By Will Kanter, Marketing Associate
Is there life on other planets? This question has likely been around since the discovery of the larger solar system, but modern scientists are better equipped than ever to answer it.
If you grew up fascinated by movies like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Men in Black, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, you may be interested in ASTR 330: Extraterrestrial Life over the summer term.
This 3-credit hour course is one of the nearly 600 course sections that’s being offered during Summer Session 2023, which runs May 15 through August 3 with 4-, 8-, and 12-week courses available. For more information, check out the Summer Session 2023 Academic Calendar.
ASTR 330 focuses on scientific discussion of the search for extraterrestrial life. You’ll learn about cosmic and terrestrial evolution through chemical, biological, and cultural lenses, as well as the use of technology to explore the conditions on other planets. Life will probably never be found under the toxic atmosphere of Venus, and the habitability of Mars is still subject to debate, but we may not be as alone in the galaxy as we think. It’s just about knowing where to look.
If you prefer to keep your studies close to the ground, here are some other courses that will be offered during Summer Session:
ACE 240: Personal Financial Planning (3 credit hours)
Are you working on your relationship with money? This course will help you apply the principles of financial planning to your everyday life, with an emphasis on the organization and analysis of budgeting, credit, taxes, investment, retirement, and estate planning. The more you learn about money now, the more it will pay off down the line.
Runs: May 15 – June 9
ANTH 180: The Archaeology of Death (3 credit hours)
In the mood for a little macabre? From burial to cremation to mummification, humans across the ages have found innumerable ways to honor their dead. Through this course, you will receive a cross-cultural introduction to celebrations of death across time and space. You will examine anthropological and archaeological literature on death, particularly in terms of death ritual and burial practices.
ATMS and ESE 120: Severe and Hazardous Weather (3 credit hours)
The existence of severe weather like hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards is a part of life, just like its impact on humanity. This course will give you a closer look at the relationship between people and the weather, focusing on the intersection of technological advances in satellites and radar, the evolution of meteorology as a science, and the effects of extreme weather.
Runs: June 12 – August 3
CLCV 115: Mythology of Greece and Rome (3 credit hours)
Did you know our planets are named after figures in Roman mythology? Venus was named for the goddess of beauty, Mars for the god of war, and Neptune for the god of the waters, to name a few. What’s more, whenever you hear mention of an “Achilles heel,” a “Herculean effort,” or a “Midas touch,” it’s a remnant of Greek mythology. This course will show you how Greek and Roman mythology are intertwined (most ancient Roman gods have a Greek counterpart) and the influence of both on present-day art, music, and literature.
ENGL 117 and MACS 117: Shakespeare on Film (3 credit hours)
More than five hundred years after the death of Shakespeare, his plays are still reimagined and performed all over the world. Not all these adaptations are theatrical productions – just look at movies like Romeo + Juliet (1996), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), and The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021). In this course, you can expect to read around five plays and analyze two productions of each play, then consider how Shakespeare has been transformed to meet different cultural and contextual demands.
GWS 356 and MACS 356: Sex & Gender in Popular Media (3 credit hours)
What influence does mass media have on its audience as gendered individuals? This question has different answers based on different interpretations of feminist theory, and the goal of this course is to introduce you to these schools of thought. You will learn the history and criticisms of the portrayal of women in media, feminist endeavors to create alternatives to mainstream media, and the representation of minority groups in media. There’s more to a strong female character than just the word in the middle.
HIST 164: The Automobile (3 credit hours)
If you have ever taken an auto shop class, then this course may interest you. Rather than tackling the physical nuts and bolts of cars, this course provides you with an overview of the automobile industry. You will explore production systems, marketing strategies, and the way automobiles reflect the changing landscapes of consumer tastes and value over time.
MUS 132: History of Rock (3 credit hours)
Rock music has taken many forms over the years, and it’s here to stay. The courses within this rubric introduce you to genres of popular music from not just the United States, but around the world. Iterations of the course may focus on a specific genre like Rock, Reggae, or Afropop, or deal with broader subjects, including the continua of styles like R&B, Soul, Funk, and Hip-Hop.
UP 160: Race, Social Justice, Cities (3 credit hours)
Do you know why your city is designed the way it is? This course will guide you through the history and politics of American cities as sites of everyday struggles against systemic racialized exclusions rooted in patterns of residential segregation. You will focus on the governance of routine social practices ranging from policing to education, to gentrification and memorialization in public places. Your final project will focus on social struggles against systemic and everyday racism in a city of your choice.
REGISTER for a course when open registration begins on April 20.