Fall 2026 Courses

Elisa Jones, TR 9:25-10:40am, CRN: 11338

Elena Rodriguez, TBD, CRN: 11606

TBD, CRN: 12973

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From the world of Disney fairy tales to the appropriation of Viking symbols by white supremacists, we will uncover the myths about the Middle Ages that have become a part of our modern world. The goal of this learning community is to explore how misinformation is created and propagated over time and how to properly evaluate information as we separate fact from fiction. HIST 117 examines the ways that medieval history is used and misused in the modern world and how medieval conceptions of religion, race, and power were tied to the development of European society. It explains how ideas about nation and race formed through examples of violence, toleration, and conversion, culminating in the debates over the natural rights of indigenous and enslaved peoples in the New World. This course meets the Pre-Modern History and the MUGC general education requirements. In LIBR 105, we will build the necessary research skills to find, evaluate, and ethically use a variety of sources for the purpose of becoming more successful in interpreting and using information. While the course will prioritize academic and primary sources, it will also look at the role news, social media, and AI play in the information ecosystem.

Blake Scott, TR 12:15-1:30pm, CRN: 10534

TBD, CRN: 12925

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This course weaves experiential learning and internationally-themed walks in Charleston with an introduction to international studies, to encourage students to think about a "global sense of place" and also engage more with the city. Upon completion of the course, students should have an introductory grasp of concepts, events, and controversies shaping what scholars call “globalization.” Students will also learn key skills for engaging international issues and relations, from a place-based learning approach grounded in Charleston.

Lei Jin, MWF 12:00-12:50pm, CRN: 13015

TBD, CRN: 12893

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This course is designed to actively investigate the history of Chinese tea and the specialized culture associated with it and its impact upon traditional Chinese culture and religion. We will analyze and compare primary literary sources and secondary studies that portray tea as a beverage, a drug, a commodity, a currency, and a form of cultural capital. We will also read novels which accentuate the crucial role tea played in shaping the history, economy, culture, and everyday life in historical and contemporary China. Students will not only be guided through the critical reading of texts, but will also learn to analyze written, visual, and media sources through comparative perspectives and theories. The course includes a visit to the Charleston Tea Plantation, virtual meetings with tea experts in China, and the optional sampling of a variety of teas. All work will be conducted in English.

Larry Krasnoff, TR 1:40-2:55pm, CRN: 13748

TBD, CRN: 12939

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A survey of American comedic literature through the lens of race and ethnicity. The class explores the hypothesis that American comedy is a form of expression of anxieties about cultural inferiority, and that those cultural anxieties have typically been expressed comedically by and about Black and Jewish-Americans. We will explore and evaluate this hypothesis by reading six works of American comedic fiction about matters of race and ethnicity: two by Black American writers, two by Jewish American writers, and two by white, non-Jewish American writers. We will supplement our reading of the novels with occasional study of film and standup performance.

Valerie Frazier, MWF 12:00-12:50pm, CRN: 12020

TBD, CRN: 12911

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This year marks over fifty-eight years since Carrie Nesbitt Gibbs, Angela Brown, Eddie Ganaway, Remus Harper, Otto German, and Arlinda Locklear, were among the first to break the color barrier at the College of Charleston and began their academic careers. Each of these trailblazers left an indelible mark on the College of Charleston, and, in this course, we want to honor their legacy through increasing awareness of their personal stories and journeys at this institution. CofC first black graduate Eddie Ganaway once said of his experience here at the CofC, “It was almost like Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. I did get the sense that I was being looked through." In this class we will challenge students to ask themselves: “How can we increase visibility and shine a light on these trailblazers, so that the College of Charleston and Charleston community can better acknowledge and appreciate their contributions?” To provide context to the CofC’s desegregation experience, we will also explore the Charleston Movement, which, through civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance, led to desegregation and reform in the city. Important events include the Kress sit ins, the MUSC Hospital Strike, the Progressive School, etc.

Kim Sauberlich, TBD, CRN: 13492

TBD, CRN: 12936

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This course offers an exploration into questions regarding music and race across the Americas, including the United States, the Caribbean, and South America. While we look at a number of musical genres--which include (among others) African American spirituals, blues, jazz, soul, Brazilian samba, Jamaican reggae, Trinidadian calypso, U.S. hip hop, and Mexican American nortec--the course is organized thematically. We begin by looking at readings from Music studies from the past twenty years that ask what it means to study music and race from a critical perspective. After developing theoretical foundations to address the ways in which music engages with racial politics, we examine a range of musical genres and cultures across the Americas to pose an inquiry on how music contributes to racialized representations and how it provides modes of community building among racialized groups. We get to listen to a lot of music and to see live concerts!

Scott Peeples, MWF 11:00-11:50am, CRN: 12824

Claire Curtis, TR 1:40-2:55pm, CRN: 11100

TBD, CRN: 12896

Antron Mahoney, MWF 12:00-12:50pm, CRN: 11888

TBD, CRN: 12888

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From the abolitionist movement to the Movement for Black Lives, how we define and understand leadership has always mattered. Thus, this course we will examine the establishment and development of African American/Black Studies with special attention to understandings of leadership. An interdisciplinary field of study, students will engage foundational texts and core thinkers, such as Frederick Douglass, Anna J. Cooper, and W.E.B. DuBois, and Ella Baker, as well as key concepts and debates in the field that will inform their understanding of leadership. Students will also engage in individual assignments and group projects designed to develop their personal leadership.

