Introductory Courses for Humanities Majors
Welcome back to the CC course map. In this edition, we will explore introduction classes for humanities majors. If you’re joining us for the first time, here’s a link for last week's edition: intro to STEM majors.
Tips and Tricks for getting into waitlisted class
Whether you’re new to CC or have been here for a couple of years, you have likely or will likely experience trying to get into a full class. I’m on the lookout for some tips and tricks on what worked for getting into classes, so if you have any more, please reach out to me. For this section, I’m going to include advice from both sides of the classroom — a student and a professor.
Professor
If you’re reaching out to a professor in hopes they will over-enroll the class, make sure it’s polite, professionally written, accurate, and, by god, spell their name right.
There are times when professors cannot over-enroll a class; be aware of that.
Write your email in an appealing FORMAL manner.
Absolutely avoid
Saying something like, “I’m trying to get out of X class it looks like too much work; can I join yours?” Or something along those lines.
“Your class looks cool/fun/easy/chill. Can I join it?” Word choice matters.
TYPOS
Include
Appeal to the professor’s tie to the class, e.g., compliment the class.
Show the instructor that you're a student who wants to be in the class for a specific reason.
Be aware that over-enrolling a class can erode the attention that the professor can give other students.
Extra plus if this is an essential part of your major/minor.
Note: This is advice from what one humanities professor has experienced/heard from colleagues.
Student
Show up early to the class you’re interested in.
Talk to the professor in person instead of over email.
Make a personal relationship with the professor.
Beg and plead as a last resort.
Note: This is just advice that worked for one student
Cultural Anthropology
Similar to most humanities classes, this is a discussion-based course where students delve into the human experience. This course also fulfills a couple of different requirements: Critical Perspectives: Global Cultures or Social Inequality requirement, Critical Learning: AIM requirement, and Critical Learning: SHB requirement.
What is It?
Explore the customs and cultures of people.
Discuss your findings and takeaways from the readings.
What assignments should I expect?
You will write an ethnography of your choosing.
An ethnographic analysis.
Write a short practice ethnography.
You will give a presentation and then lead and moderate a group discussion.
NOTE: All assignments are graded, but your final grade in the class is SELF-GRADED.
Would you recommend taking this class?
Henry Howe, senior computer science major: “I enjoyed this class and the field trips. I don’t remember many particulars, but I would recommend it. Out of my two anthropology classes that I’ve taken, it wasn’t my favorite.”
Obie Kahne, math paraprofessional: “I would not recommend taking this class, but my experience was mostly fine because it wasn’t very hard. The experience wasn’t unpleasant, but this class is a good example of how academia can be a waste of time and resources. It felt like a pyramid scheme by learning about the history of cultural anthropology and the conclusion of cultural anthro was it sensationalized things and made other cultures feel abnormal to those studying it. It didn’t make sense to keep doing it because it was about how cultural anthro was more problematic than helpful, so it felt somewhat useless.”
Tristan Durocher, senior anthropology major: “My experience with this class was that I valued it as an introductory class into anthropology. I thought that the material was really interesting, and the way that the class was structured was super interesting. I liked the readings, and I felt like they gave a good intro to the subject. I didn’t feel like it was too hard or too easy and I thought that the work we did do got us to engage with the communities that we are familiar with. I would recommend that someone take this class.”
Introduction to Poetry
You will familiarize yourself with poetry and explore various forms of prose through texts and practicing writing. You will also learn about the history of poetry and how it has become what it is now. This course fulfills the Critical Learning: AIM requirement.
What is It?
Learn about different figures of speech and methods of reading poetry.
Learning about different styles and tropes in poetry.
What assignments should I expect?
In-class/take-home small writing assignments.
Memorize and recite a piece of poetry.
Close reading assignments.
Two exams.
Would you recommend taking this class?
Eliza Broan, senior English major: “I had to take this class, but it was very different from any other English class because it was more lecture-based and involved learning terms and definitions. I would recommend taking it because culture is somewhat hard to access, and this class gives you opportunities to access previously inaccessible literature. It was harder to have discussions because of how big the class was.”
Cam Burke, junior international political economy major and English minor: “I would recommend taking Intro to Poetry; it’s one of the few English classes that I would recommend to anyone. Knowing how to close read in a new criticism style is extremely applicable to most majors. I also feel like understanding literature is an underrated skill.”
India Adam, senior sociology major: “I would totally recommend taking it. I think it’s a really approachable intro to English class. It’s more focused on poetry structure than writing poetry, which surprised me. I took it with Jared, who was super nice and sarcastic. That being said, I did have COVID during the class.”
United States Politics and Government
How does the government work, and what drives its processes? This class aims to tackle those problems in a discussion-based setting, allowing many students to have their voices and opinions heard. This course also fulfills the Critical Learning: SHB requirement.
What is It?
Learn the basics of how our democracy functions.
Learn about why our government functions the way it does.
What assignments should I expect?
A daily discussion post on the readings.
An analytical paper.
A final exam.
Would you recommend taking this class?
Sean Brown, junior political science major: “I would recommend it. I learned a lot, but there was quite a bit of work, like reading and analyzing readings with discussion questions. All of the class is discussion-based, but it teaches you a lot. The writing is also quite laborious; it’s pretty hard to write a well-worded political argument in such a short time.”
Grant Thompson, junior political science major: “I would recommend taking this class. My experience was a bit different than most because I took AP US gov in high school, the college experience was a little bit different. There’s a lot more engagement in the function of politics than the structure. High school was more about telling you how the government worked while college was more about why people do the things that they do. I felt more engaged than in high school.”
Henry Shenk, senior history-political science major: “I really enjoyed the class. My experience was that if you enjoy learning about where laws come from and the system we’re living under, you will enjoy this class. Politics can often seem confusing and incomprehensible, so it’s always important to understand the democratic processes that make up our government. The class format is composed of a lot of discussion and a couple of debates that are targeted at real-life issues. If you are in the class, you have to take a position and figure out a legal basis for its validity.”
Week Roundup: Should I Take The Class or Not?
Cultural Anthropology: 2 yesses 1 no
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❌
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Intro to Poetry: 3 yesses
✅
✅
✅
United States Politics and Government: 3 yesses
✅
✅
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I’m Theo Cherry, a junior Psychology major at CC. I started this newsletter after witnessing the stress that comes with choosing new classes every year. This newsletter is designed to alleviate some of that stress and provide insight into what other students are saying about your potential classes.