Winter term courses will be offered by the Humanities Department, Social Sciences Department, and the Psychology Department. There are two sessions, an early session from December 14–27, and a later session, from December 28–January 10. Students register for the early session using the fall 2025 registration system, and register for the later session using the spring 2026 registration system.
These courses are designed to cover all of the same material covered in a one-semester course but in 14 days—10 days of instruction and four reading days. This design converts three credits and 135 hours of work into an intensive experience of engaged work in the range of 10–13 hours per day. Accordingly, it is not wise to take one of these courses if you have any other demands on your time—including travel, weddings, internships, jobs, weekend obligations, or other such commitments—and no allowances can be made for interfering events.
Intersession 1: December 14–27, 2025
HUM 380: J. R. R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit, Instructor: Keith Green
This course examines the book that first brought the Middle-Earth legendarium to public attention—The Hobbit. Students will gain a working familiarity with the text as well as learn a little about the personal history of J. R. R. Tolkien and the evolution of The Hobbit from a fairy tale into a prelude to The Lord of the Rings.
Prerequisite(s): Satisfaction of ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳'s Basic Writing Proficiency Requirement
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
Satisfies: Communications (C), Humanities (H)
PS 232: Democracy, Dictatorship, and Development, Instructor: Daniel Bliss
Introduces students to the most common theories and approaches in contemporary comparative political analysis. Students then employ the tools of comparison developed in an examination of the causes and consequences of political instability and conflict and transitions to stable democracy.
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
Satisfies: Communications (C), Social Sciences (S)
PSYC 301: Industrial Psychology, Instructor: Kristina Bauer
Survey of practical applications of psychology to problems of business and industry: work attitudes and behavior; employee selection; morale; safety; turnover; absenteeism; and training.
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
Satisfies: Communications (C), Social Sciences (S)
PSYC 380: Positive Psychology and the Science of Happiness, Instructor: Nicole Ditchman
This course introduces topics related to happiness, well-being, and the positive aspects of the human experience. It provides an overview of research in positive psychology and research methods used to study happiness. The course is based heavily on experiential learning and real-world application of the topics covered, including a number of activities focused on practical ways of using one’s character strengths to promote and maintain happiness and positive growth.
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
Satisfies: Communications (C), Social Sciences (S)
Intersession II: December 28, 2025–January 10, 2026
HIST 352: History of Chicago, Instructor: Mindy Pugh
Basic institutions of the contemporary city studied in their historical context, using Chicago as a case study. Political machines, social and political reform traditions, planning agencies, ethnic neighborhoods, organized crime and many other urban institutions.
Prerequisite(s): HUM 102 or HUM 104 or HUM 106 or HUM 200–299
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
Satisfies: Communications (C), Humanities (H)
HUM 200: Logic, Instructor: Kathryn Petrozzo
This course provides an introduction to logic and the art of critical thinking. Its primary aim will be to enable students to distinguish good reasoning from bad. To this end, students will be taught a number of skills, including but not limited to: how to identify and evaluate an argument, how to distinguish inductive from deductive arguments, how to determine whether a claim is supported by the reasons offered in its favor, and how to recognize and avoid common fallacies in reasoning.
Prerequisite(s): Satisfaction of IIT's Basic Writing Proficiency Requirement
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
Satisfies: Communications (C), Humanities (H)
PS 338: Energy Policy, Instructor: Matt Shapiro
This course traces our dependence on fossil fuels and government-based attempts to promote energy conservation and develop alternate energy sources. Assessed are the economic and political effects of the supply and demand for energy; the implications of different energy production and consumption methods; and efforts to minimize the environmental consequences through increased energy efficiency and/or regulation. The course explores such problems as fossil fuel dependence, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, nuclear waste, rapid industrialization, and national and international attempts to provide economic, political, and technological solutions.
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
Satisfies: Communications (C), Social Sciences (S)
PSYC 363: Introduction to Sports Psychology, Instructor: Kelly Kazukauskas
In this course, students will explore the major psychological theories related to sport and exercise behavior. The course is designed to introduce students to the field of sport and exercise psychology through a combination of classroom discussion and exercise application. This course will provide students with a broad overview of major topics including: the history of sports and exercise psychology; foundations of personality, self-concept, self-esteem, motivation, and other psychological characteristics related to participation and performance in sports; coaching and leadership in sports; gender and cultural issues; team dynamics; performance enhancement strategies; and sports as recreation.
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
Satisfies: Social Sciences (S)
Additional Information
Cost. The cost to students will be a flat fee of $2,500 per course. This fee is separate from fall and spring tuition, and there are no tuition discounts for this fee.
Duration. Classes will run 14 days: 10 days of instruction and 4 reading days. December classes will run from December 14–27 or December 28 to January 10.
Registration. Register for December courses using the fall registration schedules, and register for January courses using the spring registration schedule.
Overload. Students already with 18 credit hours for fall or spring will need an overload permit to register for a J-term class in that same term.
Last day to withdraw. The last day to withdraw from the December 14–27 term courses is December 7, and the last day to withdraw from the December 28–January 10 courses is December 21, after that, you will be charged the full amount for the class whether or not you complete it. Note: this is a change from last year.
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