Kenneth Johnson, TR 10:50am-12:05pm, CRN: 11795

TBD, CRN: 13019

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"Black-ish" is an exploration of African American literature and culture from the 18th century to the present. In this course, students will engage a variety of texts—poetry, short stories, music, film, television, and excerpts of long prose—and discuss African American literary and cultural production across time. Through an analysis of these texts, students will engage in discourse geared toward the various expressions of African American culture and its importance on personal and American identity.

Joe Kelly, MW 2:00-3:15pm, CRN: 13331

TBD, CRN: 12956

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We'll study the documents that define American democracy--from the Declaration to MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" to President Trump's executive order, "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship." But we'll approach the subject with a special emphasis on "we the people." In addition to Jefferson and Lincoln we'll be reading "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "Huck Finn." We'll compare "Casablanca" to "The Birth of a Nation." And we'll study the responsibilities you are taking up as a student in the American system of higher education.

Guoli Liu, TR 9:25-10:40am, CRN: 13229

TBD, CRN: 12941

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This course explores the dynamic relationship between global politics and the political development of the United States. It examines how the United States has shaped international affairs through statecraft, power, and ideas, while also investigating how global forces—such as economic interdependence, climate change, migration, technological innovation, and cultural exchange—transform American society and the wider world. Students will engage with foundational debates in international relations and apply them to contemporary challenges, uncovering the paradoxes of power, identity, and responsibility that link U.S. policies to global change. By analyzing the mutual influences between America and the world, the course invites students to reflect on what it means to live, act, and make ethical choices in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain global order.

Ghazi Abuhakema, MWF 12:00-12:50pm, CRN: 12974

TBD, CRN: 12892

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Dive into the Qur’an, the heart of Islam, and discover its big ideas and why it matters to millions of people worldwide. This course isn’t just about reading an ancient text—it’s about seeing how the Qur’an speaks to today’s hot topics, like science, politics, space, language, and history. You’ll explore how its verses are used to tackle modern debates, from environmental challenges to social justice. Through lively discussions and hands-on projects, you’ll learn to think critically, connect ideas across cultures, and share your own perspectives. Perfect for first-year students, this seminar will spark your curiosity and help you build skills for college and beyond.

Piotr Gibas, MWF 10:00-10:50am, CRN: 13023

TBD, CRN: 13024

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How did China become a modern nation? To answer this question, we will look at a broad spectrum of China’s intellectual, cultural and literary history, from the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) to the present. Students will be introduced to major authors, works and genres, as well as cultural, political and historical events that led to the formation of China as we know it today. By reading iconic novels, tales, short stories, essays, and drama from the pre-modern, May 4th/Republican, and contemporary/post-Mao periods, we will be able to see the development of modern and contemporary Chinese literature and culture from their predecessor, the vernacular literature and popular culture of late imperial China. We will discuss the role of literature and intellectuals in Chinese society and their contribution to modern nation building. In our discussions, we will be addressing such issues as Chinese national identity, modernity, feminism, emancipation, and the role and significance of art and literature in contemporary China.

Samantha Payne, TR 9:25-10:40am, CRN: 12987

TBD, CRN: 12923

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This seminar explores the myths and lies that Americans tell about their history. We will investigate three questions: Why do Americans mythologize their past? How do these myths gain traction? And why do false ideas endure? This course meets the U.S. REI requirement because we will examine how misinformation about the past has been used to reinforce existing structures of oppression, including race, class, gender, and colonialism. Topics include slavery and the Civil War, the “Vanishing Indian,” the housewife, the Cold War, and the Civil Rights Movement. Most importantly, this course will arm students with critical research, writing, and communication skills that will prepare them for successful careers in college and beyond.

Brigit Ferguson, TBD, CRN:

TBD, CRN: 12965

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Using Charleston as a living laboratory, this LC introduces architectural history and historic preservation. Introduction to Architecture surveys ancient to contemporary world architecture with a focus on issues of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Topics include building materials, examples of ecologically friendly and ecologically destructive building practices, architectural forms as expressions of political and economic power, and both historic and current issues in the urban development of Charleston. The historic preservation portion introduces students to the economic, environmental and cultural benefits of preservation of our built environment while also addressing issues in heritage management using Charleston examples and studying local buildings in situ. Students will write stylistic analyses, learn basic architectural terminology and research architectural and historic significance using primary sources. The LC will include site visits to buildings across Charleston.

Laura Cannon, MWF 1:00-1:50pm, CRN: 13509

TBD, CRN: 13175

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How does theatre entrance an audience? How does one write, perform, and persuade in ways that capture attention to move hearts and minds? In this Learning Community, students will consider the theatrical, narrative, and creative writing strategies used to make stories come alive. In THTR 176, students will explore how to respond critically to live performance and written scripts, how to develop the capacity to empathize through exposure to diverse theatrical histories, and how to articulate the connection of their own experiences when joined with an audience at the theatre. In ENGL 195, students will immerse themselves in study across genres of prose and poetic works to cultivate an appreciation for the varieties of creative writing. They'll develop an understanding of what challenges and pleasures accompany self-expression and the making of art. Together, these courses invite students to think, feel, and create in ways that deepen their connection to story, audience, and self.

Kristin Alexander, TR 12:15-1:30pm, CRN: 

TBD, CRN: 12951

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Introductory course, designed for non-majors, which investigates dance as a culturally significant art form. This course includes an examination of basic movement elements, dance’s evolution through historical and aesthetic perspectives, and the relationship between dance and identity. Students will critically engage with the field of dance by viewing numerous dance videos, embodying various dances in movement assignments, gaining awareness and understanding of various dance forms through reading and discussion, and acknowledging personal aesthetic values, culminating in a well-rounded appreciation for dance. Viewing a dance concert is required. Satisfies general education requirement.

