Summer Semester 2025 Courses
AFSO offers the following courses for Summer Semester 2025.
Registration is open.
Please look at the course listings below and complete your registration through the registration portal.
AFSO Summer Semester 2025 Registration
Meeting times are all Afghanistan time.
Students may choose a maximum of TWO courses and only courses listed for their given English level.
Courses remain free of charge for women in Afghanistan and include synchronous meetings and independent reading and research.
Course enrollment limits are not maintained on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8, 2025.
Courses in English and Writing
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Learning English through Speaking and Writing
Instructor: Carmel Finnan
A2 - B1 students
This class 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.
9 June - 21 July, Monday & Wednesday 13h00 - 14h00
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
English Comprehension & Composition Lab
Instructor: Maggie Whitehead
A2 - B1 students
This course prepares students for English-language tests by building and strengthening the key skills of reading and writing in English. As important aspects of communication, strong reading comprehension and writing short responses will additionally enable students to share their ideas with English speakers and access and understand English-language media, books, and resources. Students will spend class time reading, writing, and practicing critical thinking skills. There will be regular in-class writing exercises and small- and large-group analysis of texts. By the end of the course, students will select, revise, and compile a portfolio of their written work, which they can use to demonstrate their ability to communicate in writing.
20 June - 8 August, Friday 16h30 - 18h00
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
English Reading and Writing
Instructor: Jillian Miller
A2 - B1 students
In this course, we will focus on strengthening reading and writing in English. We will read a range of texts including articles, narratives, and short stories, and use these as models and inspiration for our own writing. Writing tasks will include personal responses, summaries, and short essays, with a focus on developing clear, organized, and grammatically accurate sentences, while fostering our own individual voice and style.
18 June - 6 August, Wednesday 19h30 - 21h00
Introduction to Medical English
Instructor: Patience Wesoamo Alogokali
B2 - C1 students
This course plan consists of medical English and is comprehensively designed for B2-C1 students with a variety to fit students who are interested in medical/healthcare backgrounds and who would like to develop a higher level of English in the field of medicine and general English. Students interested in working in English-speaking countries will especially benefit from the course material. Each lesson will focus on a different medical theme, for example, doctor-patient scenarios, medical emergencies, and body systems, and offer audio-visual materials and articles that are engaging and relevant for students at this level. There are also role-play opportunities that allow students to practice the lesson vocabulary. There are five units in the course, with two lessons per unit. After every two lessons, there will be a review and an assessment.
16 June - 25 August, Monday & Thursday 18h00 - 19h00
English Grammar
Team-taught by university students
A2 students
Optional classes at intermediate and advanced levels to improve your English grammar and usage.
Dates and times forthcoming
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
English Language Learning
Instructors: Julie Mughal and Sarah Dzilinski
B1 - B2 students
The class focuses on developing writing proficiency, building critical analysis skills, and practicing English through group activities and individualized feedback. Each week we will focus on different topics of interest such as: exploring self-identity, poetry, the United Nations, and the Afghan Girls Robotics Team! Students will explore many types of topics through this class while building confidence in speaking and writing in English.
18 June - 6 August, Wednesday 16h30 - 18h00
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
English for Maths & Sciences
Instructor: Alex de Lusignan Fan-Moniz
A2 - B2 students
This course is directed at the AFSO students currently taking courses in mathematics or science, in order to broaden their understanding of the vocabulary and language usage in those fields in English.
1 July to 15 August, Monday 19h30 - 21h00
Courses in Literature and Communications
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
American Literature
Instructors: Sean McCann
B1 - C1 students
In this short course, students will be introduced to classic works of American literature and to the way these texts address core issues of the history and culture of the United States. Students will develop skill in reading and interpreting literature in English and in critical writing.
