Whether you're enrolled in the School of Management, the Watson School of Engineering, the Decker School of Nursing or Harpur, every student is allowed to take classes unrelated to their major. Every major track has its list of core classes that you must finish in order to graduate, but given the opportunity, you might want to consider trying something different. And who knows? This uncharted territory may be a road you'll walk on in the future. Here are the five classes you must take at Binghamton.
1. Mathematics in Action
If you struggled in your high school math classes and are looking for something to satisfy your "M" Gen Ed, Math in Action is the course for you. In this class, you will learn how to count votes and cut cakes proportionally, while working with numbers that will occasionally be greater than 12. You may think that Statistics and Calculus are stronger alternatives due to high school familiarity, but if those classes aren't required, do yourself a favor and take this piece of cake.
2. Introduction to Theater with Kevin Oakes
Theater 102 is a class unlike any other. This is not due to the material per se but because of the professor. Kevin Oakes is a character. There was never a class period I didn't feel as educated and entertained. His teaching methods are rather peculiar when he lectures on top of our desks, and a lot of his stories seem like total bullshit. However, at the end of the day, the class itself is bucket list worthy.
3. Pop, Rock, and Soul
Pop, Rock, and Soul is known for being one of the easy A classes you can take at Bing. The class requires a lot of listening preparation before each quiz and exam, but if you put the time in, you should be alright. Most people won't have trouble distinguishing Muddy Waters from Britney Spears. If you do, chances are, you should probably take some time off and get acquainted with Spotify.
4. Cinema 121
Although I only attended this class twice, they were the greatest two days of my life. The class itself was very intricate, and we were asked to explore films through a much finer lens. If you're a movie fanatic, this is the class for you. The movies range from "There Will Be Blood" to "The Godfather." Unfortunately for me, a spot in an Econ class opened up that conflicted with Cinema 121's time slot, and it was an offer I couldn't refuse. From my friends who have taken this course, I have only heard good things.
5. Organic Chemistry
Don't take it.
There are hundreds of classes offered at Binghamton University. As you progress through your college experience, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and take as many interesting classes as your major permits. Tell me your most interesting course in the comment section below. Thanks for tuning in with me this week. Keep calm and continue to chill nicely.