Short courses in computer science

Our institution has adopted a Maymester, a brief academic term held at the end of the academic year. Students who enroll in this optional term take a single immersive course for three weeks. This paper describes the authors' experiences in teaching five different computer science courses during the Maymester. The small class size, brief duration, and intense schedule pose special teaching opportunities and challenges. Some classes are programming intensive, while others have a broader or more liberal arts focus. Daily class activities are highly interactive. The Maymester has allowed us to offer a greater variety of new courses in subjects that otherwise could not be taught at our small college.