<p>As I attempt to pull together an academic plan for my college years, I hope to include those topics that will allow for a well-rounded foundation of knowledge/know-how. I am looking for some advice regarding which subjects/topics are most pertinent for a solid base of understanding and exposure. I know I would like to take a course in philosophy, something in psychology, something in comparative religion, a course in film or art history. From experienced CCers, parents, and other academics frequenting the site, I seek some inspiration on what is "essential" to take during college...not for career prep (necessarily) but just for the intellectual benefit. If my request is not clear, let me know, and I will try to be more precise. Otherwise--what is most valuable for every undergrad to take during college?</p>
<p>Just take what you like. I took intro Economics and Statistics because I thought they would “look good” but I hated them. My fiscal views would make Stalin proud and the professor was going on about Trickle Down theory, which is a complete joke in my opinion. My best academic semester I took Studio Art, European Diplomatic History, Witchcraft, Demons and Divination (History Seminar), Middle Ages, and Greek Tragedy. Maybe not “practical” but I enjoyed them and excelled.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. Your support is definitely helpful; my first semester, I attempted to take a variety of classes that were practical. Those that were based purely on practicality are turning out to be very unenjoyable. My only concern is that taking classes purely on interest wouldn’t be good for job prospects…but I guess finding subjects you enjoy could lead to career alternatives that are just a bit off the conventional path (which isn’t a bad thing).</p>
<p>Take sum science classes… at least 1 of each science. And then history of euro and asia. And comp sci, at least basics.</p>
<p>I’m a techie (mathematical engineering / physics), but I take other courses just for the sake of intellectual stimulation.
I took history of modern art last semester (quite interesting, made me understand a lot about 20th century intellectual development and writing a paper on how knowledge of modern art is perceived by society was just… funny) </p>
<p>I loved ethics in science, which I took in my freshman semester (possibly the most stimulating class I ever took, but that was because the prof was awesome and we had really had this cliche-college-students-intellectual-discussions). </p>
<p>I hated Intro to Psych, and withdrew, it wasn’t what I had expected.</p>
<p>Right now I take Religion and Philosophy (middle age-now), which is quite interesting, as several professors discuss the development and influence of philosophical and theological ideas through history and also the influence history had on them.</p>
<p>Next semester I’ll take some class on entrepreneurship, because I think it could be useful no matter what I do after college, and because the professor was recc’d to me.
Also, I’m going to take a class on astrophysics (I just think it’s fascinating, and I want to get a broader view on it. I know a lot about planets and stuff from physics, but it’s not what I’m looking for. ) and possibly on journalism.</p>
<p>In my opinion the most important thing is (if you really want to become a “deep thinker”): Take classes that others recommend!</p>
<p>If you are somewhat interested in aspects of a class, and the teacher is awesome, you’ll learn a lot, and you’ll encouraged to think and research…</p>
<p>Really, think about getting a job after college, and do not delude yourself (of course you can get a job with xxx. But the question is: Will you enjoy it? Are you diligent enough to work in - ? Will you be able to tolerate - ? Don’t you think the process of - is tiring? Do you think you could spend a life - ?)</p>
<p>But do not take classes for the sake that they look good. Take them for the sake of learning something from them…</p>
<p>For me it started with a class in discrete math. I wasn’t too sure about math, but everybody said he was the most funny guy in the world, and they were right.
I sat in the front row and soaked up every bit of knowledge he had. I went to office hours, I read the literature (which were 3 books on the same topic), I bought and worked through several books… At the end of the semester I got a perfect A, but - and that was more important - I had fallen in love with math.</p>
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^^haha! exactly how i felt in economics 101…</p>
<p>i agree that you should take an art history course. since i took “history of western art from the renaissance to the present” last semester, i see things i learned in the class everywhere i look, and i can go to a museum and think more than “that’s pretty…”</p>
<p>For sure economics. Although it’s boring, but it’ll be important later.</p>
<p>I think everyone should be required to take Intro to Psychology. It’s hugely interesting and relevant, and the facts you learn will stay with you forever.</p>
<p>One class that surprised me in how interesting it was is Resources Geology. Theres very little geology involved; it’s 90% resources. Basically it talks about the problems we’re having with things like metals and oil and water and what-not. We also went over alternative energy for a while.</p>
<p>Anyway, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but you will learn a LOT. You’ll also never want to watch the news talk about resources again because what they say is very very stupid.</p>
<p>take anthropology! it’s kind of history and social theory/sociology and biology all rolled into one. There! well rounded. (ok biased because I am an anthropology major, but it really is interesting…)
Ethics is an interesting course, and I am very much enjoying my statistics class this semester (I finally understand what standard deviation means!). I’m sure your college probably requires core classes like math, a science, history of something, foreign lang, etc. but find one of each that interests you AND you’ll be good at. Chemistry is HARD if you aren’t a science person, etc. Don’t take something just because the professor is supposed to be good. If they are good in something you aren’t interested in, it’s not worth your time.</p>
<p>please take economics</p>
<p>intro economics should be required for everyone. Also note, that micro and macro are completely different classes.</p>
<p>Along the lines of business, a Finance class is a must as well!!</p>
<p>My seminar on Jewish history was enthralling. Really makes you understand why Israel must fight hard to exist.</p>
<p>I also think that everyone should take Economics 101 and 102, but those aren’t exactly terribly interesting courses. In a similar line, my Intro to International Relations really gave me a huge new vocabulary to talk about foreign affairs. We also read a lot of important IR thinkers (Clausewitz, Machiavelli, etc.) and that gives some insight as to why we act the way we do in relation to other countries.</p>
<p>I think the best course I took this semester were Intro Psych and Expository Writing. We had a fantastic prof for psych, and expos really helped improve my writing.</p>
<p>note:i am not a college student. yet.</p>
<p>ive heard accounting makes life a lot easier</p>
<p>Take a handful of technical classes. You can read about psychology, history, art, and philosophy with your friends artsy friends. If you take a few technical classes (physics, chemistry, bio, and maybe an intro engineering course) you’ll have the other half of what people learn in college opened up to you. You’ll be able to engage technical people in their own interests instead of requiring that they learn your interests.</p>
<p>yea if you take intro Bio you can totally engage a Bio major in discussion…</p>
<p>i really don’t think you’ll learn everything you’d learn in a survey course of significant philosophical works or a general intro to art history class by talking to “artsy friends.”</p>
<p>I’m assuming the person is going to be a liberal arts major, so they’d already have some sort of exposure to all of those subjects.</p>
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<p>You’d be surprised how much that little info can be expanded on since it’ll help you understand how the field is roughly developed and structured. Science has this great way of building onto itself, so if you learn the fundamentals of a topic you can often get at least some sorts of insights into advanced topics.</p>
<p>And, seriously, I didn’t learn anything extra in my intro philosophy class that I couldn’t have just by reading the readings on my own free time (likely in less time than the course took, too).</p>