[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/summer student12.jpg” caption=”From communication studies to political science, students have a variety of courses to choose from this summer. File photo.”]Imagine lounging at home, munching popcorn and watching a tense scene from Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. No, this is not a typical Friday night spent with friends; you are studying for your Music 2F03: Music for Film and Television course.

It is one of many elective courses offered this summer. According to Simon Wood of the Department of Music and professor of the course, Music for Film and Television is a survey course for non-music majors and discusses how music works in narrative film.

Students are expected to watch mainstream Hollywood films such as Psycho, Planet of the Apes, Jaws and Edward ScissorHands. In class, Wood helps his students explore the technical, social and economic factors influencing each film, as well as the film's relevance to the cultural meaning of its time.

Wood says he chooses mainstream films because “I know obscure independent film would have really cool things going on, but mainstream Hollywood film is what most of the students watch and it is most meaningful to them.”

Wood has received many e-mails from his students commenting on how they now look at films with a new critical eye. “By studying mainstream Hollywood film, the students see how their culture works, and why they think the way they do,” says Wood.

Wood's 150 students are among the thousands of students expected to take summer courses this year. Last year, 6,934 students took courses over the summer. More than 200 courses are being offered with a variety from each faculty.

In addition to Wood's course, other summer courses offered include Religious Studies 2QQ3: Cults in North America, Geography 2G03: Natural Disasters, Commerce 2SB3: Business Ethics, Political Science 2C03: Force and Fear, and Communication Studies 2L03: Media Institutions.

Although a common misconception is that summer classes are easier, Wood says this is not the case: “Expectations of the course being easier are dispelled by the end of the first day, and most people take the course as seriously as it needs to be taken.” However, Wood adds that students do tend to be more relaxed in the summer because of the good weather.

There are certain advantages to taking a summer course. For example, summer courses require more lecture time in a shorter amount of days.

“The students' retention is a lot better, and there is a better sense of flow,” says Wood.

Wood is also teaching Music 2II3: Popular Music in North America for second term, which runs from June 18 to August 3. The last day to register for term two courses is June 22.