Catamounts Choose Courses: Fall 2023
It’s that time of the year where one semester is quickly coming to a close, but you already have to think about your classes for the fall. Registration for Fall 2023 Class is from April 18th to 21st so make sure to look at the schedule to see which day you are on. Unsure what to take? We got you covered! Here are our favorite classes that are being offered this upcoming fall semester!
Danielle
HLTH 2600| Racism and Health Disparities (D1)
3 credits; online asynchronous
I am currently taking this class and it is one of my favorite classes. It is a fantastic class to take if you plan on going into the healthcare or public health field, and I would even recommend taking it even if you already have been your D1. It is taught by Professor Alan Maynard and is like a self-guided course to make you reflect and deeply understand and process the content assigned. Each week there are 2-3 assignments that target specific topics such as identity, social location, implicit biases, social determinants of health, and more. Additionally, the book Just Medicine: A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Healthcare by Dayna Bowen Matthew is assigned to discuss how policy, racism, and implicit bias have affected the American Health Care System. Overall, I have found this class to be so informative; and is a great class if you want a deep dive into history and the effects of institutional racism.
ARTS 2600| Digital Art and Ecology
3 credits; in person, Prerequisites: ARTS 1010, ARTS 1100, or ARTS 1400.
This class is so fun for people that love nature, theory, and art! This class is taught by Professor Jaimes Mayhew and explores how digital art can be used to bridge digital media, ecology, and us. There are readings, projects, and critiques for the class and all of the work can be done in the classroom, so this is great for people that can’t do it at home. Additionally, in this class, you experiment with different digital software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Blender, and Adobe Aero! It is a great introduction to the software if you want to try something new. In Addition, Professor Mayhew is very passionate about the topics of conversation and makes the class feel welcoming and easy to participate in discussions. Additionally, they are extremely supportive and want you to be creative with all of the projects and future goals! I highly recommend taking this class if you have completed the basic ARTS requirement and are curious about our place in nature!
Téa
NR 1210 – Speaking and Listening
2 credits ; in person; RSENR students only ; no prerequisites
This was one of my favorite classes my sophomore year. Though I took it to satisfy the RSENR one course in speaking requirement, I would recommend this class to anyone looking to improve their public speaking skills. Oralia Lopez, the professor of this course, is such an understanding, caring professor. This class is structed to allow students to express themselves and their values surrounding the environment through a variety of public speaking assignments. Though the class focuses on environmental topics, most assignments were designed to allow students to express their voices in topics outside of natural resource presentations. Professor Lopez is not one to judge any student based on their opinions or their public speaking abilities. I strongly recommend this course if you are looking for a personal connection to an amazing professor.
NR 1010 – Natural History & Human Ecology
4 credits; in person ; first-year RSENR students only ; no prerequisites
Though this is a required course for RSENR students, I am so glad I had to take it. Walter Poleman and Chris Brooks, the co-professors of this course, are so knowledgeable in ecology and environmental policy. This course made me realize that I wanted to learn more about natural history and ecology, even though I am not super knowledgeable in the science of ecological systems. The course is centered around the intersection of human society and ecology to understand humans’ relationship to landscapes. This class has a lab which, though tedious, was so critical to expanding my knowledge about ecology. If you are not a RSENR student, I guarantee that Walt and Chris would offer an exception to the RSENR students only if you are interested in the course topics.
Emily K
POLS 1300| US Political System
3 credits; in person, no major/minor restrictions
I initially registered for this class to fulfill requirements for both my major and minor, however it became so much more than that. POLS 1300 focuses on the institutions, processes, and problems of American Government while emphasizing civic engagement and education. This class covers American history, law, and current events in an effort to find and build meaningful connections. While the structure is certainly lecture based, conversation and debate were always more than encouraged throughout the semester. This class had obvious benefits for me as someone studying Communications and Political Science but would also greatly benefit anyone interested in how our government works (or doesn’t!).
CDAE 002| World Food, Population, and Development (D2, SU)
3 Credits; in person, no major/minor restrictions
For the largest class at UVM, CDAE 002 has a reputation to uphold which it exceeds with flying colors. I signed up for this class in the spring not entirely knowing what it was about, but it turned out to be one of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve had here at UVM. CDAE 002 covers everything from gender equality in economics to the history of gene altered seeds and truly exposes how interconnected and intersectional our experiences on this earth are. This class is predominantly lecture based but encourages participation both in and out of class between students. No matter what your interests are, I can promise that this is an amazing opportunity for engagement with material explaining and examining the world we share! Take this class to shift your perspective.
Finn
ENGS 031| African-American Fantasy and Science Fiction (D1)
3 Credits; in person, no prerequisites
When I found this course in the directory, I thought it sounded fascinating. It ended up exceeding all the already high expectations I had. For starters the professor, Deborah Noel, is my favorite professor I’ve had. Her passion for literature is infectious and she is a master of constructive criticism that leaves you excited to write more! The quick pace throughout the semester allowed me to look forward to the readings without being burnt out. The way that work is assigned also allows the student to choose how much they commit to the course. So, whether you want to explore some African American Sci-Fi casually or commit yourself to in-depth readings and complex papers this course is a great pick.
FTS 1420| Classical Cinema
3 Credits; in person, no prerequisites
I have always had a passion for film and this class counted towards my English major, so taking it was a no brainer. This course starts at the very beginning of cinema from the first video camera. As the semester progresses you make your way chronologically through the development of the first screwball comedies and noir films. The workload is light, so you don’t need to be a die-hard film buff to get a lot out of this course. Professor Jung does a great job at diving into both the technicalities of cinema and dissecting the narratives and their applications in society. Even if this course was an elective for me, I would have gotten so much out of it.
Emily I
ASCI 1990 | Intro to Exotic Pet Care
3 Credits; in person, no prerequisites
When registering for classes this semester, I was so excited to see Intro to Exotic Pet Care offered as a new animal science elective. As an ASCI major with a particular interest in reptiles/amphibians and rodents, it seemed like this course was made for me! This semester we’ve learned about all kinds of cool pets and how to care for them, including rabbits, ferrets, pigs, amphibians, and my personal favorite, rats. There are no pre-requisites for this course, and it is completely open to non-ASCI majors/minors. I would recommend this course for any animal lover!
GSWS 1500 | Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Study
3 Credits; D2; in person, no prerequisites
Taking Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Study this semester has been so insightful and rewarding. In this course, you will learn about the different waves of the feminist movement and how feminism has evolved over time, as well as prominent figures within the movement. This is a discussion-based class where you get to voice your opinions and learn in an open, non-judgmental environment. I’ve loved reading all the literature for this course and connecting with my classmates and professor throughout this semester. I truly believe it is one of the courses that has taught me the most so far here in my time at UVM. Plus, it fulfills a D2 requirement!
We hope you are inspired on what to take in the fall or some classes that you can take in future semesters! If you have any questions about classes that are right for you, you can set up a meeting with your academic advisor or email a professor about a class that you are interested in to see if it is the right fit for you!
