At one time, not so long ago, if you were going to take an online course your options were pretty limited. Courses were either an elective that may or may not be required for graduating or it was a core class for your degree program that by some random chance, was also offered online. My, how times have changed.
This fall, over 5,000 course sections will be offered through Open SUNY. They run the gamut with everything from your basic Psychology 101 course to advanced math and physics and everything in between.
If you haven’t decided which classes to take this fall, we’re here to offer some suggestions. Here are 10 courses you bet you never thought you could take online:
1. Global Marketing of Luxury Brands
If you can’t be FIT alum Michael Kors, at least you can learn how to market like him! This class looks at real life case studies, articles, and position papers so you can improve your marketing savvy by learning how some of the best businesses out there succeed in the global market place. With so many brands out there, yours could be next.
Fashion Institute of Technology // Fall 2014
2. Biology of AIDS
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 50,000 people are infected with the AIDS virus every year in the United States. This upper-level undergraduate class offers a holistic view of the AIDS epidemic from its origins to contemporary treatment and prevention routines. You don’t need to have a working knowledge of epidemiology, but should have previously taken a biology or chemistry course.
SUNY Delhi // Fall 2014
3. Coming to America
Not to be confused with the Eddie Murphy comedy classic, this geography course takes a look at the many waves of immigration to America. And this isn’t just stories from Ellis Island or from many generations ago. This three-credit class covers recent topics in immigration, discrimination, and how the role of cities contribute to the rising numbers of immigrants.
Rockland Community College // Fall 2014
4. Women and Humor
SUNY campuses are home to some pretty funny ladies. After all, Susie Essman from HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” graduated from Purchase College and Lena Dunham shot an upcoming episode of “Girls” on the SUNY New Paltz campus. But this course covers the first ladies of funny – some of the original female humorists of the 19th and 20th centuries. They used their wit as a form of social protest, and in the making, influenced generations to come.
Empire State College // Fall 2014
5. Long Island Ocean Beaches
New York beaches are pretty incredible – they are even one of the 30 amazing summertime attractions near SUNY campuses. But beaches are more than pretty scenery and a place for summer fun. In this course, you’ll get to know all about their features and how they help protect us from encroaching storms.
Stony Brook University // Fall 2014
6. Planning Adventure Journeys
Are you planning on taking the trip of a lifetime when you graduate? Even if you’re not an adrenaline junkie, more and more are traveling to the far reaches of the Earth. This course will teach you everything to need to know for a successful trek from planning for a natural disaster to learning about different ethnic and cultural groups. Passport not required.
SUNY Plattsburgh // Fall 2014
7. Great Mysteries of the Earth
Does Bigfoot exist? Is there really life on other planets? Did the Big Bang Theory really kill all the dinosaurs? This class explores these unexplainable questions and the oft-mentioned conspiracies that follow them. Expect the unexpected.
Monroe Community College // Fall 2014
8. Social & Cultural Aspects of Food
How can you go wrong taking a class about food? Explore the cuisine and dietary habits of ethnic groups around the world – all from the comfort of your own home. Taste testing is highly encouraged!
Nassau Community College | Fall 2014
9. The Literature and Culture of Gambling
This may sound like an obvious choice given the title of this post, but hear us out. Betting culture has been around for centuries and some of the most famed character stereotypes in literature are gamblers like frontiersmen, femme fatales, and lone wolves. If you’re still hedging on what courses to take, don’t count this dark horse out.
SUNY Brockport // Fall 2014
10. Introduction to Second Life
With over 1 million regular users, Second Life doesn’t have the popularity of other social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter. But, what it lacks in popularity it makes up in a unique user experience. Student users will be able to build a world of their own and interact with friends and classmates on a virtual plane for assignments and more.
Genesee Community College // Fall 2014
BONUS!
Destination Marketing
We couldn’t leave an Open SUNY + Course off the list! Tourism is the 7th largest industry in New York State and if you’ve seen one of the recent “I Love NY” commercials, you’ll know that New York has tons to offer. You’ll get to learn in depth how to promote some of these locations and what makes them so special.
Finger Lakes Community College // Fall 2014
These look interesting. Regarding the content of the Literature and Culture of Gambling course, I’m interested in this if it covers subjects going right through to the modern age. Ideally topics including Binary Options (ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_option), apps (e.g. http://bettingappstore.co.uk) and so on.
Are these included or is it more akin to the cultural and literary side of things as the title suggests?