Winter classes coming to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

LAWRENCE – University of Kansas students have a new opportunity to continue their learning and stay on track to graduation with the first-ever winter session offered by the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

The College will offer 14 courses, all of which will be conducted online. The courses are based on previously existing online courses that will be condensed into four weeks. The winter session runs from Dec. 26 until Jan. 20. 

The courses are primarily drawn from the humanities and social sciences, but cover a wide range of topics. Students can learn about U.S. politics, child behavior, African-American Studies, the Internet and more. A full list of courses is available here.

The winter session is available to all students. The short, condensed courses offer students the chance to focus on just one or two classes, helping them catch up on, or accelerate, their progress to graduation. The winter session also allows those required to take 30 hours for the academic year to make up for a fall or spring semester where they took 12 hours or less.

Forming part of the broader vision for the College online, these courses offer KU students greater flexibility in their learning.

Carl Lejuez, dean of the College, explained that the winter session diversified the learning options offered by the College, providing more opportunities for students with differing circumstances to achieve success.

“Importantly, this format provides the opportunity for a more intense focus in a shorter period while holding the rigor of the course constant,” Lejuez said.

Winter classes are also beneficial for College faculty.

“Instead of referencing something you talked about four weeks ago, you can reference something you talked about yesterday,” Lejuez said, adding that teaching winter classes will give College faculty more time to focus on research and mentoring during the spring and fall semesters.

For more information, contact Samantha Montague at 785-864-1292 or thecollegeonline@ku.edu.

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is the broadest, most diverse academic unit at KU. It is home to more than 50 departments, programs and centers, as well as the School of the Arts, School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures, and School of Public Affairs & Administration.