Winter Session classes address politics, psychology, Michael Jackson


Latin American politics, developmental psychology, and a music course focusing on Michael Jackson are just a few of the Winter Session classes to be offered Dec. 28 to Jan. 14 by Arizona State University’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Other classes focus on sociology, death and dying, world religions, and more.

Twenty-three classes, from freshman to senior level, are scheduled. Three are in-person classes to be held at ASU’s West campus in northwest Phoenix, while the other 20 will be taught online. Many of the courses fulfill ASU General Studies graduation requirements.

“These course offerings provide an excellent opportunity for students to complete a three-credit course in a short time period,” said Robert Taylor, director of graduate studies and special programs in New College. “Doing so can help lessen a student’s course load during the upcoming spring semester, or help him or her graduate sooner.”

Taylor said students planning to take a Winter Session course should be prepared for a demanding, fast-paced academic experience. “These are not ‘watered down’ courses – they are taught by full-time faculty and cover the same breadth and depth of material as courses taught during a regular semester,” he said.

New College online courses offer time flexibility while still providing plenty of interaction with one’s professor and fellow students, according to Taylor. “We quality-test all online courses in a rigorous program before offering them to students.”

Registration for the Winter Session is now under way. A full listing of the 23 courses offered through New College is available at http://newcollege.asu.edu/ under the “More News & Events” heading. Academic advisors can be reached at (602) 543-7000.

Headquartered at ASU’s West campus, the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences offers 20 bachelor’s and five master’s degrees along with 20 minors and five certificate programs. Academic programs blend theory with experiential learning to prepare students for the social, economic, political and cultural challenges they will face in a diverse and rapidly expanding global marketplace.