Courses: Fall 2024
AFSO offers the following seminars in Fall 2024. Meeting times are all Afghanistan time. Following the AFSO course listings is a listing of credit-bearing courses offered through our partnership with Bard College and the Open Society University Network. Students may sign up for AFSO courses, marked by *, that are cross-listed with OSUN; only nominated students may enroll in other OSUN courses.
Admitted students should create an account on the "For Students" page. Beginning August 30, 2024, registration will open, and students will list their choice of seminars through the same link. Students may choose only those courses listed for their level of English. As courses fill, they will be removed from the list of options.
Offerings remain free of charge for women in Afghanistan and are focused on synchronous meetings and independent reading and research.
Courses in English and Writing
English Writing and Conversation: CLOSED
Professor Erin Frymire
A2 - B1 students
In this class, we will read and write in a variety of genres to develop our English writing, academic vocabulary, and speaking skills. Via small group activities and individualized feedback, students will expand their knowledge of English and their own unique writing processes. We will practice thinking critically and strategically to become more confident communicators.
September 3 - October 10, Tuesday & Thursday 18.30 - 20.30
Learning English through Speaking and Writing: CLOSED
Professor Carmel Finnan
A2 - B1 students
This course focuses on developing students' communication skills, with particular emphasis on speaking and writing with the goal of becoming confident and competent communicators in English.
Throughout the course, students will work on building their vocabulary, improving grammar usage and comprehension skills by engaging in different class material. Apart from improving your English, this class also aims to:
· provide a supportive learning environment where everyone feels comfortable about using the language without fear of making mistakes
· encourage each student to take responsibility for their own learning progress
· encourage students to actively engage in learning within a supportive group dynamic
Please note that:
· You should attend all classes. If for some reason you cannot attend, please inform the teacher or the TA.
· You are expected to submit all assignments ON TIME. Again, if for some reason, you cannot submit an assignment on time, please inform the teacher or the TA.
· All assignments submitted must be your own work. We do NOT accept any assignments that are copied or use AI.
September 30 - November 13, Monday and Wednesday, 13.00
English and Critical Thinking: CLOSED
Professor Donald Moon
A2 - B1 students
This seminar is designed for students, especially those in the social sciences, who want to improve their writing. Classes will focus on how to write an argumentative or persuasive essay, as contrasted with a "narrative essay." Our main focus will be on "academic" or professional writing, in which the author poses a significant question and sets out to answer it, presenting evidence and drawing on relevant literature on the issue. Students will write four or five essays during the course. We will also examine persuasive writing directed to a larger, non-professional audience, including those addressed to citizens generally. Students will be asked to respond critically to these essays, and may choose to write a paper that engages with the argument of one or more of these essays.
September 23 - end November, Monday and Wednesday 16.15 - 17.30
*Writing Descriptive Nonfiction: CLOSED
Professor Sonya Huber
B1 - C1 students
In this class, we will be practicing the skills of reflection, deep description, and personal narrative, which are the fundamental building blocks of good creative writing. This hones our skills in observation and reflection by using the five senses and our insight to capture portraits in words of people we know--others and ourselves, and then to connect these observations with reflection and scenes to tell stories and convey our thoughts and realities.
September 9 - November 4, Mondays 19.30 - 20.30
English Grammar Classes: CLOSED
Team-taught
All levels
Optional classes at intermediate and advanced levels to improve your English grammar and usage. Team-taught by peer educators.
September 29 -- December 1, Sundays 19.30
Courses in Literature and the Arts
*A Thousand Splendid Suns and the Contemporary Afghan Woman's Story: CLOSED
Professor Lucy Ferriss
B1 - C1 students
Students will read Khaled Hosseini's novel 1000 Splendid Suns both as a literary exemplar and as a subject of postcolonial critique. We will pay particular attention to the dual point of view in the novel; to Hosseini's perspective as a member of the Afghan diaspora; and to the fluid interpretations of history embedded in novels tied to controversial events. By the end of class, students will have written two stories of their own, one from a perspective close to their own, and one from a perspective close to their mother's.
September 23 - December 4, Monday and Wednesday 16.00 - 17.15
International Dramatic Literature in English: CLOSED
Professor Kirstin Smith
B1 - C1 students
Each week we'll discover a different play, reading scenes aloud and exploring the play's language, themes, and context. This class is designed to improve English language skills and is aimed at students with Intermediate to Advanced English. As well as writing academically about the plays, students will also experiment with dramatic creative writing. This class aims to be conversational, building confidence in spoken and written English, while learning about plays from around the world.