19 June - 17 July, Thursday 18h30 - 20h00
Introduction to Political Speechwriting
Instructor: Esmé Ellis
B2 - C1 students
This course for advanced level English students will take students through an in-depth introduction to speechwriting. Students will explore the key principles and be introduced to the leading techniques used in modern political speechmaking. Through a four-week long course, students will analyze a famous political speech, learn techniques for how to structure speeches for maximum effect, and develop skills to tailoring language to various contexts. Each student will have multiple opportunities to write their own short speeches (3-5 minutes), receiving feedback and evaluation from the instructor and peers. By the end of the course, students will have the confidence to write and deliver effective speeches on political issues, with a strong foundation in basic remarks drafting and style.
22 June - 13 July, Sunday 13h30 - 15h00
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Developing Critical Thinking Skills through Reading Short Stories
Instructor: Melissa Bloom
B2 - C1 students
This course is designed to foster critical thinking skills through the exploration of short stories. Students will exam themes, character motivations, and narrative structures. By analyzing these stories, students will develop their ability to articulate their responses to new material and express their opinions using evidence from the readings. Through guided discussions and reflective writing exercises, students will learn to identify and evaluate point of view, assess the validity of different perspectives, and enhance their analytical skills. The course aims to cultivate intellectual curiosity and deepen the understanding of literature's role in society. This course is suitable for all students interested in improving their critical thinking capabilities while enjoying the art of storytelling. It is an opportunity to not only appreciate literature but also to sharpen essential skills that are valuable in academic and real-world contexts.
18 June - 20 August, Wednesday 20h00
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Introduction to Communication Studies
Instructor: Emanuela Evangelisti
B1 - C1 students
This course is an introduction to the field of Communication Studies, offering students an overview of key communication theories and exploring a range of practices within various professional contexts. We will look at the landscape of mass communications and how it is influenced by new technologies in an ever evolving digital environment. The course will also touch upon the importance of social research, the role of information professionals, the function of communication within organisations, media arts and culture, and relevant ethical considerations. Students will have the opportunity to learn about this field of studies and its professional applications, while also reflecting on their current communication skills. Throughout the course, core concepts of communication studies will be revisited in different formats and contexts. Active participation is encouraged, including sharing perspectives, asking questions, and engaging in quizzes and assignments.
20 June - 25 July, Friday 3:30-5PM
Courses in Law and Business
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Negotiation Frameworks
Instructor: Shan Sherwan Hussein
B1 - C1 students
The course will cover frameworks on effective negotiation techniques. Teaching methods will include role-playing, group work, and simulations. I will utilize the Seven Elements Framework and the Negotiate WELL Framework to equip participants with research-backed tools.
21 June - 2 August, Saturday 18h30 - 19h30
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Introduction to Business
Instructor: Vishnu Vinekar
B1 - C1 students
Introduces fundamental concepts of business within a global and ethical context. Explores key areas including entrepreneurship, management, marketing, finance, operations, and human resources. Examines the impact of economics, government, and society on business decisions. Emphasizes practical skills, critical thinking, and teamwork through interactive activities and real-world examples. Course Objectives: By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the purpose and context of business in society.
- Analyze a business environment and its components.
- Identify and compare common legal forms of business ownership.
- Explain basic principles of accounting and finance.
- Discuss the role of marketing, management, and operations in business success.
- Apply critical thinking and teamwork in business scenarios
2 July - 20 August, Wednesday 9h30 - 11h00
Legal Reasoning and Writing
Instructor: Bill Chin
B2 - C1 students
This course teaches students how to find and read short United States (U.S.) court cases and how to write a short legal memo that provides a legal answer to a client's legal question. Students will play the role of junior lawyers writing a legal memo to the supervising lawyer. At the beginning of the course, students will do simple online research to find U.S. court cases. Students will also discuss those court cases in class. In the later part of the course, students will use legal reasoning to write a short legal memo that provides a legal answer by applying the law (one court case) to the client's facts.
10 June - 1 July, Tuesday & Thursday 20 - 21h15
Europe and Its Legal Traditions
Instructors: Reut Paz and Christoph König
B2 - C1 students
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.
