Courses

Summer Session I:

Summer Session II:

• ARTH 220/WGS: Grant Writing for Social Justice
• CHEM 198: Earthquakes and Volcanoes
• ECON 102: Introduction to Microeconomics
• ENG 178: Writing as a Global Communication
• GER 298:  K-Pop and the German Fairy Tale
• HIST 198: Living History Aloud: Introduction to Oral History
• REL 162: Perspectives on Death and Dying
• THEA 103: Introduction to Theatre

2025 Summer Session I

Art 316/CW289: Arts in Ireland 

Asynchronous

Arts in Ireland is a 21-day intensive visual art course. It is designed to provide studio and music majors and minors with an opportunity to develop their artistic vision while living on the west coast of Ireland. This course is taught in association with the Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare.

Attributes: Creative Arts, Sophomore Experience
Faculty: Kelly Goff and Kent Shaw

ARTH 222/WGS 222: Learn to Negotiate

Participants in this course will gain an understanding of societal factors driving income inequality and pay disparity in the United States, particularly with an intersectional focus. We will also cover historical and current efforts to combat the pay gap, including labor organizing and legislative efforts, and an understanding of income inequality and the ongoing harm of the pay gap (with focused study on the pay gap on federal and state levels, as well as within a student’s desired profession). After setting this foundation, students will explore resources and strategies to assist with negotiation in their future workplace (this includes workshops and exercises geared to helping students define, articulate, and claim their expertise).

Attributes: Sophomore Experience, Structure/Power/Inequality, Taylor and Lane Scholars, Humanities
Faculty: Kim Miller

BIO 105: Nutrition 

Asynchronous

This course focuses on nutrients, their digestion and metabolism. The application of the fundamentals of nutrition to daily life, health issues such as diabetes, disordered eating, heart disease, cancer, as well as food safety, food insecurities and genetically modified foods. Students will keep a food journal and analyze their current diet.

Attributes: Natural Science
Faculty: Sharri Morris

BIO 372: Ecology of Infectious Diseases 

Asynchronous

This course is designed to introduce you to infectious diseases, the parasites that cause them and how the interactions between parasites, hosts and their environment contributes to disease persistence and spread. We will narrow our focus on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) with an emphasis on parasite ecology, reproduction, genetics and evolution. This course will heavily emphasize collaborative group work such as the design and development of strategies for mitigating disease outbreaks along with critical analysis of published scientific research. Altogether this course is designed to give you an appreciation for infectious disease research and its interdisciplinary nature.

Prerequisite: Bio 114
Attributes: Natural Science
Faculty: Drew Davinack

CHEM 101: Introduction to General Chemistry 

Asynchronous

This course is an introduction to general chemistry focusing on topics relevant to further study of chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and other pre-health requirements. It is designed for students seeking a preparatory course prior to entry into Chemical Principles, CHEM 153. In Chem 101, students will gain knowledge of the fundamentals of chemistry, and they will develop critical thinking, reading, problem-solving, and study skills, which they can apply to new problems and academic situations. Chem 101 meets for 50 minutes three times per week; there is no associated laboratory.

Attributes: Natural Science, Quantitative Analysis
Faculty: Raluca Craciun

COMP 161: Web Design  

Asynchronous

As websites are found in every industry, it is increasingly important to understand today’s technology. Web Design is a hands-on course covering design principles and the core technologies used to implement modern websites.  Students design and implement websites using semantic markup languages, style sheets, and various software tools and applications.  Pages are brought to life by adding custom graphics and other media.  The course includes techniques for implementing effective, user-friendly, and real-world websites.  Students practice many concepts while in the classroom, and design, program, and upload their own pages to the department’s server as a major component of the course.