Paul Rolfes, TR 12:15-1:30pm, CRN: 

TBD, CRN:

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Introduction to the history, literature, principles and techniques of the theatre through viewed in class theatre productions and group discussion. This course requires attendance at events and written critical responses as well as working in groups for the completion of in class projects. Course for non-majors.

Paul Rolfes, TR 9:25-10:40am, CRN: 

TBD, CRN:

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This course is an introduction to the art of acting for majors outside of theatre. The activities here are designed to provide life skills for relationship building, communication, confidence, and awareness. The course encourages self-exploration of the voice, body, and imagination to develop confidence in speaking, intentional listening, and the ability to play simple performance actions.

Pat Dillon, TR 10:50am-12:05pm, CRN: 13025

TBD, CRN: 12889

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Come to a world where kings, warlords, and tech gurus battle it out to win the best and most expensive art in the world. Jump aboard your Feadship or Gulfstream to chase the $100 million bargains breaking or bending laws and international customs along the way. What is an art professional to do amongst this sea of power and money? How do you cope with a client who regularly buys art and never looks at it? Is art just a business or can one still find passionate meaning and beauty in its existence? How does one stay on the right side of law and ethics, honor the integrity of art history and still participate in this exciting economy?

Pat Dillon, TR 1:50-2:55pm, CRN: 13026

TBD, CRN: 12890

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Join us as we explore the elegant history of Charleston and the low country. Visiting museums and historic houses, we will discover the extraordinary arts and crafts locally produced over the past four hundred years. Charleston is a bastion of American “firsts” boasting the first American female pastelist/portraitist, the first American female miniaturist, and the first female museum director in the United States. Highlighting enormous contributions made by the enslaved populations, the Free Black people, and the Gullah Geechee culture, we will discover true excellence in art. As Charleston is currently in another “renaissance,” the class will explore the booming contemporary art scene looking at the works of Jonathan Green, Shephard Fairey, Beeples and many others!

Emily Lee, MWF 1:00-1:50pm, CRN: 12979

TBD, CRN: 12907

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Are you obsessed with true crime like I am? Does it feel weird to admit that you’re obsessed? In this course, we’ll explore true crime as a form of entertainment and resistance. We’ll watch, listen to, read, and even create forms of true crime media. Along the way, we’ll ask some important questions, too: Is it ethical to consume true crime? Whose voices get to be told, and whose are left out? How does true crime reinforce -- or even challenge -- popular ideas about race, gender, class, and justice? Together, we’ll explore how true crime both shapes and reflects the culture we live in. Note: This course includes discussions of violence and systemic injustice. Students will engage with mature content critically and thoughtfully.

Pierre Dumont, MWF 12:00-12:50pm, CRN: 12982

TBD, CRN: 12910

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This course will consider academic writing through the lens of Bruce Springsteen and other American artists. Through readings and recordings, students will consider how various artists address American themes and what it means to be an American. For example, we will examine Springsteen's chronicling of American life, within the context of historical events such as Vietnam and 9/11. Students will have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of American individuals and events, including current American artists. Students will grow as writers through their work in a variety of genres. They will hone their skills in analysis, synthesis, and genre remediation. They will come to see smaller projects as part of a longer writing process.

Paul Roof, MW 2:00-3:15pm, CRN: 12998

TBD, CRN: 12946

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This course is designed to introduce students to critical analysis of contemporary popular culture in the United States. Students will get an overview of the insights, findings, concepts, and perspectives that are held by a wide variety of interdisciplinary popular culture scholars today. Several prominent areas of popular culture to be studied include: advertising, television, film, music, religion, and cyberculture.

Carolina Hunt, TR 10:50am-12:05pm, CRN: 13317

TBD, CRN: 12968

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A core part of an engineer's job is explaining highly technical details to non-technical stakeholders, including managers, coworkers, and customers. This requires good writing skills. Good writing skills are essential for effective communication.

Amber Davidson, MW 2:00-3:15pm, CRN: 11148

TBD, CRN: 12970

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What if math could build something? In Designing with Numbers, you’ll discover how algebra fuels the world of engineering—helping us design bridges, build robots, and power innovation. This course combines the problem-solving tools of College Algebra with the creative, hands-on world of engineering design. Through this learning community, you'll complete labs, assignments, and projects. You’ll see your math skills come alive as you consider real-world challenges — things like graphing motion, programming simple systems, analyzing data, and experimenting with design solutions. Along the way, you’ll learn what it means to think like an engineer: how to approach problems creatively, communicate ideas clearly, and make choices that matter for people and the planet. Bring your curiosity, your desire for teamwork, and your readiness to see algebra in a whole new way. Come build, test, and create — one equation at a time.

TBD, CRN: 12899

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A course introducing the creative side of computing in the context of music, sounds, images, visual art, and other digital artifacts. Emphasis will be given to computer programming for music making, visual art, live performance, and interaction. Students will develop several digital artifacts and elementary musical and artistic compositions.

