Fall 2025 Experimental College (EXCO) 301 Course Descriptions
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EXCO 301.01: Bangers & Ballads: Why Music Moves Us
Azaria Stauffer-Barney, astaufferbarney@sfsu.edu
Monday 1:00-2:40 pm in Burk Hall 344
This course explores the key elements of music that capture our attention and evoke emotions—melody, harmony, rhythm, lyrics, and production. Students will analyze hit songs, uncover trends across genres, and learn the psychology behind why certain sounds resonate with listeners. Through hands-on exercises like crafting themed playlists and dissecting song structures, students will develop a deeper understanding of what makes music click. Whether you're a casual listener, a musician, or an aspiring curator, this course will transform the way you experience and organize music.
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EXCO 301.02: Design, Psychology, and Society
Elliot Sum, msum@sfsu.edu
Wednesday 4:00-5:40 pm in HSS 275
Design, Psychology, and Society aims to introduce students to how visual design influences people at an individual and societal level. This class will explore the psychological and sociological effects of design choices, from art pieces and clothing to logos and architecture; we will cultivate our awareness and appreciation for all types of artists and creators. We will have activities, live lectures, and optional readings to deepen our understanding of what design can do and widen our perspective on design. Additionally, this class will use critical lenses to examine how design choices may have extremely harmful or helpful effects on specific marginalized populations.
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EXCO 301.03: Fanfiction In Depth
Babette Wagener, bwagener@sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
Students will be tasked with analysis of fanfiction as a medium. We will dig into the existing theories and research on the medium, analyze texts, and also write our own. Students will learn about the history of fanfiction, as well as how to write it. Lastly, we will also discuss the impact of the medium on the publishing world today.
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EXCO 301.04: Textiles: Historical and Environmental Impacts
Brennan Withers, bwithers@sfsu.edu
Friday 1:00-2:40 pm in HSS 275
Students will learn about clothing from both environmental and historical perspectives. Course topics include the broader historical impacts of the mass-production of textiles (such as the rise of fast fashion, increase in textile consumption, and the impacts on global labor rights movements), the environmental impacts of different natural and synthetic textile production processes (such as the shedding of microplastics, water usage, and other forms of pollution) and new developments in the realm of textiles. Students will be able to make more informed decisions regarding their own consumption of clothing through lectures and hands-on activities.
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EXCO 301.05: History of Body Horror
Cole Pepper, cpepper2@sfsu.edu
Tuesday 4:00-5:40 pm in HSS 275
Body horror - the weird, nasty stuff we're all curious about. In this class, students will examine how the artificial perversions and manipulations of the body have been used in history. The course will cover everything from the Quartermass Xperiment up through the Substance, making several stops in Cronenberg's filmography and exploring the literature of William S. Burroughs along the way. Students will gain access to a comprehensive history of the subversive and often transgressive subgenre and how it is used as a medium to deliver messages about humanity and the world.
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EXCO 301.06: Women of Post Punk
Eva Palma, epalma@sfsu.edu
Tuesday 2:00-3:40 pm in Burk Hall 344
Post Punk is usually stereotyped as being dark, brooding music made by skinny boys with guitars. Somewhat true. However, it took on many influences: funk, 60s pop, electronic music, noise, jazz, dub reggae, Afrobeat and disco. And women were there from the beginning, despite what male music critics would have you believe. This course examines the impact of the post punk/ “new wave” movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s, and learn about its connections to resistance against patriarchy and heteronormativity. It could easily be a class just about post punk, where all the bands happen to feature women.
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EXCO 301.07: Community Gardening
Dulce Vida Euclide, deuclide@sfsu.edu
Friday 1:00-2:40 pm in HSS 104
Revitalize our Sol Patch Garden with a shared love for art, ecology, and community-building!