Attributes: Quantitative Analysis
Faculty: Mike Gousie

ECON 298: The Economics and Business of Sports Leagues and Associations  

Asynchronous

Sports leagues and organizations are a multi-billion-dollar industry with a global audience and dedicated fan base. This course examines the multifaceted world of sports leagues and associations, analyzing their organizational and governance structures, economic and business principles, and societal impacts. Core topics include the main sources of revenue and expenses for sports organizations, marketing strategies, pricing models, and the legal frameworks governing professional and amateur sports leagues. The course also investigates the impact of innovations in sports broadcasting, the economic and financial impact of public-private partnerships in financing sports facilities and hosting mega sporting events, labor markets and collective bargaining within sports leagues, and labor discrimination in sports.

Attributes: Social science
Faculty: James Freeman

ENG 101: Introduction to College Writing  

Asynchronous

First Year Writing teaches students to think flexibly about writing. In this class, you’ll learn how to think about audience, purpose, and rhetorical contexts. Course work includes developing thesis statements; selecting, organizing, presenting and documenting evidence, and refining prose. You’ll confer individually with your professor about your writing. You’ll also participate in some sort of writing workshop, whether in the form of paired peer review or a full-class discussion about a draft in progress. Ideally by taking this course you’ll become a reflective practitioner–that is, a thoughtful writer–about an ancient but continuously evolving craft.

Attributes: Writing
Faculty: Angie Sarhan Salvator

GER 241/341: Kafka and the Kafkaesque  

Asynchronous

This course examines Kafka’s life and major works in the historical and social context of early-20th-century Central Europe. Major themes are: generational conflicts, the function of humor and parody in his writings, modernity in and as crisis, the figure of the outsider, as well as the “foreign, the eccentric, the illogical, the uncanny”, or simply the Kafkaesque. Several film adaptations that attempt to visualize Kafka’s imaginative depths will also be studied. Taught in English.

Attributes: Global Honors, Humanities, Structure/Power/Inequality, Taylor and Lane Scholars
Faculty: Laura Bohn Case

HIST 198: Introduction to Public History  

Asynchronous

From national parks to documentary films, archives to podcasts, museums to video games, social activism to historical reenactment, and much, much more—“public history” encompasses all forms of history that happen outside the classroom. This course explores debates, best practices, and careers in the growing field of public history. Assignments will allow students to focus on media, historical periods and topics, regions, and careers of their choosing. This is an ideal course for anyone who loves history but does not necessarily want to become a teacher.

Attributes: Humanities
Faculty: Dana Polanichka

MGMT 141: Statistics

Asynchronous

This course is intended for students in disciplines that require knowledge of statistical methods used in behavioral and social science research. Emphasis is on the conceptual understanding of statistics within the context of research. Relevant research topics are discussed and linked to the appropriate statistical methods. This course is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of probability theory as well as the basic statistical techniques and procedures used by researchers in the social sciences. You will learn how to organize and present data, and how to select, run, and interpret various statistical tests. The course focuses on the use of statistical techniques as tools in the scientific process and will introduce students to SPSS, a common statistical analysis software for the social sciences. The emphasis is on mastery of the concepts and logic underlying statistical manipulations. At the end of the course, you should be able to understand and appreciate the value of statistical procedures not only as they apply to the social sciences but also as they apply to our thinking as social scientists.

Attributes: Quantitative Analysis, Social Science
Faculty: A. Rahim Emhan

MGMT 278: Jumpstart Your Career in Business  

Asynchronous

This course will help students master the building blocks for a successful internship or job search. The course will cover self-presentation (resume and cover letter tactics and LinkedIn) researching industries and companies, networking, and the interview and selection process. Students who complete the course will have a strong understanding of the job search process and an action plan to conduct a successful job search.

Attributes: Social Sciences, Sophomore Experience
Faculty: Leanna Lawter

MGMT 388: Business Internship for Credit  

Asynchronous

A business internship is an experiential learning opportunity where you can practice the skills and expertise you have acquired in your classes in a real-world environment. An internship for academic credit allows you to grow professionally and personally by using your internship as a platform for developing learning objectives and reflecting on how you have (or have not) accomplished those learning objectives. This course focuses on guiding your learning in your internship to promote reflection and further your understanding of how our liberal arts and business education are valuable tools in your future career.

