<p>Had a question pertaining to course registration at Cal.
With Telebears, are we supposed to register for courses ASAP?
Or just before July 15th to get seats?</p>
<p>Also, how does registration for DeCal courses work - do we do it through telebears? </p>
<p>And does taking DeCal courses - or pass/fail courses for that matter - reflect poorly upon me for grad school/med school apps?</p>
<p>decal classes are fun and have no negative impact on grad school. Actually, you can teach a decal class if you find that you really like a subject and can get a department to sponsor you (not difficult at all to do). You sign up for decal through telebears but the classes usually do not become available until right before the semester starts. Some classes will not even give you a code until you show up the first day of class.</p>
<p>DeCals will also show up on your record as originating from whatever department sponsored the student instructors. On your transcript it will show up as (for example:</p>
<p>POL SCI 198 / DIRECTED GROUP STUDY / 2.0 (Units) / P / PF (Grade Scale)</p>
<p>oh dear... what is a decal class?</p>
<p>Decals are student taught p/f 1-2 unit courses. I've seen topics range from scrabble to star wars.</p>
<p>What the? (10 char)</p>
<p>Win</p>
<p>DeCal</a> : The South Park Decal</p>
<p>South Park DeCal
Facilitators: Andrew Gustafson and Misha Guttentag
Ethnic Studies 98/198</p>
<p>Purpose: To facilitate discussion about South Parks larger relevance to society, and analyze how this unlikely political voice contributes a unique and lighthearted spin on most contemporary discussions and events.</p>
<p>Expectations: Attendance is mandatory. One unexcused absence will result in a warning, the second in a No Pass in the course. In order to excuse an absence you must inform one of the facilitators in writing by midnight the night before class, and it must be approved. This is a very fun course and we hope we can make it so you all want to come to class every week. Participation is also mandatory, as this is a discussion based class, and everyone is required to participate in some way. If you wish to join a class in which you can quietly sit at the back and just turn in the paper assignments, please visit the DeCal website to find a suitable class to meet your needs, as that behavior will earn a NP in this class. </p>
<p>Assignments and Grading: You will be given two papers; one 2 pages and one 3-5 pages on topics to be announced later. The grading breakdown will be as follows:
Participation: 50%
First Paper: 20%
Final Paper: 30%
Participation will be based on how often you raise your hand to add to the discussion and if you do not raise your hand for an entire class, five percentage points are deducted automatically. Final participation grades will be based on facilitator discretion, but based entirely on frequency of participation, not necessarily quality of ideas. Also, you must turn in both papers to pass the class. We want to pass every single person in the class, but ultimately that fact is entirely up to you.</p>
<p>Class Schedule: (subject to change without notice) Each week we will view 2 or 3 episodes of South Park and in issues that may not be universally familiar, background information will be provided to facilitate discussion. There will be discussion questions prepared, and you should come prepared with your own.</p>
<p>Week 1: The early days.
Episode 101: Cartman gets an anal probe.
Ep. 104: Big Gay Als Big Gay Boat Ride.
Q of the week: Did South Park set out to be as topical and relevant as it has become today?</p>
<p>Week 2: America the Beautiful
Ep. 509: Osama Bin Laden has farty pants
Ep. 701: Im a little bit country
Ep. 808: Douche and Turd
Q of the week: Do you feel the political process alienates those it needs most, or is there no other way?</p>
<p>Week 3: Drugs and Alcohol
616: My Future Self and Me
914: Bloody Mary
Q of the week: How does society misrepresent drug and alcohol addiction?</p>
<p>Week 4: Black Racism
Ep. 512: Here Comes the Neighborhood
Ep. 1101: With Apologies to Jessie Jackson
Q of the week: What counts as offensive these days?</p>
<p>Week 5: Religion Part 1: Christians and Catholics and Jews, oh my!
Ep. 608: Red Hot Catholic Love
Ep. 709: Christian Rock Hard
Ep. 803: The Passion of the Jew
Q of the week: How does this country view organized religion?</p>
<p>Week 6: Religion Part 2: Mormans and Cults, same thing?
Ep. 504: Super Best Friends
Ep. 712: All About Mormons
Ep. 912: Trapped in the Closet
Q of the week: Should Mormonism or Scientology be seen as legitimate religions, or just cults?</p>
<p>Week 7: Foreigners: Do we need em?
Ep. 403: Quintuplets 2000
Ep. 806: Goobacks
Q of the week: How does our country treat immigrants?</p>
<p>Week 8: Different People, Different Standards
Ep. 1004: Cartoon Wars Part II
Ep. 401: Cartmans Silly Hate Crime
Q of the week: To what extent should society change its standards for different groups?</p>
<p>Week 9: Stem Cell Research
Ep. 513: Kenny Dies
Ep. 702: Krazy Kripples
Q of the week: Stem Cell Research: The new Human Genome Project?</p>
<p>Week 10: Censorship and Gays in School
Ep. 502: It hits the fan
Ep. 614: The Death Camp of Tolerance
Q of the week: What should people be allowed to say?</p>
<p>Week 11: Global Warming
Ep. 1006: Manbearpig
Ep. 1002: Smug Alert!
Special: VH1 Goes Inside: South Park
Q of the week: How is South Parks voice unique in the discussion about this event?</p>
<p>Other episodes we hope to get to: 407: Cherokee Hair Tampons, 707: Red Mans Greed, 610: Bebes Boobs Destroy Society, 611: Child Abduction is Not Funny, 809: Something Wal-Mart This Way Comes, 812: Stupid Spoiled Whore Video Playset.</p>
<p>Reading: As South Park is a television show, the majority of the material needed will be found in the episodes. However, each week we might email the class articles or excerpts pertaining to the weeks topics. We expect you to familiarize yourself with the issues prior to attending class to help you participate in informed discussion.</p>
<p>Final Notes: Most of the topics covered in this class are controversial and even offensive to at least one group of people. Therefore, in order to facilitate healthy and productive discussion, no rudeness or intolerance of other peoples ideas will be tolerated, and everyone must enter each class with an open mind and an open mouth. Were not trying to avoid conflict, just violent conflict. This class is going to be a lot of fun, but just remember to have respect for your fellow students, and keep an open mind.</p>
<p>I only wish I had been able to get into the South Park DeCal... Too many applicants... I took a Greek Dance and Culture one though, I liked it (and now I won't look so awkward at Greek weddings and festivals - just everywhere else) :)</p>