Commuter Courses

Do you live within driving distance of Duke University? Are you a high school student interested in earning college credit? Commuter options are available to local, academically qualified 10th and 11th grade students (2022-2023 school year)! Discover courses from across the arts & sciences and earn college credit alongside Duke undergraduates.

Term 2 classes meet from July 3 - August 13, 2023. Final exams are scheduled for August 12 - 13, 2023.

Please note: The 2023 course list below may be updated periodically.  

Prerequisite: AP English Language or Literature is highly recommended      

This class examines the transnational history of architecture from eighteenth-century Neo-Classicism through Gothic Revival and Art Nouveau to early modernisms. We will analyze a series of building types that have shaped our modern world, from cotton mills and university campuses to prisons and colonial hospitals. Apart from providing a survey of modern architecture, this class cultivates a historical understanding of key socioeconomic phenomena that have shaped modernity, and it reframes the built environment as an active, integral component of society.

Meetings: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 3:30PM – 5:35PM

Building: Smith Warehouse Bay 9 A290

Reliable access to a DSLR camera is advised      

An emphasis on digital photography, using the camera as a distinctive way of seeing and knowing. Class assignments accompanied by historical and theoretical readings, lectures, class discussions, and field trips. Final projects include thematic photographic series and an individual documentary essay.

Meetings: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 2:00PM – 4:05PM

Building: Smith Warehouse Bay 12 A228

Advanced reading & writing skills are essential for success in this course.

An introduction to political theories of imperialism and a comparative historical analysis of several European empires. Explores questions of nationalism, race, religious pluralism, state formation, globalization, and international governance. Readings drawn from history, sociology, anthropology, and political science.

Meetings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:00AM – 12:15PM

Building: Gray 319

Introduction to the scientific study of linguistics and languages. Topics include the origin and nature of language, methods of historical and comparative linguistics, theories and schools of linguistics, empirical and descriptive approaches to the study of language, including phonology, morphology, semantics, and syntax.

Meetings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:00AM – 12:15PM

Building: Languages 320

Please see the Department of Mathematics Placement Guidelines and email summer@duke.edu with any questions.

A study of functions with applications, and an introduction to differential calculus, with a laboratory component. Topics include a review of algebra and functions, mathematical modeling with elementary functions, rates of change, inverse functions, logarithms and exponential functions, the derivative, graphical interpretations of the derivative, optimization, related rates.

Meetings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 2:00PM – 4:00PM

Building: Physics 047

Please see the Department of Mathematics Placement Guidelines and email summer@duke.edu with any questions.

Second semester of introductory calculus with a laboratory component. Emphasis on laboratory projects, group work, and written reports. Methods of integration, applications of integrals, functions defined by integration, improper integrals, introduction to probability and distributions, infinite series, Taylor polynomials, series solutions of differential equations, systems of differential equations, Fourier series.

Meetings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 2:00PM – 4:00PM

Building: Physics 235

Please see the Department of Mathematics Placement Guidelines and email summer@duke.edu with any questions.

Partial differentiation, multiple integrals, and topics in differential and integral vector calculus, including Green's theorem, the divergence theorem, and Stokes's theorem.

Meetings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30AM – 10:45AM

Building: Physics 259

Study of individual and group behaviors within organized settings and managerial strategies that enhance organizational effectiveness. Topics include leadership, culture and diversity, power and politics, communication, decision making, motivation and reward systems, conflict management, justice and ethics as well as organization structure and design. Special attention to critical assessment of new technological options in organizational settings with an aim to produce informed, ethical consumers and leaders.

Meetings: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 2:00PM – 4:05PM

Building: Perkins LINK 071 (Classroom 5)

 

Prerequisite: AP English (this is a writing intensive course)

This course provides an introduction to several topics in Philosophy, with a particular focus on ethical theory. We will explore questions such as: who are we? What are we like? How should we act? How do we live well? To answer these, we will read pieces on personal identity, human nature, several traditions of ethical theory (utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, etc.), and well-being.

