From banned books to Indigenous fashion, these classes are perfect for students in any faculty
Photo by Sage Blackwell.
It might only be June, but the time to register for fall courses is rapidly approaching — it began on June 8. Stuck on what classes to take? Here are seven electives to check out this fall.
ASTR101: Exploring the Night Sky
Curious about the origins of planets or the dangers of meteorite impacts? Astronomy 101 is an introductory course for non-science students to explore the solar system, from eclipses and climatic cycles to the possibility of alien life. Students will also have the opportunity to use the campus telescopes in the Bob Wright Centre.
ASTR 101 is on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., with two sections running concurrently, one of which is online with some in-person days. Students are also required to register for a lab session, but there are nine options to choose from, so you can fit it around your schedule.
HSTR101A: Ten Days that Shook the World
History 101A introduces students to the field of history through the lens of select key historical moments. The specific events discussed each semester may vary based on the instructor, but previous topics have included the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the fall of Constantinople, the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution, the bombing of Hiroshima, and 9/11.
This fall, HSTR 101A will be offered asynchronously online, making it a great option that won’t clash with your other courses.
SOCI207: Ecology, Society and Global Change
Curious about how we as humans interact with the rest of the natural world? In this 200-level course, students will survey key environmental issues and theories. Looking at socio-ecological relationships, the course has a particular emphasis on power, environmental inequalities, and social justice movements for sustainability on both local and global scales.
SOCI 207 is on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.
ENSH230: Special Topics in Literature, Self, and Society: Banned Books
Since as early as Plato in Ancient Greece, we have been debating issues of literary censorship. This special topics course will survey historical and contemporary iterations of book banning and censorship while reading fiction and non-fiction works by authors like Toni Morrison and Ray Bradbury. According to the course description, ENSH 230 will “critically explore both the assumption that literature is dangerous and that it is essential and good for us.”
For ENSH 230, you must have either fulfilled your Academic Writing Requirement (AWR) or be concurrently enrolled in an AWR course in the fall. The class runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.
HLTH251: Healthy Sexuality
Curious about the role sexuality plays in our existence as humans? In Health 251, students will consider the multifaceted concept of human sexuality and how it is influenced by various biological, cultural, historical, psychological, environmental, and societal contexts.
HLTH 251 is on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
AHVS385A: Indigenous Fashion in the Pacific Northwest
In this Art History & Visual Studies course, students will learn about various aspects of Indigenous fashion, wearable arts, and body adornment from communities right here in the Pacific Northwest. Students may explore topics such as tattoos and piercings, ceremonial attire, and cultural appropriation.
AHVS 385A is offered on Mondays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
SLST450: Cold War on Film
Looking for one last upper-level elective to complete your degree? Slavic Studies 450 combines history and film studies to examine portrayals of the enemy in Soviet and Western films from before, during, and after the Cold War. This course is taught in English, so no knowledge of Russian is required!
The selection may vary each term, but previous films have included Ninotchka, From Russia with Love, Rambo: First Blood, The Hunt for Red October, and Salt.
SLST 450 is once a week on Mondays from 4:30 p.m. to 7:20 p.m.
None of these courses work for you? Try one of these three bonus courses with no prerequisites (or just need your AWR fulfilled)!
- WRIT109: The Writer’s World in Books and Film: Climate Catastrophes
- GNDR230: Environmental Justice and Gender
- RCS323A / ENSH323A: Heavy Metal and Religion
