Social Science Program? Liberal Arts Program Questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
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<p>From people who have actually taken classes/majored in a social science can you give me an idea of how the program is? I will probably do Social Science as a major and take classes in history, economics, sociology, political science and anthropology (this one I might not as I need 4 concentrations and I might rather take the rest of my electives elsewhere). For my electives, I would like to take some classes in psychology, philosophy, and writing. </p>

<p>How are these classes in general. Pros/Cons? </p>

<p>Did you feel they were challenging enough for you? Also, because 'challenging' is relative, what kind of student are you (AP kid in HS?, academically focused?, middle of the road?, ect.) </p>

<p>How much of the classes are based on memorization/multiple choice? Essays? Were the essays of considerable challenge that caused you to gain a greater appreciation of the subject or just some paper you didn't have to put too much effort into?</p>

<p>How about class discussion? Is is frequent and insightful where people who want to contribute can? Is it an exchange of ideas to further understand concepts and ideas, or is it a high school-like question from prof and 1-3 kids raising their hands to show off their knowledge. Or is a few of the 'geeks' while the rest don't bother. Does the professor encourage discussion or rather spend time on lecturing? </p>

<p>How large are most upper level courses? </p>

<p>How about the intellect of fellow classmates? I'm concerned that what seems to be the stereotype of the the average student at UF that I've gotten from a college review site (drunken, shallow, self-consumed, unsophisticated) might be the make up of my classes. While I understand that intellect and college are FAR more than grades and test scores, I don't feel I would grow academically if I were surrounded by those who didn't challenge themselves academically.</p>

<p>How about compared to FSU? FSU is supposed to have a better Social Science program, indeed a better liberal arts program, but is this the case or is it just the grad schools that get these marks?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/florida-state-university/856882-social-sciences-program-also-liberal-arts-fsu-genera-l.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/florida-state-university/856882-social-sciences-program-also-liberal-arts-fsu-genera-l.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>We have ourselves a ■■■■■ here.</p>

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<p>You are too obviously. He wants too choose between two very good programs, nothing wrong with that.</p>

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<p>No, but thanks for your misguided insult. You missed the fact that he switched this part around:</p>

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<p>It says UF here, and FSU on the FSU board. He just wants to stir up an argument.</p>

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<p>"It says UF here, and FSU on the FSU board. He just wants to stir up an argument. "</p>

<p>Sorry if that was the inferred by my comment. I guess I should just change it to “most state colleges”. Sorry. While I’m aware of the FSU/UF rivalry, I changed the school in each post to reflect some of the student reviews I had read about the school in question. This wasn’t for any bashing. </p>

<p>But aside from that, I’m actually more interested in the academic questions I asked.</p>

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<p>Yeah…no one is going to answer your question when you insult a whole school. </p>

<p>Anyway, I will tell you that (in my classes at least) professors push for discussions. In all of my classes, discussions are a part of the grade. It is more or less a hybrid of discussions/lectures with some days being mostly lecture and vice-versa. </p>

<p>Challenging? Um let’s see. Depends on what you like in my opinion. I love to read. So reading 200-300 pages for my classes this weekend doesn’t bother me. I would say personally it is challenging, but it also depends what you get involved in as well. I was high-middle in high school (if that makes any sense). I was one of those people who did work, but didn’t try my hardest. Well here I am completely different. I learned my lesson in high school and am busting my ass here (as are most people). I would say it is challenging. You’re going to have to put your time in and study your ass off. Especially if you get involved in many different things like I am. I think it depends more on the kind of person you are to be honest. I will say this. My peers definitely push me and have made me a better student. It’s great to see everyone take academics quite serious and want to be successful. </p>

<p>My classmates know their stuff and I would say most of the people here are pretty damn smart and intelligent. The discussions are extremely interesting and fun. I always learn something from a different view point I wouldn’t have thought of on my own.</p>

<p>As for the workload, it really depends on the professor. Two of my classes are 5 papers a piece and one final exam. While the other two are two exams and quizzes, with other things mixed in. </p>

<p>My classes have about 20-30 students, but my major, which is Political Science, is also fairly large. </p>

<p>I hope I answered some of your questions. By the way, just because a lot of us like to have some fun and party in college doesn’t mean we are drunken, shallow, etc. lol. I think most of us just want to have as much fun as we can while balancing it with school; because after undergrad, real life starts (at least that’s how I feel).</p>