Stand Out & Connect: Essential Skills for Business Communication (CRN:64273)
Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:10 – 12:25 Sanford Hall, Room 312
Transitioning to a new university can feel like starting over. But the reality is being a transfer student is an ASSET that can help you differentiate yourself from the crowd. In this seminar, you’ll focus on learning how to take advantage of your unique perspective and skills, helping you stand out in the classroom, clubs, organizations, and even the professional world.We’ll explore how to leverage effective communication and relationship-building to create meaningful opportunities. Together, we’ll identify key moments and opportunities where you can shine. You’ll learn to think critically about your unique contexts, analyze the audiences of your interactions, and relate to them in ways that exceed expectations, making you stand out in the crowd. No matter your communication skill level, this seminar will provide tangible, actionable strategies to build your ethos as a professional and boost your confidence as you navigate these next few years.
Instructor: Jessie Daniels, Terry College of Business Insurance, Legal Studies and Real Estate Department
With 20+ years of experience advising, teaching, and training at large and small institutions, Jessie Daniels is most passionate about helping students grow as intentional communicators. At the Terry College of Business, she teaches Communicating for Business Effectiveness (BUSN 4900) and founded the Writing Lab@Terry to support student writing. Daniels strives to model relationship-centered communication in every interaction. When she is not teaching, you’ll find her listening to true crime podcasts or planning for future travels.
Building Your Digital Brand: Using Social Media and Portfolios for Career Growth (CRN: 64274 )
Fridays 11:30-12:20 Journalism 120
Learn how to build your professional identity now as a college student through social media and an online portfolio. We will explore the work of influencers, journalists and media outlets as you craft your digital presence using written work, photos and video. We will leverage AI for feedback and to help you post regularly. You will enhance your existing most-used social media account or develop a new account for your professional persona so that you can post regularly with your work, trends in the industry that are of interest to you and attention-grabbing storytelling, brands and reporting. You will end the semester with a curated social media account and your own digital portfolio, which you also will promote on LinkedIn. You will gain key skills and develop a professional portfolio and social media presence to serve as a powerful networking tool and stand out in the job market.
Instructor: Lori Johnston, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Journalism
Lori Johnston teaches journalism classes, including Reporting I, Media Savvy, Religion Reporting, and Home and Garden Reporting. Her awards include a 2024 UGA Creative Teaching Award. She is a former Associated Press writer and co-founder of Fast Copy News Service, a writing and editing business. She directs UGA’s Journalism Writing Lab and has a YouTube channel, Skills for Storytelling and Reporting. She earned her bachelor’s in journalism and MFA in narrative media writing from UGA.
Media, Politics and You (CRN: 64275 )
Wednesdays 11:30-12:20 Baldwin Hall 104
This seminar is focused on providing transfer students in this course with the basics in our media system (including its historical development), how it interacts and informs politics in the US, and what this means to how we as individuals form opinions and behaviors related to politics. This course will also include a section on media literacy, recognizing propaganda, and technology and media innovations and how they are altering how we take in news information about politics.
Instructor: Audrey Haynes, School of Public and International Affairs, Political Science
Audrey Haynes is an Associate Professor of Political Science and a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor at the School of Public and International Affairs. She directs the Applied Politics Program, part of a certificate shared with the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Her teaching interests include media, applied politics, propaganda, political parties, elections, and Georgia politics.
Why Did They Do It? An Examination of Prolific Serial Killers’ Profiles (CRN: 64278)
Wednesdays, 11:30-12:20 Baldwin Hall G41
As a society, we are intrigued with serial killers. Numerous books, documentaries, and academic publications have been devoted to analyzing the “why.” Using the book, “A Killer Across the Table: Unlocking the Secrets of Serial Killers and Predators with FBI’s Original Mindhunter,” along with documentaries and other scholarly sources, students will learn about prolific serial killers’ childhood, adolescence, and adult lives. Students will also learn numerous sociological and criminological theories, which will aid in their analysis of “why’d they do it.” In addition to this academic focus, this course will also emphasize academic support services available on campus, the mission of UGA as an institute of higher learning, all while fostering interactions between students and their professor.
