Every time I try to have a conversation with a friend about UNH, talk with classmates in the hallways, scan fellow UNH students on Twitter, pick up a copy of local newspapers or even this very newspaper or my past posts, I cannot help but notice the pessimism cast towards UNH.
Our tuition is too high. Our hockey team never wins the big game. The state is cutting our funding and our budget is plummeting. My favorite bar unexpectedly closed. My professor has an accent. I got another parking ticket. No one talks about me on Like a Little. My advisor is useless. Our dining halls have some weird grudge against salt. I live in Stoke. (Okay, so that last complaint is acceptable.)
I will openly admit I am usually the first one to make complaints, or critique UNH for its shortcomings. I am jerk number one – the instigator of criticisms for UNH – but I usually try to make a point with my opinions. Or, at least I think I do. What I am trying to say is that UNH is not all bad, and when it comes down to it, I'm definitely happy I chose to come here.
I do not want to come off as "holier than thou" or some self-righteous preacher, but look around. Are you receiving a strong education? Have you made great friends who will stand by your side for years to come? And, most importantly, have you had fun along the way? If the answer to any of those questions is "no," then I feel sorry for you, because you are not taking advantage of everything UNH has to offer. The opportunities are there, but it takes an effort from the individual to take the next step.
If you are sitting reading this thinking that I am being way too contradictive of my past writings, I understand. But with those pieces, and I'm sure there will be many more to come, I am simply trying to point out problems that arise and how they affect the student body, but not necessarily make UNH a bad school by any means.
Most of the time I am just trying to reverse the damage done by the Union Leader (and, as of lately, Foster's Daily Democrat) whose sole mission seems to be to destroy UNH in any way, shape or form possible. If one were to read the dozens of front-page editorials and articles in the Union Leader about UNH, one would assume that UNH is a money-wasting, liberal propaganda machine whose only goal is to brainwash students and destroy the world. Because that, my friends, is what public education is all about!
And with that paragraph I can now cross off two more places I'll never work. I'm not saying that one opinion or side of the issue is better than the other, I'm just trying to be fair about it. If they get to print biased pieces towards the school, it's only fair that someone responds.
UNH is a strong, public school with a lot to offer. It has some of the most well-published professors in the country, with a wide variety of majors and fields of study, although with the looming budget cuts some of these may be eliminated. There are dozens of great student activity groups and the campus is one of a kind.
UNH provides great opportunities for students to perform original research, which makes our undergraduate programs that much better. For all the negative attention UNH receives from the local media, this school sure does a great job with the limited resources our state provides. So before you are quick to judge UNH as just an average state school, known for its party atmosphere, take a look around.
I'd like to see our state representatives and Union Leader editors tour UNH before they vote on or write on another issue that could determine the fate of UNH. Who knows, maybe they'll even learn a thing or two.
I'll be the first to admit that UNH is not perfect. It could be a lot worse. Just be thankful you don't wake up every morning and realize that you go to school in Orono, Maine. Like I said, it could be a lot worse.
Stay classy, not UMassy
Showing posts with label 25 Odd College Courses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 25 Odd College Courses. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Interesting College Courses
By: Lady Meow
Editor's note: Although the New Hampshirite did this last year, this is a longer list with different personal reactions.
From Buzzfeed.com (most favorite website EVER)
25 Odd College Courses Yes, some colleges really do offer credits for these.
1. Mail Order Brides: Understanding the Philippines in Southeast Asian Context, Johns Hopkins University
This class is designed to “help explain the stereotyping of Filipino women.”
2. Maple Syrup: The Real Thing, Alfred University
The course description reads, “the method of producing maple syrup is one of the things in our society that has endured even in today's culture of constant change.”
3. Philosophy and Star Trek, Georgetown University
Could there be a better way to learn philosophy?
4. Star Trek and Religion, Indiana University
The course is described as “an introduction to the critical study of religion by way of popular culture.”
5. The Phallus, Occidental College
'Nuff said.
6. Whiteness: The Other Side of Racism, Mount Holyoke College
Professor Sandy Lawrence says this course helps students to “to be aware that while racism disadvantages people of color, it provides benefits to whites. By examining the other side of racism, whiteness, we can see the advantages in education, heath care, and employment that white people continually accrue.”
7. The Horror Film in Context, Bowdoin College
In this course students examine society's fascination with violent horror films. Do asians not get it? Sorry, Godzilla doesn't count.
8. Joy of Garbage, Santa Clara University
Surprisingly this course actually deals with real science, including what causes decomposition and what chemicals give garbage it's nasty odor.
9. The Strategy of StarCraft, University of California Berkeley
Geeks only.
10. Gaga for Gaga: Sex, Gender, and Identity, University of Virginia
I'm so disappointed that this course isn't offered at my University.
11. The Unbearable Whiteness of Barbie, Occidental College
This courses uses Barbie as a focal point for discussions concerning gender, race, and social justice.
12. Alien Sex, University of Rochester
Explores sexual issues pertaining to both humans and non-humans.
13. Elvish: The Language of Lord of the Rings, University of Wisconsin
Spanish, French? Psh…like you'd ever use any of the stuff you learn in those courses.
14. Far Side Entomology, University of Oregon
Yes that's “Far Side” as in the comic strip.
15. Simpsons and Philosophy, University of California Berkeley
Can Nietzsche's rejection of traditional morality justify Bart's bad behavior? Ponder that my friends.
16. The Science of Harry Potter, Frostburg University
A physics course that investigates the “magic” used in Harry Potter. Physics is made up anyways.
17. The Road Movie, Barnard College
An offering in their film studies curriculum.
