Beginning this summer, Goshen College students will have access to eight new online summer course options.

New course options have been added to the online summer program to allow students easier access to general education and required courses. GC implemented its first summer course program last summer.

Classes being offered include Engaging the Bible taught by Regina Shands Stoltzfus (first term), Quantitative Learning taught by David Housman (first term), Introduction to Philosophy taught by Kevin Gary (first term), Statistics in Research and Human Behavior taught by Carol Jarvis(first term), Office Software Productivity taught by Carlos Gutierrez (second term), College Composition taught by Beth Martin Birky (second term), Humanities: Literature and Art taught by Ann Hostetler (second term).

“The current list reflects faculty interest and ability and student needs,” said Randy Gunden, executive director of adult and online programming.

These online courses are meant to encourage faculty understanding and development of teaching online courses. They are also meant to allow for more flexibility for scheduling for both non-traditional and traditional students.

Gunden noted two specific benefits of these courses as, “helping build enrollment and offering greater flexibility for students and staff.”

Developments and changes to the online summer course list are meant to better serve students and expand the pool of possible students, especially those not on campus.

Cours costs are $325, which are half the cost of a normal summer course.

Another asset of these courses is to support the master's programs and their continued development.

“We aim to offer options to better serve students, departmental needs, and plan for the future,” Gunden said, in reference to the long-term importance of the courses.

However, the most important aspect of these courses is to allow Goshen College to integrate new techniques for teaching and to keep up with other higher education institutions.

“Colleges, program offerings and delivery modes are always evolving,” Gunden said. “This is part of normal development reflecting changes in the higher education landscape.”

The first term starts May 28th and goes until July 12th and the second term starts July 15th and goes until August 30th.