Instructor: Bobby Jo Otto, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Criminal Justice Studies and Sociology
Bobby Jo Otto has been a lecturer in UGA’s Criminal Justice Studies and Sociology Program since 2022. Before coming to UGA, he was an Associate Professor of Sociology at LaGrange College. His past research has examined how racial segregation impacts crime, which ignited a passion for criminal theory. In the Criminology course he teaches at UGA, students learn about several different theories that help explain criminal behavior and criminality.
Between The Hedges: Introduction To UGA Athletics (CRN: 64280)
Tuesdays, 11:10-12:25 Ramsey Student Center Pa215
Explore the rich history of University of Georgia athletics in this engaging seminar. From the iconic Sanford Stadium to Foley Field to Stegeman Coliseum you will examine the evolution of UGA sports, the significance of athletic achievements, and the impact of sports on the university. Through in-depth analysis of key moments, legendary athletes, and pivotal championships, this course highlights the role of athletics in shaping the identity of the University of Georgia. You will also explore the changing landscape of college athletics at UGA, in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Whether a lifelong fan or newcomer, gain a deeper appreciation for UGA athletics while learning about the broader influence of sports in higher education and society.
Instructor: Dave Schmidt, Mary Frances Early College of Education, Kinesiology
Dave Schmidt is an instructor in the Department of Kinesiology (Sport Management) at the University of Georgia. He worked in college athletic media relations for 10 years with stops at the University of North Carolina, Florida State University and his alma mater, Grand Valley State University before earning a master’s degree from the University of Georgia in sport management and policy. His research interests include sport gambling and sport analytics.
I Love YouTube (CRN: 64281)
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:55-5:10 Journalism 511
Ever spent a whole afternoon watching YouTube? If you did, this class is for you. We will examine the history of storytelling on Youtube from its beginning to today. We will look at important performers, emergent genres and its links to legacy media (film and television) and its intersection with the latest trends in social media. So, all that time that you feel guilty about while watching YouTube? Consider it prep for this course!!
Instructor: Andy Kavoori, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Entertainment and Media Studies
Andy Kavoori is Professor, Department of Entertainment and Media Studies, Grady College. He is the author or editor of ten books, including “Reding YouTube: The Critical Viewers Guide.” He has been a consultant to CNN, Discovery Channel and News Corporation.
Correlation, Causation, & Clickbait: Decoding Statistical Information in Popular Media (CRN: 64284 )
Mondays & Wednesdays, 12:40-1:30 Sanford Hall 109
Have you ever read headlines warning that diet soda causes cancer and screen time is making you depressed? Or maybe you’ve seen opinion polling and wondered how accurate it really is. Even seemingly simple questions like whether crime rates are rising or falling can spark controversy. In this seminar, you’ll use a statistical lens to look past hot takes and catchy headlines and better appreciate the nuance behind the news. As you dissect statistical information in the media, you’ll critically evaluate data-based claims, distinguishing between correlation and causation, and tracing conclusions back to the data they came from. You’ll decode statistical terminology from mean and median to p-values and margin of error. You’ll spot misleading graphs, cherry-picked data, and even the tell-tale signs of p-hacking. This seminar blends foundational statistical concepts with media literacy to develop tools for navigating the data-rich world we all live in.
Instructor: Catherine Case, Franklin College or Arts & Sciences, Statistics
Catherine Case studied math as an undergrad, and statistics wasn’t love at first sight for her — it seemed like math, only much messier! But she had a change of heart when she realized how often stats shows up outside the classroom and how it can be a tool for making sense of a messy world. Her favorite thing is when students tell me something we learned in class has snuck into their real life decision-making.
University Wide Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CRN: 64287 )
Wednesdays, 4:10-5:00 Broad Street Studio 110
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of entrepreneurship and innovation across the entire campus. For the past 11 years, the University of Georgia has consistently ranked among the top 5 U.S. universities in terms of the number of commercial products brought to market based on its research, maintaining a top position for nearly a decade, and securing the No. 1 or No. 2 spot for the past nine years. However, this course isn’t just about creating new products, it is about understanding how UGA’s 18 schools and colleges work both individually and collaboratively to address modern day challenges. No matter what career path you pursue, innovation will be essential, and you will discover that entrepreneurs can come from even the most unexpected places. Beginning with the Entrepreneurship Program at the Terry College of Business, we will explore how various colleges across campus foster innovation and nurture the development of entrepreneurs.
