By Caroline Dehn, AEIC
As someone who has changed their major maybe one too many times, I am an advocate for taking elective classes outside of your field of study to broaden your horizons and maybe find a new passion along the way. For STEM majors, I highly recommend taking a random liberal arts course, for those in the social sciences, maybe take a business class. There are too many options to miss out on trying something new during your four years at GW. Taking a random elective my freshman year resulted in changing my major, and also realizing the career path I truly want to take. I will provide a disclaimer and say that my knowledge is limited to classes in the Columbian College, however, this applies to taking classes in all of the schools here at GW. Here is a list of some great classes that will hopefully inspire you to try something new!
Intro to Creative Writing (ENGL 1210)
I truly cannot recommend GW creative writing classes more, but I will start by boosting the intro class that gives you a sneak peek into a bunch of different writing forms. If you aren’t sure if you would like poetry, fiction, or drama writing more, this class will provide you insight into them all. Professors Jung Yun, Thea Brown, and Emily Holland among others, are great instructors in the craft, and actively work to bring positive energy to the classroom.
Philosophy of Race and Gender (PHIL 2125)
If you are interested in furthering your work in anti-racism, supporting LGBTQIA+ communities, and digging into the social justice issues that we face in today’s world, this course is perfect for you. This class provides eye-opening readings, collaborative projects, and incredibly important conversations about the intersections of marginalized identities. The course combines topics in philosophy, sociology, media, and law to create a very fulfilling learning experience. Professor Megan Davis is super knowledgeable and she is dedicated to creating a safe classroom environment for discussion to thrive.
Sociology of Law (SOC 2167)
For any students interested in politics, sociology, or thinking of applying to law school, this class was one of my favorites at GW. Professor Fran Buntman is extremely knowledgeable and charismatic, showing you how exciting the course content can be. While this class does require a slightly heavier amount of reading, I can assure you that the reading is applicable outside of class, gives you a greater understanding of how the legal system was built, and how it is actively working in the United States.
Creative Nonfiction (ENGL 3395)
As I previously stated, I will always sing the praises of the GW Creative Writing program. I took Creative Nonfiction as an advanced elective for my major and I genuinely walked out of the classroom a changed person. Writing about your personal life is a vulnerable experience, but Professor Annie Liontas created a warm and constructive environment for us all to share our lives. This class is designed to be smaller to create the coveted collaborative climate. Course readings range from excerpts from President Obama’s memoir, to Toni Morrison, to the story of Caroline Calloway.
Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 2011)
Our generation has fortunately become much more comfortable in discussing mental health and treatments for mental disorders. Taking Abnormal Psychology was helpful in gaining a deeper understanding of common disorders, especially as many college students struggle with mental health. While Professor Alison Kramer-Kuhn lectured herself, the class was also heavily reliant on small group discussions which helped deepen our understanding of the class content.
I am a firm believer that we should always look to broaden our knowledge of all different subjects and what better way to accomplish that goal than taking a random elective class! Being a well-rounded student is so important as we graduate and enter the professional workforce for the first time. Who knows– maybe you’ll leave a random elective class with a new major or minor!