October 8 - November 19, Tuesdays 18.30 - 20.30
Gender and Women in Music
Professor Sara Feili
B1 - C1 students
This course delves into the intricate relationship between gender and music, with a particular focus on the contributions and challenges faced by women in the music industry. Students will explore the historical context of gender dynamics in music, analyze the representation of gender in various music genres, and examine the impact of gender on music creation, performance, and reception.
This course is designed for students interested in gender studies, musicology, cultural studies, and anyone passionate about exploring the multifaceted relationship between gender and music. Through critical analysis and thoughtful engagement, students will develop a nuanced perspective on the evolving role of gender in shaping musical expression and identity.
October 5 - November 23, Saturdays, 17.00 - 18.00
Digital Art: CLOSED
Professor Ina Malloy
B1 - C1 students
Introduction to Design and Digital Art through the use of open source Google Drawing application and other free on-line resources. Students will learn how to utilize digital art to communicate messaging in real world applications.
September 25 - November 20, Wednesday 8.00 - 8.45
Introduction to Middle Eastern Cinema
Professor Persheng Vaziri
B1 - C1 students
The course will introduce students to major trends and movements in the cinema of the region since the 1980s. We watch films and discuss them in light of the historical and cultural frameworks of the countries that produced them. We will also discuss production and aesthetic concepts that constitute the films.
September 26 - December 5, Thursdays 18.00
Courses in Law and Social Science
Europe and Its Legal Traditions
Professors Reut Paz and Christoph König
B2 - C1 students
What is Europe and what are its legal traditions? More importantly: why should the rest of the world
today care what Europeans have been calling their legal systems? This course is designed for all
those who are interested in gaining a closer understanding of how history and law intermingle with
European political thought and cultural practices.
The course seeks to provide a broad and theoretical overview of European legal traditions from
social, political, economic and comparative perspectives. Starting with Roman Law, its coverage
ranges from discussing the authority of law in history, literature, economics and religion, through the
creation of the European legal frameworks up to the establishment of a human rights tradition. Focus
is given to the wider scope of legal developments in history that have shaped the conceptualization of
law in present-day Europe and beyond.
September 26 - November 21, Thursdays, time TBA
Architecture, Cities, and the Environment: CLOSED
Professors Rahman Azari and Rana Habibi
B1 - C1 students
Buildings and cities create safe and comfortable physical spaces for our diverse activities. In doing so, they interact with the climate in which they are located, and consume materials, energy, water, and other resources while emitting pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. The course "Architecture, Cities and the Environment" concerns the interrelations among architecture, urban design, and environmental sustainability. More specifically, we will start with how the traditional architecture and urban fabric of cities around the world (in Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, India, Mexico, Europe, China, etc.) in the past used passive means (such as materials, building form, urban fabric, sun, wind) to create buildings that were comfortable for their occupants in diverse climates (hot, cold, humid). We will then explore the challenges that modern buildings and cities create with regard to excessive energy use, pollution, and carbon emissions. The course will also show case studies of high-performance carbon-neutral buildings and cities around the world and examine their performance in detail. The course will conclude with brainstorming sessions on how architecture and urban design could be used in Afghanistan to reduce the need for mechanical heating and cooling in buildings using passive means.
September 15 - November 3, Saturdays 17.30 - 18.30
Courses in Mathematics and Data Science
Note: Some courses require a mathematics placement test.
* Introduction to Research Techniques: CLOSED
Professor Xavier Prudent
B1 - C1 students. Students must have bachelor-level mathematics and access to a computer with Microsoft Windows
Students will learn how to use some of the most basic and widespread statistics methods in research. Students will learn how to understand and apply them, from hand computation to computer computation using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. The course will cover fundamental concepts of statistics while highlighting the difference between statistics and probability: random variables, probability density functions, the Gaussian function and the central-limit theorem, population vs. sample, hypothesis sample: power and error, and introduction to statistics with Excel and SPSS. The lectures will be highly project-oriented, focusing on the understanding and the correct use of these various methods rather than the algebra of their mathematical fundamentals.
September 27 - November 22, Fridays 18.00
Statistics: CLOSED
Professors Naomi Altman and Sarah Rajtmajer
B1 - C1 students
This course covers basic concepts in statistics including statistical vocabulary, data collection, data summary and graphical display. Students will be introduced to statistical computing using the R package. Students should come away from the course understanding statistical terms and able to do some basic analyses on the computer.
