Maymester 2024

Maymester banner

This spring, we're bringing you an alternative way to boost your GPA, earn more Saint Joe's credits, and spend less. Following Commencement, SJC will offer a variety of Maymester courses, all online, in a six-week intensive format. Each course will feature one synchronous session and two asynchronous discussions per week, and other assessments determined by each instructor. And we're making Maymester more cost-effective than ever—sign up now for just $150 per credit hour (about $600 per course!).

Courses run from May 13 to June 23, 2024. Registration is now open! Non-SJC students, please use the Maymester Registration Form to register!

Courses

We're excited to offer the following 3 and 4 credit courses:

(4 credits) Professor Wendy Galgan

Stephen King has spent his career scaring people, but at the heart of his stories lies the most important issue human beings face, the problem of good and evil. In this course, we will read about supernatural beings and bullies, hauntings and violence, and everyday people facing the most important moral decisions of their lives. Over it all hangs the question King continually asks his readers to consider: Who are the real monsters?

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Analyze and interpret Stephen King’s work, including its purpose, method, and ethical/moral dimensions;
  • Conduct literary research using a variety of critical perspectives and apply that research to both written and oral communication
    Describe and discuss King’s literature;
  • Identify, describe, and discuss ethical and political issues in, and surrounding, King’s work and its criticism;
  • Demonstrate good communication skills, revealed in both writing and speaking.

(4 Credits) Professor Jake Thibault

Ethics & The Good Society offers a unique approach to the age-old question of what makes a life good, drawing from philosophy, psychology, and spirituality to provide practical insights and actionable steps. Whether you're seeking to improve your relationships, become a better citizen, or simply live a more meaningful and contented life, Ethics & The Good Society is a valuable class for anyone looking to lead a genuinely magnanimous life in modern society.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Identify different views on contemporary ethical issues.
  • Explain key arguments for competing positions on contemporary ethical issues.
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning skills.
  • Apply philosophical concepts from ethics to contemporary issues.
  • Demonstrate writing proficiency appropriate for a mid-level undergraduate course.

(4 Credits) Professor Dale Brooker

The best ways to respond to crime and criminality has long been a debate in societies across the world. This course takes the learner deeper into the annals of history to examine the philosophical and sociological underpinnings of punishment. From the barbaric mutilation of the body, to banishment, and to the incarceration of the soul, this course considers where humanity has come from in responding to crime and what pathways may lay ahead.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Examine themes of justice from a socio-historical perspective.
  • Discuss the various types of and responses to criminal behavior throughout history.
  • Assess the various forms and philosophies of punishment.
  • Examine the consequences of various forms of victimization throughout history and the impact on both local communities and larger nation states.
  • Differentiate between various legal systems and their impact on societies throughout history.
  • Analyze artifacts, artworks, primary sources and literary contributions from around the world and discuss how they have shaped our understanding of justice.

(4 credits) Professor Jake Thibault

This engaging and transformative course explores the profound insights of the Theology of the Body, a dynamic and comprehensive vision of human existence presented by St. John Paul II. Through a series of lectures and discussions, we will delve into the rich tapestry of teachings that reveal the intrinsic beauty and purpose of the human body, sexuality, and relationships as envisioned within Christian anthropology.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Understand the Philosophical and Theological Foundations: Students will grasp the key philosophical underpinnings and theological principles of the Theology of the Body, including its roots in Scripture and tradition, as articulated by St. John Paul II.
  2. Articulate the Significance of Human Corporeality: Learners will articulate the integral role of the human body in expressing personhood, love, and the divine image, recognizing the body's intrinsic value and dignity.
  3. Apply Theological Insights to Contemporary Issues: Participants will apply the insights from the Theology of the Body to contemporary ethical, social, and personal issues, including discussions on gender, sexuality, marriage, and family life.
  4. Communicate Theological Concepts Effectively: Participants will demonstrate the ability to communicate the principles and applications of the Theology of the Body effectively, both in written form and orally, to diverse audiences.
  5. Cultivate Empathy and Ethical Discernment: Students will cultivate empathy and ethical discernment in addressing human experiences and challenges, fostering a compassionate and respectful approach to diversity and difference in the realm of human sexuality and relationships.

(4 credits) Professor Susan Mangan

The purpose of this course is to help prepare you for the adult world, including finding a meaningful career path and overall how to focus your energy in a way that will make your life more fulfilling, purposeful, and fun! The course covers three primary aims:

1.  Who am I, what am I good at, and what do I want to do with my life?;

a.  Here we’ll explore the phase of life you’re in (emerging adulthood), what happiness and well-being are, what your strengths and talents are, and how to best attain an adult life and career that are meaningful to you.