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EXCO 301.08: Asian Student Union Internship Program
Jeremy Brosnan, jbrosnan@sfsu.edu; Navraj Mushiana, nmushiana@sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
The Asian Student Union (ASU) Internship Program is a semester-long course that allows students to learn about social, historical, political, and cultural aspects in Asian American communities. This program gives students a chance to delve deeper into the meaning of the AAPI experience, a space to learn about and discuss issues within the AAPI community, and a way to connect their personal experiences to history and other cultures, allowing them to have the opportunity to advocate for and give back to their communities.
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EXCO 301.09: Street skateboarding urban politics
Edwin Gaites, egaites@sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
This class will be an introduction to street skateboarding, you will be taught how to ride a skateboard and do flat ground tricks. Ollie, shuvit, 180 and kickflip. Graded on participation not on tricks landed. Additionally we will discuss urban decisions within San Francisco regarding skate culture.This will include the creation of new skateparks and current issues regarding street skating in the city. I want to also include a section where we discuss the birth of skating in Venice Beach with the film “Lords of Dogtown.”
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EXCO 301.10: FCRA Workshops: Rocket Avionics
Eshton Liu, eliu@sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
Offered by Fog City Research Association (FCRA) in collaboration with the Fog City Rocketry Club, this hands-on Experimental College workshop teaches students how to design, build, and analyze an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for rocketry applications. Participants will learn PCB design, breadboarding, soldering, coding, and data acquisition—connecting their IMU to a PC, collecting flight data, and analyzing it for performance insights. The course also introduces 3D modeling for custom enclosures. This workshop is a direct application of STEM education in aerospace technology, reinforcing FCRA’s mission to empower students through hands-on learning and innovation.
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EXCO 301.11: Homebrewing 101: Wines, Ciders, Meads
George Brooder, gbrooder@sfsu.edu
Wednesday 1:00-2:40 pm in Burk Hall 344
This class will aim to teach students the basics of making homemade "hooch". We’ll explore the history, science, and artistry behind alcohol production, with hands-on opportunities to start your own fermentation project. Whether you're curious about artisanal mead-making, learning the history of hooch, or just getting drunk, this class has something for you. The course may include optional field trips and tastings.
Note: Students under 21 years of age may not taste beer or other alcoholic beverages and may not attend field trips to breweries.
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EXCO 301.12: Let’s Go! The World of Superhero Tokusatsu
Rehnzo Nocon, rnocon@mail.sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
Rejoice! Tokusatsu is a prominent form of Japanese entertainment where film and television heavily rely on practical special effects, often basking in the genres of science fiction, war, fantasy, or horror. One of the earliest and most well- known examples are the Godzilla and Gamera films, effectively kickstarting the kaiju boom. Due to the undeniable grasp superheroes have had on pop culture for many years now, this course in particular will prominently cover the impact and significance of the big 3 Toku franchises in the superhero/mecha subgenre: Ultraman, Super Sentai, and most importantly Kamen Rider. We will analyze common writing tropes prominent in the big 3, the storytelling process, their production histories, and also take a deep dive into their fandoms. We will come to understand why they’ve come to be endured in the hearts of many and how they’ve become immortalized in the corners of pop culture worldwide. So let’s ride! And together we will explore the worlds of heroes you may or may not know!
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EXCO 301.13: Latinx School to Prison Pipeline
Jesus Carrillo, jcarrillo@sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
Students will learn and understand why latinx students end up in the school to prison pipeline. Examine the factors that contribute to it such as drop out rates, illiteracy, red-lining, police on campus, and underfunding of schools. Emphasize women and latinx lgbtq folks who are also on the school to prison pipeline. It will touch on the history of chicano/x/ protest and walks out in Los Angeles and how latinx students were and still being treated in the public school system. Lastly it will push students to engage and critique the systems and find solutions to fix them.
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EXCO 301.14: Urban Mobility and Equity
Kevin DeAntoni, kdeantoni@sfsu.edu
Wednesday 12:00-1:40 pm in HSS 104
This course, while largely focusing in on the importance of public transportation, will also focus on a broader scope of issues pertaining to social issues, the economic impacts of public transportation, and the history of BART, the lifeblood and main arteries of the Bay Area, as well as partner agencies like Muni. This course will provide you a nuanced framework of how one of our most under-appreciated and vital safety nets is crucial to maintaining a prosperous economy, aligns us better with our climate goals, and fosters enhanced cultural assimilation and social cohesion.
