If you follow us on Instagram, then you might have seen our post a few weeks back about the college barbecue class being offered this summer at the University of Alabama. Yes, you heard it right. Communication students can actually earn credits while they travel around Alabama and Memphis trying out some of the south’s best baby back ribs.
But University of Alabama isn’t the only school to get creative with their course offerings. Over the years, classes like Stupidity, Emoji Worlds and Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame have received a lot of press for their innovative approaches to teaching critical writing and research skills.
So in the spirit of barbecue, pop stars, and originality, we decided to take a deeper look this week into some of the country’s newest and coolest college course offerings. We’ll also uncover some of the more obscure classes that never quite went viral but should also be celebrated for their quirkiness!
If you haven’t tried the Penn State Berkey Creamery, you are totally missing out!!
Ice Cream Short Course (Penn State University)
While Alabama might have cornered the market on college barbecue, Penn State is infamous for their ICE CREAM! For over 100 years, the university has offered an ice cream short course, affectionately referred to as “Cow to Cone.” Every January, students and industry professionals from all over the world flock to Penn State for a week of intensive workshops and laboratory research. We have no doubt that this sweet class will continue to be a favorite as future generations explore the secrets of delicious frozen treats.
Choreography: Hot Mess & Deliberate Failure as Practice (Stanford University)
If you have two left feet, you’ll be sure to ace DANCE123 at Stanford University. “Hot Mess & Deliberate Failure as Practice” is designed to help students embrace their inner awkwardness as they study “bad” dancing. The course boasts of assignments that are “literally impossible to execute in any good way,” so there’s no need for stage fright here. Instead, students are encouraged to “celebrate destabilization, with all the exuberance, fear, and learning that can happen when we accept and practice being lost.” Now there’s a technique we can all master!
New Orleans Cities of the Dead: Cemetery Architecture and Its Cultural Legacy (Tulane University)
Tulane University might win the award for most creative (and creepiest) field trip! First year students who sign up for “New Orleans Cities of the Dead,” a class offered as part of the Interdisciplinary Experiences Seminars (TIDES), actually tour local cemeteries. No, this isn’t a walking dead exercise. The course aims to teach freshmen about New Orleans history, art, and culture through the lens of its infamous above-ground tombs and rich folkways. This might not be a traditional city tour, but we think it’s a pretty cool way to introduce undergrads to the ‘spirit’ of New Orleans!
Kanye vs. Ye: Genius By Design (Concordia University)
This new course set to run this coming fall at Concordia University went viral on Twitter just over a month ago. The result? The class filled up all 200 spaces in just under 24 hours! Canadian undergrads are eager to study with Prof. Yassin Alsalam, a rapper and fine arts researcher, who is infamous for his passion for media studies. There are already debates stirring online about the class and its controversial celebrity. However, Prof. Alsalam insists he is more interested in studying Kanye as a reflection of hip hop culture, race, and creative industries. We’re guessing we won’t be seeing Kim Kardashian on the syllabus.
Dinosaur Science (University of Chicago)
At the University of Chicago, undergrads have been digging into the past–literally–all thanks to Prof. Paul Sereno. Not only is Sereno a world -renowned expert on dinosaurs, but he’s one popular teacher in Chicago. Students have flocked to his “Dinosaur Science” class for years to learn the basics of geology, biology, and, of course, dinosaur history. But this isn’t your typical science lecture or lab. Participants haven taken part in an expedition in Wyoming. No Jurassic Park rides here, but there’s a real life dig—and the possibility of discovering new fossils.
Circus Activities (Florida State University)
At Florida State University, you can run away and join the circus. Well, maybe not the real circus, but in this one-credit PE course, students master their juggling and trapeze techniques. For undergrads who want to clown around, this is a fun alternative to the more traditional weight lifting and aerobics class options.
Semester-A-Trail (Emory and Henry College)
If you’re looking for more intensive workout than circus acts, head to Emory and Henry College. Their unique Semester-A-Trail program offers students the chance to hike the Appalachian trail. But you don’t have to be an expert outdoor adventurer to sign up. Participants take part in plenty of workshops and training to prepare for their semester, from blister care to navigation to food and nutrition. Along the actual trail, there are independent study projects and once-in-a-lifetime life lessons. Students are sure to return fitter and more confident than ever!
Is Dartmouth a Religion? (Dartmouth University)
That’s the question posed to freshmen in the first- year seminar course “Is Dartmouth a Religion?” The concept is borrowed from Stanford University, who first challenged students in a similar class to think about the definition of religion and sacred spaces. While this class might not be as lighthearted as bad dancing or barbecue, it definitely stretches undergrads to think about the sanctity of college and campus culture.
It’s Never Aliens: Understanding Astronomy in the News (Oberlin College)
Whether it’s an unidentified flying object or life on Mars, the media can make big headlines out of astronomical events. But what’s the real science and truth behind the hype? That’s exactly what first year students at Oberlin College will explore in this upcoming seminar. With its mix of media studies, science, and critical research and writing, we think this is an out-of-this world idea to help freshmen develop the skills they need for college.
History of Modern Board Games (Indiana University, Bloomington)
It’s all fun and games at Indiana University. In History of Modern Board Games, students examine the history of board games; shifts and trends over the past forty years; and the mechanics of taking a game from concept to production. Of course this class wouldn’t be complete without a bit of game design, which is part of the final project. We’re guessing that by the end of this class, students will have a monopoly on the tricks of the game board trade.