Photo courtesy of US News and World Report
Skidmore is notorious for having a wide range of classes that suit the interests of every type of student no matter their major. But, some classes are ones every SkidKid should take. Here are a few must-take classes that encompass so many disciplines, they truly embody “creative thought matters.”
With such an array of different classes, some have been here for years while others are being created every year that we don’t even know about yet. Regardless, this school never fails to disappoint with the amount of courses we can choose from come enrollment time, so jump on the ones you never thought you would take; you might just be surprised.
Sculpture
While an art class at a liberal arts school such as this one may seem daunting, Sculpture 1 is far from that. The big, spacious studio has every gadget and tool under the sun and they’re open for all students enrolled in the class to use. Clay molds, plaster, wood, and foam are only some of the projects that Professor Galt assigns. The class is not only a relaxing break from the academic class after academic class revolution, it is also incredibly carefree to mess around with wire and paint. This class guarantees to be a fun way to spend your days.
Food fights
Given the title, this class is already sure to be one for the books. Professor Jorgensen fills the classes with mouth-watering treats and a field trip to Kru Coffee. This English course is unlike others, where every essay assignment and reading revolves around food. The assignments carry deeper meanings that go beyond how amazing food is, connecting food to real-life problems around the world, such as harassment and food insecurity. This only furthers the intriguing aspect of the class, as food is then looked at in a different way, thus making the class a must-take for all students.
Environmental Concerns in Perspectives
Contrary to popular belief, environmental classes are not just for environmental majors. Environmental Concerns in Perspective (ES100) is a perfect example of this. The class focuses on issues not only surrounding land, but also justice and ethical issues all over the world. In a time when it is needed the most, knowledge of the environment and the issues surrounding it, is something every student should know. The class also puts personal impacts of energy use and carbon emissions into perspective, making each and every student aware of just how much their actions impact the environment. This class is not one to discourage students of the destruction of the environment, but rather show what can be done to help save our home, something everyone should not take for granted.
Human Rights and Development
While the title of the class may be a little deterring due to how broad it is, this class encompasses too many interest areas to count. Focusing on gender studies, environmental studies, and religious studies, to name a few, this class never has a dull day. It focuses on human rights of people all across the world, ranging from the treatment of women, to land ownership, poverty, and food insecurity. The class never focuses on one interest area when talking about certain topics, since issues we face in our everyday lives can be looked at from numerous different perspectives. This class will be sure to give alternative views of the world we live in, and continue to blow minds with just how little we know and how much we have yet to learn.
Introduction to GIS
Ask anyone who has taken this class, and you are sure to get some mixed reviews. While challenging, this class will give you skills you didn’t even know you needed. Geographical Information System (GIS) deals primarily with mapping and looking at satellite images to map out land features and describe changes over periods of times. While that may sound like it is geared towards a specific type of person, the class allows you to successfully map any area of land for any future job that you may cross paths with. This skill is one that is coveted and sought after, so it is best to jump on the enrollment for this class while you can.
Environmental Politics
Whether it be Politics 101 or Environmental Politics, any course focused on how the government works is bound to be interesting. Understanding just what the government does as well as which tactics for getting the public to care about an issue work, politic classes at Skidmore will surely not disappoint. Understanding how to write political papers and finally understand what everyone is talking about in the news is a skill that will not get old, and will definitely be used in everyday life, no matter your major or area of interest. There are too many politics class to count, and too many to take that can fit any major, so you don’t want to miss out on this class.