September 9 - November 1, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 17.30
College Algebra: CLOSED
Professor Barbara Kaltenbacher
B1 - C1 students. Low intermediate by instructor permission only.
Mathematics is a fundamental "language" needed for working in sciences, economics and engineering – and of course in mathematics itself. The purpose of this course is to refresh some known background from school and to augment it to a base of skills and tools on the level of a standard college algebra course.
September 26 - November 25, Thursdays, 10.00 - 11.30
Differential Calculus: CLOSED
Professor Elena Beretta
B1 - C1 students
This course presents the foundations of differential calculus by examining functions and their derivatives. Since the derivative measures the instantaneous rate of change of a function this idea forms the basis for many mathematical formulas in science, engineering, economics, and other fields. This course also provides instruction in how to model situations in order to solve problems. Applications include graphing, and maximizing and minimizing functions. In addition to two weekly lectures, students attend a weekly recitation focused on applications.
September 9 - December 11, Monday and Wednesday 14.30 - 15.30
Courses in Health and Science
Introduction to Forensic Science
Professor Janet Morrison
B1 - C1 students
Introduction to Forensic Science is designed to provide an overview of the techniques used in the forensic laboratory for the analysis of common types of physical evidence encountered at crime scenes, including fingerprints; DNA; hair, fibers, and other trace evidence; toolmarks, impressions, and ballistics evidence; glass fracture evidence; and bloodstain pattern analysis. The nature and significance of physical evidence, the underlying chemical/physical principles of the scientific techniques employed for its analysis, and the interpretation and evidentiary value of scientific results will be studied.
October 16 - December 19, Monday and Wednesday, 18.30 - 19.45
Women in Science: CLOSED
Professor Ellen Anderson
B1 - C1 students
What makes a woman scientist extraordinary? Why have women historically not pursued education and research in science? What obstacles did they face and what limited their access to and interest in such fields of study? This course will seek to ① understand why women have not fully participated in scientific communities and why many still feel unwelcome when they do, ② articulate reasons why it is advantageous to science to include a diversity of people and perspectives and ③ develop a deeper knowledge of the scientific contributions made by a number of these extraordinary women scientists. We will study the achievements of a number of women scientists over the past 150 years and evaluate the obstacles faced by women in many different scientific fields.
October 16 - December 4, Wednesdays 18.30 - 20.00
Introductory Physics: Continuation of Mechanics: CLOSED
Professor Gary Felder
By invitation only
In the 17th century, Isaac Newton showed that one simple set of laws can describe everything we see around us, from a piece of fruit falling out of a tree to the planets going around the sun. In this course you will learn how to describe motion mathematically, how the forces on an object determine that object's motion, and how "conservation laws" (such as the conservation of energy) limit the possible behaviors that objects can have. By the end of the course, you should be able to mathematically describe and predict many kinds of motion, and be able to look at the world around you and understand it in a new way. Part 1 of the course focused on kinematics (the description of motion) and Newton's Laws. Part 2 will finish those topics and introduce conservation laws.
September 4 - December 9, Monday and Wednesday 19.15 - 20.15
Health Promotion in Different Contexts
Professor Marianne Bengtsson Agostino
B2 - C1 students
This course will introduce general concepts and terminologies, then move to the theoretical and practical aspects of health promotion. It will address health priorities in different groups (aged people, young girls and women, newborns and children). The course will include training and methodology, including how to compose and write scientific essays. Students will read and discuss essays within the health promotion area. there will be an assignment at the end of the course.
November 12 - January 14, 2025, Tuesday and Saturday 12.00 - 13.00
University Preparation
Colloquium: CLOSED
Professor Christina Schoux Casey
By invitation only
We will explore various paths for completing your education in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Visits from representatives of the Open Society University Network, the Asian University for Women, the Global Student Haven Initiative, The Education Testing Service, and elsewhere. Mandatory attendance at all Colloquium meetings,. Workshop of application essays.
Schedule TBA
OSUN Credit-Bearing Courses for Advanced AFSO Students
AFSO has partnered with the Open Society University Network to enable advanced students nominated by AFSO to take select courses for university credit. Courses identified above with * are open to all high intermediate and advanced AFSO students as credit- or non-credit courses. Other classes are available only to advanced students who have taken AFSO classes and received permission.