Undergraduate Courses with Noncredit Seats
Take an undergraduate credit-bearing course on a noncredit basis at a reduced tuition rate!
Costs
- $120 for the noncredit option in a .5-credit course*
- $180 for the noncredit option in a 1-credit course*
- $260 for the noncredit option in a 1.5-credit course*
- $320 for the noncredit option in a 2-credit course*
- $520 for the noncredit option in a 3-credit course*
- $625 for the noncredit option in a 4-credit course*
*plus applicable fees. In addition to the tuition and any listed studio/lab fees, there is a $25 nonrefundable noncredit registration fee paid once per semester. Please note: Specialized course tuition rates may vary from the above.
More Information
- Students who register for this option do not receive college credit or grades. Assessment is given on a pass/fail basis.
- This option is open to students 16 years of age or older.
- Because noncredit spaces are limited in these credit courses, early registration is advised.
- Students may not switch between the credit and noncredit sections of these courses after the add/drop period.
- Early registration discounts do not apply to these courses.
Course Schedule
The courses below are a selection of the full Fall 2025 undergraduate schedule. To view all courses in use the course search and select the Fall 2025 term from the drop down. Did you find a course that is not listed below? Email conted@purchase.edu to find out if a noncredit seat can be created for you. Syllabi may also be requested through conted@purchase.edu.
Fall 2025 Courses
Arts History
Noncredit
The art and architecture of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and medieval Europe, presented in terms of their visual and cultural significance.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Fri @ 02:30 PM-06:10 PM in Humanities 1032
Instructor: Lindberg, Kristen
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Noncredit
The work of Courbet, Manet, and the circle of the Impressionists sets the stage for the revolutionary modern movements of the 20th century (e.g., Cubism, Expressionism, Dada, Surrealism). The course concludes with those artists who came to prominence in America at the time of World War II.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 10:30 AM-12:10 PM in Humanities 1032
Instructor: Warren, Sarah
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Noncredit
Explores the history of twentieth-century architecture through the modern city, tracing the rise and occasional decline of the metropolis internationally. Students analyze how architects and urban planners proposed new visions of urban life and devised solutions for urgent social and political problems related to urbanization (e.g. public space, housing, gentrification, globalization).
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Thu @ 06:30 PM-10:10 PM in Humanities 2035
Instructor: Eggler-Gerozissis, Marianne
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Noncredit
The history of performance art is the story of an obsession with changing the world. This course explores the work of artists, curators, and scholars—from 1950 to the present, in North America, Latin America, Eastern and Western Europe—who have invested the form with their hopes, dreams, and fears of making art that is more real than everyday life.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon @ 02:30 PM-06:10 PM in Humanities 2052
Instructor: Westerman, Jonah
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Chinese
Noncredit
For students who have had little or no previous exposure to the language. Introduces the basics of pronunciation and of the structural and writing systems of standard modern Chinese (Mandarin Chinese).
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Tue Fri @ 10:30 AM-12:10 PM in Humanities 1040
Instructor: He, Xiang
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Noncredit
Designed for students who have completed CHI 1010 and 1020 or the equivalent. Consolidates the foundation that students have acquired through previous coursework and introduces more complex grammatical structures and background cultural information.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Tue Fri @ 12:30 PM-02:10 PM in Humanities 1040
Instructor: He, Xiang
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq: CHI1020
Cost: $625
Dance
Noncredit
Classical ballet course designed especially for students in all disciplines.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 10:30 AM-12:00 PM in Dance 1030
Instructor: Malbrough, Joseph
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $260
Noncredit
A study of the origins and training in the technique of hip-hop as a contemporary form of “street dance.”