Instructor: Donald Chambers, Terry College of Business, Entrepreneurship Program
Don Chambers is a scholar-practitioner with 35 years’ experience driving innovation, holding a Doctorate focused on the practice of entrepreneurship. He has worked with startups and firms with up to 350 employees and $75 million in revenue, playing a key role in helping companies scale. His unique strength lies in bridging small firm innovation with large firm infrastructure. He has bought and sold businesses, started new companies and raised over $100 million in capital.
Cocoa Beans and Cholera Bugs: Unwrapping Microbial Mysteries (CRN: 64296 )
Thursdays, 9:35-10:50 Cedar Street Building C 678
This course offers a unique blend of sweetness and science. Together, we will explore a spectrum of topics ranging from chocolate production to persistent disease threats, such as Cholera. Join us to unravel the mysteries of microbes and their profound effects on our daily lives. Activities will include exploring research opportunities, building connections with healthcare fields, exploring study abroad programs, and investigating a variety of career paths in the life science disciplines.
Instructors: Julie Grainy, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Microbiology | Co-instructor: Jennifer Walker, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Microbiology
Julie Grainy teaches microbiology coursework from introductory microbiology up through a lab intensive course investigating antibiotic resistant bacteria in our local watershed. She loves building a relationship with her students across multiple semesters, through consecutive courses, involvement as a peer assistant, or other avenues of sustained mentorship. She would love to get to know you through this transfer launch seminar and continue the connection through the rest of your UGA journey!
Chemistry at UGA and Beyond (CRN: 64299)
Tuesdays, 3:55-5:10 Cedar Street Building C 574
This seminar will introduce students in chemistry and related disciplines to academic and research resources available at UGA specific to their fields, including introduction to the Chemistry Learning Assistants program, visits to instrumentation facilities and institutes (eg. CCRC), and advising on how to identify and engage in research opportunities at UGA and elsewhere. I also anticipate hosting two or three guest speakers in chemistry-adjacent career fields (chemical/medical/pharmaceutical industry, patent law, policy, etc.) to develop students’ long-term vision and goals.
Instructor: Nicholas Llewellyn Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Chemistry
Nicholas Llewellyn has taught general and organic chemistry courses at UGA for four years (15 years overall). His professional interests include student development, community building, educational access, and study abroad. He is co-advisor to the UGA chapter of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society, Academic Innovation Fellow for Global Education in Franklin College, creator of a study abroad course in the history and philosophy of chemistry, and recipient of multiple grants to develop free open-access educational resources in chemistry.
Drawing on the Physiology of Movement and Diet to Enhance Health Spans In the U.S. (CRN; 64311 )
Wednesdays, 10:20-11:10 Cedar Street Building C 674
The average life span is 79 years, but the average health span (years lived in good health, free from chronic conditions) is only 63 years. As life spans increase, how can we also extend our health spans? This question has gained a lot of traction in the human physiology field in recent years. In this seminar, we will delve into the crucial roles of movement and diet in enhancing human physiology and health span. You will investigate the science behind how movement and diet affect nearly every organ system in the body, from the musculoskeletal to the immune system. By the end of this seminar, you will have gained concrete, evidence-based strategies you can incorporate into your life and provide to your family members, friends, and patients, ensuring not just a longer life but a healthier one.
Instructor: Courtney McDaniel, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Cellular Biology
With a diverse background in the biological sciences, spanning from human anatomy and physiology to ecology, Courtney McDaniel is driven by a curiosity to understand the mechanisms that govern biological systems (from the human body to freshwater ecosystems). As a dedicated lecturer in Anatomy and Physiology, her goal is for each student to leave her class with a profound appreciation for the amazing mechanisms that sustain us every day.
Closing the GAAP: Foundations for Upper-level Accounting (CRN: 64320)
Tuesdays, 3:55-5:10, Journalism 514
This course will introduce you to fundamental accounting concepts, laying a strong foundation for success in upper-level accounting courses. By the end of the course, you will feel confident in using T accounts, preparing adjusting and closing entries, and preparing financial statements, with a particular emphasis on the statement of cash flows. The course will also cover special topics such as bonds payable, stockholders’ equity, and other topics tailored to the needs of the enrolled students. Additionally, you will learn effective study and test preparation strategies, and gain information about access to academic support resources, including tutoring, academic advising, and career guidance. You will also learn effective study and test preparation strategies, and gain information about access to academic support resources, including tutoring, academic advising, and career guidance. Recognizing that academic success is closely tied to student well-being, this course will also highlight resources available at UGA to support your overall well-being. You will have opportunities to engage with your fellow accounting students, helping to foster a sense of community within the program.
