Even though it's summer, registration for fall classes is just around the corner. What is that you say? You're too busy eating creamsicles and paddle-boating to worry about your coursework in October? Or maybe you have a fancy internship and can't believe that you have to go back to college at all?
Never fear, I'm not here to ruin your August with a plea for you to enroll in that Personal Finance lecture so that you don't default on your student loans. Instead, here's a list of 10 awesome classes that you wish were offered at your university. If you see your school on the list, put the creamsicle down and grab your laptop -- you may still be able to grab a seat in the best class of your life.
1) Women in American Popular Comedy: That's right, SNL fans. Colby offers a course where you are encouraged to watch clips of Tina Fey proclaiming that she can see Russia from her house. Of course, you will have to learn to "situate the humor in historical context [and] to analyze the formal aspects of comedic performances." But you'll probably also get to watch Bridesmaids.
2) Internet and Society: The University of Chicago offers this Sociology course designed to explore the influence of the Internet on our daily lives, from Facebook profiles to Wikipedia enlightenment. The course description says that the class will engage in "online investigation and experiments." Does that mean we can make a Tumblr as our final assignment?
3) Stupidity: You read correctly -- "Stupidity" is in fact the title of a course at Occidental designed to make you smarter. The Critical Theory and Social Justice course examines stupidity from a joint philosophical and psychological perspective, so the chances are you'll have to exercise your brain if enrolled for the semester. But even so, the irony of taking a college course in stupidity is too good to pass up.
4) Young Adult Literature: Take a trip into your childhood with a syllabus that requires you to buy books by Madeleine L'Engle, Judy Blume and Cynthia Voigt. Of course for this Elon class, you will also have to examine common themes and consider the approaches to teaching YA literature in the middle school classroom. But you still get to subtly brag by reading A Wrinkle in Time while all your friends study Biology.
5) The Sociology of Happiness: Students of this Emory class are guaranteed to be ten times happier by the time of their final exam. Okay, so that's not true. But learning about "the new science of happiness" through psychology, genetics, sociology and economics might give you a few tips for your next bad day.
6) Science Fiction: From Matrix Baby Cannibals to Brave New Worlds: Aside from having a fairly awesome name, this Macalester course allows students to watch the Matrix trilogy and read China Mieville. You may develop agoraphobia from examining sci-fi themes such as the apocalypse, plague, and overpopulation, but the class seems like it's worth the possible side effects.
7) Food: Finally, a class named after my raison d'être. Students enrolled in this Environmental Studies course at Colgate learn about the environmental impact of food, as well as its cultural significance. But they also get to intern at a local farm and listen to speakers from the local food movement. What are the chances that the final exam involves a taste test?
8) The Philosopher's Stone: Alchemy from Antiquity to Harry Potter: No, you won't learn how to pull a Rumpelstiltskin. But if you take this first-year seminar at Brown University, you will get the chance to follow the historical development and cultural significance of alchemy since antiquity. Plus, it sounds like you get to read Harry Potter. So that's a check in the "win" column.
9) Bob Dylan: If you manage to get a spot in this Connecticut College course, don't think twice -- it's all right. You have won the chance to study the musician's development as an artist since the release of his eponymous 1962 album. It's likely the only time you'll get to say "Everybody must get stoned" in a final paper.
10) Philosophy of Sport: I had to include a class from my alma mater, and this Georgetown course certainly fit the bill. Do you listen to sports radio and debate the ethics of steroids in your free time? Now you can do it for a grade -- just don't take any performance-enhancing drugs before taking your final.
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1. How to make money from your Chia Pet - Paul Krugman
2. How to make money from someone else's Chia Pet - Barack Obama
3. How to Count from 1 to 10 - Joe Biden
3. More Pow Wow Chow, With 40 Woks (pronounced 'wax') - Lizzy Warren
3. How I conquered my fear of Guns - Rahm
5. Guam and the Unusual Laws of Physics - Hank Johnson
6. I Know A Racist When I See One - Maxine Waters, illustrations by David Duke
7. Insider Trading, "I'm Rich" - Nancy Pelosi
8. Outsider Trading, "I'm Rich" - Bernie Madoff
9. Federalists, Smederalists - Eric Holder
1. Logic For Liberals?
2. Common Sense, Its Not Just For The Few?
3. Idealism Isn't As Good As Its Cracked Up To Be?
4. When The Wallet Is Empty, You Have No More Money?
5. Socialiam, The New Wealth For Underachievers.