12 Courses We Wish We Could Take At Connecticut College This Semester

Conn offers hundreds of amazing courses each semester, and these 12 are some of the most topical, unique and — dare we say — fun offerings this semester. Don't forget to complete your prerequisite class: The ABCs of Connecticut College.

Algorithmic Game Theory

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Christine Chung, Tempel Assistant Professor of Computer Science

How do search engines sell ad space? Which Facebook friend most effectively influences others? Algorithmic Game Theory explores everyday life scenarios in which real-world competition interacts with computational thinking. Students consider the various ways in which computer science and game theory intersect and explore questions related to search engine page rank, voting systems and behavior.

Anthropology of Tourism

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Joyce Bennett, visiting assistant professor of anthropology

If you're interested in travel, take your seat in this course. Students analyze the tourism industry, focusing on issues of authenticity, development and sustainability. The curriculum includes lessons on more difficult issues like dark tourism and sex tourism, but a unit on culinary tourism is sure to be a treat. Two renowned Zapotec chefs from Mexico, Abigail and Rufina Mendoza, visit to give students the opportunity to try their skills in the kitchen.

Black Women In Print & Screen

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Courtney Baker, assistant professor of English

How does history represent black women? How have works created by or featuring African-American women contributed to issues of womanism, sexuality and class? In this course, students watch numerous influential films, including “Bush Mama” and “Pariah,” and read works by noted authors, including Sapphire and Alice Walker (pictured,) to better understand the portrayal of black women over time.

Cooking, Consuming East Asia

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Takeshi Watanabe, assistant professor of East Asian languages and cultures

In this course, which is, sadly, not a culinary class, discussions of Asian and American food serve as the launchpad for discussions of identity, sustainability, trade, vegetarianism and GMOs. Using both American and Asian TV shows, menus and online forums, students research tough questions: How do menus and ethnic restaurants play into our unconscious dreams for adventure? How do food shows perpetuate gender and racial stereotypes?

Couples and Family Therapy

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Jefferson Singer, Faulk Foundation Professor of Psychology

In this 300-level psychology class, students explore theory and research on treating families and couples with psychotherapy. Students make use of video and roll-playing, and hear from guest speakers, including Rhonda Sabo, a clinical psychologist who specializes in Imago Therapy. Parts of the course are based on Professor Singer’s book, “Positive Couple Therapy: Using We-Stories to Enhance Resilience.” Students interview volunteer couples from the community about relationship elements including domestic duties, finances, child-rearing, time management and relationships with in-laws ("Monster-in-Law" anyone?).

Crime and Punishment in U.S. History

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Jen Manion, associate professor of history

How do race, gender, class and sexuality shape attitudes towards law enforcement and crime? Students in this course study the philosophies and practices of punishment and legal and extra-legal forms of law enforcement. From the northeast (home of the modern penitentiary), to the antebellum South to the frontier West, this course touches on different issues of crime and punishment throughout U.S. history.

Interiors of Connecticut College

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Emily Morash, visiting instructor of art history

If you’ve ever admired the beauty of Connecticut College, you should take this course. Students examine the interior architecture of the College, explore how spaces were constructed, used, modified and renovated from the College’s founding in 1911 through today. This course is taught in conjunction with “Design: Object and Environment,” a course that focuses on wayfinding systems and design. Together, students make proposals for new signage, furniture and space redesigns of Cummings Arts Center. Students from both classes are loaned iPads to facilitate design and collaboration.

Jazz Harmony

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Dale Wilson, associate professor of music

Jazz Harmony is the kind of class that hits every note: Students try their hands at basic arranging and learn about chord construction and all the essentials of jazz harmony. The best part of this class, no doubt, is the guest appearances by visiting artists. Boston-based jazz pianist Bert Seager, internationally renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter and New York’s National Dance Institute Musical Director and Composer Tim Harrison will all visit as guest artists.

Libertarian/Anarchist Economics Thought

Spencer Pack, professor of economics

How are businesses like Uber and Airbnb inspired by both libertarian and anarchist ideas? While these two schools of thought have often been considered opposites -- libertarian economics has been associated with the right-wing Tea Party movement, while the anarchists have been associated with the left wing of Marxist and radical thought -- they actually have much in common. (Both camps were against the 2008 bank bailouts, both are concerned about the government's policing, and both support legalizing marijuana and prostitution, for example.) Students in this course learn about the intersection of these two increasingly prominent elements of U.S. politics as they relate to current issues.

Musical Theater in American Culture

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Ginny Anderson, assistant professor of theater

In this new course, students explore the history of American musical theater, from its origin through its current influence on pop culture. Besides trips to see “Guys and Dolls” and “Camelot” at the Goodspeed Opera House and Bushnell Auditorium, respectively, students get to hear from guest speakers straight from Broadway.

Narratives of Illness

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Jim Downs, associate professor of history

In this course, students investigate the ways that the medical profession, patient expectations and state intervention have shaped the way we view and treat illnesses. Modern films, including "Dallas Buyers Club" and "Contagion" illustrate changing approaches to medicine and government involvement in public health. Students go into the community to explore the narratives of illness in modern society. In the past, projects have ranged from comparative interviews between physicians at local health clinics and those at private practices to photography projects that explore abandoned mental health facilities.

National Security vs. Personal Freedom

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Dorothy James, professor of government

Where does the balance lie between national security and personal freedom? That’s been the pervasive question in U.S. politics since 9/11, with the debate fueled by emerging threats like geopolitics, terrorism, cyber attacks, chemical and biological warfare and natural disasters. Students analyze conflicting values in the U.S. Constitution, political choices in times of crisis, the politics of the 9/11 Commission Report and topical military and intelligence problems.