New semester, novel courses
Tired of the same old lectures and pop quizzes? Next semester brings a new lineup of courses that may actually make you want to get up for an 8 a.m. Whether you want a class that dives deeper into your major, explores a passion or teaches you something new, this semester has something for you.
ASIA 215: “Korean Wave in Transitional Asia and Beyond”
With sold out stadiums worldwide, K-pop has become a global phenomenon, blending music, dance and fashion to shape a new era of international entertainment. Whether you’re a casual listener or a BTS stan, spend a K-tastic semester unpacking the cultural, political and economic forces behind K-pop’s explosive rise and the K-drama, K-cinema and K-beauty that exploded along with it.
ASIA 215 fulfills a Distribution Group I credit and will meet from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
BIOS 363: “Extraterrestrial Elsewheres: Astrobiology and Imagining Life on Other Worlds”
The film “Interstellar” implanted the same questions in us all — is there life out there or are we alone in the universe? Can we inhabit other planets? How would we need to adapt? Aliens have fascinated humans for centuries, but this class goes deeper than your favorite sci-fi novels and both of the “Dune” movies. Explore the field of astrobiology and consider how our approach to these questions has evolved over time due to changes in science and technology. Discuss life on other worlds, the habitability of other planets and the future of space exploration.
BIOS 363 fulfills a Distribution Group III credit and will meet from 11:00 to 11:50 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
BUSI 215: “Leading Across Social Divides”
The White House’s attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion have unsettled many, which may be why the word “diversity” doesn’t appear in this title anymore. But make no mistake — diversity continues to shape business interactions, relationship dynamics and company decisions in today’s evolving world. In this class, explore how to use leadership to conquer these barriers. Explore how race, gender, ability, religion and class influence people’s experiences in society and the workplace, drawing on management research, social psychology and sociology to examine how social identities shape our experiences, and how it doesn’t have to be that way.
BUSI 215 will meet from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
COMP 436/COMP 536: “Secure and Cloud Computing”
Do you ever wonder how computer programs run effortlessly? How do your photos automatically back up in the cloud? How do you use TikTok without being vulnerable to the Chinese government? In the digital age, efficiency and security are crucial to keeping our phones running and your Google Calendar up to date, but the work behind the scenes is much more complicated than user-friendly interfaces make it seem. Cloud systems must support continuous requisitions and scale across thousands of machines securely. This class will explore the fundamentals of cloud computing and teach key techniques in building scalable and secure systems like firewalls, intrusion detection systems and strong passwords. Students will also analyze emerging security threats and defenses in today's cloud systems. Stay safe out there y’all!
COMP 436/536 fulfills a Distribution Group III credit and will meet from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
ENGL 309: “Verses/Versus - Lamar V Drake”
Was "Not Like Us" the final battle? Did Drake really hire a forensic audio team to identify insults? We’re about to dive into the pettiest war in hip-hop history … all while getting academic credit. This class will be a workshop in writing creative nonfiction, with topics varying from the cultivation of their friendship to the development of their tension and the outbursts of their internal frustration. If you’re pre-med, maybe skip this one — all students leave with an A minor — er, minus on their report card.
ENGL 309 fulfills a Distribution Group I and will meet from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.
SMGT 434: “Football Analytics”
No more arguing over the best teams and players — now the data can decide. Despite what Rice’s lackluster game attendance might have you think, American football is the most popular sport in the U.S., but it isn’t just played on the field. Many people use the numbers and their predictive nature to adjust training, game strategies and even sports bets. In this one-credit-hour course, you’ll break down plays, predict performance and use data and statistics for real world applications, maybe even winning you a few hundred dollars.
SMGT 434 will meet from 12:00 to 12:50 p.m. on Mondays.
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