Two-Week Non-Credit Courses

Examine the science of brain and cognitive enhancement techniques while exploring both the history of these techniques and predictions for future technologies in this very popular course.

Examine the science of brain and cognitive enhancement techniques while exploring both the history of these techniques and predictions for future technologies in this very popular course. Topics covered include drug enhancements and mood manipulation, electrical stimulation of the brain, cochlear and visual implants, deep brain stimulation for the treatment of neurological diseases, motor prosthetic devices, memory enhancement technologies and brain implants. Students will write several short papers for the course; a personal laptop, while not required, is suggested.  Prerequisites: none

Taught by Emory Law School faculty, this course introduces students to law as a profession and to some of the most fundamental legal concepts and skills.

Taught by Emory Law School faculty, this course introduces students to law as a profession and to some of the most fundamental legal concepts and skills. Students will study the dual nature of a lawyer’s role as both a proactive, problem-solving advocate and as an advisor who negotiates for clients within the United States litigation system. Course includes field trips and concludes with students delivering a formal oral argument. Prerequisites: none

This course looks at film production, cinematography, editing, sound, genre and mise-en-scene with both a critical and practical approach.

This course looks at film production, cinematography, editing, sound, genre and mise-en-scene with both a critical and practical approach. It’s a basic introduction to college-level writing and critical thinking about film as a medium, an art and an international, multi-trillion dollar business that is in a constant state of both stability and radical change.  Class activities include lectures, discussions, clip analysis, quizzes and short essays about films. The first half of the course will cover some basic aspects of film as an art form, such as mise-en-scene, cinematography, and editing while the second half of the course will examine various aspects of film production, distribution, economics, and marketing: how the 'business' side of the film business works in conjunction, and sometimes at odds, with film as creative expression.  Prerequisites: none

Why are certain people so creative? Is it genetic, or a result of childhood experience? Are they different from everyone else? This popular psychology course highlights the different theories of creativity.

Why are certain people so creative? Is it genetic, or a result of childhood experience? Are they different from everyone else? This popular psychology course highlights the different theories of creativity. Each student will choose two famous creative people, research their lives and report on them to class (in the past, students have studied Bill Gates, 50 Cent, Lady Gaga, Walt Disney, Madonna, etc.). The class will then apply existing theories of creativity to these famous peoples’ lives.  Each student will also produce a creative work representing his or her way of thinking about the psychology of creativity. This work can be artistic, musical, written or in any creative form the student desires.Prerequisites: none

This psychology course is an overview of the sexual and emotional dynamics of human attachment relationships. It focuses on romantic and companionate forms of love as they are thought about and studied by social scientists.

This psychology course is an overview of the sexual and emotional dynamics of human attachment relationships. It focuses on romantic and companionate forms of love as they are thought about and studied by social scientists. This course discusses such topics as why certain people are attracted to each other, what happens when people fall in love and the differences in romantic love across cultures.

This sociology course discusses the rapidly-expanding ways people are becoming more closely connected across the world - from the economy to entertainment, from sports to religion.

This sociology course discusses the rapidly-expanding ways people are becoming more closely connected across the world – from the economy to entertainment, from sports to religion. Students will examine these connections and how they shape our lives in the United States.  Using a text written by Dr. Lechner, this course capitalizes on Atlanta’s location by visiting one or more globally-oriented institutions such as the Carter Center, the Centers for Disease Control, Coca-Cola and CNN. Students should be prepared for extensive readings, class discussions, hands-on exercise and informal class debates.Prerequisites: none

This class introduces highly-motivated students to the exciting world of infectious disease outbreaks, which are responsible for the deaths of millions of children and adults every year worldwide.

