By Nicole Schmidt
So, underwater basket weaving, huh?
While the class may not technically require water submersion, the Appalachian-style basket-making class on campus does require a lot of water to be successful.
'Bring your snorkel and wetsuit,' said Sharon Heelis, one of the basketweaving teachers, with a giggle.
The class requires almost all the wood and reed materials to be wet when working with them so they are pliable and will hold their shape after being weaved. All this water means a lot of soaking and a lot of spritzing for students. In fact, each student is required to bring a large bowl and a spray bottle with them to class.
Students in the class make five different baskets throughout the semester: a market basket, a bean-pot basket, a key basket, a melon basket and an egg basket. Completing the baskets can take as few as three hours or as many as 20 hours.
Because the class only meets once a week for about three hours, sometimes a little bit of homework is involved.
The class is a bit difficult to find for the uneducated seeker, but it is offered in two sections under the 494R class in the VATSU listing in the registration catalog.
Because the class can be repeated for university credit, the repeater students are able to choose the basket projects they will complete during the semester, paying only for the supplies they use.
The class has a $55 fee and students must bring other tools to class, many of which can be found around the house, including pliers, a measuring tape and a pocketknife.
Students are graded according to their basketwork, and there are no written tests besides a few name quizzes.