You’re Taking What In College?

Underwater Basket Weaving 101

As a kid in high school, thinking of college, I remember joking about some of the great classes I’d like to take. Of course most kids come up with wild classes they’d like to see offered in college. After all, that’s what kids are supposed to do right?

Even as a parent, when my kids were younger, I would joke about what classes I would offer if I taught college classes. Now that my kids are older, and actually thinking about college, I find I don’t joke about that quite as much. After all, I’m now wondering what my kids will do with their lives. What will they major in? And most importantly, what kind of bang for their school-buck will they get.

Suddenly when college becomes a reality for my kids, the idea of Underwater Basket Weaving 101 as an option, is not funny anymore. Add on top of this the fact that every time you turn around the cost of higher education seems to go up, the thought of joke courses lands even further down the list of important aspects of college life.

Parents, if you’re getting ready to send your kids off to college, you might want to peak at the course catalog.

The Strangest College Courses In The U.S.

So, just what are some of the odd and amusing courses being offered out there? This list may surprise you. In no particular order, here’s a rundown of what Online Colleges considers the weirdest college course in the United States.

Arguing with Judge Judy: Popular ‘Logic’ on TV Judge Shows
University of California, Berkeley
An exploration of logical fallacies often presented by defendants and plaintiffs on court television shows.

Underwater Basket Weaving
University of California, San Diego
Reed College, Portland, Oregon
Make wicker baskets by dipping reeds or stalks of plants into water and letting them soak.

Learning From YouTube
Pitzer College
Watch YouTube videos to study their impact on culture. Students get a chance to upload their own videos.

Philosophy and Star Trek
Georgetown University
Learn philosophy through pop culture.

The Art of Walking
Centre College in Danville, Kentucky
The course is a mixture of lectures and walks around town. It also deals with Immanuel Kants’s Critique of Judgment.

Daytime Serials: Family and Social Roles
University of Wisconsin
Part of the school’s Women’s Studies Program. The course examines the role of soap operas in the lives of people who watch them.

Joy of Garbage
Santa Clara University in California
Students study decomposition and go on field trips to landfills.

The Science of Superheroes
University of California at Irvine
Learn physics by examining the powers of superheroes.

Zombies in Popular Media
Columbia College in Chicago
Examines the history of zombies in movies, video games and Haiti.

The Science of Harry Potter
Frostburg State University
Can anti-gravity research actually produce a flying broomstick? Class is geared toward non-science majors.

Cyber-porn and Society
State University of New York at Buffalo
Students watch porn at school.

Simpsons and Philosophy
University of California, Berkeley
The school describes this class as a fairly rigorous philosophical course.

Far Side Entomology
Oregon State University
The Professor uses the Far Side comic strip to explore interactions between humans and insects.

Myth and Science Fiction: Star Wars, The Matrix & Lord of the Rings
Centre College, Danville, Kentucky
Course shows students that many of the narrative devices found in myths are still used in today’s epics.

The Strategy of StarCraft
University of California, Berkeley
Class uses the game to teach strategy, tactics and the art of war.

Every year parents are excited at the thought of sending their kids off to the wonderful world of higher education. However, if you’re footing the bill, you may want to check out the course offering. Well, at least take a look at what classes your kids have signed up for.

You may be surprised.

I must be honest, I have no problem with using the culture to teach concepts. I do remember a class I took in college which looked at a couple Star Trek episodes. However, they were select episodes with a strong message about topics such as racial stress. But, to have an entire course centered around a Star Trek theme? That’s a little extreme.

All I have to say is we’ve come a long way. Well, maybe it’s better to say “sunk” a long way, from my college days. For me an odd class involved Introduction to Photography. I took that class when Art 101 started talking about various shades of blue hues. When I told the Professor I was colorblind, he suggested I take the black and white photography class for my art credit.

What do you think? Are the courses listed above worthwhile?
Did you take any odd courses in college? I’d like to know.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

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Tags: College Classes, Strange College Courses, Underwater Basket Weaving