It’s already that time of year again, Collegiettes. Registration for next semester begins next week and that means a whole new batch of classes and attempts to create the perfect schedule. While I can’t help you start your day off at noon or have no classes on Fridays, I can offer some course suggestions.
Having taken many of the classes myself, as well as friend and peer recommendations, here are (just a few) of the classes you should take before you graduate UMass.
Pub Health 160: My Body, My Health
I’m almost positive everyone on campus has either A. taken this class already or B. has been recommend by a friend to. Listen to those friends. I took this last year to fulfill my “I” (Interdisciplinary) Gen Ed requirement, and I’m glad I did. The class was very easy yet extremely entertaining, which is a rare and wonderful combination when it comes to Gen Eds. If you take this class you’ll get to witness that infamous water birth video everyone always talks about, and yes, the woman in the video actually does come to lecture and watches right along with you. The Professor that teaches the course, Daniel Gerber, is relaxed but truly cares about his students. The best part about this course is there are no exams. Weekly reflections are due every Friday discussion and there’s a final community service paper at the end. I’d definitely recommend this if you’re looking to get your “I” out of the way.
Sociology 222: The Family
I am so grateful that my Freshman year RA recommended this class to me that for an entire semester, I would genuinely thank him every time I saw him. I think “The Family” may have been the most interesting class I have taken at UMass to date. I actually enjoyed going to lecture, and looked forward to discussion when my group would be able to talk in depth about the issues brought up in class. The course starts with the history and development of families from the agrarian societies to now and our current social norms of what it means to be a family. Professor Naomi Gerstel is an engaging lecturer, and her TA’s were really helpful and passionate about the subject. The only downside about the course is that it is only offered to Sociology majors or Senior and Junior non-majors only. The plus side, it’s a SB or U Gen Ed. I definitely recommend this soc class.
English 132: Gender, Sexuality, Literature & Culture
This English class was really different from what I was expecting and I really enjoyed it. If you’re going to fulfill your AL or G requirement with an English course, this one isn’t a bad pick at all. The professor didn’t assign entire novels, but instead, short stories that were all bound together in a packet and available (for a reasonable
price) at the textbook annex. Along with the short stories, two interesting movies are also shown during the course of the semester. The workload is relatively easy if you’re looking for a painless Gen Ed: short responses every week on the readings and three essays due throughout the entirety of the course. My TA was very understandable and patient in grading our papers (as we were all clearly not English majors) and I heard good things about the other TA’s as well.
Any of Sut Jhally’s online classes:
If you find you just can’t fit that one more class into your schedule, an online class offers incredible flexibility. I know everyone thinks Sut Jhally’s online courses are an easy way to get credits, or a class to take simply as a pass fail, but I’ve learned more through his online lectures than I have in any other class at UMass. This fall, Jhally is offering his Comm 287: Advertising as a Social Communication and 288: Sex & Representation courses. If you’re not a Comm major, but are interested and want to learn more about it, these classes are a perfect introduction. Definitely much more than just a credit filler.
Natural Resource Conservation: Basic Scuba 120
Now I can’t talk from first hand experience, but my friend is taking this class this semester and absolutely loves it. He says you spend half the time in the campus pool learning how to scuba with equipment and the other is spent in the classroom, learning facts and the basics. It’s open to absolutely everyone, especially those that have had no experience scuba diving. At the end of the course, you can go on an optional ocean dive, and even get your scuba diving license! This class isn’t a Gen Ed, but definitely a very different and fun way to get extra credits!
Geo Sci 103: Intro Oceanography
Having taken this class my first semester Freshman year, I’m slightly fuzzy on the details of the course. I do remember, however, thinking even as a freshman, how grateful I was to find a straightforward and fairly simple science course. If you’re still looking to fill your Physical Science Gen Ed, definitely take Oceanography. The exams are split into two parts: solo and group. The first section of the exam is worked on independently, and the last set of questions, you are permitted to work with another classmate or group. This system was very helpful in boosting my exam grades!
Psych 380: Abnormal Psych
I sincerely wish I could take this class again, that’s how much I loved it. Don’t be put off by the 8 AM timeslot it seems to have for the Fall semester, trust me, it’s well worth getting up early for. Every semester, this class fills up just as soon as it opens, and with good reason. Not only is the content and subject matter especially
compelling, but also the instructor, Richard Halgin is a true storyteller. Professor Halgin uses cases from former patients (all names are changed to ensure confidentiality) as examples of each mental disorder we were learning about. I can truly say he is the best Professor I’ve had at this University. I never missed a class, no one did, as it seemed Mahar would be overflowing with students, unable to find a seat each lecture. This is definitely one of those classes you’ll remember long after you graduate. Although there is currently a psych major restriction on Spire, it will be lifted, and I encourage anyone remotely interested in Psychology to enroll!
Remember not to get stressed out when picking classes, especially Gen Eds. I know it’s extremely frustrating to see that green “open” circle abruptly turn to a red “close” right as you’re trying to enroll, but look at the bright side. We’ll all get to have first pick as upperclassmen soon enough!