Winter term courses will be offered by the Humanities Department, Social Sciences Department, and the Psychology Department. There are two sessions, an early session from December 8–21, and a later session, from December 29–January 11. Students register for the early session using the fall 2024 registration system, and register for the later session using the spring 2025 registration system.
These courses are designed to cover all of the same material covered in a one-semester course but in 14 days—10 days of instruction and four reading days. This design converts three credits and 135 hours of work into an intensive experience of engaged work in the range of 10–13 hours per day. Accordingly, it is not wise to take one of these courses if you have any other demands on your time—including travel, weddings, internships, jobs, weekend obligations, or other such commitments—and no allowances can be made for interfering events.
Humanities Courses
HUM 380: The Hobbit, December 8–21, Instructor: Keith Green
This course examines the book that first brought the Middle-Earth legendarium to public attention—The Hobbit. Students will gain a working familiarity with the text as well as learn a little about the personal history of J. R. R. Tolkien and the evolution of The Hobbit from a fairy tale into a prelude to The Lord of the Rings.
COM 380: Evolutionary Origin of Language, December 8–21, Instructor: Matt Bauer
How old is language? This course addresses the origins of human language, working backwards from examining the diversity of languages today to considering differing accounts of how language evolved in early humans and whether faculties of language, broadly construed, are evident elsewhere in non-human animals.
HIST 352: History of Chicago, December 29–January 11, Instructor: Mindy Pugh
History of Chicago from the late 17th century to the present, beginning with the intersection and clash of peoples both native and settler, through the rise and development of the incorporated city, including its “machine” politics, ethnic neighborhoods, planning agencies, social and political reforms, labor movements, women’s rights and gender dynamics, organized crime, and many other urban institutions and movements.
PHIL: 304 Judgment and Decision Making, December 8–21, Instructor: J.D. Trout
This course is a philosophical and psychological examination of good reasoning, the origins of judgment errors and biases, the impact of reasoning on individuals and societies, and the methods for improving judgment.
Social Science Courses
PS 232: Democracy, Dictatorship, and Development, December 8–21, Instructor: Daniel Bliss
Introduces students to the most common theories and approaches in contemporary comparative political analysis. Students then employ the tools of comparison developed in an examination of the causes and consequences of political instability and conflict and transitions to stable democracy.
PS 338: Energy Policy, December 29–January 11, 2025, Instructor: Matt Shapiro
This course traces our dependence on fossil fuels and government-based attempts to promote energy conservation and develop alternate energy sources. Assessed are the economic and political effects of the supply and demand for energy; the implications of different energy production and consumption methods; and efforts to minimize the environmental consequences through increased energy efficiency and/or regulation. The course explores such problems as fossil fuel dependence, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, nuclear waste, rapid industrialization, and national and international attempts to provide economic, political, and technological solutions.
Psychology Courses
PSYC 301: Industrial Psychology, December 8–21, Instructor: Kristina Bauer
Survey of practical applications of psychology to problems of business and industry: work attitudes and behavior; employee selection; morale; safety; turnover; absenteeism; and training. This course regularly fills during the regular academic term.
PSYC 363: Intro to Sports and Exercise Psychology, December 29–January 11, Instructor: Kelly Kazukauskas
In this course students will explore the major psychological theories related to sport and exercise behavior. The course is designed to introduce students to the field of sport and exercise psychology through a combination of classroom discussion and exercise application. Major topics to be covered include: personality characteristics and attitudes in sports; aggression in sports; social and motivational factors impacting sports performance and behavior; coaching and team dynamics; PEDs, eating disorders, and other common issues in sports; and exercise/fitness psychology.
Additional Information
Cost. The cost to students will be a flat fee of $2,500 per course. This fee is separate from fall and spring tuition, and there are no tuition discounts for this fee.
Duration. Classes will run 14 days: 10 days of instruction and 4 reading days. December classes will run from December 8–21 or December 29 to January 11.
Registration. Register for December courses using the fall registration schedules, and register for January courses using the spring registration schedule.
Overload. Students already with 18 credit hours for fall or spring will need an overload permit to register for a J-term class in that same term.
Last day to withdraw. The last day to withdraw from the December 8–21 term courses is December 7, and the last day to withdraw from the December 29–January 11 courses is December 21, after that, you will be charged the full amount for the class whether or not you complete it. Note: this is a change from last year.
ENROLL NOW: go.iit.edu/register