The courses below were offered in summer 2024. They are listed here to indicate what is typically available during Summer Term. Please check back on December 15, when the full summer 2025 course schedule will be available.
Online Courses
College of Arts & Sciences
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Eating and Drinking in the Ancient World
CAS AR 280
Prereq: First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or CAS WR 120) or consent of instructor. Survey of the archaeological evidence of the diets of human societies, from earliest humans to the present. Emphasis on the remains of plants, animals, and humans and what they tell us about ancient food and drink within their social contexts. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Writing-Intensive Course. 4 cr.
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Introduction to Film & Media Aesthetics
CAS CI 200
Online offering. Introduction to fundamental concepts for the analysis and understanding of film and media. Key concepts of formal composition (e.g., editing, mise-en-scene, cinematography, sound and more) over a diverse set of media texts. Foundational skills in analysis appropriate to film, television, and moving-image media. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Aesthetic Exploration, Critical Thinking. 4 cr.
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Introduction to Computer Science 1
CAS CS 111
Online offering. This course is a rigorous introduction to programming for students intending to major or minor in Computer Science, Data Science, and related disciplines. The course introduces numeric, string, and list data, functions, decisions, recursion, iteration, and object- orientation. Applications include matrix operations, image manipulation, games, rules-based and generative artificial intelligence, and searching. Learning to program is a skill that can only be learned through practice -- it cannot be acquired from merely watching a series of lectures. Rather, students will learn through a combination of short readings; mini-lecture videos; interactive examples; and complex problem sets. Students must actively engage with these examples and problem sets to develop both the muscle memory of programming as well as a mental model of how programs execute and interact with data. Students will learn new concepts independently and attend regular workshop sessions to develop debugging skills and to obtain assistance with problem sets. The structure of the online class demands that students be intrinsically motivated to acquire programming skills, so that they will be motivated to keep up with a demanding schedule of learning activities and problem sets. To be successful in this course, students must be prepared to dedicate approximately 25-30 hours per week to the learning objectives. Students must have a Mac or Windows computer on which they can install the required software for the course. Carries MCS divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Creativity/Innovation, Critical Thinking. 4 cr.
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Combinatoric Structures
CAS CS 131
Representation, analysis, techniques, and principles for manipulation of basic combinatoric structures used in computer science. Rigorous reasoning is emphasized. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking. 4 cr.
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Introductory Microeconomic Analysis
CAS EC 101
The first semester of a standard two-semester sequence is for those considering further work in management or economics. Coverage includes the economics of households, business firms, and markets; consumer behavior and the demand for commodities; production, costs, and the supply of commodities; price determination; competition and monopoly; efficiency of resource allocation; governmental regulation; income distribution; and poverty. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking. 4 cr.
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Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis
CAS EC 102
The second semester of a standard two-semester sequence is for those considering further work in management or economics. National economic performance; the problems of recession, unemployment, and inflation; money creation; government spending and taxation; economic policies for full employment and price stability; and international trade and payments. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Global Citizenship, and Intercultural Literacy. 4 cr.
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First-Semester Chinese
CAS LC 111
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CAS LC 111) or equivalent. Online offering. Essentials of structure, oral practice, introduction to the writing system. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr.
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Second Semester Chinese
CAS LC 112
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CAS LC 111) or equivalent. Online offering. Essentials of structure, oral practice, introduction to the writing system. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr.
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First-Semester Spanish
CAS LS 111
For students who have never studied Spanish, or by placement test results. Introduction to grammatical structures. Emphasis on aural comprehension, speaking, and pronunciation. Introduction to Hispanic culture. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr.
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Second-Semester Spanish
CAS LS 112
Completes study of basic grammatical structures. Emphasis on speaking and aural comprehension. Readings on contemporary Hispanic culture. Writing assignments. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community. 4 cr.
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Elementary Statistics
CAS MA 113
Basic concepts of estimation and tests of hypotheses, ideas from probability; one-, two-, and multiple-sample problems. Applications are in the social sciences, and students will be able to understand the basics of using a sample to predict uncertainty. CAS MA 113 may not be taken for credit by any student who has completed any CAS MA course numbered 300 or higher. Students may receive credit for not more than one of the following courses: CAS MA 113, CAS MA 115, or CAS MA 213. Carries MCS divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking. 4 cr.
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Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences I
CAS MA 121
Differentiation and integration of functions of one variable. Same topics as CAS MA 123, but with less emphasis on mathematical generality and more on applications. Especially suitable for students concentrating in the biological and social sciences. Students may receive credit for not more than one of the following courses: CAS MA 121 or CAS MA 123. Carries MCS divisional credit in CAS. Students must register for two sections: lecture and discussion. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Social Inquiry II, Critical Thinking. 4 cr.