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.
18 June - 6 August, Wednesday 12h30 - 14h00
Courses in Social Sciences
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
The Importance of Women's Sports
Instructor: Deanne Loonin
B1 students
Using written materials and videos, we explore the benefits of exercise for physical and mental health and the history of women's sports. The course has a particular emphasis on successful Muslim women athletes and the barriers they have faced and continue to face. We also cover global issues such as sportswashing and other issues related to sports competitions held in countries with problematic human rights records. The course includes in-class discussions and videos, readings, and short writing assignments to supplement lectures and presentations. No background in the topic is required; intermediate level English recommended.
2 July - 13 August (week off July 28), Wednesday 15h30 - 16h45
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Environmental Systems in Architecture
Instructor: Meisam Dadfarmay
B1 students
This course explores how environmental systems inform and shape architectural design, with an emphasis on climate-responsive strategies drawn from both vernacular traditions and contemporary practice. Students will analyze a range of case studies to understand how architecture can respond to local climates and environmental challenges, incorporating passive design principles, material systems, and spatial strategies to create more sustainable and contextually grounded buildings.
21 June - 9 August, Saturday 14h30-15h45
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Environment and Society
Instructor: Leslie King
B1 students
Environmental sociology focuses on the relationships between humans and their natural and built environments. It is a diverse arena that crosses disciplinary boundaries, so we will draw on perspectives from geography, anthropology, history and ecology as well as sociology. Among other things, we will examine the stories people construct about environments and landscapes; how economic systems impact environments; how humans both degrade and sometimes improve their environments; and how healthy and safe environments are unequally distributed.
10 June - 12 August, Tuesday 16h30 - 18h00
Courses in Mathematics
Note: Some courses require a mathematics placement test.
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Mathematics for the Natural Sciences
Instructor: Steve O'Brien
B1 - C1 students
This course will give the student the mathematical tools necessary for understanding certain elements of biology, chemistry and physics. These tools will enable the student to do unit conversions, graphing, data manipulation in Google sheets and perform statistics on sets of data. The specific topics to be covered are basic algebraic manipulations; data entry, calculations, and graphing in Google Sheets; dimensional analysis; determining linear parameters; functions with emphasis on the quadratic equation as applied to equilibrium concentrations and motion in one plane; curve fitting/regression analysis; elementary descriptive stats and inferential stats. This is a flipped class in that lecture is minimal and working with individuals or groups of students in Break-out rooms takes up most of the class time.
19 June - 21 August, Monday & Thursday 18h30 - 20h00
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Math 1A: College Algebra
Instructor: Barbara Kaltenbacher
B1 - C1 students
This course is about Mathematics 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. To this end, we will closely follow the freely available textbook College Algebra by Carl Stitz, Ph.D. and Jeff Zeager, Ph.D. and work on abstract concepts as well as concrete examples; the taught material will be complemented by assignments to be solved by the students. The course will use quizzes, assignments, and discussions to assess student performance.
19 June - 4 Sept (week off July 31), Thursday 10h00 - 11h30
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Math 1B: College Algebra
Instructor: Elisa Francini
B1-C1 students
This course is about Mathematics 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. To this end, we will closely follow the freely available textbook College Algebra by Carl Stitz, Ph.D. and Jeff Zeager, Ph.D. and work on abstract concepts as well as concrete examples; the taught material will be complemented by assignments to be solved by the students. The course will use quizzes, assignments, and discussions to assess student performance.
17 June - 26 August, Tuesday 10h00 - 11h30
Discrete Math
Instructor: Elaine Pimentel
B2 - C1 students
"Discrete Mathematics" aims to equip students with basic knowledge of foundational mathematics and logic in order to provide students with basic tools and skills for mathematical problem solving, proof and refutation.
