Find Your Next Favorite Class

ENGL 1724: Learning from Play — What Video Games Teach About Humanity and Behavior

Play, learn, and analyze the world through gaming! Explore the psychology and social impact of video games, virtual environments, and human behavior while discussing topics like ethics, inclusion, AI, and representation in gaming.
📍 Online, asynchronous (offered fall and spring)
💬 Taught in English – no prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Pathways: 3 Reasoning in the Social Sciences

HIST 2104: America and the Sea

Does the sea divide us or connect us? Discover how Americans have explored, traded, and projected power across the oceans—from maritime law and naval history to recreation and cultural identity.
📍 In-person, meets twice weekly
💬 No prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Pathways: 2 

HIST 2224 / CLA 2224: Ancient Greek and Roman Women

From Pandora to Cleopatra, explore the lives and legends of women in the ancient world. Examine how gender, power, and identity shaped Greek and Roman societies—and how their stories still resonate today.
📍 Hybrid – meets M/W 11:15–12:05 PM in person with asynchronous Fridays
💬 No prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Pathways: 2 

HIST 3174 / NDIG 3174: Native American History

Explore Indigenous history from precontact to the present, with a focus on the Native South, revolutions, and resistance to “Removal.” Engage with primary sources and take part in a collaborative research project, The Civil War in Indian Country.
📍 In-person, MWF 12:20–1:10 PM (244 Holden Hall)
💬 No prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Great for students interested in history, culture, or Native and Indigenous studies

HD 1034: The Connection Project

The Connection Project brings together small groups of students to explore what it means to build meaningful relationships and community at Virginia Tech. Through guided discussions and activities, you’ll reflect on belonging, identity, and what brings Hokies together.
📍 In-person
💬 No prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Great for students interested in connection, inclusion, and student life

HD 2304: Family Relationships

Family relationships shape who we are and how we grow. In this course, you’ll explore the social, historical, and cultural influences on family life and how relationships develop, change, and endure over time.
📍 In-person
💬 No prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Ideal for students interested in human development, sociology, or psychology

HD 3984: Media Representations of Aging

How do movies and TV shape our understanding of aging? Explore how older adults and the aging process are portrayed in popular media — and what those representations mean for society.
📍 In-person
💬 No prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Great for students interested in media, culture, or gerontology

ARBC 1105: Elementary Arabic

Learn the formal language of the Arabic-speaking world (Modern Standard Arabic) and gain exposure to conversational dialects. Build real-time speaking, listening, and cultural skills in a live, interactive online class.
📍 Online, synchronous | T/R 9:30–10:45 AM
💬 No prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors

ARBC 2774: Arab Culture and Civilization

Take a journey through the Arab world—its people, traditions, and modern life—while earning Pathways credit. Explore a fascinating and diverse region and learn about the cultures that shape it today.
📍 Online, asynchronous
💬 Taught in English – no prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Pathways: 2 or 3

ARBC 3274: War and Arab Culture

Ever wonder how war has shaped life and culture in the Middle East? Learn how conflict influences art, literature, and identity while earning Pathways credit along the way.
📍 In-person, MWF 11:15 AM–12:05 PM
💬 Taught in English – no prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Pathways: 2 | Great for students in Political Science, National Security, or Middle East Studies

ARBC 3304: Youth Culture in the Arab World

From soccer matches to hip-hop and graffiti art, Arab youth are finding bold new ways to tell their stories. Explore how a new generation is reshaping culture, politics, and identity across the Arab world.
📍 Hybrid – meets MW 1:25–2:15 PM with asynchronous work
💬 Taught in English – no prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Pathways 2 | Counts toward the Arabic Major and Minor

ARBC 3414: Hummus, Hospitality, and Identity — Food and Arab Culture

Learn about Arab food, history, and the culture of hospitality while exploring the stories behind iconic dishes from across the region. Discover how cuisine connects to identity, tradition, and community.
📍 Hybrid – meets Mondays in person (4:00–5:15 PM) with asynchronous online work on Wednesdays
💬 Taught in English – no prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Pathways: 2

CHN 3474: Topics in Chinese Cinema: Chinese Martial Arts Film

Explore the rise of Chinese martial arts cinema through iconic films and legendary stars such as Bruce Lee, Jet Li, and Jackie Chan. Discover how these films impacted and captivated audiences worldwide.
📍 Online, asynchronous
💬 Taught in English – no prerequisites
🎓 Pathways: 2 

CLA 2454: Ancient Rome

Who were the Romans, and why do they still matter today? Discover the history, art, and literature of ancient Rome — from politics and architecture to daily life and enduring legacies.
📍 Online, asynchronous
💬 No prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Great for students in history, art, or classics