Prerequisites: MGMT 111  and at least one of the following MGMT 210 , MGMT 250 , MGMT 320 , MGMT 230

Attributes: Social Sciences
Faculty: CC. Chapman

MUSC 208: Songwriting  

Asynchronous

An introduction to the processes, materials, and aesthetic issues involved in creating and analyzing songs within the post-1960 folk/singer-songwriter traditions. Coursework will include both creative and analytical assignments. The course will culminate in a public performance and the recording of a studio demo. Enrollment by permission of instructor.

Attributes: Creative Arts
Faculty: Del Case

POLS 101: Introduction to American Politics  

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

An introduction to American politics using a systems approach and covering aspects of political behavior along with institutional description and analysis of public policy. Open to freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

Attributes: Social Science
Faculty: Brad Bishop

POLS 109: Introduction to International Relations 

Asynchronous

After a brief introduction to salient events in world politics since World War II, basic concepts in the analysis of international politics are considered. The course will analyze the various types of international actors (nations, international organizations, liberation movements, multinational corporations), their goals and how they seek to attain them, and will explore the determinants of international political behavior.

Attributes: Global Honors, Social Science, Structure/Power/Inequality, Taylor and Lane Scholars
Faculty: Jonathan Chow

POLS 200: Introduction to Research Methods

Asynchronous

An introduction to the guiding principles of modern social science research, along with instruction in the actual use of research techniques, including surveys, statistical analysis of political data and data processing by computers.

Attributes: Social Science
Faculty: Aubrey Westfall

PSY 270: Adolescent Development 

Asynchronous

Multiple perspectives on the physical, cognitive and psychosocial transitions related to adolescent development. Topics include current versions of developmental theory; specific issues related to adolescence and emerging adulthood; the adolescent peer culture; sexualities and sex education; multicultural issues in adolescence; and changing male/female roles.

Attributes: Social Science
Faculty: Katie Volk

THEA 102: Public Speaking

Asynchronous

Public Speaking will help students achieve greater confidence and expertise as communicators while further developing their unique voice and style. We will examine all aspects of the communication process: how to compose effective, interesting speeches, establish meaningful connections with audiences of any size and utilize the critical art of persuasive speaking. Students will engage in debates, mock interviews, conflict resolution exercises, and deliver various presentations, ranging from informal to formal.  By the end of this course, students will be able to speak with increased ease and deliver engaging, informative presentations to various audiences.

Attributes: Creative Arts
Faculty: Jennifer Madden

WGS 101: Introduction to Women’s Studies 

Asynchronous

An introduction to topics and themes in women’s experiences from a cross-cultural, historical and interdisciplinary perspective. Topics may include women’s historical roles in the family, the workforce and public and private spheres in different societies; the psychology of changing gender roles; images of women and how they are constructed; women’s perspectives in literature and in the sciences; and the roots and prospects of the contemporary women’s movement.

Attributes: Social Science, Structure/Power/Inequality, Taylor and Lane Scholars
Faculty: Mónica Rey

2025 Summer Session II

ARTH 220/WGS: Grant Writing for Social Justice 

Asynchronous

This course teaches students the mechanics of grant proposal writing and the political and social aspects of philanthropy and funding. We start with an introduction to grantwriting for nonprofit organizations, focusing on arts and social justice organizations. Students will identify sources of grant funding, conduct research to support their applications, and tailor proposals to specific audiences. Students will partner with a professional at a local organization and will write a grant proposal for their community partner. This course combines academic and advocacy goals and provides students with valuable professional experiences that will enhance understandings of the workplace and career opportunities.