TBD, CRN: 12903

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This course will combine a focus on principles of visual design and introductory coding with an examination of four contemporary US Southern artists appearing at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art in Fall 2026 through visits to exhibitions and events. Students will learn the essentials of graphic design and programming. While learning basic CS principles. they will use code to create artworks such as drawings, collages, animations and interactive works. While honing these creative skills, students will engage with the work of four formidable artists, whose work draws from Black Southern identity and experience, from Derrick Beasley’s installation art engaged with real and futuristic environments, to Corey Alston’s cultural practices deeply rooted in Gullah heritage, to Maya Freelon’s works staged responsively at the historic home of former enslavers and Christa David’s use of iconic historic images. By looking at the work and related readings and multimedia, students will explore formal qualities and broader themes of the work in their own experimentation with code-based compositions. Assignments will invite reflection on what we learn about history in Charleston and beyond, bringing that knowledge into the art that we produce and allowing us to appreciate these artists both aesthetically and conceptually.

TBD, CRN: 12900

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AI for All is a hands-on introduction to artificial intelligence designed to help first-year students build confidence in both college learning and emerging technologies. The course explores what AI is, how it works in everyday life, and how it is reshaping fields such as business, education, healthcare, the arts, and the sciences. No technical background is required. As part of the First-Year Experience (FYE) program, the course also emphasizes foundational academic skills essential for a successful first year in college. These include locating and evaluating reliable information, understanding academic integrity in the age of AI, communicating clearly, managing academic responsibilities, and navigating campus resources such as Addlestone Library, Information Technology, the Center for Student Learning, and the Career Center. Students engage in discussions, group work, and hands-on activities that connect AI concepts to broader questions about ethics, society, creativity, and future career paths. Throughout the semester, students gain both foundational AI literacy and the key habits, strategies, and campus connections that support long-term academic success at the College of Charleston.

W 12:00-12:50pm, CRN: 12901

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This First-Year Experience course introduces students to the foundations of computer science through hands-on programming in Python. Designed for students pursuing or exploring a major in computing, the course emphasizes computational thinking, problem solving, and the practical skills needed for success in later CS courses. Students learn core programming concepts—such as variables, data types, conditionals, loops, functions, and simple data structures—while building small programs that connect computing to real-world problems. The course also introduces essential tools and practices, including debugging strategies and basic use of programming environments. As part of the first-year experience, the course integrates activities that support academic transition and community-building. Students collaborate with peers, reflect on their learning, and engage with campus and computing resources that promote confidence, persistence, and a sense of belonging. By the end of the course, students will be able to write and test simple Python programs, apply logical reasoning to solve problems, and demonstrate readiness for more advanced coursework in computer science and related fields.

TBD, CRN: 12962

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TBD, CRN: 12898

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This course offers a compelling and accessible introduction to the history and principles of cryptography, the science of secret communication. Using Simon Singh's The Code Book as its foundation, the class traces the evolution of codes and ciphers from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics to the public-key encryption that secures modern internet commerce. Students will unravel a history of intrigue, war, and innovation, exploring the constant battle between code-makers and code-breakers. Key topics will include: 1) Historical ciphers: The simple substitution codes of Julius Caesarand Mary, Queen of Scots; 2) The birth of cryptanalysis: The role of Arab scholars in developing frequency analysis; 3) Mechanized encryption: The German Enigma machine in World War II and the Allied effort to break it; 4) The digital age: The development of public-key encryption and the implications of modern communication for privacy; and 5) The future of secrecy: An exploration of quantum cryptography and the ongoing challenge of maintaining privacy in a digital world. Designed for students of all backgrounds, the course uses a narrative style to explore the fundamental connections between mathematics, linguistics, technology, and their profound effects on history and society.

Taylor Collier, TR 1:40-2:55pm, CRN: 12989

TBD, CRN: 12928

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Is your phone listening to your conversations? Most likely, but unnecessarily. We routinely engage with and rely on systems, on our personal devices and elsewhere, that predict, recommend, and speculate based on our clicks, likes, searches, and even data based on socially constructed identities, but we rarely stop to think about how these systems work—or don’t. This seminar will address the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on our lives beyond the screen and explore the impacts of social hierarchies replicated and reinforced by algorithmic bias. Students will use information literacy to research the effects of algorithms, the attention economy, and digital polarization and complete a prompt engineering microcredential to practice using large language model chatbots effectively and ethically.

Lancie Affonso, MW 2:45-4:00pm, CRN: 12119

TBD, CRN: 12902

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In this FYSG you will explore AI's role in addressing complex global challenges. You will be introduced to the basics and limitations of artificial intelligence and how it is applied ethically in real-world scenarios in the AI for Good space. You will also be introduced to an intentional framework for problem solving where AI is part of the solution with a Human In The Loop (HITL) for transparency and accountability.

*For this FYE Learning Community, students enroll in one of the three foreign language sections listed below

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TBD, CRN: 12969

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Learn Latin, the language of the ancient Romans, while at the same time reading some of the greatest works of literature ever written in that language. In LATN 101, you will learn the fundamentals of the Latin language and begin to complete your general education language requirement, while in CLAS 203 you will survey the highlights of Latin literature and discuss what “the good life” looks like and how to attain it according to the ancient Romans.

TBD, CRN: 12916

Have you ever wondered how a business deal in São Paulo might differ from one in New York? Did you know that understanding a country’s business world means understanding its people, too? Some companies crush it in Brazil, while others totally fail. Why? In the U.S., business is all about efficiency. In Brazil? It’s about relationships. If you want to learn more, join us. We will learn the art of making deals interculturally to avoid cultural mishaps; explore Brazil’s rich culture through photography, food, digital media, music, and literature; analyze real-world business wins and flops, figuring out what makes or breaks a deal between Americans and Brazilians; learn how to email, network, and negotiate like a local (and even pick up some Portuguese phrases along the way!). This class is fast-paced, hands-on, and full of surprises—perfect for students who love travel, culture, and thinking outside the box. Who knows? By the end, you might be ready to launch your own global business (or at least impress your future boss with your international expertise!).