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EXCO 301.15: Restorative Justice 101
James Kennedy, jkennedy@sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
Restorative Justice grounds students in the expanding global social movement toward community justice approaches that empower impacted people to take accountability for harm and healing. These approaches contrast with those of systems and institutions that do justice to or for responsible and harmed people without involving them in the process. This class provides students with both the philosophical and practical knowledge to facilitate and advocate for restorative processes such as community-building and harm response circles and conferences in community, education, human resources, legal, and justice settings. The class connects students as a community of learners and provides experiential learning, and opportunity to employ restorative justice practices not only in a classroom setting but also in their chosen career and in their lives.
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EXCO 301.16: I'm Here, Now What? Let's S.E.E.
Loyrisha "Love" Aucoin-Burroughs, laucoinburroughs@sfsu.edu
Tuesday 3:00-4:40 pm in HSS 201
I'm Here, Now What? Let's S.E.E. The S.E.E. standing for Save, Engage & Excel which lends to the course goals of learning to save, engage, and excel at life. This course is intended to help students navigate life while in college. A course for students who want to learn new techniques for success while attending SF State and throughout life. The course will address personal finance with a heavy emphasis on smart consumerism, engagement and ways to engage in campus life. With a focus on building time and money management skills while balancing the trials of life. The curriculum will utilize real life scenarios to educate on what if's and how to deal with those what if's when they arise.
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EXCO 301.17: Mormonism: Scripture, Scandal, and Spirituality
Lucy Rios, lrios5@sfsu.edu
Tu/Thu 2:00-2:50 pm in HSS 201
This course explores the origins, theology, and evolution of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as Mormonism. From Joseph Smith’s early revelations to the church’s modern global presence, we will examine key scriptures, foundational beliefs, and the figures who shaped the faith. The course will also address major controversies—past and present—including polygamy, race and the priesthood, excommunication, gender roles, and the church’s role in American politics. Through historical analysis and contemporary debates, students will critically engage with one of the most complex and influential religious movements in the United States.
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EXCO 301.18: The Mitzvah of Sex: Exploring Jewish Sexuality
Max Eckerling, meckerling@sfsu.edu
Thursday 4:00-5:40 pm in HSS 201
The Mitzvah of Sex explores a wide range of topics within human sexuality and how they are influenced by Jewish values and law. Students will learn about the interpretations and attitudes of a variety of topics through a Jewish lens. We will examine how different Jewish movements-- Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox-- view sex and related topics. This course will teach students Jewish values around Gender and Sexual Identities, Masturbation, Pornography, Premarital sex, Marital sex, Adultery, Asexuality, Birth Control, Abortion, BDSM, and more.
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EXCO 301.19: Discourse of Kendrick Lamar's Discography through poetry and culture
Maison Thompson, mthompson@sfsu.edu
Thursday 5:00-6:40 pm in HSS 275
We will be analyzing poetry, history, culture and formation of Kendrick Lamar’s discography, ranging from Section 80 to his most recent work in 2025 using a historical, poetic and american and black cultural lens
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EXCO 301.20: Botany and Physiology of Cannabis and Entheogenic Plants
Max Benbow, mbenbow@sfsu.edu
Friday 12:00-1:40 pm in HSS 201
NO PREREQUISITES, NO HOMEWORK, and NO TESTS. Students will learn how cannabis and other entheogenic plants form psychoactive compounds. They will learn the history of many sacred plants, and indigenous theology of the Americas. Students will grow their own cannabis, hemp, and/or other entheogenic plant at home or in the lab. Students will have the opportunity to visit a licensed medical cannabis farm during harvest season. Guest lectures and workshops from local professionals. 15 lectures, 5 optional field trips. Part of the Core Four curriculum.