This class introduces highly-motivated students to the exciting world of infectious disease outbreaks, which are responsible for the deaths of millions of children and adults every year worldwide. This is a hands-on, experiential class enhanced by sessions with some of the world's foremost researchers from the School of Public Health, the School of Medicine and affiliated with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Students will walk away with a solid understanding of the basic, clinical and epidemiological underpinnings of infectious diseases – and understanding they will put to use by solving real-life infectious disease outbreak cases from around the developing world.

Note: Students must be 16 years old by the session start date to take this lab course.

Sports Medicine encompasses a range of professions which work together in the areas of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports injuries. This course gives students interested in those various fields an opportunity to learn and apply the foundations needed for a future in health care for athletes.

Sports Medicine encompasses a range of professions which work together in the areas of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports injuries. This course gives students interested in those various fields an opportunity to learn and apply the foundations needed for a future in health care for athletes. Topics include:  anatomy, kinesiology, emergency preparedness, preseason physical evaluation and conditioning, injury classifications, primary and secondary surveys, heat illness, conditioning for injury prevention and rehabilitation, common injuries to upper and lower extremities, and current topics in sports medicine.

This seminar uses basic principles of psychology to analyze the characters and plots of popular current fiction.

This seminar uses basic principles of psychology to analyze the characters and plots of popular current fiction. Using theories of family dynamics and social development and psychoanalytic, behavioral and interactional approaches to personality, students will develop a greater understanding of both the novel and the novelist.  Students will also learn how to apply that understanding to real-life people and situations. Students are required to write two term papers, and participate actively in class discussions. Prerequisites: Students must be able and willing to read 100-150 pages per day.

This course investigates the relationship between molecular structure and physical properties

This course investigates the relationship between molecular structure and physical properties. Students will study alternative energy sources such as solar cells and fuel cells in a laboratory environment with a specific focus on nanocrystalline materials with interesting electrical and optical properties. The lab allows students to test the performance of such materials, many of which are found in everyday appliances and electronic devices. Prerequisites: High School Chemistry

Lab fee: $50

Note: Students must be 16 years old by the session start date to take this lab course.

This class introduces highly-motivated students to the exciting world of infectious disease outbreaks, which are responsible for the deaths of millions of children and adults every year worldwide.

This class introduces highly-motivated students to the exciting world of infectious disease outbreaks, which are responsible for the deaths of millions of children and adults every year worldwide. This is a hands-on, experiential class enhanced by sessions with some of the world's foremost researchers from the School of Public Health, the School of Medicine and affiliated with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Students will walk away with a solid understanding of the basic, clinical and epidemiological underpinnings of infectious diseases – and understanding they will put to use by solving real-life infectious disease outbreak cases from around the developing world.

Note: Students must be 16 years old by the session start date to take this lab course.

Taught by the former U.S. Ambassador to Zambia (who also served as Director of the Carter Center's Global Development Initiative), this course introduces the key principles of economics and applies them to the current worldwide economic crisis.

Taught by the former U.S. Ambassador to Zambia (who also served as Director of the Carter Center’s Global Development Initiative), this course introduces the key principles of economics and applies them to the current worldwide economic crisis. Students will finish this course with a greater understanding of the forces that shape the world, and the decisions that must be made in order to manage resources in the face of scarcity. Prerequisites: none

This course examines the civilizations of ancient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East utilizing the collections of the Michael C. Carlos Museum.

This course examines the civilizations of ancient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East utilizing the collections of the Michael C. Carlos Museum.  It will serve as an introduction to the science of archaeology, the development of civilization and the history of the ancient Middle East.  Using artifacts from the museum, students will discuss the process of archeology and how that evidence has shaped our knowledge of the birth of civilization in the Nile Valley and the Fertile Crescent.

Using student-centered, active-learning methods and real-world examples, this course is designed to provide a fuller understanding of how the brain works and how neuronal activity underlies human complex behaviors.

