<p>This question is mostly for current/former students, but anyone who has heard anything on the subject is welcome to contribute. Just out of curiosity, what are Stanford’s incredibly popular classes, the kind that everybody either takes or wishes they could take? The kind that always has a long list of people trying to get in? Bonus points if it is open to freshmen. :****)</p>
<p>There’s a wine-tasting class that’s very popular for obvious reasons, don’t remember the exact name - my friends had to wait it line overnight to register for the class. You have to be 21 though, so it’s only for juniors/seniors.</p>
<p>Some other popular classes are:
Frengen 192E, aka French Porn: you basically watch one French movie per week and analyze it. There’s one midterm and final, both are very easy. This is an easy way to satisfy 2 GER requirements.</p>
<p>Psyc 135 - Sleep and Dreams: A psychology class about sleep. You get bonus points if you fall asleep in class, lol.</p>
<p>Music 8A - Rock, Sex, and Rebellion: The title says it all. It satisfies 2 GER’s and is taught by an amazing prof.</p>
<p>CS105 - Intro to Computers: Disclaimer - I was a TA for this class, so obviously am very biased 
It’s a great way to learn about computer science and get some programming experience, and it satisfies the engineering requirement . You learn how to build a legitimate website via HTML and CSS, along with learning about other fun topics like security, artificial intelligence, and graphics.</p>
<p>Ethicsoc 10 or something was full last night when I tried to register for it on axess. It’s a 1 unit class that has lectures and then a brief discussion on ethical dilemmas in theory and practice. </p>
<p>Some introsems are also really popular, garnering (from what some guy in the introsem department said) a couple hundred applications for a couple dozen spots. </p>
<p>I hear the creative writing classes are really popular. My roommate tells me you have to take PWR 1 first to sign up, although I haven’t confirmed this.</p>
<p>ForeverZero, I’m glad to hear that Intro to Computers is cool, even though you’re biased. I don’t mind the math and science requirements, but that engineering requirement sounds like torture. The Intro to Computers class sounds practical (always good stuff to have a grasp on) and probably kind of fun, too.</p>
<p>Sleep and Dreams is one not to miss. Sounds like it’s being taught twice this year, with Dement splitting the lecturing duties with someone else.</p>
<p>Does the wine-tasting camp-out still happen? As of last spring, we were curious if it would change at all after we tried to extend it to a second night.</p>
<p>Doug Osheroff’s introsem is probably one of the really popular ones. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance for a 15-person class taught by a Nobel laureate, regardless of subject matter? (For those who haven’t heard of this, Osheroff is a low-temperature physicist who teaches an introsem on photography.)</p>
<p>CS106A - Intro to Programming. I think the Professor Mehran Sahami says something like 75% of undergradutes take this class (I’m probably wrong on the number…but its way up there). I highly recommend taking it with Mehran (he teaches in the Autumn).</p>
<p>Mehran is awesome!</p>
<p>Yep, CS106A’s a great class as well. It’s more hardcore than CS105, and definitely has a lot more programming, but you’ll learn a ton and have a lot of fun. It’s the class that got me to major in CS. And I agree that Mehran Sahami is awesome, but so are all the other CS lecturers - Eric Roberts, Julie Zelenski, Jerry Cain, Patrick Young, and Nick Parlante are all amazing teachers.</p>
<p>Classes taught by Prof. Sapolsky (neurobiology, brain and behavior) are said to be amazingly good and hugely popular.</p>
<p>I just thought of a question that applies partly to the original one. For freshman year, what does the class load usually consist of? Does it tend to just be a couple classes like these with the rest being core academic courses (math, history, etc - general education)? This is especially interesting for me since I’ve heard that freshman only take 4 or 5 courses their first year (or quarter). Also (last question), because Stanford is based on the quarter system, how does this factor in? I’m going to assume that these are year-long classes, but maybe I’m wrong?</p>
<p>Social dance is super popular as well. You have to register on Axess as soon as enrollment is open to even have a chance.</p>
<p>shadow1992, classes are quarter-long. Most freshmen do introductory classes in their first year such as Chem 31A or Math 51 and try to chop off some GERs which is why many do a language in freshman year. IHUM and PWR also take up a huge chunk. Fall quarter, freshmen generally take a somewhat light course load and then do about 18 or more units in following quarters. People also try to take a “fun” class every so often such as an athletics class like tennis or swimming, social dance or sleep and dreams.</p>
<p>So with the quarter system we get to take a lot more classes than someone on the semester system (12 terms vs. 8 terms). This is useful since if you’re unsure what you want to major in, you can take a couple classes and see if it’s right for you and if it isn’t you still have a lot more opportunities to decide.</p>
<p>Bumping this :)</p>
<p>drama103- beginning improvisation
humbio 121- critical issues in child health
polisci 137R- justice at home and abroad</p>
<p>Any specific Econ courses you guys would recommend?</p>
<p>Intro CS classes tend to be popular, partly because they’re required by other departments.</p>
<p>CS 103
CS 106A (I’ve heard it’s the most popular course at Stanford–well over 1000 take it each year)
CS 106B
CS 107
CS 109</p>
<p>They’re all great classes.</p>
<p>MS&E 180 - Technology and National Security - taught by fmr. SecDef William J. Perry</p>
<p>Then there’s the course with Condi Rice you have to apply to get into…</p>
<p>
I have almost no prior knowledge of programming, although I would love to learn. Would CS106A be difficult for me with my limited background?</p>
<p>^ I have seen all the CS106A videos on Youtube, and Mehran made it very clear NO programming knowledge is required. He said something along the lines of “if you can tell when a computer is turned on you should be fine”.</p>