On successful completion of the course, a student will be able to:
1. Analyse and solve typical problems in discrete mathematics and logic.
2. Identify and reason with the logical content of arguments.
3. Carry out standard mathematical proofs and refutations.
Topics:
The module will focus on foundational discrete mathematics, including: proof techniques, good style in proof writing, elementary number theory, sufficiently large, recurrence relations, functions, relations, and set operations. In covering this material, students will also acquire familiarity with mathematical reasoning, logical notation and proof by mathematical induction.
This course is completely bilingual between English and the theorem prover "Lean", with every example presented both ways (students also may solve all homework problems both ways).
16 June - 4 August, Monday 18h30 - 19h30
Courses in Health and Science
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Stress and Health: Hope for the Future
Instructor: Sheila West
B1 - C1 students
Psychological stress is a universal human experience. Why is too much stress bad for us and how can stress protect us? Discussion will cover the physiology of stress, the effect of stress on chronic disease risk, and ways to improve our emotional and biological responses to stress. What can we do to better cope with the stress in our lives? Through lecture, discussion, quizzes, and brief assignments we will explore how stress studies are conducted and how we can apply this to our daily lives.
16 June - 18 August, Monday & Friday 17h00 - 18h30
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Introduction to Astronomy: Planetary Science, Exploration of our Solar System, Search for Exoplanets
Instructor: Emily Haynes
B1 - C1 students
This course is designed for non-science majors as well as scientists with an interest in learning about the planets, moons and other objects in our solar system. The focus will be on the tools of
discovery through instruments on modern planetary spacecraft. We will also explore the methods of detecting extra-solar planets and the types of worlds that have been discovered.
Course objectives
The students in the course can expect to:
- Learn about the types of objects in our solar system, and the differences between them.
- Learn about the techniques used to investigate the planets, moons and asteroids in our own solar system.
- Design your own investigation of a planet, moon or dwarf planet in our solar system.
- Learn methods of detecting extra-solar planets and early investigations into their composition.
17 June - 14 August, Tuesday & Thursday 19h30 - 20h45
Medical Chemistry
Instructor: Dan Jetter
B2 - C1 students
This course covers the fundamentals of chemistry, which are critical to medicine. Students will develop a strong foundation in chemical principles through problem-solving and critical thinking, with an emphasis on applications relevant to the medical field.
26 June - 21 August, Monday & Thursday 16h30 - 18h00
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Introduction to Environmental Health
Instructor: Carolina Santos
A2 - B2 students
Introduction to environmental health concepts. How does our environment impact our health? Learn about One Health, climate change, environmental factors involved in transmitting communicable diseases, prevention of natural disasters, environmentaljustice, and more. Students will understand how our living environment influences our health, the environmental health disparities of specific populations, and ways to address the impact of environmental change.
2 July - 13 August, Wednesday 17h30 - 19h00
Courses in University Preparation
THIS COURSE IS FULL.
Introduction to Academic Research
Instructor: Rachel Leff & Emily Johnson
B1 - C1 students
This course will introduce many important concepts in academic research across the entire research process. We will explore topic development and how to choose effective keywords. We will cover the different types of academic sources, with a focus on how to find and evaluate scholarly sources through database searching. We will also explain citation and appropriate use of sources, including issues of paraphrasing and plagiarism. The content will be applicable across all academic fields of study.
19 June – 7 August, Thursday 19h00 - 20h00
English Language Test Preparation
Instructor: Lucy Ferriss
C1 and Colloquium graduates
For advanced students and those who have completed the AFSO Colloquium. This course prepares students for the Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections of the TOEFL iBT. Some attention also to Duolingo English Test Preparation. Those who complete practice tests with high scores will be eligible for a TOEFL or Duolingo voucher.
17 June - 14 August, Tuesday & Friday 16h30 - 17h45
Colloquium
Instructor: Janel Ahill
Permission of instructor
The Colloquium is an honors seminar designed to help motivated students prepare to pursue and complete their higher education through opportunities offered outside Afghanistan. The Colloquium is by invitation only.
18 June - 27 August (week off June 25), Wednesday 10h30 - 12h00