By: Macy Hayes ‘25
It’s that time of year again! Registration for spring classes is right around the corner. Whenever the emails start getting sent about schedules and advising sessions, it can be stressful and overwhelming, BUT I am here to help. I have taken the time to gather all the essential information you need to know to make this process as easy as possible.
I attended Bill’s Honors Course Info Session, which was a great way to hear a little bit about the courses that the Honors College is offering this spring semester. Dr. Bill Offutt hosts this event every semester, and it always brings a source of comfort. When I walked into the info session, I was greeted with a multitude of papers that shared information about all the courses, along with donuts! After everyone was settled, Bill discussed some points to make this process a breeze.
The first thing you want to do is schedule a meeting with your advisor. When you go to meet with them, make sure you have a first draft of your desired schedule. To create a first draft take a look at “Schedule Explorer,” to see the classes offered for next semester. This will make it easier for them to help you get the course you want! Next, you want to double-check to ensure that you have no holds on your Pace Portal. How to ensure you don’t is simple:
1. Log into your Pace Portal.
2. Click on Student Home
3. Click on Student Profile.
If you look at the top right corner next to the words “Registration Notices,” you should see the tab, “Holds.” If there is a notification shown in red, it means you have a hold. If you click on it, it should let you know what you need to do. If you need any more help, speak with your advisor. After discovering if you have any holds, click the tab right next to it on the left labeled “Registration Notices.” This is where you will find your time ticket; this is when you can register. Finally, you should register at the earliest possible moment you can. On the day of your registration, schedule your day around your time slot. Be sure to have a stable and reliable Wi-Fi connection. If your time slot is during one of your classes, ask the professor if you can step outside or take a moment to register for your classes. They will understand! If any issues occur while registering, email your advisor right away so your advisor can fix the problem as fast as possible. The email should include:
● Your first and last name.
● Your UID Number.
● The CRN number and name of the class that is causing the issue
After Bill explained all the tips and tricks to having a successful and smooth registration, many professors came in person and on Zoom to talk about their courses being offered in the spring. Here are some of the options being offered:
Hong Kong & Bollywood: Globalization of Asian Cinema
A learning community that combines HIS 296A and COM 296 with Professor Kolluri. He has been teaching these courses since 2005 and is very passionate about the topic. Professor Kolluri shares, “That at the end of the day in this class, you are a film critic. We will watch movies that have been assigned, and we will discuss them.” You’ll address the interaction between transnational cultures, nation-states, and local identities in contemporary Asia through the medium of Hong Kong and Indian cinemas.
Seeing the World Differently Through Photography and Economics
Professor Abergil and Professor Shostya teach INT 295D. This class covers AOK 4, AOK 5, and is a writing-enhanced course. Professor Abergil shared that, “This course is unique. There is no course like this anywhere else in the United States.” She checked! In this course, you will become skilled at observing the economic phenomena around you differently. The course will require reading and writing about both photography and economic issues, as well as practicing photography regularly. You will advance your knowledge of micro and macroeconomics, and the class emphasis is on how photography changed the meaning of a document and the ways we use visual storytelling. This course is limited to 16 seats, so if you are interested, jump on it!
Managerial Accounting
Professor Donabedian teaches ACC 204. It covers course requirements for business majors, but it is also a writing-enhanced course. You will learn the fundamental managerial accounting concepts and techniques that aid in management decision-making, performance evaluation, planning, and controlling operations. The course deals with cost behavior patterns, budgeting, and cost-volume-profit relationships. Quantitative methods applicable to managerial accounting are studied. Professor Donabedian recommends talking to individuals who have taken this course to ensure it’s the right fit for you and your learning.
Public Speaking
Professor William and Professor Pressword teach COMM 200. This course is required for a foundation course. This is an honors-exclusive course devoted to the instruction and mechanics of writing and presenting one’s material. In this course, you get to choose the topics that you will be speaking about. Professor Pressword expressed that she “Knows that you probably have a lot of fear related to public speaking, but we are honors students, and fear is not our master!” It is recommended to take this course earlier rather than later during your time at Pace.
