OK, so that doesn’t actually make much sense outside my head, but I couldn’t resist.
So, I’m a freshman, I’m technically an English major, but I’m trying to pick a “useful” major as well ’cause I’ve always wanted to major in English for fun, and then something else for serious.
Currently I’m enrolled in English 295, a writing intensive freshman seminar (International Short Fiction By Women Authors), Sociology 200 (kind of on accident/as a space-filler), and intro to Computer Sciences 110 (the section learning python).
As long as I’m indecisively browsing and trying to devise a course of study, what are some classes I should not miss during my time here?
Entries (RSS)
January 16th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
[...] 16, 2008Help a Freshman Out So while perusing UMW blogs I noticed this post. Ann is a freshman and just transferred in from JMU. She is looking for recommendations on what [...]
January 17th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Ann, I saw a link to your post in Shannon’s blog. I don’t know how you’d feel about history courses, but Great Lives is by far the best course I’ve taken in my four years on campus. It’s basically getting credit to attend biographical lectures. Dr. Hudgins American Revolution was pretty entertaining, too. The only English class I’ve taken was Intro to Women’s Studies, but it was one of the more meaningful classes I’ve taken on campus. I think it’s a lot easier for people to talk about specific experiences or subjects, and most of the faculty here is pretty awesome. Good luck and feel free to ask more questions!
January 28th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Perhaps you should think twice about double majoring. I think you need to enjoy studying whatever your major is, not just do it because you think it’s “serious.” If you like English but don’t think it is a “useful” major, talk to the English/linguistics/speech department or to Career Services to find out more about what you can do with it. On the other hand, you can have one major and still take multiple courses in another ‘fun’ subject that you enjoy, without having to double major. (In my opinion that makes the other subject more enjoyable, because you are taking the courses of your choice and because you like them, not because you HAVE TO take them.
As for classes to recommend… try to take classes from a wide variety of subjects, and you’ll learn more about what you like and maybe find some new interests. If you like English, perhaps you’ll enjoy a linguistics class. Although a history major, I’ve always liked English and am thoroughly enjoying my first linguistics class, which I wish I’d taken sooner. And remember, your adviser can help you figure out what you need to fill different kinds of requirements.