Jackson School has some excellent courses for you to consider this summer! See list below for some featured courses!
To see ALL summer Jackson School courses, visit the SUMMER 2026 Courses website to view how they meet major requirements.
Also now available: AUTUMN 2026 Cool Courses, and ALL Autumn 2026 Jackson School courses website (and how they meet requirements)!
Christian L. Novetzke
Studies yoga and its history, practice, literature, and politics. From the ancient past to modern yoga, explores essential texts and ideas, as well as the effects of class, religion, gender, nationalism, development, Marxism, colonialism, and physical culture on yoga.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion
- SIS areas: Asia, Americas
Instructor: Christian L. Novetzke
Questions? Email novetzke@uw.edu
Heracles Panagiotides
JSIS E 134 Intensive Elementary Modern Greek (15 credits, Conditional A&H)
Develops a basic level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing skills in Greek as it is used today. Students learn how to understand spoken and written Greek at an elementary level and engage in simple conversations.
How does this count towards my degree?
- Will count to first year of language.
- Credits will count towards graduation.
- Conditional A&H: 1st year foreign language courses may, under certain conditions, count toward the A&H component of your degree requirement. See website or your adviser for more information.
Instructor: Heracles Panagiotides
Questions? Email hercp@uw.edu
Vanessa Freije
Examine how culture shapes every aspect of global politics and media, from search engine algorithms to economic systems. Learn key concepts and approaches to understand how we make meaning in the world. For the final project, students conduct a cultural study of an online space (TikTok, YouTube, etc), culminating in a pre-recorded presentation.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences, Diversity
- SIS Introductory Course
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion, Political Economy; States and Markets; Technology, Security, and Diplomacy; Rights and Movements
Instructor: Vanessa Freije
Questions? Email vfreije@uw.edu
Debamanyu Das
This course explores global economic interconnections and their impact on daily life. Designed for those with minimal economics background, it covers the complexities of globalization, supply chains, inequality, inflation, and more. Students will develop analytical skills to interpret economic news, analyze data, and evaluate economic arguments in real-world contexts.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy; States and Markets
Instructor: Debamanyu Das
Questions? Email ddas64@uw.edu
Deborah Porter
Interdisciplinary introduction to the civilizations of Asia, particularly those of India, China, Japan, and Korea. Explores the religion, philosophy, literature, art, and social and political thought of these civilizations from ancient times to the seventeenth century.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences or Arts and Humanities, and Writing
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion
- SIS areas: Asia
Instructor: Deborah Porter
Questions? Email debzport@uw.edu
Daniel Bessner
JSIS B 220: Diplomacy, Strategy, and United States Foreign Policy (5 credits, SSc)
This course explores the history of U.S. foreign policy and military affairs. Covers diplomacy, strategy, and U.S. foreign relations, including military, political, economic, and cultural aspects. Includes how domestic, international, and transnational processes shape these topics and discusses their global impact. Provides a well-rounded understanding of U.S. foreign and military affairs.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy; States and Markets; Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
- SIS areas: Americas
Instructor: Daniel Bessner
Questions? Email dbessner@uw.edu
Jessica Beyer
Technological advancements have profoundly shaped the international system throughout history. This course covers major recent technological developments and their impact on the global system, including weapons of mass destruction, information and communication technology, cybersecurity, energy, and emerging technology such as artificial intelligence.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Technology, Security, and Diplomacy
Instructor: Jessica Beyer
Questions? Email jlbeyer@uw.edu
Celia Lowe
This course explores the environment in international perspective emphasizing the social implications of living in an economically globalized and environmentally interconnected world. Examines these implications through examples of toxics and the human body, biodiversity conservation, climate change, disease, and finding solutions to environmental problems.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Culture, Power, and Religion; Environment and health; Rights and movements; States and markets; Technology, Security and Diplomacy
- Upper division credit (300-400 level course)
Instructor: Celia Lowe
Questions? Email lowe@uw.edu
Robert Pekkanen
Government and politics of Japan with emphasis on the period since 1945.
How does this count towards my degree?
- General Education: Social Sciences
- SIS themes: Political Economy, Culture, Power, and Religion; States and markets; Technology, Security and Diplomacy
- SIS areas: Asia
- Upper division credit (300-400 level course)
- Asian Studies: Elective
Instructor: Robert Pekkanen
Questions? Email pekkanen@uw.edu
