Summer Classes

Conn has launched a special initiative to offer a variety of online summer courses for students looking for an opportunity to delve deeper into their majors or explore new departments.

The program, which marks the first time the College has offered summer courses in more than a decade, was established in response to the COVID-19 outbreak as a way for students to make up for any disruptions during the spring semester, or to get a head-start on the fall semester during a 5-week, intensive program beginning in July.  

The classes are only available to Conn students, and offer a broad spectrum of subjects representing 11 separate departments across the College, including one intro language class and two ConnCourses. Remote student support and tutoring will be available through the Academic Resource Center and financial aid is also available. Subjects range from economics and statistics to English, environmental studies and an intro course on African art.

"These courses are an exciting way for students to stay connected with Connecticut College faculty and friends over the summer,” said Libby Friedman, assistant dean of the College for Connections. "The program is also designed to be an excellent opportunity for students to get a jump on the fall,” she added. 

The final course selection, based on student interest, will be announced on June 18.

This program has required faculty to adjust and adapt, but they have embraced this new avenue of teaching and learning enthusiastically. 

"We are grateful to the faculty for offering our students an opportunity to have the benefit of their outstanding teaching this summer during these challenging times,” said Jefferson Singer, dean of the College. “They are providing a range of excellent courses across the varied disciplines, and this effort truly highlights the creativity, adaptability and dedication of Conn’s faculty,” he added. 

While students taking online classes during the summer break is nothing new, what’s unique about this program is the fact that each course is instructed by dedicated Conn faculty and only accessible to current Conn students, which offers a level of continuity and familiarity unavailable in outside summer programs, a feature Jeffrey Cole, dean of the faculty and professor of anthropology, cites as a critical distinction between this program and so many others that students might participate in. 

“This is a very compelling slate of courses that gives students the opportunity to sustain their academic progress over the summer and still work with Conn faculty and participate in discussions and group work with their friends and classmates from the College,” Cole said.