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 10:30 AM-12:00 PM in Dance 1001
Instructor: Garnier, Shawn
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $260
Noncredit
Learn the diverse dance & drum culture of West Africa, through dancing, drumming, singing, presentations and video clips. Cultural learning will focus on the meaning and purpose of the dances; call and response singing; the role of the drum; and social expressions of communal life.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 04:30 PM-06:10 PM in Dance 1030
Instructor: Thiam, Lamine
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $260
Noncredit
Students delve into courting, accessing, and developing creativity, imagination, and innovation through whole-body fluidity. Several creative processes are explored, such as choreography, voice, and movement into text and movement; poetry in motion; writing; acting; and becoming aware of presence and how to embody it in a wide range of performance and life circumstances.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Tue @ 06:30 PM-08:00 PM in Dance 1012
Instructor: Noblit-Gambino, Melanie
Type of Instruction: Hybrid
Prereq:
Cost: $180
Economics
Noncredit
Designed for students interested in the economics surrounding startups and entrepreneurship, business financing, and managing a company. This course breaks down the process of launching a business into practical steps, and students are asked to develop a business plan. In doing so, students learn many aspects of financing, managing, and developing tools of entrepreneurial decision-making.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Tue Fri @ 04:30 PM-06:10 PM in Natural Sciences 3052
Instructor: Fein, Phyllis
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625
French
Noncredit
For students who have had little or no previous exposure to the language. Presents the essential structures of spoken and written French by involving the student in situations that concretely represent the concepts of the language.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Tue Fri @ 10:30 AM-12:10 PM in Humanities 2052
Instructor: Rasolofo, Andoveloniaina
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Hebrew
Noncredit
For beginning students and those with rudimentary training in Hebrew. The course stresses reading, writing, and speaking by involving students in situations that concretely express the concepts of the language.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 10:30 AM-12:10 PM in Online ONLINE
Instructor: Kadosh, Lea
Type of Instruction: Online - Synchronous
Prereq:
Cost: $625
History
Noncredit
A survey of Chinese arts and culture that introduces approaches to and connoisseurship of painting, calligraphy, sculpture, gardens, and architecture in dynamic relation to dynastic changes, literati-scholar tradition, cosmological and aesthetic concepts, and influences of Taoism and Buddhism during the period 221 BC to 1950. Knowledge of Chinese language is not required or expected.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Tue @ 08:30 AM-11:50 AM in Humanities 1041
Instructor: Zhang, Chen
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $520
Noncredit
Explores traditional Chinese civilization, including the shaping of the strong imperial tradition; Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism; arts and literature; and China’s relations with other Asian countries before the modern age.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Tue @ 02:30 PM-06:10 PM in Library 0012
Instructor: Zhang, Chen
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Italian
Noncredit
For students who have had little or no previous exposure to the language. Presents the essential structures of spoken and written Italian by involving the student in situations that concretely represent the concepts of the language.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 02:30 PM-04:10 PM in Online ONLINE
Instructor: Farina, Patrizia
Type of Instruction: Online - Synchronous
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Noncredit
A continuation of ITA 1010. Increased time is devoted to reading and writing. The development of oral skills remains the primary objective of the course.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 04:30 PM-06:10 PM in Online ONLINE
Instructor: Farina, Patrizia
Type of Instruction: Online - Synchronous
Prereq: ITA1010
Cost: $625
Journalism
Noncredit
Examines the historical, philosophical, and legal bases for freedom of speech and of the press in the U.S. and the practical application of these principles to print, broadcast, and online media today. Topics include the First Amendment, libel, privacy, government regulation, news gathering, and journalism ethics. Not recommended for freshmen or sophomores.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 12:30 PM-02:10 PM in Humanities 1044
Instructor: Daly, Ross
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Noncredit
Documentaries are supposed to provide a factual record, but do they? In this course, students analyze, critique, and deconstruct documentary films, and discuss the evolution of the genre. Historical context, aesthetics, and ethics are examined. Students look at the emerging fault lines in the documentary format, where it has become increasingly difficult to tell the difference between news and entertainment.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Wed @ 03:00 PM-06:40 PM in Humanities 1042
Instructor: Surowicz, Simon
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq: JOU2915
Cost: $625
Noncredit
Students look at the evolution of long-form journalism of postwar America, roughly defined as 1946–1980. Works include Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, John Hersey’s Hiroshima, and the magazine writing of Lillian Ross, Alex Haley, Joan Didion, and Gay Talese. The class also explores more recent authors, such as Isabel Wilkerson and Rachel Aviv, and the influences of the digital age.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Wed @ 03:00 PM-06:40 PM in Natural Sciences 1059
Instructor: Salomon, Andrew
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Music
Noncredit
Traces the history of Western concert music, providing an overview and foundation. The course begins with a focus on world music, placing Western concert music in the greater context of its relationship to other cultures. The musical cultures of India and the Arabic countries of North Africa are examined for their impact on Western concepts. MTH 2510 and 2520 may be taken in either order.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 10:30 AM-11:50 AM in Social Sciences 1001
Instructor: Ashton, Graham
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $520
Noncredit
Designed with the nonmusician in mind, this course explores the aesthetics of music through time in the Western world. Parallels in the worlds of art, politics, economics, and philosophy are explored with the goal of giving students a better understanding of how the music of today does, and does not, relate to that of previous centuries.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Tue Fri @ 10:00 AM-10:50 AM in Music 0037
Instructor: Buck, Stephen
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $320
New Media
Noncredit
Examines the interplay between new art forms and technologies from early modernism through today. Focusing on how the two fields have developed in relation to each other, the course addresses two questions: what is the relationship between technology, technique, and art, and how has it changed over time? This is both an art survey course and a study of related philosophical questions.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Wed @ 09:10 AM-11:40 AM in Cntr for Media, Film, Theatre 0039
Instructor: Singer, Brooke
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq: NME1050 Or MSA1050
Cost: $520
Physical Education
Noncredit
Develops aquatic skills and basic knowledge of safety and accident prevention in the aquatic environment. Skills include preventive lifeguarding, emergency action planning, aquatic facility management, and preparation of records and reports. Qualified students receive Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certification.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 10:30 AM-12:10 PM in Physical Education 1018
Instructor: Anker, Judy
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $365
Noncredit
Pickleball is a cross between tennis, squash, badminton and table tennis. This course will cover the fundamental rules of the game and participants will learn how to play at the beginner level and some basic paddle technique.
