September 30, 2008
Ever wanted to study business dynamics in New York? Or hospitality management in Vegas? What about the effect of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the criminal justice system in New Orleans? In–country options are now available to all students through the new Study USA program
Study USA, housed in the Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, is offering two classes this fall, and more are on tap for both Wintersession and Spring Semester 2009.
Program Director Laura Antonow says the classes will typically last between five to ten days and could be an excellent option for students who would like to travel inside the United States.
“This is a great opportunity for all students who would like first–hand knowledge of the restaurant and hospitality businesses,” she said. “The idea is that we will eventually have offerings for other majors because we want to be inclusive in order to benefit all students.”
Four courses highlight this year’s Wintersession offerings: a hotel course in Las Vegas, Ceramics in St. Petersburg, Florida, Business Dynamics in New York, and Special Topics in Criminal Justice in New Orleans.
Students who choose to study the hotel and casino business in Las Vegas will tour facilities in select hotels, event centers, nightclubs and stages, and also meet with industry leaders in order to develop an understanding of hotel operations. The week–long course will be held January 1–8, 2009, and is $1595.
For a more “hands–on” approach, students may enjoy spending 15 days in St. Petersburg, Florida January 5–20, where they will learn traditional Japanese–style Anagama firing of ceramics at the St. Petersburg Clay Company and also visit private collections of local artists.
Organizational Behavior and Business Dynamics in New York City will allow students to visit the New York Stock Exchange, NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center, the garment districts along Fashion Avenue, and even a Broadway theater.
In Criminal Justice in New Orleans students will learn about the historical, political, and social factors in and around the New Orleans area that influence legal institutions and systems of justice. From January 5–21, students will develop an understanding of the challenges that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita presented to local, state, and federal agencies in The Big Easy.
Antonow said she hopes the program will soon be able to offer scholarships to students, but said that for aid options, students should check with the UM Financial Aid Office.
Other programs being held this fall include FCS 403, a New York–flavored look at the hospitality management industry in November and also FCS 493, a course which revolves around the American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo held in Chicago in late October.
Antonow encourages all students to review their options and consider Study USA as a supplemental class for both the fall and spring semesters.
“There are just so many great opportunities that can be had here in the United States,” Antonow said.
The application deadline for Wintersession courses is November 7. For more information about Study USA, contact Antonow at antonow@olemiss.edu or call (662) 915–6511. Faculty members interested in developing other courses throughout the country may also submit proposals.
