As everyone seems to be tackling a copious amount of projects and exams right now, I figured I'd provide you with some light reading to help you procrastinate. Over the last day I've been able to find the top five most ridiculous, yet awesome courses offered by universities across North America. With some of these schools boasting tuition rates of $40-50,000/year, it's hard to believe that some of these programs are offered. Check out the schools below to see what you're missing out on!
THE CLASS: The Joy of Garbage
THE UNIVERSITY: Santa Clara University
"The Joy of Garbage" follows the lifeline of garbage as it is disposed of, burnt, decomposed, landfilled, treated, recycled, reused or just shipped out of sight--all tying back to the scientific method. Students in this class can expect a few field trips to the dump. All apart of the wonderful curriculum offered by the environmental studies program at Santa Clara University.
THE CLASS: Airline Emergency Cabin Training
THE UNIVERSITY: Lynn University
Only in the U.S. will you find a three credit class at the Floridian Lynn University that instructs students on the basics of airline emergencies. The final goal of the class? "At the completion of this course students will have a basic understanding of airline emergency situation procedures and demonstrate the ability to make appropriate emergency responses." In addition to in-class instruction, students are given a mandatory 15 hours of practical demonstration!
THE CLASS: Psychology of Facebook
THE UNIVERSITY: Stanford
Even the most accredited schools have come to offer incredible courses. As social media has become a influential force in today's society, Stanford has capitalized by creating "The Psychology of Facebook." professor, Dr. B.J. Fogg spearheads the effort, emphasizing how persuasion works in the social network. Funny enough, you will find that the actual course syllabus and description of this class is found on a Facebook group! Undergrads everywhere - check it out!
THE CLASS: Underwater Basket Weaving
THE UNIVERSITY: Reed College
I'm serious. This is legitimately a course. Reed College in Portland, Oregon takes dexterity education to a new level with the quirky class, "Underwater Basket Weaving." Underwater basket weaving involves constructing wicker baskets by dipping reeds and stalks of plants into water and letting them soak, all the while being fully submerged underwater. Welcome to the faculty of...I don't even think I can come up with something witty for this one - this course has faced enough humiliation as is.
THE CLASS: Tree Climbing
THE UNIVERSITY: Cornell University
"Tree Climbing" at Cornell University allows students to rekindle the sense of adventure from when you were a youth climbing up into the branches of sprawling trees. The class covers numerous venues (aka. trees) and shows enrolled collegians how to use different forms of equipment, while teaching you how to use ropes and technical climbing gear to reach the top of any tree. For all of you that missed out on your youth and spent the days inside of a burlap sack, this course is for you.
THE CLASS: The Religion of the Montreal Canadians
THE UNIVERSITY: University of Montreal
Professor Olivier Bauer analyzes the theological examination of the Canadiens and the relationship between the storied hockey club and Quebec's Catholic heritage. The course explores the relics and rituals of the Habs as well as examining the rites of the Canadiens religion. Hey, this team doesn't just cherish their jerseys, they call their sweaters la sainte flanelle (holy flannel) and they can back that sweater piety up! Next time your in the Montreal area stop by for one of Bauer's acclaimed lectures - just leave your leafs jersey at home.
"THE CLASS: Underwater Basket Weaving
ReplyDeleteTHE UNIVERSITY: Reed College
I'm serious. This is legitimately a course."
It's fun as a writer to make stuff up, no? This is a fun activity sometimes offered by students during the Fall/Spring intersession that is Paideia. From Wikipedia: "Many such classes are explicitly silly (one long-running tradition is to hold an "Underwater Basket Weaving" class), while others are trivially educational (such as "Giant Concrete Gnome Construction", a class that, incidental to building monolithic gnomes, includes some content relating to the construction of pre-Christian monoliths). Genuine classes (such as martial arts seminars and mini-classes on obscure academic topics), tournaments, and film festivals round out the "class" list, which is different every year."
While I was a student at Reed I actually co-taught the Underwater Basket Weaving course during Paideia - I met the pre-requisite of never having taken a basket weaving class before.
ReplyDeleteToo bad I'm only fifth with "The Religion of the Montreal Canadians". I would do better next year!
ReplyDeleteOlivier Bauer