2.  Adult life skills 101

a.  Here we’ll decide together on topics to explore that will prepare you for a successful adulthood such as communication skills, healthy romantic relationship building, problem solving, emotional regulation, mindfulness, making adult friends, dating, grit, resilience, growth mindset, emotional intelligence, etc.

3.  Getting down to brass tax

a.  Here we’ll tackle some of the practical things you need to know about life after college that nobody teaches you including taxes, insurance, benefits, saving for retirement, using credit wisely, finding a job, interview skills, resume design, networking, etc.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate an ability to:

  • Describe emerging adulthood and well-being
  • Gain deeper clarity on your strengths, talents, and what career path supports your well-being
  • Practice important adult life skills, such as mindfulness, growth mindset, and healthy communication and relationship skills
  • Learn about important practical elements of adult life such as taxes, benefits, interview and resume skills, and saving for retirement

(3 Credits) Professor John Kenneally

This graduate level course will require students to integrate strategy with marketing and apply a systems-thinking approach to the development of a brand that aligns with organizational strategy and core ideology.  Significant focus will be placed on sustainability and innovation, as well as the impact of dynamic environments and hypercompetitive markets.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Assess the risk involved in creating a brand image and the consequences of gaps between ideals and reality.
  • Consider the consequences and side-effects of strategic choices.
  • Evaluate marketing plans through multiple lenses, including a variety of stakeholders, including customers, complementors, employees, and government.
  • Apply a case study methodology to solving business problems through written submissions and in-class or online dialogue.
  • Engage in civil discourse through challenge, defense, and respectful disagreement.
  • Apply marketing concepts and theories to practice through thought papers and face-to-face or online dialogue.
  • Complete a semester project involving creation of a marketing or branding plan that applies concepts and theories through an integrative approach.
  • Develop marketing plans consistent with sustainability and informed by conscious capitalism with its ethos of balancing the interests of people, profit, and planet.
  • Create a marketing or branding campaign based on the synthesis of strategic direction and organizational ideology with strategic marketing techniques and approaches in a dynamic business environment.

(4 Credits) Professor Rick Dodge

This 4 credit course is designed to introduce students to the knowledge and skills required in the practice of forensic accounting. The scope of forensic accounting services extends beyond fraud investigation. Forensic accounting engagements share common elements such as evidence gathering and analyzing evidence, interpreting and communicating findings, and applying specialized knowledge. The building-block structure is designed to guide students through each component in the context of real-world situations.

Consistent with the AICPA curriculum for the Certified in Financial Forensics credential, this course highlights a three-layer skill set for forensic accountants: core skills, fundamental forensic knowledge, and specialized forensic knowledge. Examples include the legal environment, engagement planning, methods of analysis, report writing, and professional responsibilities. Specialized knowledge, in contrast, pertains to specific niches such as fraud, business valuation, family law, economic damages, bankruptcy, and computer forensics.

FAQ

Fill out the Maymester Registration Form and submit payment. Non-SJC students will need to submit a transcript from their current institution that includes their Fall 2023 grades.

The reduced tuition rate for these courses will be $150.00 per credit hour.

For both high school and non-SJC students taking the courses for credit, a transcript is required and can be sent electronically to registrar@sjcme.edu.

All courses listed are four credits, except for MK500 which is three credits.

Yes, of course! However, we do suggest taking only two courses because of the intensive six week format.

The intensive six-week format will require learners to be actively participating in at least two (2) asynchronous discussions as well as one weekly, one-hour synchronous lecture/discussion. Learners should expect weekly assignments or other assessments. For more detail, please contact the professor of record for each course.

Learners should expect to be actively involved at least four days during the week. This does not include time devoted to reading and reviewing learning materials assigned.

Yes, of course. However, it is always best to contact the professor of record to discuss expectations.

Yes, learners can audit a course if interested in the topic.

Courses will be capped at 30 learners who are seeking credit. Those seeking to audit the course can be added beyond this.

Need Help?

Questions regarding academic programs?
Email Registrar at registrar@sjcme.edu.

summer day22
summer day22

About Saint Joe’s

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is where community grows – on campus, online, and around the world. Since its founding in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy, the College has transformed learners into leaders who sustain their communities. Our mix of classroom, experiential, and professional learning offers immersive career readiness on a liberal arts foundation.

The College is located on 474 idyllic acres overlooking Sebago Lake, one of Maine’s most beautiful spots and a popular four-season recreation area. A critical community resource for the Lakes Region of Maine, our campus is easily navigated on foot. Scenic paths connect campus buildings to a forest trail system and our own private sandy beach. Come for a walk, and stay for the panoramic view of the lake with the White Mountains as a backdrop on the horizon.

In the other direction, coastal Portland is only  20 miles to the southeast of Saint Joe's. Just one hour north of Portsmouth and two hours from Boston, Portland is a foodie haven known for incorporating the best of Maine's farms and waters. It was recently named the #1 Ranked Food City in America.