Meglena Miltcheva, TR 1:40-2:55pm, CRN: 11814

TBD, CRN: 12915

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Why is there a bear on the logo of Putin’s political party? Why are both John Wick and Vampire drones called Baba Yaga? In recent years, interest in Russia has once more increased dramatically, especially since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This FYE course provides students with the essential knowledge required to understand and interpret Russia’s actions and presence on the global stage through the medium of folktales. By studying the Russian folkloric heritage, FYE students will have the opportunity to enhance their global and cultural understanding and to apply their knowledge so that they can answer the questions like the ones posed above by reading folktales and engaging in lively discussions, reflecting on experiences and connecting them to Russian folktales in two short papers, and harnessing their creativity by putting together a storytelling video as a final project.

TBD, CRN: 12918

Discover the delicious world of Hispanic food from the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico! In this course, students will learn how food connects people to their culture, family, and traditions. Through stories, pictures, and fun activities, we’ll explore how different Hispanic communities celebrate and share their favorite dishes.

TBD, CRN: 12919

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TBD, CRN: 12921

TBD, CRN: 12909

In this course students will encounter Tolstoy's "War & Peace", a rewarding and transformative reading experience of one of the greatest novels ever written. During the course we will slowly go through this novel, while also learning about the fascinating historical period that it covers (Napoleon's invasion of Russia). For all students that love literature and are looking to find more reading time in their life.

TBD, CRN: 12914

This course will explore the act of pilgrimage in general, and that of pilgrimage on the Way of Saint James (Camino de Santiago) in particular. Pilgrimage is a practice that comprises both physical and internal journey. We will look closely at the practice of pilgrimage from historical and cultural perspectives, and examine various types of pilgrimage, including food pilgrimage, before focusing on the medieval and modern pilgrimage destination of Santiago de Compostela. We will consider how being on the road itself contributes to the formation of a pilgrim, and study how pilgrims bring change along with them on the road. Throughout the course, we will seek answers to thematic questions such as what is an authentic pilgrimage, how pilgrimage differs from tourism and what is the existential value of a pilgrimage. Students will also have the opportunity to walk (with backpacks) the last 111 kms of the Camino Francés during spring break 2027 as part of the First-Year Experience Abroad: No (S)pain No Gain: Hiking the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain (application found on cofc.via-trm.com – additional costs to participate).

David Flenner, TR 9:25-10:40am, CRN: 10677

Liza Reader, MWF 9:00-9:50am, CRN: 10571

TBD, CRN: 12964

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In MATH 104, students learn how to use Microsoft Excel to perform basic statistical analyses. In EXSC 201, students understand the field of Exercise Science and how it impacts the body’s health. Combining the two courses into one Learning Community provides students the analytical skills needed to understand current trends in exercise science while developing marketable skills with spreadsheet software. By participating in this Learning Community, students will fulfill two required courses for the Exercise Science major.

Tingting Tong, TR 1:40-2:55pm, CRN: 10290

Kasey Jordan, TR 12:15-1:30pm, CRN: 11661

TBD, CRN: 12966

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Ever wondered how hospitals, clinics, and public health systems actually work behind the scenes, and how data helps them run smarter? This Learning Community pairs Elementary Statistics (MATH 104) with Introduction to Health Services Administration and Management (HSAM 201) to give you a unique look at how numbers and decision-making shape the world of healthcare. In Statistics, you’ll learn how to collect, analyze, and interpret data. In Health Services Administration, you’ll explore how health systems are organized, how they serve communities, and how managers make tough choices about resources and policies. Together, these courses will show you how statistics isn’t just about crunching numbers, it’s about solving real-world problems and improving people’s lives. Whether you’re thinking about a career in healthcare, business, or just want to become more confident using data in everyday life, this LC will give you valuable skills you can use right away. By the end, you’ll be able to see the story behind the numbers and understand how those stories impact health and healthcare in our communities.

Kathy Beres Rogers, MWF 10:00-10:50am, CRN: 12843

Susan Flynn, W 3:00-6:00pm, CRN: 13020

TBD, CRN: 12967

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What are you able or unable to do? From birth, society often categorizes us based on perceived abilities, frequently emphasizing limitations rather than potential. This is especially true for children diagnosed with disabilities. This Learning Community will examine the power of language and movement in shaping societal views of disability. By exploring how adjusting our rhetoric can transform social perceptions, we can foster a more inclusive mindset. The practical segment of this Learning Community, FitCatZ, will provide students with experience teaching aquatic and motor therapy to children. This hands-on experience emphasizes the profound impact of inclusive practices, guiding students to gain insight into how small changes can lead to significant shifts in societal attitudes and individual empowerment.

