Hi everyone! I’m an incoming freshman majoring in Comp Sci and I’m wondering what GVPT289O is about. The website does not give a description of the course except to say that it is a “special topic” regarding race and ethnic topics in the Obama era. Is that code for, “We don’t recommend that freshmen take this course?” Would this course be extremely challenging for someone new like me?
“Special topic” per se is not code for “We don’t recommend that freshmen take this course”
It simply means it’s not a course that is offered on a regular basis. Typcially, it’s a topic that an instructor has an interest in and has offered to create a class/teach that topic for an upcoming semester. So, you likely won’t find any reviews or details of that specific class nor will you find grade distribution history nor will you find a test bank (or study guides, etc) and likely no one has taken the class before… Unlike a standard course (such as Calc 3) where there are set learning objectives, this is more of a loosely designed curriculum created for a current topic. When I say loosely designed, that is not code for level of difficulty, as that is determined by the professor. Some special topic courses are easy, some are extremely challenging.
Assuming you understand that 100 level classes are typically taken by freshmen, 200 level by sophomores, 300 by juniors and 400 by seniors…does that mean a freshman should not take a 200 level course? Well, honestly, that depends on the course. In general, the higher level, the more the expectation for work load/challenge of material. Some 200 level classes have prereqs/restrictions, but that is not the case for this class. If you are a strong student and are used to actually doing a lot of work, you may be ok because that class IS a special topic and there are no expected skills needed going in per se…what’s nice is that this particular class knocks off 3 gen eds in one shot!
Understand that freshman year is a transition year and some students are better prepared than others with strong study habits already in place. Even those have to adjust/increase work level up, but it’s just a little faster/easier transition for them. I know of one mommy that complained that her child was “allowed” to take a 200 level class and she was very upset because it was way too challenging and her otherwise genius child couldn’t handle the level of work as a freshman. But hey, some take them and are fine. So, it’s all relative to the individual and the class in question.
Just know yourself and be honest with yourself. If you think you want to give it a shot, you can sign up, go to the class to check out the prof and the syllabus, and decide quickly to drop if need be. Just be prepared with a backup class idea to replace it so your credit load is where it needs to be http://www.umd.edu/catalog/index.cfm/show/content.section/c/27/ss/1586/s/1522
One caution is that the teacher has not taught this level of course before (only 400 -700 so predominantly seniors and grad students so his expectations of ability to do a certain level of work may be skewed one way or other). http://www.ourumd.com/prof/Banks,%20A
Note that these reviews are primarily of 400 level classes http://www.ourumd.com/reviews/Banks,%20A
The thing to consider is your level of interest in the topic. It may be a great class or it could be a snooze.
I know of one mommy that complained that her child was “allowed” to take a 200 level class and she was very upset because it was way too challenging and her otherwise genius child couldn’t handle the level of work as a freshman.
@maryversity This part makes me smile! I swear I can hear your tone of voice.
I’m an incoming freshman and I signed up to take it (meaning the system didn’t shut me out). I honestly don’t see any reason not to if it’s a topic of interest (especially as the Obama and race class might not be around in a couple of years). We get 2 weeks at the beginning of the semester to reschedule if it’s obvious we made any horrible decisions.