Most St. Joseph’s College students spend their summer months catching up on time in the sun, relaxing with friends and working. An industrious minority – looking to get ahead in their education – add summer classes to the mix.
SJC’s summer course schedule enables students to get ahead on their credits, while still being able to enjoy the sun and fun.
“One of the positive things about teaching in the summer is actually having a longer class. The momentum doesn’t get interrupted that way,” said Lori Thanos, D.B.A., who is teaching Organizational Behavior (BUS 130) at SJC Brooklyn this summer. “Having a longer class twice a week and a shorter semester, you’re actually able to do more than just lecture.”
Dr. Thanos said she often redesigns her lesson plans for summer courses.
“In fact, you have to in order to make it all fit in a summer session,” she said. “This opens up for more use of class exercises, videos and business games, without interrupting the flow of the lesson.
“You are able to use different teaching pedagogy to accommodate different learning styles,” added Dr. Thanos.
Summer Fun in Class
At the first meeting of her “Organizational Behavior” class last month, Dr. Thanos engaged the students in a relaxed “True or False” game that filled the room with laughter.
“Not only is this enjoyable for me,” she said, “but it benefits the students taking summer classes, as well.”
SJC Brooklyn offers a bevy of summer courses.
Dr. Thanos explained that summer courses sometimes provide instructors time to give “individualized attention” to the students.
“The class size is smaller, and it runs longer than your typical class,” she said. “So when students are working independently, the professor has more time to approach each of them individually and offer them the help that they need. This doesn’t really get to happen as much during a fall or spring semester.
“Being in the classroom during a summer session facilitates easier communication and natural exchanges between the professor and students,” she added.
Here’s a sampling of the some of the exciting courses offered at SJC Brooklyn, SJC Long Island and SJC Online this summer:
A Rainbow of Voices (ENG 119)
Brian Hicks, an English department adjunct at SJC Brooklyn and SJC Long Island, will teach “A Rainbow of Voices” at SJC Brooklyn this summer. The course runs from June 27 to July 25.
Course description: “This course explores the ethnic richness which characterizes American literary history. Emphasis is placed on African-American, Native-American, and Asian-American literature, as well as on the Chicano and Puerto-Rican contributions to this complex and yet closely woven tapestry.”
ENG 119 can serve as a core requirement in the area of quest for meaning.
Development of Music in the Motion Pictures I (MUS 211)
Taught at SJC Brooklyn by SJC music department Chair Leon Bernardyn, MUS 211 started May 31 and ends July 25.
Course description: “This course examines media and film from the musical perspective: how music can enhance the desired effect of corresponding drama and images. From early 20th century silent film scores by classical composers, such as Shostakovich, to turn-of-the-century compositional techniques (like Debussy, Stravinsky, or Schoenberg) found in the scoring of John Williams, historical traditions and other relevant background of selected music will be discussed.”
MUS 211 qualifies as a core requirement in the area of human expression.
Evolving Life (BIO 116)
Students can take “Evolving Life” with lecturer Frank Diehl at SJC Long Island from June 27 to July 25.
Course description: “An introduction to the field of evolution specifically designed for the non-science major. Topics included are: how organisms evolve (macro and microevolution), the history of life on earth, the formation of new species, and the origin of biodiversity.”
BIO 116 qualifies as a core requirement in the area of the mathematical, physical and natural world.
Intro to Magazine Writing (ENG 125)
Robert McDonnell will teach “Intro to Magazine Writing” at SJC Long Island from June 27 to July 25.
Course description: “This course will focus on longer-length, non-fiction articles; it is not a course in creative writing. Students will read and analyze articles in mainstream consumer and trade publications, receiving feedback from professional freelance writers. Included are tips for breaking into the field of freelance writing, as well as the different types of rights pertinent to authors and publishers. Covered also are the writing of query letters, the formal proposal of article ideas, sources lists, and the conducting of interviews.”
If ENG 125 sounds interesting, register soon – there are only four seats left. This course counts as a core requirement in the area of writing intensive.
Current Trends in Biology (BIO 109)
SJC Online offers “Current Trends in Biology,” taught by Tetyana Delaney, Ph.D., from June 27 to July 25.
Course description: “A consideration of biological topics of current interest to society including genetic engineering, gene banks, the human genome project, in vitro fertilization, Mad Cow disease, and cloning.”
This course can be used as a core requirement in the area of the mathematical, physical and natural world.
Women and Gender (HIS 208)
Taught by Heather Barry, Ph.D., through SJC Online, “Women and Gender” started May 30. The course ends July 25. 
Course description: “A study of American women’s history from the colonial period to the present. This course will examine how the perception of gender helped shape and define women’s social, economic, and political roles, and was, in turn, influenced by certain characteristics such as class, religion, race, and ethnicity.”
HIS 208 meets the history requirement in the area of self and society.