Ancient Egypt from the Old Kindom through the Ptolemaic Period
Professor Kopel teaches HIS 227, and this course covers AOK 3 and Anti-Racism Education (ARE). Students will look into ancient Egypt from the Old Kingdom until Cleopatra VII’s death. This course will provide an overview of the history, politics, religion, architecture, art, geography, and funerary beliefs of the ancient Egyptians over approximately three thousand years. Professor Kopel mentioned that there would be a class trip to the Met, and she offers a break and food. She tries to make it educational, engaging, and fun! You should note that this course was previously listed as HIS 297R.
History of American Women
HIS 280 is taught by Professor Offutt, covering the AOK 2 course requirement. This course presents an in-depth analysis of the history of women in America. As for Bill’s infamous Reacting to the Past games, YES, they will be a part of the course.
Business Law 1
Professor Magaldi teaches LAW 150, and it is a business core required course. It is an introduction to the nature and sources of law, ethics in the legal system, torts and crimes, the law of contracts, and personal property law. You have an opportunity to write a paper and give a presentation at an academic conference. Professor Magaldi mentioned, “If you are interested in the law, if you’re interested in law school, if you’re interested in challenging yourself in these ways, this is a great class for you!”
Introduction to Peace and Justice Studies
Professor Marmo teaches PJS 101. It covers AOK 1/Civic Engagement, AOK 5, and Anti-Racism Education (ARE). This course is designed as an introduction to Peace and Justice Studies. It will equip the student with nonviolent and democratic strategies for creating and maintaining “cultures of peace” at home, in the school, in the community, and in the world.
Digital Cultures
Professor Szablewicz teaches CMS 244, and it covers the AOK 5 course requirement. The course explores how digital media and information technologies impact everyday life, culture, institutions, and identities. You will address issues of representation, identity policy, regulation law, ethics, and consumption in the digital era. Professor Szablewicz mentioned, “If you’re lucky, while [she is] teaching about Chinese online censorship, [she can] teach you some curse words in Mandarin!” You never know when that might come in handy.
Studies in Comic and Graphic Novels
Professor Levitz teaches LIT 212U. The course covers requirements in AOK 2, AOK 4, and writing- enhanced. The course discusses how graphic literature is fresh and fast-growing in America today. You’ll analyze comics and graphic novels for adults and teenagers and explore experimental forms of graphic storytelling in critically acclaimed works. Professor Levitz has worked with DC Comics for several decades; along with learning from his real-world experiences, his class often brings in guest speakers!
The Artist as Activist
Professor Welty teaches PJS 296T. This course explores the intersections of art and activism and invites students to bring a theoretical PJS lens to consider art as relevant peace to help us imagine more just, equitable, and humane ways of being together while also acting as a form of confrontation, forcing us to consider what we may choose to ignore. The arts challenge us by exposing injustice but may also heal us by addressing intergenerational trauma or reconnecting polarized communities through the importance of storytelling. Professor Welty mentioned, “It is an open space to participate in art while not getting assessed on your art.”
Environmental Politics
Professor Bolton teaches POL 297B. Course Description: This course will examine global, national, and local politics of environmental issues, including pollution, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and climate change. Students will learn to analyze, engage with, and communicate about such concerns in their communities and beyond. Professor Bolton shared that “In the class, we discuss the politics of our environment, whether that be pollution or climate change, our responsibility to our environment, [and] whether or not our environment has rights just beyond us.” Weekly, you will get the opportunity to take your learning outside and learn about your environment while journaling your discoveries.
Education: Understanding Schools
Professor Meadow teaches TCH 201, and this source covers the AOK 1/civic engagement requirement. You will be challenged to examine the classroom as a diverse community where all participants can learn in a safe and appropriate environment. Professional seminars and field experiences accompany this course. Successful completion of this course is required of all students seeking formal admission to the School of Education. This class is required for Education majors; however, if you have ever thought about teaching, this is a great way to get a taste of the field.
Well, I mentioned some fantastic courses taught by talented professors, and there are more honors courses offered this upcoming spring semester. If you want more information on classes I didn’t mention, visit the Honors College to get a New York honors course Spring 2024 packet and any other registration papers you need to prepare. Lastly, it will be okay. It’s always overwhelming, but you will manage, and you will have a great spring semester! Remember, each time you do it, the easier it’ll get. Good luck!