Attributes: Humanities, Structure/Power/Inequality, Sophomore Experience
Faculty: Kim Miller

CHEM 198: Earthquakes and Volcanoes 

Asynchronous

Over several days in early April 1815, the Indonesian volcano Tambora erupted, throwing forth over 50 km3 of lava and an ash plume 50 km into the air. 100,000 people died either directly or indirectly. Aerosols from the eruption caused a two-year drop in global temperature and led to the “year with no summer” in 1816, when New England crops failed, and snow fell in June. It was the largest recorded eruption in the last 10,000 years. 150 year later, on March 27 1964, the second largest earthquake recorded shook Anchorage Alaska for nearly 5 minutes. The magnitude 9.2 quake ruptured 1000 km of earth; swaying the Space Needle in Seattle, sloshing rivers and lakes in Texas and Louisiana, and ringing the Earth like a bell. These are but two examples of the large and dynamic forces that shape the Earth and those who live on it. Through readings, exercises, and film we will examine the science behind earthquakes and volcanoes, tsunamis and landslides, hurricanes and floods. Beyond that, we will examine how both current and historical natural disasters have impacted society and in some cases changed the course of human history. Students will complete online quizzes and exercises, and will submit a short report on a natural disaster of their choice.

Attributes: Natural Science
Faculty: Matt Evans

ECON 102: Introduction to Microeconomics  

Asynchronous

Microeconomics explains economic behavior of decision makers in the economy consumers, business firms, resource owners and governments. Major topics include pricing and the operation of markets for goods and services and for resources, the behavior of firms and industries in different market settings, income distribution and public policy.

Attributes: Social Science
Faculty: Brenda Wyss

ENG 178: Writing as a Global Communication  

Asynchronous

English may not actually be everywhere, though it can seem that way. It is becoming the language of business and diplomacy. Globally, people use English for their social media accounts and other online activities, often alongside or in conjunction with their native tongues. We use it on campus for everything from casual conversations to participating in academic discourse. Through discussion and writing, this course investigates how we communicate in written English across cultural barriers, including the opportunities English provides for opening us to new experiences and the complications that arise when other cultures adopt a colonialist language as their own.

Attributes: Humanities, Writing
Faculty: Ruth Foley

GER 298:  K-Pop and the German Fairy Tale

Asynchronous

What is the secret behind the immense popularity of BTS and Blackpink? Why and how have K-pop, K-drama, and K-food developed into a socio-economic powerhouse? This course examines how Hallyu, the South Korean cultural wave, has been a deliberate tool of soft power and how K-Pop, in particular, has embraced and adapted the heroes and heroines of the German Grimm fairy tales. We will also explore how the constructed imagery of today’s “idols” aligns with the (white) bourgeois values and patriarchal ideologies of 19th century Germany, which shaped and structured the fairy tales edited by the Brothers Grimm, as well as those adapted a century later by Walt Disney.

Faculty: Tessa Lee

HIST 198: Living History Aloud: Introduction to Oral History 

Asynchronous

History is so much more than reading the words of “great men” from yesteryears. Every day of our lives we hear about the past from family, friends, community members, journalists, politicians, celebrities, and more. This course explores the growing and exciting field of oral history. We will first learn about how and why historians conduct and use interviews in their work. Then we will ourselves learn how to conduct interviews. In the final part of the semester, every student will conduct a series of interviews to write an oral history on the topic of their choosing.

Attributes: Humanities
Faculty: Dana Polanichka

REL 162: Perspectives on Death and Dying 

Asynchronous

Study of the grief process. Exploration of cross-cultural rituals surrounding death and speculation from various religions on immortality, resurrection and reincarnation. Investigation of end-of-life moral questions.

Attributes: Humanities
Faculty: Laurie Cozad

THEA 103: Introduction to Theatre

Asynchronous

A survey of plays from the ancient Greeks to the present with an emphasis on how to transform the written word into relevant live performance. Appreciation of the theatre through a brief study of its history, acting-directing-design theory and practicum, and discussion of tragic vs. comic visions.

Attributes: Humanities
Faculty: Jennifer Madden