Are you brave enough to enroll in a fearfully enlightening class this spring at Lone Star College-Montgomery? If so, the college has an entire lineup of fear- and horror-themed classes sure to keep you on pins and needles throughout the sinister semester.
 
Choose from 14 different classes in anthropology, biology, criminal justice, English, information technology, philosophy, psychology, and sociology—almost no subject has been left unscathed.
 
“These fear and horror courses offer a unique approach to building a learning community,” explained Jared Cootz, professor of sociology and psychology at LSC-Montgomery and mastermind behind the horror-themed courses. “It works well as a theme right now because of the condition of the economy. War, political strife, natural disasters, famine, drought, and epidemics all play roles in the popularity of horror films. It’s a method of social commentary, as well as a method of catharsis.”
 
In each course, the instructor will shine a light on the subject from a horror or fear point of view, focusing on elements such as monsters, urban legends, cyber-terrorism, folklore, alternate realities, ethics, the zombie apocalypse, and more. Additionally, both required and volunteer-based activities will take place outside of the classroom during the semester, like food drives, guest speakers, blood drives, movies, panel discussions, and more.
 
“Really, at the end of the semester, we want the students to feel a stronger tie to the college and to each other,” said Cootz. “It’s a way to build a sense of community for the students without requiring them to enroll in classes that don’t fit their schedule.”
 
While all the classes share a similar theme, they are not linked, and enrollment in one or more courses is not required. Furthermore, no common books are required.
 
The courses available are:
 
Anthropology 2301 (Serial Killers—Bones of Contention)
Anthropology 2351 (Exorcism—The Devil is in the Details)
Biology 1407 (Attack of the 50-Foot Woman)
Biology 2401 (So Many Ways to Die)
Criminal Justice 1307 (Criminal Minds)
English 1301 (Urban Legends and Folklore)
English 1302 (Fairy Tales and Folklore)
English 1302 (Alternate Realities)
English 1302 (Visual Arts and Horror)
English 2332 (Here, There Be Monsters)
Information Technology 1442 (Information Technology Security)
Philosophy 2306 (Ethics and Fear)
Psychology 2301 (Psychology of Fear)
Sociology 1301 (The Zombie Apocalypse)
 
Registration for the spring 2012 semester has already begun, and students are encouraged to register as soon as possible for the best selection of courses.
 
For convenience, students can register, search for courses, and pay tuition online at MyLoneStar.edu.
 
On-campus registration and advising are available in the office of student services Monday-Tuesday, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. However, during the two-week winter break (December 19-January 4), the office of student services will observe the following holiday schedule: December 19-20, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; December 21-22, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; December 23-26, closed; December 27-30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; December 31-January 2, closed; and January 3-4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Of course, online registration is still available during the entire winter break.
 
For more information about registration, contact the office of student services at 936.273.7236.
 
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.
 
With more than 75,000 students in credit classes for fall 2011, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.