These classes give ECU students the coolest schedule
East Carolina University students can choose from hundreds of classes when they make their schedule for each semester and a handful may cause a second glance when looking through the course directory. Some majors lend themselves to unique topics. For others, creative professors tie in current trends with academic rigor to attract students and make the mundane more interesting.
A group of students attend class outdoors. (Contributed photo).
Dr. Desiree Dighton, assistant professor of English and the instructor of ENG 3895 – Topics in Technical and Professional Writing: Wicked-ly Creative Data Storytelling, said that unique classes support ECU’s mission and allow students to pursue new areas of learning.
“For first generation and rural students, courses like these open up ways of seeing —and being—they might never have considered.”
Here’s a list of classes that would help create the perfect courseload.
ENG 3895 – Topics in Technical and Professional Writing: Wicked-ly Creative Data Storytelling
What better way to learn about data storytelling than a class shaped around the popular Broadway musical and recent film, “Wicked”? In this English course, students gain a better understanding of both narrative and data concepts. They’ll use this understanding to critique and create data-driven impactful stories on topics using their own focus and direction across print and digital mediums.
HMGT 4906 – Special Topics in Hospitality Leadership: Wedding Planning
Summer is wedding season and fittingly this course is taught in the summer. Students from all majors and academic years can sign up for this hospitality management course. Participants learn about the role of a wedding planner, preparation for meeting with potential clients, theme and vision, vendors, budgets and wedding details. All aspects of a wedding including invitations, flowers and gifts are covered, and some students have taken this class to help plan their own wedding.
IDIS 3850 – Warehousing and Materials Handling
The Williams-Ross Purple Pantry combats food insecurity among ECU students. This course in the College of Engineering and Technology serves as an experiential and service-learning lab to support the Purple Pantry. The lab allows students to master real-world warehouse and distribution center operations and technology including barcode labeling, storage technologies, scanner-assisted order selection and inventory control techniques.
CSCI 3550 – Computer Game Development
Playing computer games is fun, but how are they made? Computer science students in this course learn how computer games are made before creating one themselves. Intrigued? Try this game created by a previous class.
Students and inmates at Greene Correctional Institution participate in the Inside Out class. (Photo by Steven Mantilla)
CRIM 4600 – Criminal Justice from the Inside-Out
After making its debut last fall, this special topics course has ECU criminal justice students learn alongside inmates at Greene Correctional Institution. Students and inmates take a course together to learn about the criminal justice system but also about how those who are incarcerated are similar to them.
CRIM 6602 – Directed Study: SBI Cold Case Initiative
In this independent study course, criminal justice students review a real North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) cold case. They’ll learn about cold case investigative techniques and the use of technology in cold case investigations before preparing an end of semester report that will assist the SBI Cold Case Unit in its investigation.
SOCI 3001 – Special Topics: Sociology of Murder
This course is an introduction to the sociology of murder and explores the societal, cultural and interactional dynamics of murder. Students will examine the American society’s relationship with murder, the historical and current patterns and our cultural fascination.
MRCH 3300 – E-Fashion
The fashion industry is going digital. This course explores the use of e-commerce in fashion merchandising with an emphasis on the application of merchandising strategies in an online environment.
COAD 1000- Student Development and Learning in Higher Education
The first semester of freshman year can be a tough transition for college students. This class is designed to help students develop a sense of belonging, building academic and life skills and explore career options. Topics covered include study skills, campus resources, time management, values, well-being and more.
COMM 4130 – Conflict and Communication
Conflict is inevitable. This course explores the role of communication in resolving interpersonal and organizational disputes, focusing on effective communication strategies for dispute resolution, mediation, negotiation and bargaining.
Students work on preparing a dish for a hospitality leadership luncheon. The Food Sanitation Principles class ensures that kitchens are clean and food is safe. (Photo by Rhett Butler)
EHST 3200 and 3201 – Food Sanitation Principles and Food Sanitation Principles Lab
Improper food handling and sanitation gets countless people sick each year. This hospitality management class explores food composition, engineering principles, processing and preservation methods, food-borne diseases and food regulatory programs. The lab gives students experience in procedures for evaluating food, milk products and sanitizing agents.
FINA 1904 – Personal Finance
Welcome to college — where the food is free (sometimes), but student loans and debt can last forever. One of the most popular classes on campus, personal finance covers topics including budgeting, managing debt, obtaining credit, paying taxes and investing. In this innovative class, students will explore these topics through lectures, material reading, content creation and engagement with AI tools.
FINA 4964 – Portfolio Management and Operations Practicum
In this practicum College of Business finance course, the ECU Student-Managed Pirate Fund is managed by and for students. This course provides hands-on, real-world investment management experience, performing tasks such as conducting independent investment research, economic analysis and forecasting, and portfolio analysis and construction, which are the same functions performed by investment professionals.
SCIE 3336 – Science and Methods in Informal Settings and Field Experience
This class explores ways that students can engage in science that are outside the “formal” science classroom. Kayaking trips on the Tar River and visits to local nature centers are part of the course. Students also lead family science nights at local schools and receive unique training in taking science outdoors.
HNRS 2116 – Betting on Sports: By the Numbers
ECU is home to the Gambling Research and Policy Initiative. This course digs into the details of the sports betting market by examining the three major types of sports betting: parimutuel, points-based and odds based. Students will learn about probability theory and data analysis and will also discuss the ethics and potential pitfalls that come with gambling.
KINE 2278 – Basic Scuba Diving
This class teaches the basics of scuba diving and proficiency with equipment, skills and science. By the end of the class and following the completion of five open water dives, students will be certified scuba divers.
THEA 2018 – Stage Combat: Unarmed
Sometimes a fight is part of the act. In this class, theater students study and learn how to safely incorporate combat and dramatic application for the stage.
COAD 6417 – Creativity in Counseling
This online, graduate level course in the counselor education master’s program examines the use of creative arts in counseling and related helping relationships. The course focuses on imagery and visual art, music, literature, drama, play and humor and movement, and explores how each is helpful in working with and understanding people.