Picking classes can be very stressful and you can’t always trust the descriptions you get from Fordham, but you can trust your fellow peers. HCFU staff members compiled a list of our favorite classes that we think everyone should take while they’re at Fordham.
Civic Media with Dr. Baldwin-Philippi
Anyone who’s a Communications major/minor should seriously consider taking this course. Dr. Baldwin-Philippi is so cool, and really cares that her class material is relevant and interesting. The class doesn’t have a midterm or final exam, but an ongoing project.
Persuasion and Attitude Change with Garrett Broad
Professor Broad is a newcomer to the Communications department, but he is one of my favorite professors at Fordham. His class is interactive and he makes use of video a lot, which makes the material more accessible.
Intro to New Testament with Larry Welborn
If you’re an FCRH major and have to take theology, do yourself a favor and take Professor Welborn’s class. He makes everyone feel like a true scholar and will do everything he can to help you understand something that many people find to be unclear. There are very few assignments and he looks for only good things in assignments, as opposed to other professors who will intentionally seek out things students did wrong to deduct points. Quite possibly the nicest man on this campus.
Intro to Politics with Kovey Hughes
Professor Hughes does a great job helping her students understand the United States government. She is very accessible and she creates a study guide for each exam (what an angel, right?). Her exams come straight from her review and there are 3 exams throughout her course, that’s it. Just pay attention to notes, and you’re golden.
FNN Practicum with Amy Westerby
Amy Westerby is the best in the business(es) – teaching and broadcast journalism. She is a working professional at CBS and is a phenomenal teacher. She keeps it real, she is bluntly honest and will not stop pushing her students until she is certain they are putting forth their best work. She is a direct link between Fordham and the broadcast industry and one of the most intelligent people I have come across at this school.
Principles of Marketing with Janet Dilorenzo
If you’re in Gabelli, you’ll be required to take this course as a part of your sophomore year cohort. The downside to this is that you won’t get the chance to choose your professor with the cohort system, but if you get lucky (like I did this year) and end up with Dr. D, you’re in for a treat. For those FCRH students who want to take marketing, this is the way to go. Dr. D has years of experience with her own marketing firm, she has endless witty stories to tell about her career, and her passion for the field shines through like no other. She makes an 8:30 am class not only bearable, but enjoyable.
Intermediate Spanish I with Maria Manavella
If you need to fulfill your language requirement, you should definitely take a spanish class with Profesora Manavella. She is incredibly helpful for students trying to learn the language. She tries to speak for the entire class time in Spanish, which is really helpful in learning the language more quickly. She will spend hours emailing back and forth with students about projects and oral presentations so that you basically have an A by the time you are done speaking with her. Partnered with the class, which is the perfect level for anyone with basic knowledge of the Spanish language, Profesora Manavella makes it fun and easy.
Gender and Sexuality Studies with Aseel Sawalha
Originally I disliked this class. I took it to count for a lot of core requirements, and I didn’t know much about the topics we were discussing. The class is set up a little differently, because it’s majority student-run. Before each class, Professor Sawalha gives several articles to read, and then you have to post a comment on Blackboard. By the third class, I realized I was totally entranced in what everyone had to say. While I have never been big on student participation (I hate speaking in class) it was easy because you prepared your statement for homework. Professor Sawalha is very fair, and often asks students opinions on due dates and where we want the class to go/what our interests are. If you’re interested in Gender and Sexuality Studies or Anthropology, or you have to take this class for a requirement at Lincoln Center, I would definitely recommend!