When University students watch episodes of “The Simpsons” or soak up the sunshine, it usually means they’re procrastinating on doing their homework, but this summer, students can earn academic credit for such activities.
Although some may be counting down the days to a study-free summer, the University’s summer term offers new classes on topics far from students’ typical course requirements.
More than 100 summer courses will be offered this year, and while more than 20 of these classes are new, dozens more can be completed in a single weekend.
Exploring the Oregon wetlands, reading science fiction and even watching popular television shows are all part of this summer’s course schedule.
This year, the English department is offering three unique courses at the 199 level: Classics of Science Fiction, Writings About Medieval Monsters and Satire in Film and Literature.
Kip Wheeler, an English graduate teaching fellow and instructor of the medieval monsters course, said the classes are a unique opportunity for students to study fun subjects.
“It’s a chance to watch ‘The Simpsons’ and study monsters for credit,” he said. “These are topics that are so bizarre, one never would have thought this is what people think about.”
Wheeler said students in the satire course will study how satire is used in works ranging from Mark Twain writings to “The Simpsons,” and those in the science fiction class will study classic writings from several famous science fiction authors.
Wheeler said students will study a variety of characters including Beowulf, witches and unicorns. He said the point is to examine the differences between medieval monsters and modern monsters and how they are portrayed in literature.
Wheeler said he is looking forward to teaching the class because modern pop culture seems fascinated with monsters.
“We don’t believe in monsters, but what function do they serve in literature?” he said.
Students interested in more artistic topics will also have new opportunities this summer.
Laurel Dunn, office coordinator for the art history department, said the department is offering four summer courses, two of which are new.
She said Spanish Medieval Art will guide students through the different art and architecture styles of medieval Spain, while also paying attention to the ideas of certain religions of the time.
“This should be of great interest to students because Spanish art history courses are not generally taught here,” she said.
Dunn said the department will also offer another new class to examine the changing relationship between 20th century art and architecture. She said the class will be taught by an art expert who is only available to teach this summer.
For those who want to earn extra credits but can’t bear the thought of sitting in a classroom during the summer, several outdoor opportunities are available.
Dozens of summer classes will be taught off campus, including several biology courses.
Dan Gleason, a biology teaching lab preparator, will teach Wetlands for Elementary Schools, a new class specifically geared toward aspiring teachers or those who work with children.
He said he plans to make the class interactive by taking students out to certain wetland areas every other time the class meets. He said the course is targeted mainly at aspiring teachers to encourage them to teach their students about the wetlands.
“I hope it will give them some new ways of looking at the resources available to them,” he said. “It’s a way of showing them what opportunities exist for teaching about Oregon’s natural environments.”
While his class is geared toward a specific group, Gleason said interested students can join similar wetland courses offered this summer.