This could be your first or second to last semester in college, but needing a break of some kind is totally understandable. You could be just six credits away from graduating in May, or desperately seeking a GPA-booster. Either way, if you’re looking to lessen your workload or indulge in an interesting subject, consider some of these student-recommended courses when you’re making your decisions.
Introduction to Sociology (SYG 2000) | Classroom
This course isn’t just for social science majors. The material is applicable to everyday life and covers a range of interesting topics # human interaction, religion, drugs, race and ethnicity, sexuality, social theory and more. The class is easy-going, and attendance is suggested, because the instructor will go more in detail than the Power Points. While participation isn’t mandatory, you’ll find yourself wanting to voice your opinions anyway. Quizzes are mostly unannounced, but you can sort of gauge when they’ll be given based on where the last lecture ended. The instructor goes over the study guides, which are basically what you’re test will look like. Pay attention, take some notes and you’ll get an A.
Health for Life (EDG 4909) | Classroom
Taught by the Wellness Center’s health educator, this course offers real-world knowledge that will stick with you. The course covers an array of topics, such as mental health, chronic diseases, sexual health, finances and several more. Each class includes some type of interactive activity. Learn how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and how to make positive personal decisions. Students this semester had the opportunity to go to Publix and talk with a registered dietician, and were educated on how to make healthy choices.
Literature in Childhood Education (LAE 4414) | Online
At first glance, there’s a bit of work to do. But it’s all very straight forward and seems to just be graded based on understanding and completeness. There are three kinds of activities and one quiz per chapter, and a chunk of work is due every month. You get to do which discussion posts you want to do, and there’s one project, but you can easily finish it in just a couple days if you’re familiar with some of the books you read as a child # the Harry Potter series and Twilight saga count. This course is procrastinator-friendly, and interesting to learn that there’s much more to children’s’ literature than you might have thought.
Cultural Anthropology (ANT 2410) | Classroom
The study of human behavior and social organization sounds complicated, but it can be really fascinating. For one semester, you get to see the world from multiple perspectives and learn about other peoples’ cultures. Depending on which professor you take it with, class functions will vary, but it’s an interesting course and a great way to fulfill your ALAMEA requirement as well. This class can apply to particularly the social sciences and education majors, but everyone really.
Leadership in Great Outdoors (AMS 6934) | Classroom
Although only a few seats to fill, this course has been recommended by several students who only give positive feedback. The course is taught in a classroom, but there’s also a three day, two night canoe trip.
Introduction to Visual Communications (VIC 3001) | Classroom
This course has been recommended by several students. It deals with looking at visual communication seen every day in newspapers, television, film, magazines and other forms of media. Quiz questions are mostly taken from class PowerPoints, which are pretty straightforward. Assignments are easy to follow, and there is no final. There are a couple prerequisites, but nothing a Mass Communications, Psychology, or other related majors might not have already taken.
Introduction to World Religions (REL 2300) | Classroom
Taking this course is a great way to expand your knowledge of beliefs other than your own. You’ll start by learning about ancient practices, move onto some of the oldest established religions like Hinduism and Judaism and end with newly formed beliefs such as Scientology, Rastafari and Wicca. The PowerPoints are very clear and shown in class and offered online, and assignments are straightforward and minimal. If you complete the study guide, tests will be fairly easy. The professor’s lectures and storytelling will make the class really exciting. Plus, it’s worth four credits.
Introduction to Islam (REL 3363) | Online
While this course does require a bit of reading, it’s only because it’s offered online, so there are no lectures. However, students always recommend this course to anybody seeking an interesting topic and the convenience of an online learning. It’s taught by the same professor who teaches Introduction to World Religions, so the test style is similar if you’ve taken a class with him before. Assignments are easy if you know your study, and there’s only one research paper at the very end of the semester on a topic of your choice. So if reading isn’t really an issue for you, go for it. It even meets upper-level course requirements.
Information gathered from USFSP’s 2014-2015 course catalog.
