5 Cool Summer Classes at the College of Charleston
It might be hot outside, but the College of Charleston is offering some pretty cool classes this summer! Check them out!
Above: Students in the Mountains to Marsh Maymester course explore Earthhaven Ecovillage near Asheville, North Carolina.
Summer at the College of Charleston isn’t just about sunshine and sweet tea – it’s a chance to dive into some of the most exciting, hands-on and transformative courses the College has to offer. This summer, CofC students can choose from a ton of experiential, interdisciplinary and impact-driven classes that will give them the tools – and the inspiration – to make a real difference.
Check out these five standout classes being offered at the College this summer!
From Mountains to Marsh: Sustainability Practices in Context
Forget the classroom, this environmental studies course takes students off grid to Earthaven Ecovillage in the mountains of North Carolina, where they live sustainably, learning about intentional communities, eco-friendly building and regenerative living for five days. Todd LeVasseur, associate director of environmental and sustainability studies, and Blake Scott, associate professor and program director of international studies, have created an experience where students can learn what it means to live intentionally and in harmony with the Earth. Peace out!
Like a Rolling Stone: History and Development of Rock Music
Taught by music professor Yiorgos Vassilandonakis, this special topics course traces the origins, development and stylistic nuances of rock music from its folk and blues beginnings through today, exploring its involvement with and integration of other styles and influences. With an eye toward sociopolitical contexts and roles in global culture, the course follows the transition of rock music from obscure counterculture to mainstream and superstardom, from clubs to arenas and MTV, and through shifts in recording technology, industry and modes of distribution. Rock on!
Psychology of Social Change
This course challenges students to think critically about the world’s most pressing social and environmental issues and their own role in creating change: How do we create a healthier, cleaner, safer, more compassionate world? How do we, as individuals, become better people? Jen Wright, professor of psychology and director of the First Year Experience, uses readings, discussions and personal reflection to help students explore how beliefs, emotions and social structures influence action. In the process, students tackle the challenge of actually enacting change in their own lives. It’s not just a class; it’s a call to action.
Sport Event and Entertainment Management
Young Hoon “Hunter” Kim, professor and chair of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, says this class is a great asset for any student looking to build a career in the sports and entertainment industry. Students learn how to plan and manage large-scale events, from concerts to sporting tournaments, while gaining insights from exclusive interviews with industry leaders. It’s a must for anyone dreaming of a career in event planning, hospitality or entertainment.
Creativity and the Fine Arts: Camp Art Attack
Tracey Hunter-Doniger, associate professor and chair in the Department of Teacher Education, describes this class as “intense, but awesome.” It’s a boot camp for future early elementary educators on how to infuse dance, drama/theater, music and the visual arts into regular non-art subjects. The course consists of study and experiences in each art form through aesthetic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural heritage and aesthetic valuing. Students plan their activities/lesson plans for K-5 students, then, in a pseudo-practicum, they teach those lessons to actual humans in Camp Art Attack!