18. American Golf: Aristocratic Pastime or the People's Game?, Carnegie Mellon
This course attempts to turn the history of golf into “a legitimate academic subject” states The Princeton Review.
19. Arguing with Judge Judy: Popular Logic on TV Judge Shows, University of California Berkeley
Explores the logic behind court based television shows.
20. Underwater Basket Weaving, University of California San Diego
Because every student should know how to weave a basket under water.
21. The Science of Superheroes, University of California Irvine
A physics course using superheroes as examples. The professor states, “It gives me a chance to talk about real science but in a context that is very familiar to the students.”
22. Learning from YouTube, Pitzer College
Getting credit to watch youtube videos is a college student's dream come true.
23. Zombies in Popular Media, Columbia College
I wonder if students learn how to survive a zombie attack.
24. Cyberporn and Society State, University of New York at Buffalo
Students taking this course actually get to watch porn in class.
25. Queer Musicology, UCLA
The LA Times reports that the course will promote discussion about “the idea that if you're gay, then music by gay composers such as Benjamin Britten will sound different to you than it would if you were straight.”
I can't believe college credits are awarded to these people. I wanna know where these kids end up working and what their salary is asap. I would personally like to take The Phallus, then I think about what graduate schools would say looking at my 'A' in it. Why isn't Gaga for GaGa offered here!? Also, since physics is made up problems anyways, I think using Harry Potter as a class for physics is a great idea to get people to like it more. And that's all the thoughts I have because I'm lazy or still recovering from an amazing, successful homecoming, minus that stabbing...
OH LOOK UNDERWATER BASKETWEAVING! ENROLL ME NOW!
Editor's note: Although the New Hampshirite did this last year, this is a longer list with different personal reactions.
From Buzzfeed.com (most favorite website EVER)
25 Odd College Courses Yes, some colleges really do offer credits for these.
1. Mail Order Brides: Understanding the Philippines in Southeast Asian Context, Johns Hopkins University
This class is designed to “help explain the stereotyping of Filipino women.”
2. Maple Syrup: The Real Thing, Alfred University
The course description reads, “the method of producing maple syrup is one of the things in our society that has endured even in today's culture of constant change.”
3. Philosophy and Star Trek, Georgetown University
Could there be a better way to learn philosophy?
4. Star Trek and Religion, Indiana University
The course is described as “an introduction to the critical study of religion by way of popular culture.”
5. The Phallus, Occidental College
'Nuff said.
6. Whiteness: The Other Side of Racism, Mount Holyoke College
Professor Sandy Lawrence says this course helps students to “to be aware that while racism disadvantages people of color, it provides benefits to whites. By examining the other side of racism, whiteness, we can see the advantages in education, heath care, and employment that white people continually accrue.”
7. The Horror Film in Context, Bowdoin College
In this course students examine society's fascination with violent horror films. Do asians not get it? Sorry, Godzilla doesn't count.
8. Joy of Garbage, Santa Clara University
Surprisingly this course actually deals with real science, including what causes decomposition and what chemicals give garbage it's nasty odor.
9. The Strategy of StarCraft, University of California Berkeley
Geeks only.
10. Gaga for Gaga: Sex, Gender, and Identity, University of Virginia
I'm so disappointed that this course isn't offered at my University.
11. The Unbearable Whiteness of Barbie, Occidental College
This courses uses Barbie as a focal point for discussions concerning gender, race, and social justice.
12. Alien Sex, University of Rochester
Explores sexual issues pertaining to both humans and non-humans.
13. Elvish: The Language of Lord of the Rings, University of Wisconsin
Spanish, French? Psh…like you'd ever use any of the stuff you learn in those courses.
14. Far Side Entomology, University of Oregon
Yes that's “Far Side” as in the comic strip.
15. Simpsons and Philosophy, University of California Berkeley
Can Nietzsche's rejection of traditional morality justify Bart's bad behavior? Ponder that my friends.
16. The Science of Harry Potter, Frostburg University
A physics course that investigates the “magic” used in Harry Potter. Physics is made up anyways.
17. The Road Movie, Barnard College
An offering in their film studies curriculum.
18. American Golf: Aristocratic Pastime or the People's Game?, Carnegie Mellon
This course attempts to turn the history of golf into “a legitimate academic subject” states The Princeton Review.
19. Arguing with Judge Judy: Popular Logic on TV Judge Shows, University of California Berkeley
Explores the logic behind court based television shows.
20. Underwater Basket Weaving, University of California San Diego
Because every student should know how to weave a basket under water.
21. The Science of Superheroes, University of California Irvine
A physics course using superheroes as examples. The professor states, “It gives me a chance to talk about real science but in a context that is very familiar to the students.”
22. Learning from YouTube, Pitzer College
Getting credit to watch youtube videos is a college student's dream come true.
23. Zombies in Popular Media, Columbia College
I wonder if students learn how to survive a zombie attack.
24. Cyberporn and Society State, University of New York at Buffalo
Students taking this course actually get to watch porn in class.
25. Queer Musicology, UCLA
The LA Times reports that the course will promote discussion about “the idea that if you're gay, then music by gay composers such as Benjamin Britten will sound different to you than it would if you were straight.”
I can't believe college credits are awarded to these people. I wanna know where these kids end up working and what their salary is asap. I would personally like to take The Phallus, then I think about what graduate schools would say looking at my 'A' in it. Why isn't Gaga for GaGa offered here!? Also, since physics is made up problems anyways, I think using Harry Potter as a class for physics is a great idea to get people to like it more. And that's all the thoughts I have because I'm lazy or still recovering from an amazing, successful homecoming, minus that stabbing...
OH LOOK UNDERWATER BASKETWEAVING! ENROLL ME NOW!
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