Decal courses seem too good to be true?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>im a undergrad freshman. I have 12 units, and need a 1-unit or 2-unit class/seminar to get pass the minimum unit mark. I am looking for something that extremely interests me. So I take a look at the list of decal courses, and there are some that seem ridiculously interesting/fun classes(coutner-striek course? sports course? tupac course?)Why dont everyone take these classes instead of freshman seminars? Just want to make sure that I make the right decision in enrolling in a decal course, because there is a freshman seminar I could take, but that I am not as interested in. </p>

<p>thanks</p>

2

<p>They are for specific majors. For example, Legacy of Tupac would be for Gangbanging majors.</p>

3

<p>Is that major impacted?</p>

4

<p>^ Hahahahah</p>

5

<p>^^ Lololol</p>

6

<p>The main difference is that seminars are taught by professors, while DeCals are taught by students.</p>

7

<p>I haven't taken a DeCal class, but I'm teaching one next year. RaNe is right; the professors teach seminars, but the students teach DeCals. I would definitely urge to you take one if you find one that's particularly interesting.</p>

8

<p>do they fullfill breadths as well like seminars?
Is it easier to receive an A since your prof is a student (who may be your friend)?</p>

9

<p>If they hated you would you have to kiss ass? Could they fail you if they wanted to?</p>

10

<p>Decals are P/NP only. I don't think they fulfill breadth.</p>

11

<p>Correct - DeCals CANNOT fulfill breadth and they are mainly taken for 1) getting to that minimum units requirement and 2) self-edification. There are some really good field DeCals out there that are very involved, and on the other end of the spectrum there are DeCals where you don't really have to do jack squat and it's just plain fun for a couple of hours a week (like the Batman DeCal that I took last semester).</p>

12

<p>haha im loving the 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Analysis' and 'Bollywood!' ones :)</p>

<p>when do these usually fill up by?</p>

13

<p>Here's how DeCals work: you (usually) can't get the course control code beforehand. Look at what the first day of class is. You go to class and get the course control number and THEN add the class to telebears. If there are many more potential students than seats, then usually the class has some sort of way to bottleneck the entry, such as an entrance exam (the Blackjack or Rubik's Cube courses, for example); others may use a lottery system.</p>

14

<p>Generally speaking, would it be a fair statement that 2 unit decals require more work than a 1 unit decal?</p>

<p>I sooo want to take the Sex and the City decal!</p>

15

<p>Actually, I think I take that back. I'm looking at the Sex and the City DeCal course description and they want a 5 page paper at the end of the semester. I think I'll just stick with my Poli Sci 179.</p>

16

<p>Most DeCals are ridiculously light on requirements, but there are a few that actually pretend to be real courses and expect you to take exams, write papers and participate in class. 9_9</p>

<p>Keep in mind, also, that some DeCals are offered only for lower division or only for upper division units. Upper division is for junior/senior, lower division is for freshman/sophomore. It's going to be hard for you to earn units you're not automatically eligible for (ie, a senior wanting lower div units or a freshman wanting upper div units) if the class gets too many people.</p>

17

<p>Yea, I think that is what's going on with this Sex and the City course. They want weekly attendance (no more then two ECXCUSED absences), weekly papers, a 5 page final paper and class participation. >_<</p>

<p>I just want fun, easy units. =)</p>