GER 3474: Outsiders, Deviators, Underdogs — Portraits of “Otherness” in German Cinema

View and analyze influential German films that spotlight outsiders and underdogs. Learn key cinematic movements and develop basic film analysis skills while exploring themes of identity and difference.
📍 Online, asynchronous
💬 Taught in English – no prerequisites
🎓 Pathways: 2 or 6A 

ITAL 3474: Topics in Italian Cinema: Mafia in Movies

In this course, explore the mafia in its historical, cultural, and economic dimensions through Italian and American films and television. You’ll examine how media representations have shaped public understanding of the mafia and its role in society.
📍 Online, asynchronous
💬 Taught in English – no prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Pathways: 1A or 2

JPN 3474: Topics in Japanese Cinema - The Samurai through Cinema

Cut through the movie myths and see how samurai on screen compare to historical reality. Trace their evolution from horseback archers to bushidō-bound elites while exploring themes of loyalty, honor, revenge, and violence in Japanese film.

📍 In-person
💬 Taught in English – no prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Great for students interested in Japanese culture, history, or film

RUS 3474: Russian and Soviet Film

Explore Russian and Soviet cinema from the 1890s to today. Examine how filmmakers developed distinctive styles and used cinema to reflect — and sometimes shape — political and cultural movements, with special attention to war films and propaganda.
📍 In-person, MW 4:00–5:15 PM
💬 Taught in English – no prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Great for students interested in film, politics, or Russian culture

SPAN 2124: Spanish for Building Construction

Build your Spanish and your professional vocabulary! This course develops communication skills for construction and technical contexts while deepening understanding of Spanish-speaking cultures in the building industry.
📍 In-person
💬 Taught in Spanish – no prerequisites beyond SPAN 2106
🎓 Open to all majors | Great for students in construction, design, and global studies

SPAN 3224: Latinx Food Cultures and Traditions

Explore the complexity and flavors of Latinx cuisine—from tamales and tacos to mofongo. Learn how food traditions evolved, what they represent, and how Latinx culinary practices connect communities across the Americas.
📍 Online, asynchronous
💬 Taught in Spanish – no prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Pathways: 2 

SPAN 3574: Spanish for Legal Professions

Learn specialized legal vocabulary and explore legal systems and constitutional histories across countries including the US, Mexico, Argentina, Guatemala, and Spain. Discuss contemporary issues like human rights, labor and commercial law, and gender/sexual violence while building advanced language skills for professional contexts.
📍 In-person, TR 12:30–1:45 PM
💬 Taught in Spanish – prerequisite: SPAN 3106
🎓 Open to majors and minors | Pathways: 2 | Great for students interested in law, public policy, or international affairs

PHIL 3024: Philosophical Movements — AI and Copyright Law

Explore how copyright law responds to technological change, from its philosophical foundations to the challenges posed by generative AI. Examine key cases, debates, and ideas that shape how creativity and ownership evolve in the digital age.
📍 In-person, MWF 12:20–1:10 PM
💬 Small class size – no prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Great for students interested in technology, law, or ethics

PHIL 3884: Well-Being and Happiness

What does it mean to live a good life? Explore classic and contemporary philosophical views on happiness, virtue, desire, and meaning while tackling timeless questions about death, responsibility, and the pursuit of well-being.
📍 In-person, TR 12:30–1:45 PM
💬 Small class size – no prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Ideal for students interested in psychology, ethics, or self-understanding

PHIL 4014: Special Topics in Philosophy — Ancient Chinese and Indian Philosophy

Engage with the foundational texts of ancient Chinese and Indian philosophy as works of thought, not just history. Examine influential ideas about reality, virtue, and human flourishing from two of the world’s oldest philosophical traditions.
📍 In-person
💬 Taught in English – no prior background required
🎓 Open to all majors | Perfect for students interested in global philosophy or cultural perspectives

PPE 2894: The PPE Gateway Course

Explore how philosophy, political science, and economics intersect to shape the world around us. Learn to make decisions that are economically sound, ethically defensible, and politically feasible while engaging big ideas about justice, cooperation, and democracy.
📍 In-person
💬 Sophomore standing required – open to all majors
🎓 Pathways: 2 or 3 

UAP/ARCH 2114: Sustainability by Design

Learn how design, policy, and planning can shape a more sustainable future! Explore the principles of sustainability through real-world examples in architecture, cities, and communities — no prior experience required. Ideal for students interested in architecture, urban planning, or environmental studies. 
📍 In-person, MWF 12:20–1:10 PM
💬 No prerequisites
🎓 Open to all majors | Pathways: 6D