Students will have the opportunity to read children’s literature, study marine biology and hone their algebra skills in many new classes offered at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura Colleges this spring. MC English Professor David Birchman will teach a “Children’s Literature” class (ENGL M40) at MC.
The class will cover diverse books such as fables, alphabet books, fairy tales, domestic novels, young adult novels, and picture books. “The class will be a blend of text, lively discussion, film, and student presentations,” Birchman said. Birchman believes that there are two reasons why students should be interested in the study of children’s literature. “First of all, it’s something literature majors ought to look into.
Secondly, the subject is interesting from a social viewpoint. What our culture has deemed appropriate for children has changed drastically over the years.” Birchman is looking forward to the class. “We will be serious—but I intend to have a lot of fun with the subject,” he said. The 3-unit class will be held from 1 to 2:20 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. Its CRN is 31681.
MC Art major Ashley Starkey finds the class idea intriguing. “I think it sounds really interesting because I love fairy tales and children’s literature,” she said. Starkey, 20, believes that the class could aid her in her future career. “That’s what I’d like to do with my time eventually, is to write and illustrate children’s books.”
Among the new OC courses are Communicating Ocean Science (MST R195) and Biological and Geological Marine Resource Management (MST R170 and R178). Students in these courses will discover outside the classroom the biological and geological marine resources of Ventura County and beyond. Field trips will take place every weekend and include hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains, visiting the Channel Islands, and trips to local coastal habitats. Initial meetings will be held on campus Jan. 15, or at the Oxnard College Marine Center at Channel Islands Harbor on Jan. 17. The instructors may be emailed for more information at [email protected] or [email protected].
Ventura College will host many new classes this spring, such as the Anthropology of Women, Political Science: Service Learning (students concurrently enrolled in Introduction to Political Science), Personal Insurance, Modularized Elementary Algebra, Criminal Justice Employment Orientation, Introduction to Forensic Science, Introduction to Methods of Biotechnology, Business Calculations-Online, English Composition for Health care Majors, Holistic Health and Disabilities, History of the Modern Middle East, Women in Literature I, and Survey of English Literature II.
VC Executive Vice President Ramiro Sanchez explained how these courses stay on the schedule, despite the budget cuts. “New courses associated with new or modified programs will be reviewed and considered,” Sanchez said. “In consultation between the area dean and department chair, a reallocation of resources within the same division will be the method used to offer any new courses.” Registration for classes this spring will be open to all on Dec. 15. Students may register through WebStar, and the spring semester will begin on Jan. 12, 2009.