Carmen Gallegos-Perez, MWF 2:00-2:50pm, CRN: 13120

TBD, CRN: 12917

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What does it really mean to live a happy life—and how have humans pursued that question across time, disciplines, and cultures? "Wired for Happiness" is an interdisciplinary exploration of the nature of happiness, blending insights from modern science, timeless works of art, and pivotal moments in human history. Through psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, visual arts, literature, and cultural analysis, we’ll investigate how happiness has been defined, sought, and understood throughout the ages—and how these lessons can inform how we live today. Students will examine both ancient and contemporary perspectives on well-being, explore the impact of creativity and expression on emotional health, and uncover how social, cultural, and historical forces shape our understanding of what it means to thrive. By the end of the course, students will not only have a deeper intellectual grasp of happiness but also walk away with practical tools and personal insights to design a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Sarah Robertson, TR 8:00-9:15am, CRN: 13430

TBD, CRN: 12945

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An overview of psychopathology, including the empirical and theoretical bases of epidemiology, etiology and treatment. Mental disorders are examined from psychological (e.g., learning theory) and biological (e.g., neurobiological) perspectives, and research and treatment methods associated with these paradigms are introduced. We will also discuss the role of technology in the development of mental disorders and consider best practices for maintaining mental health in a technology-focused world.

Caleb Garner, MWF 1:00-1:50pm, CRN: 12992

TBD, CRN: 12938

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What would your life be like without technology? Can you even imagine it? To say that technology is a defining feature of modern life seems obviously. Yet given the ways in which technology permeates your everyday life, it is imperative to understand the many ways in which technology affects the world you live in. This course investigates the technologies you use and how these technologies shape who you are and the world you live in. You will do this through exploring the philosophy of technology. You will reflect on your use of technologies like phones, social media, video games and cars through reading a variety of authors dealing with the personal, ethical and social implications of technology.

Stephen Short, TR 12:15-1:30pm, CRN: 12995

TBD, CRN: 12942

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A quick glance at current affairs can quickly seem bleak with climate change, pandemics, increased prevalence of mental illness, decreased physical health, and denial of science. But, as the renowned scientist Carl Sagan notes, science can serve as a candle in the dark. Past, present and future scientific discoveries can provide us solvable solutions to many of today’s problems. In this course we’ll explore the history of science as a way of understanding the world, review past examples of pivotal scientific discoveries, and apply scientific thinking to many of today’s current issues including improving mental and physical health, economics, addressing climate change, and decreasing science denial.

Amy Kolak, TR 10:50am-12:05pm, CRN: 12997

TBD, CRN: 12944

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Walking benefits physical health, mental well-being, and cognitive functioning. This course will review the empirical evidence supporting connections between walking and an array of outcomes. It will expose students to autobiographical accounts of individuals’ walking experiences. Together, the course readings will give students a greater appreciation for the truly personal role that walking can play in individuals’ lives. While some walk for transformation, others may walk for their physical health and then there are those who may be motivated by their daily step goal. Whatever the reason, this course will allow students to reflect on the role that walking plays in their own lives and consider how they might begin to develop and maintain a walking practice of their own. To that end, students will be exposed to the various types of walking one may engage in, including, but not limited to, walking for tourism, as transportation, to meet health or fitness goals, and for mental health. Thus, students should expect to engage in walking regularly as part of this course and some class meetings will involve a walking activity.

Kelley White, MW 2:00-3:15pm, CRN: 13001

TBD, CRN: 12949

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Urie Bronfenbrenner argues “Every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her.” But, what does that mean? Who was “irrationally crazy” about you? This course examines the profound impact of social relationships on the learning and development of young children (birth to age 8). Students will read and critically evaluate research to explore how various types of interactions (with parents, grandparents, siblings, peers, and educators) impact cognitive, emotional, and social development from infancy through early childhood. Students will gain insights into how positive and negative social experiences influence educational outcomes and developmental milestones. Students will spend time exploring significant relationships from their childhood and reflect on the impact of these relationships on their development and identity. Moving beyond the research and theory, the course will incorporate experiential learning through observation of young children at our university lab school. Finally, we will discuss practical applications of the research and develop strategies for fostering supportive social environments in educational settings and at home.

Caleb Garner, TR 9:25-10:40am, CRN: 13003

TBD, CRN: 12952

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Socrates says that "the unexamined life is not worth living," and death is the great mystery of life that has been enchanting, scaring, and thrilling audiences for thousands of years. This course explores various theatrical depictions of death and writings on death and dying. From Medea murdering for revenge, to Agatha Christie thrillers, to musical romps with death in Death Becomes Her, Theatrical media challenges the way audiences accept death. This course will explore our own personal and cultural ideas about the end of life, treatment of the dead, and the tragedy, romance, or threat of death. Through analysis of plays and musicals from Greek Theatre through contemporary theatre, you will deeply examine and develop your attitude towards death. We will discover how our own attitudes also are impacted by performance, design, and visual storytelling. You will also explore the grief process, examine how we culturally accept the end of our lives, and examine our own hopes for how our time will end.

James Davis, M 4:00-6:45pm, CRN: 10204

TBD, CRN: 12913

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This course is designed to cover Personal Financial planning, Federal taxes, Banking services, Consumer credit, loans, Purchase of a home, mortgages, Insurance to include auto, home, life, health, disability, long term care & more. Stocks, Bonds, Mutual funds & most importantly Retirement planning, 401-K, IRA, 403-B, 457 and more.

TBD, CRN: 13017

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TBD, CRN: 12931

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Interested in business but not sure which path to take? This interactive and dynamic course will prepare you for whatever your future holds, during college and after graduation. You will get an overview of the basic concepts and principles of business and design thinking while incorporating elements of personal development and life design. This course aims to help you identify your strengths, interests, values and guides you in developing a vision for your future careers both in the School of Business and post-graduation. You will engage with current students, alumni and industry leaders. You are encouraged to think outside the box, explore new ideas and gain personal development strategies for success.

