New Directions Courses

♦ Register for Spring 2027 Courses  ♦

 

Headshot of Sara Zeynalilaki next to text of her quote, which reads: "Gentrification and Social Equity" was profoundly informative. Beyond a traditional understanding of urban development, it equipped me to deconstruct the complex social, economic, and political forces shaping Denver and metropolitan areas. It was truly transformational, and I continue to use what I learn to observe the intricate ecosystems of justice and inequality in other cities I visit.”
Headshot of Daisy Pham next to text of her quote, which reads: Dr. Ray’s Research Methods emphasized analytical rigor over political punditry. The course sharpened my critical thinking skills and provided me with tools to draw evidence-based conclusions. That’s especially important to me because so many aspects of politics can feel personal and emotionally charged, and I value having frameworks that help me step back and evaluate issues more objectively.

Guide to Course Numbering

At the University of Colorado Denver, courses for master's degree/graduate credit are numbered in the 5000s or above. Courses in the 4000s are for undergraduate credit. New Directions cross-lists many of our courses for both undergraduate and graduate credit, with undergraduates completing an adjusted level of work on assignments, or adjustments in the evaluation of those assignments, commensurate with their academic level. To ensure your credits count properly for your Master's degree, graduate students should always enroll in the 5000 level or above for all courses. 

* Please note that because they are extended studies, the University of Colorado tuition assistance benefit (TAB) cannot be used to pay for New Directions classes. 

Weekend Intensive Course Schedules

Weekend intensive courses meet in-person on Saturday and Sunday of the weekends below, from 9 am to 4 pm unless otherwise indicated. Courses meeet in Denver at various locations provided in your syllabus. 

 SPRING 2027

**NEW Course** PSCI 5081/PSCI 4081/HOUS 5081 Social Housing and Community Ownership: Decommodification, Governance, and Strategy in Practice 

This course explores how land and housing can be removed from speculative markets through community ownership. Students examine the history of private property, alternative models like social housing, community land trusts and cooperatives, and the challenges of building permanently affordable, democratically controlled housing. 

* This course counts as an elective toward a 12 or 13 credit Graduate Certificate in Affordable Housing, an interdisciplinary certificate offered by CU Denver's School of Public Affairs and the College of Architecture and Planning, in partnership with the Department of Political Science's Center for New Directions in Politics and Public Policy. Click here to learn more about the certificate, including scholarship opportunities.* Professors: Gretchen Beesing and Stephen Polk

January 9 & 10

January 30 & 31

February 20 & 21

PSCI 5414/4414: Non-Profits and Social Change

Explores role of non-profits in catalyzing social change. What are obstacles and opportunities to leveraging social change through nonprofits? What factors shape non-profits to be either transformational or systemstabilizing forces? Professor: Emily Shamsid-Deen

January 23 & 24

February 13 & 14

March 6 & 7 

PSCI 5424/4002*: The Social Economy and Sustainable Development.  

*For undergraduates, enroll in PSCI 4002 Topics -- ND1 (37970)

Democracy, cooperation, environmental sustainability, and social and racial justice are core principles of solidarity economy projects across the world. Tools of conventional and alternative economic analysis are gained, as well as the cultivation of skills to be about a more just, verdant and peaceful world. Innovative research on solidarity economy projects like cooperative enterprises, community financing, food sovereignty, and many more, provide insight and inspiration to our visions of collective prosperity for all people and the planet. Professor: Stephen Polk

February 6 & 7 

February 27 & 28

March 20 & 21

PSCI 5075/4075: Gentrification and Social Equity 

Study causes and consequences of urban gentrification, and explore strategies of grassroots resistance and social equity solutions that are being mobilized to challenge the forces of gentrification. Contrast common celebrations of the waves of capital reinvestment that are fueling urban revitalization with the frequent claim of many low-income neighborhoods: "Gentrification is Class War!" Includes neighborhood tours. Professor: Tony Robinson

March 13 & 14

April 3 & 4

April 24 & 25

 

 

 

Recently Completed Courses

Frequently Used Forms

Find a Form

Please follow the link above for most forms students will need, including: Schedule Adjustment, Late Withdrawal, and Updating your Student Record.

CU Denver Special Processing Form

This form must be signed by your chair/advisor and submitted to the CLAS Academic Services Coordinator for all independent study and thesis/project credits.

Forms Specific to Graduate Students

This website includes the Application for Candidacy that must be completed at the start of your final term to qualify to graduate, as well as other forms needed throughout the final MA Project/Thesis process. It also includes forms to request Transfer Credits for incoming students.

How to Register for New Directions Courses

Visit: 
passport.ucdenver.edu/login.php 

  1. Sign-in using your University username and password.

  2. Click UCD Access to proceed to the student portal.

  3. Click Register to view the drop-down menu.

  4. Then click Register for Classes.

  5. Select the registration term and continue to class search.

  6. Enter “New Directions” in the search bar to see all our class offerings, or if you know the specific course number you wish to register for, you can enter it (e.g. “PSCI 5075”).  You can also search for a key word in the course title (e.g. “gentrification”).  

  7. Select your course by clicking on the arrow near the class name. Then Select.

  8. Once complete your New Directions course(s) will now appear in your Shopping Cart and will be available when you are ready to enroll.

Reminder, graduate students enroll in the 5000 level version of a course that is cross-listed with two different numbers. The 4000 levels are only for undergraduate credit. 

If you encounter any difficulties during the registration process, call the Registrar’s Office at 303-724-8059. Note that unpaid University balances may impact the ability to register. All billing questions should be directed to the Bursar’s Office at 303-315-1800.