Using student-centered, active-learning methods and real-world examples, this course is designed to provide a fuller understanding of how the brain works and how neuronal activity underlies human complex behaviors. We will explore topics such as drug overdoses (why is heroin deadly, but not marijuana?), Botox injections (why does it make you look younger?), spinal cord injuries (why can we reattach a limb, but not fix a broken spinal cord?), social stress and decision making. Class includes field trips to Emory labs, and the Yerkes Primate Research Center field station, where students will observe Rhesus monkey behavior.

Note: Students must be 16 years old by the session start date to take this lab course.

This course presents the scientific foundations of exercise and its impact on health and wellness.

This course presents the scientific foundations of exercise and its impact on health and wellness. Integrating science with experiential learning, this course will inspire students to consider sports medicine, exercise science, or health promotion as a potential career path. Students will explore the impact of exercise on the human body and the brain. Hands-on experience and laboratory assignments will include lifestyle evaluations, personal fitness and nutrition assessments, and individual exercise programs.

Personal narrative writing is a skill set particularly vital to creating great college-entrance essays.

Personal narrative writing is a skill set particularly vital to creating great college-entrance essays. Some of the best contemporary writers are not novelists or poets. They are essayists – writers who write primarily about themselves but are able to appeal to many readers. This course focuses on the art of the essay. Students will learn how to include literary elements common to novels and poetry to create vibrant, powerful essays. Readings include works by Edward Abbey, Amy Benson, Joan Didion, Annie Dillard and Lawrence Millman. Prerequisites: none

Examine the science of brain and cognitive enhancement techniques while exploring both the history of these techniques and predictions for future technologies in this very popular course.

Examine the science of brain and cognitive enhancement techniques while exploring both the history of these techniques and predictions for future technologies in this very popular course. Topics covered include drug enhancements and mood manipulation, electrical stimulation of the brain, cochlear and visual implants, deep brain stimulation for the treatment of neurological diseases, motor prosthetic devices, memory enhancement technologies and brain implants. Students will write several short papers for the course; a personal laptop, while not required, is suggested.  Prerequisites: none

This course looks at atypical and abnormal psychological behavior from two unique perspectives: its impact on others, and how it feels to be affected.

This course looks at atypical and abnormal psychological behavior from two unique perspectives: its impact on others, and how it feels to be affected. Students will learn more about the history of the way abnormal behavior was viewed and compare it to modern day perspectives of learning and genetics. Students will also examine psychotherapy and chemical treatments. Prerequisites: none

Economists often rely on mathematical theories to understand how markets work. But how accurate are these theories? Do people behave as we think they do?

Economists often rely on mathematical theories to understand how markets work.  But how accurate are these theories?  Do people behave as we think they do?  In this course, students participate in experimental games to begin to understand economic theory, human behavior and market outcomes.  Students will participate in games before learning the theory behind them, and through discussion will see how their behavior conforms (or does not conform) to economic principles. Students will also work together in groups to design and implement their own experiments. Prerequisites: none

Taught by a professor recently named as one of the world's "Brilliant 10" scientists in Popular Science magazine, this course studies the evidence for evolution through a combination of lectures, discussions, role-playing games and visits to Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium.

Taught by a professor recently named as one of the world’s “Brilliant 10” scientists in Popular Science magazine, this course studies the evidence for evolution through a combination of lectures, discussions, role-playing games and visits to Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium. Students will also discuss the controversies about evolution, and learn that evolution and religion are not mutually exclusive. The course addresses what science is, why alternatives to evolution are not scientific, and what motivates anti-evolutionists. 

Study renewable and non-renewable forms of energy such as ethanol, biofuels, wind, solar, oil and coal in a classroom setting.

Study renewable and non-renewable forms of energy such as ethanol, biofuels, wind, solar, oil and coal in a classroom setting. This class explores the history, science and practical applications of each type of energy in context of the intersection between the energy problems facing our society and the solutions science has to offer. Students will visit Emory’s new energy-saving LEED-certified buildings and attend on-campus events related to sustainable foods. Prerequisites: High School Chemistry or High School Physics