So it's February, and you still haven't picked your new classes. You spent night after night compiling list after list of classes to shop. You trudged through the snow, albeit only a dusting, from Sever to Emerson to William James to Science Center E and back to Sever three days straight. You're knee-deep in Chick-Fil-A, thanks to quick lunches grabbed at the Greenhouse, and you've seen more syllabi in a week than most people see in a lifetime.
But what if, after your first three days of searching, you have room for an elective and can't find anything you want to take? What's a student in desperate need of a fourth class to do?
What you need is one of the following 11 electives--offerings that are interesting, enjoyable and compatible with three intense reading classes or pre-med pressure-cookers--offerings you might have missed in the more obscure sections of the 788-page Courses of Instruction.
It's English to Me
In the wake of the national debate over whether Ebonics is a language of its own accord or merely a dialect, what class could be more timely than Linguistics 80: "Dialects of English"?
A new offering by language guru and Lecturer on Linguistics Bert R. Vaux, Linguistics 80 is a survey of varieties of ancient and modern English--from Australian to "Valley Girl," Creole to Yiddish English.
The class requires three books: The Language Instinct, Stephen Pinker's bestseller on language called "A brilliant, witty and altogether satisfying book" by the New York Times; "The Story of English," a comprehensive survey of the history of English and a text on dialects.
Vaux will also show films of various dialects and even bring in native speakers. And there are no papers and no exams--just a midterm project on your own dialect and a final project on your own dialect and a final project on a native Bostonian's speaking style.
Linguistics 80 meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 p.m. in Sever 310.
Another World
Unless you're of Slavic descent or adept in Russian, you probably haven't closely examined the Slavic Languages and Literatures section of the course catalog--and you probably don't know about a gem of a Before you ask, no knowledge of Slavic languages is required. The reading is in translation, and the reading is worth reading. The ten books include Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov, a novel about a scroungy Moscow mongrel transformed into a lecherous, vulgar man who spouts the philosophy of Friedrich Engels. The class, taught by John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Humanities Alfred Thomas, examines the social, political and philosophical ramifications of Slavic fiction, and shows several films of related works. Slavic 131 meets Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m. in Sever 101. Students curious about Slavic literature may also want to check out Slavic 231e: "Modern Polish Prose," taught by Visiting Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures Jerzy Jarzebski. Jarzebski, visiting from Jegiellonian University, will discuss Polish fiction and essays from 1939 to the present. Reading of Polish, though desirable, is not required. Slavic 231e meets Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. in Boylston Hall 3A. Go West Few classes offer as diverse a reading list as Afro-American Studies 123z: "American Democracy". You'll read, or at least buy, 14 books connected to "the contemporary meaning of the democratic idea," from Eugene O'Neill's play "The Iceman Cometh," to The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois. Then again, few classes have Professor of Afro-American Studies and Professor of the Philosophy of Religion Cornel West '74 at the helm. West, known for his dynamic lectures, is sure to provide an entertaining and memorable semester. Afro-Am 123z meets Mondays from 2 to 4 p.m. in Austin North at the Law School, just behind the Littauer building. Quark Express Wouldn't it be nice to graduate college knowing something about quantum physics? History of Science 120: "Studies in the History and Philosophy of 20th-Century Physics" is a scientific, philosophical and historical examination of developments in 20th century physics. The class garnered a 4.6 overall rating in the CUE Guide--teacher Peter L. Galison, Mallinckrodt professor of the history of science and of physics, received a 4.8. The reading list features land-marks you'd be proud to have on your bookshelf--Albert Einstein's Relativity, for example. Although the syllabus warns that the course is not easy, there are no prerequisites and sections are divided by math and physics background. Requirements include a midterm, final, section presentation and two short papers. History of Science 120 meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in Science Center B09. Cutting It Up Most people seem to like the eye-bending work of artist M.C. Escher, but have you ever thought your doodles, too, could be Escher-quality? In Visual and Environmental Studies (VES) 176: "Visual Mathematics," students use everything from the latest multi-media software to metal compasses to discover concepts of symmetry and spiral design. The class is taught by Senior Lecturer on Visual and Environmental Studies Arthur L. Loeb, who knew Escher personally. His teaching style is hands-on-students learn by doing, not by memorization. Participation in the class, which was given a 4.7 overall rating in this year's CUE Guide and has no pre-requisites, requires permission of the instructor. VES 176 meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Sever 404. Another elective worth shopping in the VES department is VES 157r: "American Cinema." Taught by Visiting Lecturer on Visual and Environmental Studies Charles Warren, the class is a survey of American films from Charlie Chaplin's silent pictures to the modern works of directors such as Robert Altman. Students will be taught the art of writing film analysis. VES 157r meets once a week, on Tuesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Carpenter Center B04, with screenings on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Around the World Taken Ec 10? Then you're eligible for Economics 1661: "Environmental and Resource Economics and Policy," taught by Kennedy School Associate Professor of Public Policy Robert N. Stavins. Economics 1661 offers a survey of natural resource and environmental protection policies. The course has a reputation for having a low workload, requiring only two problem sets, a midterm and a final exam. Ec 1661 is offered Mondays and Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Kennedy School. Tastes Great What determines the style of the clothes we wear or the art we see in museums? Abbott Lawrence Lawell Professor of Sociology Stanley Lieberson examines current theories and evidence about the social factors that influence tastes in Sociology 150: "The Social Underpinnings of Taste." The eclectic readings include Fred Davis' Fashion, Culture and Identity, featuring interviews with high-pro-file designers. Sociology 150, which requires a midterm, final and research term paper, is held Wednesdays and Fridays, and some Mondays, at 11 a.m. in Harvard Hall 201. Also in the department is Sociology 109: "Schooling and Society," taught by Professor Aage B. Sorensen. How do different school structures and tracking programs affect the education students receive? And what is the impact of race, ethnicity and family on the quality of education? In answering these questions, Sociology 109 requires three papers and assigns six books, including the provocative Learning to Labor: How Working Class Kids Get Working Class Jobs. Sociology 109 is held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. in William James 4. Down to Earth You can get out of your Science A core requirement with Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) 7: "Introduction to Earth Science"--and receive departmental exposure to a world of disasters. From earthquakes to volcanoes, glaciers to erosion, EPS 7 covers the globe. In class, Carl B. Agee, John L. Loeb associate professor of the natural sciences, discusses the age and evolution of the planet, theories of plate tectonics and the history of the Earth's surface. In labs and on a weekend trip, students learn about rock types and the ways geologists work in the field. There are two texts required, Understanding Earth, a colorful soft-cover book replete with photos and diagrams, and a user-friendly Exercises in Physical Geology, which makes use of extensive illustration. Last year, 60 percent of one's grade was determined by two midterm exams, with 25 percent set by the labs and 15 percent by field trip exercises. EPS 7 meets in University Museum 102 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 11 a.m.
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