Best Classes at USC (current students)

<p>I know that there are a ton of stressed out people out here, so I was interested in starting a thread that's a big different. Registration is in process for current students, and I personally have two units to fill. I was hoping that current students could share what the best classes they have taken so far are, so that I could get some ideas. Also, this gives recently admitted students a chance to hear what classes are awesome at USC.</p>

<p>I'll start with some of my favorites thus far:</p>

<p>History 180- Introduction to Islamic Civilization
This is a course that every student should take. The professor is extremely challenging in a good way, making you reconsider all of the norms that we as a society hold dear. He teaches basic history in a region that I had personally never studied before. Not only will you learn a lot about early Islam in this class, you will also learn a new way to look at the world. </p>

<p>Core 101- (With Professor Kincaid)
Monsters in Society is another fascinating (Thematic Option) course. You get to read all of the interesting books (Lolita, Trainspotting, etc) and talk about subjects you never thought could be discussed in a classroom. The style of this course is very laid back (option midterms etc), but if you put effort into it, you can have great results.</p>

<p>I'll add some more later, but if anyone else has any favorite classes, please add them!</p>

<p>I really like this idea, if more students could do it it would be cool.</p>

<p>NAUT301 (Sailing)...where else do you have 5 classes then a trip to Catalina??</p>

<p>I saw the movie Lolita. xD I didn't like the girl one bit. >_></p>

<p>If I get in there's no way I don't take that sailing class. I know how to sail and everything, but I'd do it for fun anyway.</p>

<p>Now is there a surfing class?</p>

<p>That would be awesome if there's a surfing class. I'm glad theres a sailing class im definitely tryna do that.</p>

<p>I don't think there's surf at USC...there's one at my high school though</p>

<p>Haha I bet, Huntington Beach would be a nice place to go to school.</p>

<p>UCSB has a surfing class, but it's not for credit.</p>

<p>Writ 340 for Pre Law w/ Brecher.
This is one of the hardest classes I've taken but if you are interested in law, def. a great class to take but be warned, you will work your ass off. Even at this point I'm unsure about law school but the class was a fabulous learning experience. And Dr. Brecher is a really great resource and a prof who really cares about the success of his students. </p>

<p>Cat 5: Russian Art w/ Bowlt
How many profs can keep you awake at 8am? The class is really chill and you get a great mix of art, culture and history w/o the stress of a super hard class. </p>

<p>BISC 230 Neuroscience w/ Green and McClure (but I found McClure to be the better prof)
My other favorite GE which was fairly difficult but great mix b/t bio and pysch. Kinda wish I had enough confidence to major in it.</p>

<p>IR 210 w/ Lamy
So all majors/minors have to take this but I ended up really enjoying the class. It's fairly difficult and one of the assignments was pointless, but I had never really thought of the theory behind IR (related it more to current events and policy rather than history) that this class really opened up my understanding of how people view the world.</p>

<p>BUCO 452 Case Analysis w/ Miles and Coombs
It's not so much the profs that make the class worth it, but the content. It's 2 units, take it P/F so you don't worry about the curve. Essentially you analyze cases and present them in the ELC. It's worth just to get the opportunity to watch yourself speak, no matter how embarassing hearing your own voice can be. I'm sure non-majors can take this as well, so be sure to look into it. </p>

<p>Other classes I've heard great things about and am planning on squeezing in my last year of school</p>

<p>LAW 200
CTCS 466 (or 467 for those who like TV more than film)
MOR 492: A class w/ a weekend trip to Mexico? How could you possibly pass that up?</p>

<p>anyone else have any suggestions for best classes?</p>

<p>HIST 200: The American Experience w/ Seip. It's good for Cat I and diversity, plus if you've taken AP History you should be pretty much set. Seip is very enthusiastic about the material, and managed to keep me awake every Mon and Wed at 8am. The best part is the final (and only) paper: a family history project. :)</p>

<p>IR 304: Espionage and Intelligence w/Godinez. I haven't taken this yet, but I will later on as part of my major. I heard that it's very interesting, particularly with Godinez's insight (she's a CIA staff officer).</p>

<p>GEOL-108Lg- AMAZING cat III class. Dr. Anderson makes you want to learn about geology, its a very chill environment, and he makes an honest effort to learn everyone's name. It's easy to get an A if you do the study guides. He makes everyone want to come to class, and what you learn is very interesting.</p>

<p>My daughter loved the GE course on Earthquakes with Prof. Dolan...so much that she became a Geology minor. (She loves the supportive and friendly environment in that department, and there are lots of fun and interesting field trips.)</p>

<p>somewhat off topic...</p>

<p>but during orientation... will we be signing up for fall semester classes only? not spring too?</p>

<p>yes. you register for spring sometime in november..they will send out emails and you will definitely know what to do when the time comes</p>

<p>alright thanks!</p>

<p>this is a great thread btw</p>

<p>PHED 110a-Swimming</p>

<p>Take it with Varma. He's awesome!</p>

<p>always wanted to try sailing...
can you take these kind of classes in your jr. and senior years as i am going to try and transfer??</p>

<p>also do they have a fencing class?</p>

<p>you can take the sailing class whenever. it's only two units so you can take it in addition to your academic courseload. </p>

<p>They don't have a fencing class, but they do have a fencing club.</p>

<p>I heard that there's a class in the film school that's really popular where students preview upcoming films or something like that, then talk to the directors? Am I crazy or is there actually a class like that?</p>