New Directions Courses

♦ Register Now for Fall 2025 Courses Starting In Late Sept & Oct ♦

 

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. 

Current Fall 2025 Courses

Headshot of Robin KniechPSCI 5008/4002 -  Special Topic: Urban Policy During Change  (3 Credits)

Course Dates:

- October 25 & 26
- November 15 & 16
- December 6 & 7

Cities have long been laboratories for policy innovation, necessitated by their roles on the front line of growing inequality. State and federal attempts to limit urban policy action are on the rise. Students will learn policy development skills at the intersection of legal, political and social dynamics influencing policy possibilities. Instructor: Robin Kniech, JD

Headshot of Luis PoncePSCI 5548 -  Labor Law and Collective Bargaining  (3 Credits)  

Course Dates:

- August 23 & 24
- September 13 & 14
- October 4 & 5

Explores the history, current status, and emerging developments in U.S. labor law. Examines how labor law structures worker organizing and collective bargaining efforts. Focus on labor/management relations in such processes as contract administration, workplace anti-discrimination efforts, and labor organizing rights. Explore new developments like labor law in relations to social media usage and independent contracting. Instructor: Luis Ponce, JD

Headshot of Emily Shamsid-DeenPSCI 5914/4914 -  Community Organizing and Community Development  (3 Credits)  

Course Dates:

- September 20 & 21
- October 11 & 12
- November 1 & 2

The theory and practice of community organizing strategies and community development innovations. How can social activists build power at the grassroots to build equitable, sustainable, and healthy communities? Instructor: Emily Shamsid-Deen, MNM

Upcoming Spring 2026 Courses

Headshot of Christy DoonPSCI 5084/4084 -  Local Government and Administration  (3 Credits)

Local government leaders must plan for long-term community needs, manage staff and operations, and implement policy while engaging their communities in highly political contexts. Learn practical skills while tackling the biggest challenges facing local governments today, such as rapid shifts in state and federal landscapes, climate crises, emerging technologies. Lecturer: Christy Doon. 

March 14 & 15
April 4 & 5
April 25 & 26 

Headshot of Minsun Ji

PSCI 5434 -  The Cooperative Movement: Politics and Policy  (3 Credits)  

Explores the history, current status, and emerging developments in the cooperative movement, both domestic and global. Topics include the political, organizational, and financial challenges and opportunities facing worker, producer, and consumer cooperatives. Examines how cooperative enterprises have adopted both reformist and revolutionary responses to the capitalist system, and how legal regimes and grassroots movements shape the future of cooperative enterprises. Lecturer: Dr. Minsun Ji

January 24 & 25
February 14 & 15 (President's Day Weekend)
March 7 & 8

 

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 done 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: https://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. Then click “Register for Classes.”

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

  5. Under the “Advanced Search” heading, click “Search.”

  6. Verify that you have selected the correct registration term, and proceed to course search by clicking “Extended Studies” under the “Campus” heading and “Political Science” under the “Subject” section. Hit “Search” at the bottom of the screen to browse the course list.

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

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

Reminder, graduate students should 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. Please 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.