<p>In preparation for registering for my first semester of classes in the fall, I was looking through different departments and course listings. It got me wondering: What classes do current Tufts students enjoy the most? And who do most people think are the best profs? So, for any current Tufts students or alumni out there, who have been your favorite professors and why? Same question about classes. And any advice on courses for someone who is leaning Pre-Med/International Relations?</p>
<p>I advice Community Health 1 with Dr. Balbach. Wonderful course, teaches you a lot about public health and policy and very useful for an IR major. There’s a new IR health concentration too, and I think CH 1 fits into that. I would strongly recommend the course. Here’s a syllabus: <a href=“Homepage | Department of Community Health”>Homepage | Department of Community Health;
<p>Take Introduction to Comparative Politics with David Art. If you’re thinking IR, it will satisfy a core requirement for the Regional/Comparative Analysis thematic concentration and the International Economics thematic concentration, and it satisfies an elective requirement for every other concentration in IR.<br>
He’s an absolutely amazing professor, and I found the course extremely interesting. In fact, I’ve been thinking about applying as Professor Art’s teaching assistant for that class for next semester.</p>
<p>hey i’m IR/pre-med too! </p>
<p>does anyone have recommendations/preferences for the required courses in the global health, nutrition, and environment concentration?</p>
<p>hey I thought I was the only one! Does everyone always tell you that you’re absolutely crazy too?</p>
<p>haha yeah i get that a lot too. </p>
<p>i’m actually done with all my pre-med classes, so i probably won’t be taking any science classes and IR classes at the same time :]</p>
<p>IR/pre-med isn’t that unusual, as you don’t have to be a bio major to be pre-med.</p>
<p>Take Intro to Acting if you want to fulfill an arts distribution requirement. I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to take this at first but I have learned so much in this class, especially about my own abilities. This isn’t just for aspiring actors/actresses, but for people who want to discover what they are capable of doing and it’s really geared towards people who haven’t had prior experiences with acting. You will learn a lot about acting in its elemental form, and many of the things that you learn in class can be applied to many different aspects of life (especially communicating!).</p>
<p>Not to mention it’s an easy A.
;-)</p>
<p>any more suggestions?</p>
<p>I actually wouldn’t recommend deciding on an IR major until you take PS61 and see if you are 1) interested in the subject and 2) proficient at the skills used in the discipline.</p>
<p>So for starters,
Take Intro to IR (PS 61) with Greenhill or Eichenberg. Avoid Taliaferro.
Take Econ 5 with Norman–awesome lecturer. Avoid Abdullah.</p>
<p>Greenhill and Norman are both great.
I personally find Eichenberg a little boring. Opinions are split on Taliaferro - a lot of people really like him.</p>
<p>Take some excollege classes. They’re 1) usually on topics that you might not come across in your normal college course catalog, and thus introduce you to new interests 2) usually slightly less work intensive than other courses, 3) a uniquely Tufts offering, 4) actually still open, since registration starts in September, and so all the upperclassmen haven’t taken up all the spots.</p>
<p>Some of my favorite classes have been offered through Excollege, but course offerings vary semester to semester. Check out the website; they have fall 2009 classes and descriptions up.</p>
<p>I disagree with primeminister’s saying that you should “avoid Taliaferro”. I took his class and absolutely loved his way of teaching and everything else about it. As an IR major, I would recommend taking his class.</p>