience. The course will culminate in public performances, offering students the opportunity to showcase their progress and gain experience in a live setting. This class encourages individual growth while fostering teamwork, helping students develop the tools to become both skilled soloists and versatile chamber musicians.