Instructor: Swati Bhandarkar, Terry College of Business, J.M. Tull School of Accounting
Swati Bhandarkar has been teaching both ‘Introduction to Financial Accounting’ and ‘Intermediate Accounting’ at the J.M. Tull School of Accounting, Terry College of Business, since Fall 2007. This experience has given her insight into the challenges transfer students face when transitioning to upper-level accounting courses. As a result, she is passionate about ensuring they develop the foundational accounting skills necessary for success in the Accounting major.
Symmetries in Sciences (CRN: 64361)
Wednesdays, 12:40-1:50 Zell B Miller Learning Center 147
This course uses the theme of symmetry to explore how mathematics weaves through the sciences, from physics and chemistry to biology. By looking at how symmetry shapes our understanding of the natural world, students will gain insight into the deep connections between math and other scientific disciplines. At the same time, the course emphasizes practical tools for academic success. Students will learn how to take meaningful notes, study math effectively, and make the most of the resources available at UGA, including tutoring, study spaces, and support services. Whether you’re planning to major in a STEM field or simply want to build confidence in math, this course offers both a fresh perspective and a solid foundation for future learning.
Instructor: Jimmy Dillies Franklin College or Arts & Sciences Mathematics
Jimmy Dillies is a mathematician whose research focuses on algebraic geometry and its interactions with mathematical physics. He studies the symmetries of certain spaces that arise in string theory, particularly Calabi–Yau varieties and related moduli spaces. His work bridges pure mathematics and theoretical physics, with an emphasis on geometric structures that underpin high-energy models.
Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology (CRN: 64370)
Mondays, 10:20-12:20 Psychology 426
Clinical psychology is a diverse and growing sub-discipline of psychology that involves the application of science to understand, prevent, and treat disability and discomfort. However, pseudoscientific methods and practices are common in clinical psychology. This course will teach you to evaluate the merits of popular yet controversial practices and diagnoses, such as the Rorschach Inkblot Test, multiple personality disorder, and hypnosis. How accurate is eyewitness testimony? How helpful are self-help treatments? Can psychologists predict violent behavior? Can memories be recovered? We will read and discuss expert reviews of the scientific evidence answering this type of question. You will gain essential skills for thinking critically, evaluating the validity of scientific claims, and differentiating between those that can stand up to the rigors of science and those that cannot.
Instructor: Emily Mouilso, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Psychology
Emily Mouilso is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Director of the UGA Psychology Clinic. She is a licensed Psychologist in Georgia and Board Certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. Her research focuses on trauma, related conditions, and personality. Dr. Mouilso has professional expertise in clinical supervision, administration, and ethics.
Joining the Biology Community at UGA (CRN: 64401 )
Wednesdays, 3:00-3:50 Cedar Street Building C 271
Congratulations! You have joined the UGA community, and now it’s time to focus on your B.S. Biology degree. This seminar is designed to help you successfully navigate the Biology degree program by introducing you to student learning expectations, how to leverage undergraduate experiences to help you reach your career goals, and resources for student well-being. We will tackle topics such as scientific communication, understanding scientific data, learning strategies for active learning – especially in large class environments, finding undergraduate research opportunities, and career paths in the life sciences. We will also review the core biological content and concepts needed to jump into your upper-level courses – from information flow and evolution to organismal diversity and ecology (special focus on gene expression and inheritance). Students will leave this seminar with a solid foundation of knowledge and tools that can be used in Biology major, across UGA, and into your chosen careers.
Instructor: Kristen Miller, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences,Biology
As Director of Biological Sciences, Kristen Miller oversees the B.S Biology degree program. Her love for teaching and science were largely cultivated when she studied baboons and spider monkeys in a B.A. Animal Behavior program! These experiences fostered further education training in biopsychology, ecology and science education, and she is proud to use an interdisciplinary approach to her research in undergraduate teaching and learning and to cultivating student success in academics and career choices.
