As the Fall semester draws to a close, most NMU students have already registered for their courses in the coming Winter semester. However, Northern offers several Special Topics courses in different departments throughout the university. A few of those courses are highlighted in the following sections:

EC 495: Monetary Theory
Prerequisites: EC 201 and 202
Time: MW, 12 a.m.-1:40 p.m.
Professor: Chris Kauffman

This course will focus on the federal reserve bank and how it functions using monetary policy within the current economic climate, Kauffman said, adding that students will examine different theories and policies that might impact the economy.

“The actions of the federal reserve and monetary policy impact daily lives,” Kauffman said. “(Students should take this class) especially if they have any interest in the financial economy or economics.”

MS 295B: Army Historical Research/American Military History
Prerequisites: None
Time: TR, 10-11:40 a.m.

Professor: Lt. Cl. John Moschetti, U.S. Army Retired

The course will focus on the entire scope of U.S. military operations from the colonial period up through the global war on terror, Moschetti said, adding that students will have the opportunity to see how different wars have affected American society. The role the military has played in operations during peacetime will also be covered.

“I think it’s unique on the campus because there is no other course that really focuses on military operations, as such,” Moschetti said. “We look at involving leadership technology, strategy and tactic from the colonial period all the way up through today, and I don’t think there’s anything on campus that really fits that bill.”

EN 495, PS 495: The First Amendment
Prerequisites: None
Time: MW 1-2:40 p.m.
Professor: Cate Terwilliger

This class uses the First Amendment to explore the meaning of free expression in the United States, including freedom of religion, speech, press and assembly, Terwilliger said. The course is discussion based, so students can expect to do a lot of reading and should be willing to speak up in class, she added.

“I look holistically at this class about being an informed and engaged citizen, about helping to educate yourself so you can fulfill your responsibility as an American,” Terwilliger said.

HS 295: The Second World War
Prerequisites: None
Time: Sat. 9 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Professor: Frederick H. Stenkamp

This course’s main focus will be on the Second World War and the countries involved in it, Stenkamp said. Some post-war impact will also be covered, he added.

“(Students should take this course) if they have an interest in that sort of thing,” Stenkamp said. “After all, we’re still under the consequences of that war, event though it ended 60 years ago.”

NAS 295: History of Indian Boarding Schools
Prerequisites: None
Time: T R 4-5:40 p.m.
Professor: Grace Challier

The course will focus on the reasons for instituting Native American boarding schools in the United States and Canada, as well as the effects of those who attended them, up to the present day, Challier said.

“I think (Native American boarding schools are) historically a part of our background in the history of the United States, a lot of people don’t know about them,” she said. “As far as education is concerned, it’s a part of our educational history, and if you are an education major in particular, it would be valuable for you, as a person, to know what went on in this country, and hopefully be a more sympathetic and more open-minded teacher in the classroom.”

Online registration is open through the winter break. All of the highlighted courses still have several seats available.

Editor’s note: Cate Terwilliger is the faculty advisor for The North Wind.