SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Morningside University proudly kicks off this year’s May Term, offering students a world of possibilities with innovative courses. Designed to offer students experiential and one-of-a-kind learning opportunities, these courses go beyond traditional classrooms, empowering students to engage deeply with the world around them.

Below is a look at each course being offered for the 2025 May Term:

Trip to Tanzania: Dr. Aaron Bunker and Dr. Twyla Rosenbaum will take students to Mbuguni, Tanzania, from until May 20. There, they’ll interact with the culture and wildlife that Africa has to offer. They’ll also spend a lot of their time on a STEMM campus, to complete service projects. 

“A Taste of Greece:” Dr. Susie Lubbers will take about 20 students to Athens, the Saronic Islands, Naxos, and Santorini, for a nine-day trip starting May 13. Discover ancient Athens, sail the Saronic Islands, explore Naxos and Santorini, and savor Greece through wine, olive oil, cooking classes, and breathtaking views on a culturally rich, unforgettable journey.

Bands Midwest Tour and Experiences: Students will have the opportunity to prepare a variety of music and perform in different settings. Experiential and active learning through music will be achieved by rehearsals on campus in advance of travel, clinics, workshops, and masterclasses along the way, as well as hallmark artistic experiences.

21 Days in the UK: Dr. Jessica Pleuss, Courtney Leaverton and students will immerse themselves in British culture for a three-week trip.. It offers students a chance to explore British education through school visits, tour iconic sites like Edinburgh Castle and the British Museum, and enjoy flexible free time in London.

Latina/o/e Communities in Siouxland: Dr. Stacey Alex takes students around Siouxland to examine the impact of Latin culture to the area. Several field trips will give students experiences with Latina/o/e businesses, cuisine, and more. 

The World of Whiskey (only for students aged 21+): Dr. Brandon Boesch will examine whiskey as an intellectual artifact—considering the chemistry of its production,the history of its development, and the way in which distinctive cultures are expressed through different whiskey distilling and aging processes.

Society Through the Lens of Action Movies: Dr. Eric Canning and students will watch movies and engage students in discussions on the moral, ethical, and legal issues raised in those films. 

Urban Explorations: Led by Dr. Nicky Dalbir, students will embark on a hands-on journey through their small city, engaging in a series of field observation assignments designed to foster a deep understanding of the community and its diverse elements.

Eating Siouxland: Dr. David Elder will show students how diverse the culinary scene in Siouxland. He’ll teach students to write food reviews. Students will be able to eat, reflect, and write about the food.

Cooking Ethnic Produce: In this May Term course led by Dr. Annie Kinwa-Muzinga, students will explore the production and processing of ethnic crops grown in the Morningside greenhouse — like cassava leaves and amaranth — and learn to make the Congolese ginger drink “tangawisi.”

Garden to Table: Using the Morningside garden located directly south of campus, Deanne McKenna will show students how to start and manage a garden. Students will also tour local gardens and farms. 

Life Lessons 101: This course led by Mark Nielsen and Dan Wubbena teaches students about adulting in the real world. These two professors help students get ready for life after Morningside. 

History of the World in Six Glasses (only for students aged 21+): Led by instructor Dean Stevens, the course, based on “A History of the World in 6 Glasses” by Tom Standage, explores how drinks like beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and Coca-Cola have shaped human history—from ancient civilizations to modern globalization. 

Bob the Builder Wishes He Took this Class: Instructor Dan Witten will cover everything from not sawing off your fingers in a woodshop to dealing with plumbing and electrical basics.