Summer School Courses

The first session of Summer School 2013 will run from May 28 to June 27; the second session will run from July 1 to Aug. 1. This summer, the college will be offering seven online-only courses, indicated below, ranging from Topics in Film Study: Alfred Hitchcock to Survey of Public Health. Agnes Scott students can register on AscAgnes during the April 1-11 course selection period. Students at other colleges and universities as well as qualified high school seniors can apply for summer school by submitting an application; complete details are available here.

For more information about summer course offerings, email us at summerschool@agnesscott.edu or call 404.471.6289. 

Session I Courses, May 28-June 27:

Special Topics: Methods in Photography (ART 250)
(Instructor: Neil Dent)
MTWR 6:45-8:50 p.m. 

Exploration of the visual experience through a study of the basic elements of photography as an expressive medium. Students will consider various approaches to developing and expressing a personal idea using the camera. Both film and digital techniques will be investigated. Enrollment limited to 10 students.
Fulfills the Fine Arts and Literature distributional standard

Science, Religion and the End of the World (AST 150) ONLINE
(Instructors: Chris De Pree, Agnes Scott College, and Mark Douglas, Columbia Theological Seminary)

The sciences and the Christian tradition provide narratives about the end of the world. Yet how do these narratives relate? How do we evaluate them? And what are the implications of these narratives for the way we live and think today? This course - taught by a professor of astrophysics and a professor of religious ethics - takes up those critical questions and provides students with opportunities to study widely, think critically, and learn respectfully in a cross-disciplinary setting. To encourage imaginative thinking, sources of study for the course will combine speculative fiction, movies, and selections from other books and articles (to be made available in a course packet).
Fulfills the Humanistic Studies distributional requirement
To watch a video “trailer” for this course, click here.  

Introduction to Chemistry (CHE 150/150L)
(Instructor: Douglas Fantz)
MTWR 8:30a.m.-10:35a.m.

Lab 1: MWR 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Lab 2: MWR 10:45a.m. -1:45 p.m.
(Instructor: TBA)

This course delves into the world of atoms and molecules in order to study the structure of matter and the changes it undergoes. The course will provide an introduction to the field of chemistry. Topics include atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, acids and bases, enthalpy, and equilibrium. In addition, contemporary problems and applications of these topics may be explored. Examples may include atomic and molecular structure relevant to the design of new material such as memory metals; stoichiometry as a means of achieving green chemistry; acids and bases in the context of biochemical and environmental reactions; enthalpy in the context of energy generating fuels; and equilibrium and its role in energy storing batteries.
Fulfills Natural Science distributional standard

Early British Literature (ENG 211)
(Instructor: Steve Guthrie)
MTWR 8:30-10:35 a.m.

The first thousand years of literature in Britain. The course covers Old English heroic tradition, chivalric romance, medieval satire, medieval and renaissance lyric and drama and the early modern epic. Readings include such authors as the Beowulf and Gawain poets, Marie de France, Geoffrey Chaucer, Thomas Wyatt, Edmund Spenser, Christopher Marlowe, Sir Philip Sidney, Lady Mary Wroth, William Shakespeare, John Donne and John Milton.
Fulfills the Fine Arts and Literature distributional standard

Research Statistics (PSY 206; cross-listed with SOC 206)
(Instructor: Barbara Blatchley)
MTWR 10:45 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.

Basic theory, principles and applications of statistics in behavioral science research.
Prerequisite: Take one of the following; PSY 100, 101, 102; SOC 100, ANT 101, 202, or any 100-level POL.
Fulfills the Social Sciences distributional standard.

Session II Courses, July 1 to August 8: 

The Solar System (AST 120/120L)
(Instructor: Paul Wallace)
MTWR 10:45 a.m. -12:50 p.m.

Lab: TR 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

A survey of the solar system, including the planets, minor bodies and the sun. An overview of orbital motion, the properties of light and fundamentals of astronomical instrumentation. Includes a laboratory component in which students learn introductory observational methods, including telescope alignment and calibration and visual,photographic and CCD observations of the sun, the moon, planets and stars.
Fulfills the Natural Science distributional requirement  

Foundations of Inorganic & Physical Chemistry (CHE 220/220L)
(Instructor: Douglas Fantz)
MTWR 8:30-10:35

Lab 1: MWR 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Lab 2: MWR 10:45 a.m. -1:45 p.m.
(Instructor: TBA)

This foundation course focuses on introductory aspects of inorganic and physical chemistry. Topics may include fundamental chemical reactions, nuclear structure and radioactivity, molecular shapes, trends as seen in the periodic table, equilibrium, gas laws, molecular collision theory, the laws of thermodynamics, phases, reaction rates and reaction mechanisms. To illustrate the role of chemistry in fundamental physical and chemical behaviors, examples are chosen from a variety of areas including environmental, medical, and forensic applications. Prerequisite: CHE-150; CHE-150L (minimum grade of C- in each)
Fulfills the Natural Science distributional standard 

Topics in Film Study: Alfred Hitchcock (ENG 230) ONLINE - View course trailer
(Instructor: Willie Tolliver)

Approaches to film from the viewpoints of history, genre and technique. This course will focus on the films of Alfred Hitchcock.
Fulfills the literature distributional requirement

American Literature Since 1900 (ENG 214) ONLINE
(Instructor: Jamie Stamant)

Students will read across genres to learn about the “American” experience as it is represented in a range of literary movements and their cultural contexts in the United States since 1900.
Fulfills the Fine Arts and Literature distributional requirement
To view a promotional video Professor Stamant created for the course, click here.

Europe from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment (HIS 101) ONLINE - View course trailer
(Instructor: Yael Manes)

European society and culture from the Middle Ages through the Enlightenment including: marriage and family, religion and religious reform, women and gender, popular and elite culture, science and medicine and interaction with world cultures and state building.
Fulfills the Humanistic Studies distributional requirement

Elementary Statistics (MAT 115) ONLINE - View course trailer
(Instructor: Alan Koch)

Statistical measures and distributions, probability and its application to statistical inference, linear correlation, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals and applications in the natural and social sciences. A scientific calculator is required for this course.
Fulfills the Mathematics distributional requirement

Survey of Public Health (PH 101) ONLINE - View course trailer
(Instructor: Keri Norris, Health Scientist/Senior Service Fellow, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Survey course that introduces the subdisciplines of public health. Introduces epidemiological, environmental, occupational, cultural, behavioral, and policy issues relevant to the health of populations around the world. Includes a historical context for current health issues and global practices.
Fulfills the second science requirement

Theatre From Page to Stage to Screen (THE 180) ONLINE - View course trailer
(Instructor: David Thompson)

Topics will include dramatic texts, performance theory, theatrical venues, theatre artists, and criticism. Students will also view live performances of their own choosing and compare them to mediated performances as well as social events carrying performative features (worship services, ceremonies, sporting events). Students will also compare multiple versions of the same script in performance as a means of viewing a range of artistic choices. Many of the readings will be drawn from O’Hara and Sebesta’s digital text Exploring Theatre.
Fulfills the Fine Arts and Literature distributional requirement