Meetings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30AM – 10:45AM

Building: Reuben-Cooke Building 128

Prerequisite: Experience with mathematical proofs, such as high school geometry or similar

A study of the conditions of effective thinking and clear communication. Examination of the basic principles of deductive reasoning.

Meetings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:00AM – 12:15PM

Building: Reuben-Cooke Building 128

The major schools of classical Chinese philosophy: Confucianism, Moism, and Taoism. Confucianism on the ideals of harmonious human life; Moism's charge that Confucianism encourages an unjustified partiality toward the family; Taoism's claim that no logically consistent set of doctrines can articulate the "Truth." Debates and mutual influences among these philosophies. Comparisons between Chinese and Western cultures with respect to philosophical issues and solutions.

Meetings: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 2:00PM – 4:05PM

Building: Reuben-Cooke Building 128

 

Engaging and interactive course examining the structures of the US political system and its evolution from 1787 to the present. Drawing upon current issues in American politics and with the unofficial beginning of the 2024 Presidential Election cycle, POLSCI 116 integrates historical perspective with contemporary American politics in discussion style format. A sample of covered topics include disputed Presidential elections such as 1800, 1876 and 2020; the emergence of the current political party system including the breakdown of the Democratic “Solid South” in the 20th century and the rise of culture war politics such as race, faith, gender, public education in the 21st century; and a look at the growth and impact of the federal government since 9/11.

Meetings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Building: Social Sciences 109

 

 

Prerequisites: Algebra or equivalent; strong math background. Personal laptop required.

Learn to explore, visualize, and analyze data to understand natural phenomena, investigate patterns, model outcomes, and make predictions, and do so in a reproducible and shareable manner. Gain experience in data wrangling and munging, exploratory data analysis, predictive modeling, data visualization and effective communication of results. Work on problems and case studies inspired by and based on real-world questions and data.

The course will focus on the R statistical computing language. You will also learn to use GitHub to control software versions and work collaboratively. No statistical or computing background is necessary.

Meetings:

  • Lecture – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30AM – 10:45AM
  • Lab – Monday, Thursday: 11:00AM – 12:15PM

Building: Old Chemistry 201

4-week course – meets July 3 – July 27, 2023

Most people are terrified of public speaking. Whether you are a college student preparing for an academic presentation, a business executive preparing for a conference, or a luminary in your field invited to present an ‘idea worth sharing’ in a TED talk, the odds are that the prospect of presenting in front of a group is daunting, no matter how large or small the audience. In this course we examine the reasons for presentation fears, we research techniques used to overcome the obstacles, and we practice the methods to master the skills of great communication. We will discover the importance and strategies of succinct and effective ‘information capture and organization’ for retention and presentation, and we will uncover the unique, varied and distinctive styles that each student brings to the class. We will also discover that being an ‘extrovert’ is not a necessary criteria to being an effective speaker, but that your most authentic voice carries the secret to the greatest communication and effective advocacy. We will pay attention to uncovering personal attributes, strengths and preferences, as well as exploring inter-cultural and global audience considerations. Importantly, we will work towards seeing the art of public speaking and interpersonal communication as one of the most valuable and empowering gifts you can give yourself.
 

Note: Participatory class, not lecture-based. Punctual, full attendance at each class is mandatory. Because of the written and spoken techniques being learnt across the semester, students registered in this class do not use any electronic devices to record, transcribe or capture information or student presentations.

Assignments

Speaking is central to this course. Students will be assessed throughout the semester on class participation and contributions based on the assigned readings for the week, the exercises onscreen or on the ‘staging’ area of your learning space, and the more formal final presentations that will be offered at the end of the course.

  • Cumulative Final Portfolio: Every student will, throughout the semester, build up their ‘Public Speaking and Presentation Portfolio.’
  • There is no final examination – only final TEDx presentations and the submission of the comprehensive final portfolio.

Meetings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10:00 AM – 12:05 PM (course section 1) OR* 2:00PM – 4:05 PM (course section 2)

*Meeting time preference will determine course section enrollment

Building: Allen 226