Everyone knows that one of the greatest parts about college is taking that random elective where you can just sit, let off some steam and learn just about anything under the sun. But often, finding compelling electives can be a daunting task — which department should you search under? Which teacher should you push for? This week, The Guide sorted through the hundreds of classes on the University Registrar and weeded out some unique and exciting courses for those in need of a fifth class this semester.

Media and American Elections (AMST-388)
What class could be more appropriate for the start of 2008? With the election campaign season well underway already, it would surely benefit everyone to take a step back and examine the role of the media in influencing election outcomes. Associate Professor Diana Owen’s class begins by examining news coverage from a historical standpoint before focusing on present day election coverage, including the ways in which campaign laws shape news coverage and the ways in which campaigns utilize the media to their advantage. “I was inspired to teach the course because of the media environment surrounding the 2008 election,” wrote Owen in an e-mail. “The campaign provides a microcasm within which general trends in media coverage, such as the entertainment focus, speed of information delivery and lack of fact checking, can be examined, and we will certainly cover these issues in the course.” The class concludes by examining new forms of media, including citizen blogs and podcasts and speculating about what the future holds for election coverage.
By the end, Owen hopes “that students will become savvy consumers of election news and that they will come away with an idea of what constitutes quality verus worthless information.”

Theater As Social Change (TPST-225)
Throught history, the theater has often been a powerful indicator of a society, as well as a tool forsocial progress. Karen Berman and Carol Day, the director of Heath Education Services at Georgetown, aim in this class to combine oral histories, modern documentaries and self inspection to teach students to harness the power of acting to make a difference in society. The class works with the community at large to specifically change a problem that affects the local area. It’s perfect for any student with an intrest in social justice and the acting chops to make a statement.

Monks, Nuns, Hermits (HIST-330)
Ever wondered why someone would give up the comforts of everyday life and sequester themselves away in some hidden location-all in the name of God? This history class, taught by Professor Jennifer Paxton, aims to answer that question, as well as examine in depth the chaste and impoverised lives of the various Euopean monastic orders. Relying heavily on primary sources, like letters and books to understand the importance of religious orders and their contributions to society, this class will satisfy the history nerd in all of us.

Opera History (MUSC-330)
From Florence to Vienna, Europe has always been alive with the sound of music. This class takes a jounry through operatic history with focus on the lirical, musical and cultural signifigance of opeara. Of course, there willbe lots of listening to the revered works of Mozart, Wagner and Puccini, among others. A treat for the ears as well as the mind.

Shopping! A World History (HIST-406)
Calling all shop-a-holics! Associate Professor Carol Benedict’s course examines issues of globalization and consumerism from a different perspective. The class aims to answer the question, “When and how did consumer culture go global?” and studies the presumed “McDonaldization” of foreign societies, utilizing a world-historical framework.r Benedict explains “I’m interested in having students think about the historical roots and processes through which our interconnected world came about. Second, I want to interrogate the notion that globalization equals Westernization. That is, I want students to think about the possibility that our current state of being globalized is perhaps a more multi-directional process than is often thought. Sure, Starbucks is everywhere in China — but Coca Cola is now adding Chinese ginseng to its product.”
This class brings M Street to the classroom. Said Benedict“The class is unique because it frames these questions about globalization in a historical way and also because it tries to be as even-handed as possible in treating the history of material culture of in societies and countries. So we look not only at fashion in colonial America but also 19th century China. Or, to take another example, we’ll compare the second-hand clothing market of England in the 18th century with the considerable big business of selling second hand clothing in contemporary Zimbabwe.” Although it is not the most orthodox history option, it is sure to force students to think more deeply about history and the global economy when they make their next purchase.

Sweatshops at Home and Abroad (ANTH-145)
If you’re into hands-on experience, this is the class for you. Largely student-run, Associate Professor Denise Brennan’s course combines the study of global economic forces that lead to the creation of sweatshops. A spring break trip will give students hands-on experience in actual sweatshops, and the class culminates with a collective activist project. Combining history, current events and peace and justic studies, the class is interesting and relevant. For Hoyas looking to make a difference in the world and learn outside the classroom, this course should be at the top of their lists.