Last January, Virginia Wesleyan students traveled around Greece and Rome for
on-site study of ancient Greco-Roman history. Others visited New York City to
pull back the curtain on the theatre industry and learn about the business of
Broadway. Back home, Marlins explored "Psychology in Film, Memoir, and
Science," and “Latin American Music and Dance.” Each of these adventures
were taken during the College’s annual Winter Session, our three-week
credit-bearing term held each January that both complements and strengthens the
College’s academic program.
I have long been an advocate for enrichment programming offered during abbreviated academic terms. I recently visited with Dr. Susan Wansink, Director of Winter Session and Professor of German. We shared our mutual excitement about the value of Winter Session and discussed the many benefits it holds for the entire Virginia Wesleyan community:
I have long been an advocate for enrichment programming offered during abbreviated academic terms. I recently visited with Dr. Susan Wansink, Director of Winter Session and Professor of German. We shared our mutual excitement about the value of Winter Session and discussed the many benefits it holds for the entire Virginia Wesleyan community:
- PASSION: Winter Session allows for focus on a single academic subject without distraction from other courses or commitments. Students enjoy the concentrated format, and faculty have the opportunity to design and try something new and different.
- PRODUCTIVITY: Winter Session is an excellent opportunity for students to either get ahead or catch up in their coursework—and sometimes it can even play a critical role in timely degree completion. In addition to four-credit courses, it provides supplemental one-credit courses as well as non-credit workshops and experiences. With more than 50 course offerings, Winter Session can also be a great time to start a double major or pick up a minor.
- PRACTICALITY: Students enrolled full time for the fall and spring semesters may take up to five credits during Winter Session without charge beyond a $225 registration and any associated materials and travel expenses. Read more about the affordability of Winter Session.
- PLAY: Winter Session features a series of special events, lectures and eclectic performances, most of which are free and open to the public.
Last year, a record number of students enrolled in Winter
Session—687 to be exact. That’s about half the student population, and it’s no
mystery why. Our faculty and staff have set the bar even higher this year with
travel opportunities in London, Prague, Mexico, Hawaii, and Belize, and
interesting course subjects like “Public Art as Aesthetic Intervention” and
“The Harry Potter Phenomenon.”
I encourage faculty, staff and students to explore ways that we can expand this program in the future—and to ask yourselves: Where will Winter Session take you?
I encourage faculty, staff and students to explore ways that we can expand this program in the future—and to ask yourselves: Where will Winter Session take you?
