With Spring Semester beginning on Jan. 11, 2021, students should register for their Spring courses soon. Students are encouraged to take between 12 and 18 credit hours per semester to ensure that they successfully graduate on time for their degree. Make sure that you have met with your academic advisor to be prepared for registration. 

While searching for courses, you may want to choose some unique and interesting ones that fulfill the General Education Program (GEP) requirements. As GEP courses are in separate fields than the degree you are studying, it can be helpful to find courses that stand out to you. Some interesting courses in the GEP for the Spring Semester are listed below with course descriptions from the Shawnee Academic Catalog.

General Education Program Courses

ANTH 2350-01 – Biological Anthropology

Taught by Kimbery Dingess, this class is to be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. and is worth 4 credit hours.

Course Description: “This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts and principles of Biological Anthropology. Topics to be covered include evolution in general, primate and human evolution, and genetics of human populations.”

BIOL 2253-01 – Practical Horticulture

Taught by Logan Minter, this class is worth 4 credit hours and is to be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.

Course Description: “An introduction to the science of practical horticulture with emphasis on useful skills and techniques related to plant propagation, selection of suitable ornamental plants for the habitat at-hand, planting and maintenance of plants in home, greenhouse and the landscape, fundamentals of landscape design, and basics of insect and disease control.”

ENGL 2247-01 – World Literature

Taught by Timothy Nelson, this class is worth 3 credit hours and is to be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:15 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.

Course Description: “This course offers a thematic focus on the global circulation and influence of literary works, theories and movements across national and cultural contexts. Students will engage in a comparative analysis of texts stemming from different regions in the world”

GEOL 1202-01 – Historical Geology

Taught by Kurt Shoemaker, this class is to be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:20 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. and is worth 4 credit hours.

Course Description: “Biological and physical history of the Earth. Course focuses on principles that have guided geologists in their search for clues to the Earth’s past. Students will trace the Earth’s history from the development of the crust, oceans, and atmosphere to the appearance of life and domination of dinosaurs and mammals.”

HIST 3432-90 – Gandhi and Modern India

Taught by Lavanya Vemsani, this class is to be online and is worth 3 credit hours.

Course Description: “This course is designed to provide an understanding of the colonial and post-colonial, socio-political economic changes in South Asia. Perhaps one of the most influential personalities of this struggle is Gandhi, who changed the course of the national movement through his focus on non-violence and social reform.”

HIST 3520 – History of the Crusades: The Crescent and the Cross

Taught by Amr Al-Azm, this class is worth 3 credit hours and is to be online. 

Course Description: “This course will trace the history and phenomenon of the Crusades to the Holy Land from the 11th to the 13th centuries and their influence on the 20th century Middle East political thought.”

POLS 1310-01 or 1301-90 – Introduction to Political Theory

Taught by Thomas Bunting, this class is worth 3 credit hours and can be taken either online or in-person on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 3:18 p.m.

Course Description: “This course provides an introduction to the central political questions that have puzzled philosophers throughout American and world history: Who is fit to serve as political leader? Are there limits to individual freedom? How should money, property, and power be distributed?”

THAR 1000 – Introduction to Theater

With multiple different sections and professors being offered which can be viewed on MySSU, this course is worth 3 credit hours.

Course Description: “Survey of development of theater from classical to modern times, emphasizing the artists and craftspersons of the theater and their contributions to its development.”

Electives/Other Courses

Not only having to fulfill GEP requirements, some students also have to complete a certain amount of elective credits or may be interested in other courses being offered. Some interesting, fun or smaller credit hour courses are listed below:

EMTP 1010-02 or 1010-03 – First Aid & CPR

Worth 2 credit hours, this class is offered on Tuesdays from 1:10 p.m. to 2:55 p.m. with Henry Turner or on Wednesdays from 1:10 p.m. to 2:55 p.m. with Gregory Lodwick.

Course Description: “This course follows the guidelines of The American Heart Association for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and other nationally recognized certifying agency’s guidelines for the administration of basic first aid. The student will learn and become proficient in providing first aid and CPR in emergent situations. Successful completion of this course will lead to certification in CPR-Health Care Provider Level and basic first aid.”

HIST 3320-01 – History of Ohio 

Taught by Andrew Feight, this class is online and is worth 3 credit hours.

Course Description: “A history of the ‘Buckeye State’ from prehistory to the space age, emphasizing economic, social and political topics.”

MUSI 1311-01 – University Choir

Taught by Stanley Workman, this class is worth 1 credit hour and is to be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. This course is repeatable for credit.

Course Description: “An ensemble of students who practice choral repertoire and give concerts.”

SSES 1200 – Principles of Personal Fitness

With a professor not yet assigned, this class is to be held Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:25 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. and is worth 2 credit hours.

Course Description: “Presents scientific information concerning the need for physical activity and a personal fitness prescription. Provides background information on the eleven parts of fitness. Students are shown, step-by-step, how to work out a lifetime fitness program that meets their needs and interests.”

SSPE 1131 – Yoga

This class is worth 1 credit hour and is being offered in several different sections. This course is graded on a pass or no-credit basis.

Course Description: “Basic rules and fundamentals. Special emphasis on strategies, team, and individual play. An appreciation of the activity is developed to carry over into later life.”