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EXCO 301.21: Queer Psychology
Remy Dorfman, rdorfman@sfsu.edu
Wednesday 1:00-2:40 pm in HUM 208
This queer psychology course will cover the various intersections between the field of queer studies and the field of psychology. Students will learn about and engage with materials regarding identity formation, the history of queer identities in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), minority stress theory, mental health issues among the LGBTQ population, therapeutic interventions for LGBTQ issues, and queer self-care and well-being. This course will cover the cross-sections of queerness across several psychology subjects such as developmental, social, and clinical.
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EXCO 301.22: Intro to Vietnamese Language and Culture
Shirley Quan, squan@sfsu.edu
Tu/Thu 10:00-10:50 am in Burk Hall 344
In this course, students will learn about elementary Vietnamese—alphabet, vocabulary, basic sentences, etc., and a brief of Vietnamese culture—cuisine, traditional clothing, lifestyle, etc. The students will focus on the four skills, particularly speaking. This course will be similar to official language classes at SFSU, despite being easier. There will be mid-term and final—not too severe to avoid students stressing out, but just to see if they understand and support them in time if they need.
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EXCO 301.23: Singing the Gospel
Sherrell Teague, steague1@mail.sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
Students will learn about the history of Gospel Music and how it has influenced other music genres over time. Students will also Sing The Gospel in collaboration with SFSU's very own Gospel Gators and perform in a concert at the end of the semester. All singing levels are welcome, including people who have never sang before. This course is not meant to sway anyone's opinion on a particular religion. Any person of any religion or ethnic background is welcome. This is not a class where preaching happens, just singing, connecting, and having fun via Gospel Music.
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EXCO 301.24: Intro to Psychedelics
Nathanael Carroll Horton, nhorton@sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
Together, we will examine the past and present of psychedelic substances with a focus on their scientific and cultural background. By incorporating philosophy and experience, we will explore consciousness, perception, and reality.
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EXCO 301.25: Armenian Awakening in Literature & History
Zepyur Elise Kasparian, zkasparian@sfsu.edu
Tu/Thu 1:00-1:50 pm in HSS 201
In this course, students will engage with Volume I of "Awakening" by Malkhas (text will be provided at zero cost), a foundational work of Armenian revolutionary literature to explore themes of identity, resistance, and national awakening under Russian and Ottoman imperial rule. Through close reading, historical analysis, class discussions, and other assignments, students will gain a deeper understanding of Armenian struggles for justice and self-determination, while also considering broader questions about empire, exile, and the power of storytelling.
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EXCO 301.26: Experimental Music Production and Social Cohesion
Richo Jacob, pjacob@sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
Students in this class will make, perform, and collaborate with other students in a musically inclined space in efforts of learning and being exposed to a pathway of getting on stage. They will learn how to collaborate with people of different skill sets/backgrounds while giving them the chance to perform their art throughout the semester.
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EXCO 301.27: Knitting
Roman Rodriguez, rrodriguez@sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
Students will learn the basics of knitting, including casting on, the garter stitch, and the purl stitch. They will learn how to combine these three techniques to make just about anything they want. Students will also learn to use a variety of knitting needles and techniques in order to get a basic grasp on how to successfully make projects.
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EXCO 301.28: We are going to start a proper nonviolent, all inclusive revolution at school.
David Flin, dflin@sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
If you do not like how SFSU's administration, housing, campus police, or other departments are being ran by the University, join this class and together we will change that.
We are going to spend every class attempting to forward the cause for positive change at this university. We are protecting the university's "consumers" from its said anti-consumer and anti-employee "executive decisions." Our course of action involves the following:
- Writing and attending CSU Board of Trustees meetings. Campaigning for our own action items on its commission meetings.
- Writing and attending SFSU Board of Directors meetings.
- Utilizing the state judicial system
- Indirect campaigning action across the University.
- Rallying faculty and students to work for the cause.