Dustin Daniels, TBD, CRN: 12978

TBD, CRN: 12904

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Why did your hometown lose its factory jobs? How does a trade war with China affect farmers in Iowa? What makes gas prices spike or college tuition soar? This course cuts through the jargon to explain how global economic forces (trade agreements, tariffs, subsidies, supply chains) create real consequences for American workers, families, and communities. We'll explore questions like: Why do countries fight over steel and soybeans? How did Chinese chemical exports fuel America's opioid crisis? What happens when companies get billions in tax breaks to build factories? Who actually wins and loses from "free trade"? No economics background needed. You'll learn to read economic news critically, understand the trade-offs in policy debates, and see how decisions made in Washington or Beijing ripple through your community. Through policy briefs, local case studies, and analyzing current events, you'll develop the skills to cut through political rhetoric and understand what's really at stake in economic debates shaping America's future.

Pat Tyre, TBD, CRN: 12984

TBD, CRN: 12912

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This class exposes students to a variety of entities across the financial services industry, as well as a practical review of employment practices and income attainment. Initially, we explore our immediate personal trajectories – including getting a job, paycheck deductions, and personal budgeting with discretionary and non-discretionary expenses. Then we transition to the Concept of Credit, Risk, Responsibility, and usage. We start with the more common financial instruments, such as credit cards, loans, and savings accounts, digging deeper into the nuances of each type of their history, utilization, and limitations. We cover the financial aspects of the social safety net and financial survival for those on the margins of society. Then we dive into the concept of value creation and value sustainability, and for certain populations, value loss. Finally, we end up exploring the global financial phenomenon of microfinance and the triple bottom line. With a dramatic appeal offering women hand-ups, not handouts, we end with a country analysis of poverty and how we can contribute to empowerment as an NGO. From personal budgeting to global microfinance, this class challenges the student to consider personal perspectives about wealth and wealth attainment but also asks the students to reflect on the struggles of others who have similar ambitions but are often locked into environments where access to resources is limited.

Pat Tyre, TBD, CRN: 13134

TBD, CRN: 12937

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Most businesses are global, and managing these businesses on a multinational scale requires leadership skills that are nuanced yet directive. Considering that some of our most popular products are outputs of large global companies (e.g., Nissan, Bayer, Shien, Temu, etc.), this course explores how leaders of those companies navigate the complexities of new markets, new competitors, shifting demographics, emerging technologies, cultural nuances, innovation, and governmental regulations. In addition, this course explores theories of leadership and team development, identifies an effective leadership style that matches an organization's culture, and explains how companies build leadership capabilities for succession planning. Using a case study method, this course explores leadership styles and decision-making in three global companies and reflects on the success or failure of their leaders. Students will use the Myers-Briggs Personality Test and two other leadership development frameworks to assess their leadership styles and compare themselves to evolving trends.

TBD, CRN: 12960

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In this Learning Community, we explore how human-Earth interactions can create social inequities while modifying Earth’s physical environment. In the “Environmental Geology” course (GEOL 103), hands-on activities and field trips will allow students to apply Earth science principles to evaluate unsustainable uses of Earth’s resources and disproportionate impacts in many regions of our planet. In the “Introduction to Environmental & Sustainability Studies” course (ENVT 200), students explore how meaningful sustainability involves the integration of social, political, and environmental factors, which requires interdisciplinary perspectives, and how systems thinking can drive solutions. These courses will prompt students to consider the interaction of natural and social forces impacting the world around them.

Lee Linder, TR 9:25-10:40am, CRN: 12994

TBD, CRN: 12940

Hurricanes are more than just a meteorological phenomenon. They impact communities, mental health, ecosystems, etc. Thus, while this course will demonstrate the underlying physical principles of a hurricane (allowing student to understand them physically), we will also explore their impact on other disciplines. Experts from many different fields give their perspectives. Students will research and discuss the impacts of past hurricanes. The potential for climate change to alter future hurricane activity will also be discussed, as well as potential ways man could mitigate the impacts of hurricanes.

Geoff Timms, TR 3:05-4:20pm, CRN: 12990

TBD, CRN: 12929

Do you wonder what lurks within the waters of Charleston Harbor? This beautiful estuary features prominently in Charleston’s history and is a landmark that adds to our city’s charm. But the harbor is so much more than a commercial port and tourist attraction; in this course, you’ll learn to appreciate the estuary’s treasures by investigating it from multiple Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) perspectives. Through the lenses of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and more, you’ll explore Charleston’s marine environment, and the sustainability challenges it faces today. From flooding to flounder, on this voyage of discovery you will gain research skills and imagine tomorrow’s solutions, exposing you to the possibilities of a future in STEM.

Summer Coish, TR 4:00-5:15pm, CRN: 13491

TBD, CRN: 12927

Where does our trash go when we throw it “away”? As individuals, and as a society, we rarely consider this question–opting instead to mindlessly toss our waste in a bin. However, the bin is just the first of many faraway steps in our waste’s final fate. By the end of this course, students will come to understand that there is no “away”. Our society has become dependent on a level of convenience that is fueled (or vice versa) by a seemingly insatiable (and unsustainable) level of consumption. This convenience is seen across every level of the economic value chain in the form of products, services, and delivery systems marketed to us to make our lives “easier”. However, there is a cost to this convenience, and the result is a throwaway, disposable culture that is polluting our environment, negatively impacting human health, and favors profit over planet and people. Using the global plastics crisis as our guide, we will examine the disproportionate effects this crisis of convenience has on frontline communities around the world by applying an interdisciplinary lens to concepts of informality, environmental justice, and the systemic changes that are needed to build a more just and equitable society.