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Introduction to Philosophy
CAS PH 100
Introduces the nature of philosophical activity through careful study of major philosophical topics. Topics may include the nature of reality, knowledge, God's existence, and the significance of human life. Carries humanities divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking. 4 cr.
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Politics and Philosophy
CAS PH 155
Online offering. What is justice? What are the foundations of property rights, liberty, and equality? Are anarchism and utopianism defensible? This course is an introduction to major themes and questions in political philosophy. It includes a study of classical and modern texts, as well as contemporary political issues. Carries humanities divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking. 4 cr.
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General Psychology
CAS PS 101
Basic introduction to the field of psychology. Topics include theories and findings governing learning, memory, perception, development, personality, and social and abnormal psychology. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking, Ethical Reasoning. 4 cr.
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Religions of Asia
CAS RN 103
Online offering. Study of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. Focus on the world view of each tradition and the historical development of that world view. Effective Fall 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Aesthetic Exploration, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr.
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Principles in Sociology
CAS SO 100
Introduces the major theories and basic principles of sociological analysis. Explores culture, media, socialization, race and ethnicity, globalization, capitalism, gender and sexuality, inequality and poverty, power in American society, and health and medicine from a sociological perspective. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, The Individual in Community, Critical Thinking. 4 cr.
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Sociology of Gender
CAS SO 241
Online offering. Introduces the social construction of sex and gender with a focus on the economic, political, social, and cultural forces that shape gender relations. Examines gender as a social structure that patterns institutional inequalities and everyday interactions on society. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry II, The Individual in Community, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr.
College of Fine Arts
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Classic Theatre through a Contemporary Lens
CFA TH 401
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (CAS WR120 or equivalent), CFA TH 101, and at least one of the following: CFA TH 102, CFA TH 201, CFA TH 202; or consent of instructor - Online offering. Explores and applies contemporary theories, ideas, and research to canonical works of theatre. Considers how race, gender, identity, nationality, structure, and politics consort in the making, production, distribution, reception, and legacy of classic works. Students learn to approach theatre as a dramaturg/scholar would: by reading texts and generating writing and projects with a theatrical sensibility, asking rigorous questions of all. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing- Intensive Course, Research and Information Literacy 3 cr.
College of Communication
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Super Heroes in Film
COM FT 460
Online Offering. Focusing on films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this course explores the thematic and aesthetic aspects that have made super hero films so popular. Students learn and utilize basic film studies terminology (the close-up, the long take, cross-cutting, etc.) in order to understand how filmmakers create meaning through the use of specific cinematic techniques. In addition, the course contextualizes MCU films by explaining how each has operated within Marvel's cinematic history and its competition with DC. Taking the films themselves and their historical context into consideration, students are introduced to a basic understanding of the field of film studies and the types of analyses those working in the field undertake. 4 cr.
Questrom School of Business
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Introduction to Law
QST LA 245
Prereq: (QST SM 131) and sophomore standing. Provides a broad overview of the American judicial system and fundamental legal issues. Examines dispute resolution, torts, contracts, criminal law, business organizations, employment law, intellectual property, and international law. The goal is to understand not only the basic rules of law but also the underlying social policies and ethical dilemmas. 4 cr.
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Introduction to Management
QST SM 101
Online offering. A broad introduction to the nature and activities of business enterprises within the United States' economic and political framework. Course content introduces economic systems, essential elements of business organization, production, human resource management, marketing, finance, and risk management. Key objectives of the course are development of business vocabulary and a fundamental understanding of how businesses make money. This course is intended for non-business majors. It may not be taken by Questrom students for credit nor can it be used by Boston University students toward the Business Administration minor. Non-Questrom students may register for this course directly via the Student Link. 4 cr.
School of Hospitality Administration
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Introduction to the Hospitality
SHA HF 100
This introductory course is open to all BU students and is the prerequisite for School of Hospitality courses. Students gain an historical perspective and identify current events and trends in lodging, restaurants, and event management. Provides an overview of the global hospitality/tourism industry, including the critical elements of managing services. The Boston market, multimedia assignments, and team-based projects are integrated into the learning environment. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Digital/Multimedia Expression, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr.
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Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
SHA HF 100
This introductory course is open to all BU students and is the prerequisite for School of Hospitality courses. Students gain an historical perspective and identify current events and trends in lodging, restaurants, and event management. Provides an overview of the global hospitality/tourism industry, including the critical elements of managing services. The Boston market, multimedia assignments, and team-based projects are integrated into the learning environment. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Digital/Multimedia Expression, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr.