<p>I'm going to major in mechanical engineering and I have to take R&C classes.
I have to satisfy both part A and B of R&C.
I'm considering film studies, italian, scandinavian, rhetoric, and german, somewhat in order of preference.
Can anyone who has taken any of these classes tell me how it is and if you can, recommend me one?</p>
<p>From what I've heard from my friends, R&C classes are pretty much a pain no matter which one you take. My boyfriend took rhetoric and he was constantly complaining about how little to do with rhetoric the class was. If you can, find a class with a good professor (ratemyprofessor.com is a place to start) because usually they make the difference despite the core material.</p>
<p>I've heard film is pretty good... but can I recommend L&S R44. It fulfills a breadth as well and I found it pretty interesting.</p>
<p>Rhetoric classes having little to do with rhetoric? Well, perhaps that is because his conception of rhetoric is solely strict Aristotelean rhetoric. But they are great, and many students are happy to take them.</p>
<p>Basically, if there is no info on the prof, go with subject matter/reading list. Take the one that sounds best to you. Many people feel that their R and C classes are a pain, but may enjoy them- mostly those who take something that's interesting to them, not what fits convieniently in their schedule.</p>
<p>do you guys think that rhetoric 1A/B class is more interesting than the English 1A/B class? Is the rhetoric easier than english...because i heard english at Berkeley is TOUGH. By the way, how can you find what the required readings are for each of the classes (i.e. Rhetoric 1 A/B and English 1A/B)? Thanks</p>
<p>Depends on the class/reading list/teacher.</p>
<p>Rhetoric at Berkeley is tough. It's more laid back than English, from what I can tell, but releatively similar with regard to difficulty, and not that much more laid back. </p>
<p>english.berkeley.edu</p>
<p>at first hard to navigate, but you'll get it.</p>
<p>rhetoric.berkeley.edu</p>
<p>Look under "courses." Some may not be finalized.</p>
<p>Ok, this is what I have learned from countless woes of people in the 1A/1B route. DO NOT take the classes at face value for the rest of the Major. They are merely trying to follow a university standard with a poorly strung together theme that ties (and in some cases, not) the course together. Rhetoric and English both are amazing departements at Berkeley (very very highly ranked), but their R&C courses don't really mirror this. Mainly because R&C "is just any English class you took during HS in disguise" (sorry, my friend just said that)... so, don't get your hopes up about an amazing or even very good class. But once you get past the requirement, the real classes are enlightening and you'll actually learn. Just make sure that whatever 1A/1B course you take has a theme you're mildly interested in, not just based on the department. Sorry for the rant, I've just heard sooo many negative woes from my friends who thought "Rhetoric R1B: Confessions" or a comp lit class on the validity of the author would actually be more than a formulated "write the way the prof/GSI wants to hear it" class.</p>
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DO NOT take the classes at face value for the rest of the Major.
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<p>I agree with that. While sometimes the class will give great insight into the major, it is best to assume that it does not, only some insight.</p>
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Just make sure that whatever 1A/1B course you take has a theme you're mildly interested in
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<p>Yes.</p>
<p>Thanks DRab! The sites were really helpful. Im going to be a poli sci major, so i think that the rhetoric course will probably be more helpful to me....Dont you think so?</p>
<p>It depends on a lot of things, but probably more helpful than most. I'd say they're more rigorous than many other departments I've heard about. You might want to check into the history r and c class, perhaps the art history r and c class, or western civ for history/political tinged classes. Some stuff in the rhetoric department is about politics. Most of what I've heard about the rhetoric r and c courses is that they teach people to think and write in a new way. As always, take what interests you.</p>
<p>Thanks DRab! Your advice is much appreciated</p>