Winter 2024 registration now open

Connections in this category focus on artistic expression and pop-culture interests. Learn more about each below and follow the instructions under each Connection to register. 

 

Basic Stitch: Intro to Hand Sewing & Embroidery

This Connection is all about learning practical hand sewing basics and using it as a format to express your creativity. Each week we'll add something new to our doodle cloth by learning basic techniques for hand sewing, embroidery, patchwork, mending, couching, and embellishing. By the end of the quarter you'll have a practical and creative skill set. Participants will get a basic needlework supply kit to keep. We'll also have a treasure trove of salvaged materials and mixed media including scrap fabric, thread, embroidery floss, buttons, beads, and other embellishments. This group is completely beginner friendly, no prior experience needed (although intermediate and advanced participants are welcome). Come join the fun!

  • Day & Time: Thursdays (3:10-4:00PM), 114 South Hall
  • Format: This Connection will be hosted in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is not for credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.


Crafting to Care

This Connection is an opportunity to combine your interest in crafting and community service. Throughout the quarter, we will be making small crafts to donate to those in need, such as making cards to give to our friends at the Davis Senior Center, and engage in community volunteer opportunities. By joining this Connection, you will learn how to use crafting to give back to the community, find community, and gain crafting experience. This Connection is open to all people of all crafting levels. Beginners, experts, and non-experienced crafters are welcome!

  • Day & Time: Wednesdays (2:10-3:00PM), 114 South Hall
  • Format: This Connection will be hosted in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is not for credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.


Immersive Improv: The Virtual Reality Playground For Development of English Oral Language Skills

Students will step into a diverse array of improvisational drama exercises, iVR simulations, and collaborative group activities where they will have chances to communicate, negotiate, and express themselves in real-time scenarios, pushing the boundaries of their linguistic abilities. This course has an innovative and exciting design meant to elevate students’ oral language proficiency by applying concepts learned and sharing insights on global communication and cultural differences. They will showcase improved oral language proficiency, enhanced communication skills, and the ability to effectively communicate verbal expression in various contexts.

Who should participate?

  • Students looking to improve their language proficiency 
  • Anyone looking to gain confidence and boost public speaking skills
  • Anyone with an interest in building intercultural awareness through intercultural conversation 
  • Both multilingual and monolingual students
  • Both international and domestic students


Structured as an interactive experience, the course integrates improvisational drama and iVR to enhance students' oral language proficiency. The fusion of these two elements creates a dynamic and engaging learning experience. Students will step into a diverse array of improvisational drama exercises, iVR simulations, and collaborative group activities where they will have chances to communicate, negotiate, and express themselves in real-time scenarios, pushing the boundaries of their linguistic abilities. This is particularly beneficial for students who are transitioning into the academic rigors of college life effectively preparing them for the challenges they may face.

Participating in this course will allow students to refine their communication skills, boost their confidence in expressing ideas, and master the art of thinking on their feet and practice communicating with culturally diverse audiences. These are all crucial abilities for success in their academic journey. Moreover, students will learn to adapt and respond effectively in various social and professional settings, cultivating teamwork and empathy through collaborative exercises. This course sets a strong foundation for their college experience, equipping them with vital skills that will benefit them throughout their academic and professional endeavors.

  • Day & Time: Wednesdays (12:10-2:00PM); SOCSCI 70
  • Format: in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is for credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.


Knots & Thoughts Crochet and Knitting Circle

Self-care, wellness, and community through fiber arts! Join this Connection to share a space to relax, meet other students, and work on your crochet and knitting projects. Beginner to experienced knitters and crocheters welcome! Lessons will not be provided so participants need to come with some understanding of these crafts, or a willingness to teach themselves and each other (YouTube is very helpful!). We'll have a limited number of loaner kits available (knitting needles, crochet hooks, and yarn), but participants are encouraged to come with their own supplies (needles/hooks and yarn). Transfer, reentry, and freshmen students are all welcome!

  • Day & Time: Tuesdays (4:10-5:00PM); Transfer and Reentry Center, 1210 Dutton Hall
  • Format: in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is non-credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.


Let’s Get Crafty (Part 2)

This Connection is a continuation from fall quarter and is an opportunity to progress into intermediate crafting. Throughout Winter quarter you will have the opportunity to choose your own adventure with self-guided projects. Based on participant interest, we have the possibility to cover sewing, painting, and/or crochet. Participants are also welcome to bring in their own craft from home to work on. While crafting, we will discuss different topics such as the importance of crafting as a form of self-care and self-expression, how to craft on a budget, and the connection between crafting and identity exploration. Additionally, participants will learn where the Craft Center is and how to access it during their time at UC Davis. This group is open to participants from fall quarter or those who already posses a beginning level crafting foundation.

  • Day & Time: Mondays (4:10-5:00pm); 114 South Hall
  • Format: in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is non-credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.


Life Lessons with Uncle Iroh: An Avatar-Inspired Adventure with our Aggiebenders

Yip yip, Aggiebenders! Join us on an adventure through the Avatar universe as we explore truth, growth, relationships, purpose, and hope. As Aang and the rest of the Avatar team struggle to understand who they are, we too will dive into discovering values to live by and the identities we hold. How do you face your fears and turn them into motivation? How do you bend to truth so that it doesn’t bend you? How do you persevere through the storms of life? The world feels divided as the four nations in Avatar once were, but we have the power to make the best of our circumstances and live with purpose and with others. Building a more unified world starts with you.

  • Day & Time: Tuesdays (3:10-4:00pm); 121 Olson Hall
  • Format: in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is non-credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.


Meditative Drawing: Zentangle for Beginners

Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns, called "tangles." Each week we'll put pen to paper and learn to tangle beautiful patterns using fine tip pens, pencils, and blending tortillions to shade your work. The free materials kit includes take-home supplies so you can continue to practice at home.

This is a relaxing and completely beginner friendly group for those new to Zentangle. It's fun, easy to learn, there are no mistakes, and the results are unexpected and beautiful. No previous art or drawing experience necessary.

  • Day & Time: Mondays (11:00-11:50AM); 114 South Hall
  • Format: in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is non-credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students. Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.


Writer's Guild: Bringing Your Inner Writer Out!

Love Creative Writing? Got an inner story you want to tell? Get blocked sometimes? Can't find the time to sit down and let your stories come out? Want to grow as a creative writer? Then Writer's Guild is for you! We meet weekly, we do some writing exercises, we discuss what we want to get out of writing, we shut up and write, and we support each other! You do not need to have any previous creative writing experience to participate in this FYAC, just enthusiasm for practicing creative writing and willingness to try!

  • Day & Time: Mondays (3:10-4:00PM); 121 Olson Hall
  • Format: in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is non-credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.