TBD, CRN: 12959

Dancing Away Your Fear of Public Speaking is a learning community designed to improve your ability to communicate…especially in those situations in which you are in the spotlight. Both public speaking and social dance are communication skills that will benefit your personal and professional lives. We will learn how to manage stage-fright, as we learn to dance and speak. We will learn to research, as we learn to express ourselves with our voices and our bodies. We will learn to adapt to audiences, as we learn to be better evaluators of the messages of others.

Meg Scott-Copses, MWF 12:00-12:50pm, CRN: 12814

M 2:00-2:50pm, CRN: 12926

TBD

Alyssa Conner, MW 2:00-3:15pm, CRN: 12836

F 2:00-2:50pm, CRN: 12905

How do people engage with each other online, and what does this tell us about literacy and writing in online spaces? In this course, students will learn about various forms of literacy, language diversity, and develop rhetorical analytical skills through exaimining an online community. We will explore various scholarly texts on literacy and language, and utilize these sources as framework to examine and analyze online interactions. Online discourse groups students might look at include Reddit subreddits, such as one for fans of their favorite music artist (r/TaylorSwift), the subreddit of one of their hobbies (r/gardening), or even a gossip/snark forum they love to peruse occasionally. Ultimately, students will develop critical thinking skills and will question what online peer interactions show us not only about writing and literacy, but how we can effectively (and respectfully) engage with eachother online.

Morgan Johnson, MWF 1:00-1:50pm, CRN: 13325

M 3:00-3:50pm, CRN: 12906

English 110 Study of the Arts is a course about writing through the study of the arts. Students incorporate music, theater, and visual arts into topics chosen to practice writing through a process that includes invention, critical thinking, drafting, revising, researching, synthesizing, and working with new media. They receive peer and instructor feedback through peer workshops and conferences. Throughout the course, students read college-level writing and practice writing at a college level on topics related to the arts.

Tony Varallo, TR 12:15-1:30pm, CRN: 11796

TBD, CRN: 13180

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Have you ever wanted to meet the writer of a story or poem you loved? In this course, we will read the work of contemporary writers and meet many of them through in-person and virtual visits. Together we will explore the fiction, nonfiction, and poetry of some of the most exciting creative writers living in and around the Charleston area. The course will also connect you to the larger Charleston literary community through readings and events at the Charleston Literary Festival, YALL Fest, the College of Charleston Swamp Pink/MFA Reading Series, and others.

Julie Davis, MWF 9:00-9:50am, CRN: 12975

M 8:00-8:50am, CRN: 12897

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Perhaps no other art form has been as critically maligned, and yet as popular and influential as comics. Beginning in newspaper comic strips in the 1890’s, branching out into stand-alone books and magazines, and now spreading through many aspects of American culture, comics have and continue to create, reflect, and disseminate American culture. This course will study comics’ history and industry, as well as different genres of comics. We will learn how comics come together, read a variety of comics, and critically engage them, through both discussion and written work. Topics will include the history of comics; various genres of comics; politics and comics; gender and comics; and comic transitions, which see comic stories and characters moving into other media.

Bonnie Devet, TR 10:50am-12:05pm, CRN: 12980

R 9:05-9:55am, CRN: 12908

The travel writer Antony Lane has called Charleston, "the prettiest and most welcoming of cities." Be your own travel writer! Explore the city of Charleston! Write about its unique features and various historic sites. The course explores topics such as the different types of travel writing, what is the art of "reflective" travel writing, and where can writers be published. Student can visit different parts of Charleston for their on-site research.

Ian O'Byrne, MW 10:00-11:15am, CRN: 13002

TBD, CRN: 12950

Can your voice change the world? Better yet, can it help you find yourself? Coming to college is a massive transition. It’s easy to feel "muted" by the pressure to succeed, the noise of social media, or the weight of the challenges we see in our schools and communities. This course is a sanctuary for future educators and changemakers who want to learn how to stay loud, stay whole, and stay resilient. Inspired by the life and "love letters" of late CofC professor Alison Piepmeier, we explore what it means to make meaning when things feel difficult. We’ll dive into the raw emotions of the human experience. Empathy, joy, and struggle. And use hands-on, DIY publishing (zine-making) to reclaim our authentic voices. We’ll focus on how to "charge your battery" and build a community that sustains you. Whether you are a future educator or just someone who wants to lead with heart, you’ll discover that teaching and learning are acts of love. Join us to find the beauty in the hard work of changing your world for the better.

Amanda Kraft, MW 2:00-3:15pm, CRN: 12991

TBD, CRN: 12930

Welcome to the Addlestone Library! Is it awesome, or could it be way better? Forget boring satisfaction surveys—this course is your chance to hack and redesign the college experience. User Experience (UX) is the process of understanding and improving user needs and preferences, and it’s used everywhere—from Apple to TikTok—to make products people love. As a member of the Library Design Lab, you’ll participate in the Library UX Program by using practical, real-world research methods to uncover how your peers truly feel about library spaces, resources, and services at Addlestone and other College Libraries locations. You will act as both users and researchers, collecting and analyzing data, and then working collaboratively to generate ideas and develop prototypes—actual solutions that could be implemented on campus. This course offers hands-on experience in a high-demand field that is essential to numerous industries, including business, education, healthcare, and technology. This is your opportunity to learn more about it, get involved, and share your thoughts!