- Obtaining public opinion and support from across the Bay Area.
Here are the people you should know:
https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/board-of-trustees/meet-the-board-of…
https://sfsufdn.sfsu.edu/directors
Here is the information on their meetings.
https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/board-of-trustees
https://sfsufdn.sfsu.edu/committee-meetings
You will obtain a certificate by the end of the class and we will record all of our action for the Internet Archive here in San Francisco along with other media sources.
Depending on the size of the class, attendance will be judged variably.
Please do not disrupt or inhibit the class or you will be withdrawn.
We are doing a movement.
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EXCO 301.29: Hacking Everything
Chris Roberts, croberts@sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
This experimental, open-enrollment course explores the intersection of creativity, innovation, and practicality through the expansive concept of "hacking" in daily life. Students will collaboratively learn and experiment, applying creative problem-solving skills to real-life scenarios, including cybersecurity, social engineering, institutional navigation, personal well-being, and career development.
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FALL 2025 EXCO 302 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS (CSL Component)
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EXCO 302.01: Bridging the Gap: Food Security and Healthcare Through Hands-on Learning
Teachers: Tyla Williams, alumnus Elissa Sanders, esanders@mail.sfsu.edu, twilliams22@sfsu.edu
Mon/Wed 1:00-1:50 pm in HSS 275
Food security is a critical yet often overlooked determinant of health. This course explores the intersection of nutrition, healthcare, and community well-being by combining hands-on meal preparation with service learning. Students will learn how to create nutritious meals (in-class cooking with demonstrations provided), discuss food access challenges, and actively engage in community-driven solutions (volunteer at the San Francisco Marin Food Bank & Florence Fang Community Garden).
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EXCO 302.02: Filmmaking & Audio Storytelling for Social Impact
Chris Roberts, croberts@sfsu.edu
Time/Location TBA
This course empowers youth and community members to discover and amplify their voices and the community around them through filmmaking and audio storytelling. Students will gain foundational knowledge and practical skills in video production, documentary filmmaking, podcasting, and audio storytelling, equipping them with the creative tools to effectively share their experiences and perspectives. Students will receive hands-on training in the basics of story development, filming techniques, audio recording, editing, and podcast production. Industry professionals, experienced filmmakers, and audio storytellers will participate as guest speakers, offering insights, personal experiences, and mentorship. Throughout the course, students will collaborate in small teams, creating their own short documentaries or podcasts that focus on issues important to their lives and communities. By working closely with mentors and industry leaders, students will develop the skills and confidence necessary to authentically express their perspectives and engage a wider audience.
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EXCO 302.03: Home Gardening 100
Elliot Sum, msum@sfsu.edu
Friday 1:00-1:50 pm in Burk Hall 344
In Home Gardening 100, students will work with the instructor to build home gardening skills or gardening as a hobby. The class will cover subsistence gardening, flower-focused and succulent gardening, and more, along with skills such as composting, layering, watering, weeding, etc. Students will work with the space that they have to grow their own plants. The class will also have volunteer opportunities where students can experience and work with larger gardens, discover community gardening spaces, and learn about the benefits of community garden spaces.
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EXCO 302.04: Intro to Biomedical and Public Health Research
Sarah Valliant, svalliant@sfsu.edu
Tuesday 7:00-8:40 pm in HSS 275
Students will participate in ongoing biomedical and public health research projects at Valliant Foundation. These projects include meta-analysis research where students will gain practical experience in data-extraction, and also learn how to use different statistical methods to test for heterogeneity and to control for confounding variables. Students will also learn about best practices in social/ behavioral research reading from texts such as the Belmont report and NIH medical ethics. Students will also have the opportunity to go into the community to administer vital sings and mental health screeners as part of data collection in the field research. The goal of Valliant Foundation, our partnering organization, is to provide holistic support to unhoused people by providing immediate resources and conducting ethical research. Students will be awarded acknowledgments on final publications, letters of recommendation, and references upon completion of the course.
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