TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — From learning how to play the stock market to studying the effects of baseball on American culture, The University of Alabama’s Interim Program will once again provide interesting opportunities for students to earn college credit for courses not normally offered during the traditional school year.
The UA Interim Program, an innovative three-week term running May 15-June 2, allows students the opportunity to earn college credit in an intensive session scheduled between the end of the spring semester and the beginning of summer school. During Interim, students are allowed to register for one course, which typically runs three hours each day.
Some of this year’s Interim courses include:
The American Game: This class is about baseball and its place in American culture; it is not a history of the game, per se, although this will be a subject of consideration. Rather, it is an attempt to use baseball, its emergence, evolution, structures, values and appeal as a way of enriching our understanding of modern American society.
Dr. Richard Megraw, assistant professor of American Studies, 205/348-9765.
Introduction to Investing: This is an introduction to the securities markets with special emphasis on the stock markets. The class will address institutional aspects of the market and the practical aspects of investing. The course is designed for students who are not finance majors but have an interest in learning about the securities markets and how to invest in them.
Dr. Benton Gup, chair of banking and professor of finance, 205/348-8984, and Dr. Robert McLeod, MBA programs executive director and professor of finance, 205/348-7842, 348-8993.
The Beatles Era: An interdisciplinary investigation of American culture from the Kennedy assassination in 1963 to the Kent State University shootings in 1970, this class will use the popular cultural explosion of the Beatles as a prism for examining the era. Dr. James Salem, chair and professor of American studies, 205/348-5940.
E-commerce @ Human Environmental Sciences: This course offers sound advice and practical help on developing ideas, which address areas of specialization in Human and Environmental Sciences, into an Internet business. The course looks at different aspects of designing and creating a web site such as Internet marketing and advertising, the role of search engines and directories, measuring the effectiveness of an Internet strategy, E-mail marketing, the scope of E-commerce within communications, global marketing on the Internet, and the value of virtual communities.
Dr. Sue M. Parker, assistant professor emerita of clothing, textiles and interior design, 205/348-8144.
Bob Marley 101: Introduction to Cultural Rebellion: Immerse yourself in the Afro-Caribbean culture of Jamaica by way of the Reggae musician Bob Marley. The class will spend a week in Jamaica and will visit important historic landmarks in Marley’s life, the development of Reggae music, Rasta culture and history in general. Emphasis will be on the period from 1945-1981, the years of Marley’s life and the rebellion against colonialism and neocolonialism in modern times.
Dr. Amilcar Shabazz, assistant professor of American Studies and director of the African American Studies Program, 205/348-6339, 348-5940.
Contemporary American Filmmakers: An interdisciplinary investigation of American culture through the films of selected filmmakers — Martin Scorsese, Oliver Stone, Spike Lee — working from the 1960s to the present. Their films reflect changes in the business of making films in Hollywood and reveal changing behavior and values of Americans.
Dr. Ralph Bogardus, professor of American Studies, 205/348-0069, 348-5940.
Introduction to Astronomy: Students will gain an understanding of the scientific process of how our understanding of the universe is “expanded” via historical examples. They will learn the basic objects and organization of the universe as understood today — the solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe. The history and expected future of the universe will be discussed, as well as current astronomical discoveries and controversies.
Dr. Gene Byrd, professor of astronomy, 205/348-5050, 348-3793.
Note: For more information on Interim, its history, or a list of courses offered this year, contact Dr. Hank Lazer, assistant vice president for undergraduate programs and services, at 205/348-4893. The UA Web site at www.ua.edu also maintains an Interim link with course listings and descriptions.
Contact
Linda Hill, Office of Media Relations, 205/348-8325