Term Dates: Monday, October 13 - Friday, December 12
Meeting Times: Tue Fri @ 10:30 AM-12:10 PM in Physical Education 2001C
Instructor: Malvai, Hardeepak
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $180
Noncredit
Students will learn from the bronze level International Latin and Standard dances by exploring basic figures, actions, and techniques as established by the syllabi written by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD). Students will learn how to lead and follow the dances comprising DanceSport: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 12:30 PM-02:10 PM in Physical Education 2008B
Instructor: Cruz, Natalie
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $320
Noncredit
Students learn the fundamentals of belly dancing (e.g., hip circles, undulations, shimmies) and progress to layering of movements. Familiarity with Arabic rhythms, cultural knowledge as it pertains to this dance form, finger cymbals, veil work, and choreography are covered. The natural movements of belly dancing, which improve flexibility, endurance, and coordination, are appropriate for all fitness levels.
Term Dates: Monday, October 13 - Friday, December 12
Meeting Times: Tue Fri @ 12:30 PM-02:10 PM in Physical Education 2001B
Instructor: Bora, Bina
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $180
Noncredit
The Cornerstone of R.A.D. Systems, this course has its foundations in education and awareness. The course includes lecture, discussion and self-defense techniques suitable for women (and for those who identify as women), of all ages and abilities, striving to build self-confidence, self-esteem, and knowledge of personal physical strength.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Wed @ 06:00 PM-07:40 PM in Performing Arts Center
Thu @ 12:30 PM-02:10 PM in Humanities 2053
Instructor: Markus, Cynthia
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $320
Philosophy
Noncredit
A critical introduction to major Asian philosophical systems, including Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Particular attention is given to core themes in traditional texts and later commentaries pertaining to metaphysical questions about the nature of reality, epistemological questions about the sources of knowledge, ethical questions about virtuous conduct and the good life, and aesthetic questions about art and beauty.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Tue Fri @ 02:30 PM-04:10 PM in Natural Sciences 3001
Instructor:
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Playwriting and Screenwriting
Noncredit
Introduces the student to writing a dramatic story for the screen, placing an emphasis on discovery, good work habits, critical assessment, and rewriting as essential to the professional writer. Through numerous assignments, students learn the basics of dramatic story structure, revealing character, writing dialogue, genre, and use of story suspense. All techniques are applied in a final short screenplay.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 04:30 PM-06:10 PM in Humanities 2043
Instructor: Lisi, Gregory
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Noncredit
Introduces the student to writing a dramatic story for the screen, placing an emphasis on discovery, good work habits, critical assessment, and rewriting as essential to the professional writer. Through numerous assignments, students learn the basics of dramatic story structure, revealing character, writing dialogue, genre, and use of story suspense. All techniques are applied in a final short screenplay.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 10:30 AM-12:10 PM in Online ONLINE
Instructor: Kouguell, Susan
Type of Instruction: Online - Synchronous
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Spanish
Noncredit
A continuation of SPA 1010. Increased time is devoted to reading and writing. Development of oral skills remains the primary objective of the course.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 10:30 AM-12:10 PM in Online ONLINE
Instructor: Symons, Deborah
Type of Instruction: Online - Combined
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Noncredit
For students already familiar with the fundamentals of spoken and written Spanish. Through various reading assignments, students are given a context for discussion to increase vocabulary and speaking ease. Weekly compositions serve as an aid for grammar review.
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Mon Thu @ 06:30 PM-08:10 PM in Humanities 1040
Instructor: Menendez-Conde, Ernesto
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625
Noncredit
This theatrical translation workshop combines literary analysis and creative writing. Students read Latin American plays in Spanish, discuss them in English, and translate scenes, examining not only the words, but also gestural, visual and cultural meanings. For the final project, class collaboratively translates an entire play and stages a reading. Students should comprehend written Spanish. (Contact professor with questions.)
Term Dates: Monday, August 25 - Tuesday, December 16
Meeting Times: Thu @ 08:30 AM-12:10 PM in Humanities 2046
Instructor: Thome, Andrea
Type of Instruction: Traditional
Prereq:
Cost: $625