Crazy Curriculum: Six Strange College Courses

As centers of great ideas and the free exchange of information, universities are known to offer some unusual courses on obscure subjects. But the following six weird courses might make Mom and Dad wonder if they should keep sending tuition money to Junior:

1. Tightwaddery, or The good life on a dollar a day: Alfred University’s course counters the belief that money can buy happiness. According to the official class description, “On a theoretical level, we will consider how living frugally benefits your mind, your body, your relationships, your community, and the environment. On a practical level, we will examine personal spending habits and sharpen bargain-hunting, rip-off-detecting, and haggling skills.”

2. The American Vacation: At the University of Iowa, you can study “how American families’ varying backgrounds shape their vacation experience.” So, you’ll be expected to analyze and deconstruct your family vacation in Disneyland or the Grand Canyon.

3. Daytime Serials: Family and Social Roles: The University of Wisconsin’s Women Studies Program offers a course on soap operas, both aftertoon and prime time. The class analyzes “what impact these portrayals have on women’s and men’s roles in the family and work place.” After taking this course, you’ll be able to insert the latest episode of “Days of Our Lives” in your next intellectual conversation.

4. Philosophy and Star Trek and Star Trek and Religion: Georgetown University and Indiana University offer classes that boldly go where no course has gone before. The Georgetown professor who is teaching “Philosophy and Star Trek” says, “Star Trek is very philosophical. What better way, then, to learn philosophy, than to watch Star Trek, read philosophy, and hash it all out in class?” I ask you, what better way?” Indiana University’s “Star Trek and Religion” is described as “an introduction to the critical study of religion by way of popular culture,” making it “possible to find [Star Trek] episodes whose themes are hostile to religion.”

5. Campus Culture and Drinking: At Duke University, you can study the social ramifications of three keg parties and pouring beer down your throat through a funnel and tube. This class explores “the societal understandings that motivate and shape undergraduate drinking.” This course probably won’t be too hard pressed to set up any field studies.

6. Learning from YouTube: In this course offered by Pitzer College, you and your classmates will watch YouTube videos and then discuss them. Students are also encouraged to leave comments on the videos in question. Who knew your cousin Louie’s drunken tirade or your off-key rendition of “My Way” could be the subject of academic scrutiny?