<p>I figured we ought to have a thread where we could post about great classes we've had. Could be useful both for current students and incoming students. I'll start.</p>
<p>PHIL140 - Contemporary Moral Issues
This class is really awesome, actually. I took a philosophy course in high school and absolutely hated it, but this is nothing like it. You spend maybe one or two classes talking about some of the great philosophers and their positions on moral theory but other than that, the class just touches on great debates of our current times. Abortion, war, drugs, etc. It's REALLY interesting, it's not super hard (although some of the reading can be long) and the discussion sections are great if you like to argue. It satisfies the Humanities (HO) CORE requirement. Definitely take it if you're interested in this sort of thing (again, you don't necessarily have to be interested in philosophy).</p>
<p>ENGL241 - Introduction to the Novel
Satisfies the HL CORE requirement. Really interesting class that focuses on six or seven classic English, British, and African novels (only one of them is African). The professor discusses a lot about the historical context of the novels and sexuality and sexual repression in the novels. The books (excluding Jane Eyre) are all very short, ranging from 50-200 pages and you don’t have to have the book read by the first day of that book’s lecture to understand what the professor is talking about (though he recommends it). Discussions are very laid back with short 5 point quizzes on the books and then a very interesting discussion following up on the professors points. I have Dr. Auchard and he is amazing (I’m not sure if he is the only professor for the class). Books include Jane Eyre, The Great Gatsby, The Turn of the Screw, Mrs. Dalloway, The Concubine, Daisy Miller, and The Sun Also Rises.</p>
<p>These are a few that my S enjoyed. Sorry I can’t be more specific about the reading lists. I know that these classes were particularly memorable with excellent profs.</p>
<p>Novels and Who we Are: with Sibbie O’Sullivan
Spiritual Heritage of the Human Race: with Suheil Bushrui
From Hair to Hairspray: American Contemporary Musical Theatre: (forgot the teacher, but there’s only one).
Intermediate Macro Econ: with Sanjay Chugh
Intro Macro Econ: with John Shea
African Drumming: with Mahiri Keita</p>
<p>He also feels that the minor in International Development and Conflict Management has been challenging with truly excellent instruction.</p>
<p>I was considering taking ENGL240, but it didn’t jive with my schedule. Oh yeah, and my current professor for PHIL140 is Leland Saunders. Great guy.</p>
<p>CCJS100: It’s a bit boring at times, and interesting at other times, but Dr. Arnett Gaston is a very good teacher, very funny too! It’s an easy course to knock out the SB requirement, and one of the assignments (gotta go visit a court to observe a criminal proceeding) is pretty fun. I hear the Honors version is even better because Dr. Gaston himself is the leader of the discussion section, so take that if you’re eligible.</p>
<p>URSP100: I’ve got it with Bill Hanna, who’s a very nice and funny old man. The course feels a bit disjointed at times but if you’re into urban planning, you’ll find it interesting. This also satisfies the SB requirement.</p>
<p>If you’re in the Honors Program, HONR238D: Contemporary American Musicals, From Hair to Hairspray is awesome. It’s taught by Dr. Korey Rothman. Your homework is watching musicals, and sometimes doing some readings, which can range from short to longer (20 page) articles. Then you have short quizzes on them, and if you watched/read, you’ll do fine. One time in the semester you and a partner will have to present on a musical and you’ll have a short paper to do on it. Then there’s a group project where you and 3 others come up with an idea for a musical (either original or based on something existing), and you present your idea for it and how it can be accomplished. You also go as a class to see a musical in D.C. at one point and you have to do a short reaction paper. </p>
<p>The class discussions are great, the professor is awesome, and there’s plenty of chances for extra credit. If you dressed up as a character from a musical for the closest class to Halloween you got extra credit. Some of the musicals in the class are Rent, Evita, Cats, Oklahoma, Spring Awakening, and of course Hair and Hairspray.</p>
<p>Euroazn, Our S is really enjoying the class below, good for left-brainers. </p>
<p>MATH498H Selected Topics in Mathematics: Introduction to Fractal Geometry and Dynamical Systems; (3 credits) Grade Method: REG.
Prerequisite: MATH141, and {MATH240 or MATH461}. Also offered as MATH498P. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: MATH498H or MATH498P.</p>
<p>Well, I’m taking MATH113 with Professor Franklin right now. The course is nothing special (pre-calc) but Prof Franklin is very good, I like her teaching style. So if she teaches other math courses, consider taking hers.</p>
<p>I’m taking PLSC101 (Crop Science) this semester and it is by far the best class I’ve taken at UMD. I knew nothing about plants or crops and this class really was refreshing and I’m learning a lot. The Professor, Dr. Glenn is one of the nicest people and he’s a great lecturer. I really recommend this class as an elective, or if you need to get the Lab Science Core out of the way. Even the labs are fun!</p>
<p>Another class that is superb is GEOG130 (Developing Countries). I learned so much about countries I didn’t know about. I learned so much about their cultures, customs and and also the issues that developing countries are facing. Professor Luna is a really cool guy and really wants his students to do well. Definitely consider taking it!</p>
<p>ANTH220 Introduction to Biological Anthropology
Pretty much the easiest class for LL and D. Dr. Leslie is really chill and doesn’t like to really lecture students, she usually speaks to us in a chill environment. Labs are pretty easy as well, may be a little tough sometimes, but not unbearable. One lab required us to go to the zoo, so that was pretty cool. She always posts lectures on blackboard so its not really required you go to lecture, but it is important to go cause she tells you what info is going to be on the exams. Exams are a joke, if you dont get an A or a B then thats very strange. The second exam was a little tough but for the most part there is no reason you should not get an A</p>
<p>yup totally took that class into account!! It’s just that I’m looking for core that will not stress be out too much, because I am taking some really hard classes next semester. And reading is not my strong point! But, maybe another semester I will consider PHIL140, just not now. Thanks for the advice, though!</p>
It’s just that I’m looking for core that will not stress be out too much, because I am taking some really hard classes next semester. And reading is not my strong point! But, maybe another semester I will consider PHIL140, just not now. Thanks for the advice, though!</p>