Strange Classes you've taken

[fatso]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

No joke.

I highly doubt that this is a world wide thing, I've never heard that let's say German universities offer crap courses like these. I mean maybe they offer them as "short courses" for fun and games separately from the curriculum but I find it highly unlikely that they count these sorry excuses for academic courses towards a respectable degree*.

* if you study stuff like "fine art" for example and mock around with pottery classes and get a paper at the end, I don't consider that as a degree. i consider it a paper proving that you wasted a number of years and a lot of taxpayer dollars fooling around with clay and crayons

lol... ever get the feeling the world would run a lot more smoothly if everyone was just like you?

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by valo403

So what do you call it when someone goes to University for 4 years to read English literature, or study Roman history etc.?

What's a "respectable degree"? Must the end product enable you to enhance the national GDP? Do you need to be able to develop science? I'm honestly astounded by how narrow minded you've just shown yourself to be.

I don't know about German universities, but I do know that there are countless course like this at Universities considered the best in the world. Here's a brief run down for you, seeing as you've just jumped to a conclusion with absolutely no basis I'll do the work for you.

UC Berkley - Ranked number 36 in the world
- Arguing with judge Judy - popular logic in TV
- Simpsons and Philosophy
- The strategy of Starcraft

Johns Hopkins - Ranked 13 in the world
- Mail Order Brides - Understanding the Phillipines in Southeast Asian context

Cornell University - Ivy League School ranked 15th in the world
- Sex, Rugs, Salt, and Coal - Discussing things like "is prostitution the oldest profession" and "why are oriental rugs collectors items"

University of Pennsylvania - Also Ivy League and ranked 11th in the world
- The adultery novel in and out of Russia

University of Wisconsin - Madison - Ranked 55th in the world
- Daytime Serials - Family and Social Roles

Carnegie Mellon - Ranked 21st in the world
- American Golf - Aristocratic pastime or the people's game?

And unless you think this is a North American phenomenon here are a few examples from Europe and Asia.

You can get a MA in Tae Kwon Doe at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, a Doctorate in Ufology at Melbourne University, and a MA in digital games at Liverpool John Moores University. My personal favorite is the course that Staffordshire University offered focused on David Beckham.

Still doubt that it's a worldwide thing?

Well if all of this is true then the world of education (or in the US/Canada at least) is in a terrible shape as far as I am concerned.

However Uni of Melbourne jumped out at me. Doctorate in Ufology? I don't think so:

A researcher who investigated the mysterious world of UFO sightings, ufology and ufologists will be awarded a PhD at the University of Melbourne this week.

Martin Plowman, from the School of Culture and Communication, investigated hundreds of UFO sightings and interviewed dozens of ufologists as part of his PhD thesis.

Mr Plowman will become Dr Plowman next Saturday (August 9) when he is conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Melbourne.

As part of his research Mr Plowman visited key sites in the history of ufology, including Roswell, New Mexico; crop circle hotspots in Wiltshire, England; and the Valley of Elqui in the Chilean Andes, and examined the links between UFO sightings and religion, politics, national security and popular culture.

http://uninews.unimelb.edu.au/view.php?articleID=5319

So no, you cannot really sign up for an Ufology doctorate... It's more like a "today's culture is nuts and I am going to write about it" doctorate...

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Well if all of this is true then the world of education (or in the US/Canada at least) is in a terrible shape as far as I am concerned.

However Uni of Melbourne jumped out at me. Doctorate in Ufology? I don't think so:

A researcher who investigated the mysterious world of UFO sightings, ufology and ufologists will be awarded a PhD at the University of Melbourne this week.

Martin Plowman, from the School of Culture and Communication, investigated hundreds of UFO sightings and interviewed dozens of ufologists as part of his PhD thesis.

Mr Plowman will become Dr Plowman next Saturday (August 9) when he is conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Melbourne.

As part of his research Mr Plowman visited key sites in the history of ufology, including Roswell, New Mexico; crop circle hotspots in Wiltshire, England; and the Valley of Elqui in the Chilean Andes, and examined the links between UFO sightings and religion, politics, national security and popular culture.

http://uninews.unimelb.edu.au/view.php?articleID=5319

So no, you cannot really sign up for an Ufology doctorate... It's more like a "today's culture is nuts and I am going to write about it" doctorate...

Well there you go, you found one inaccuracy. Clearly you win.

Enjoy your dreamworld where courses like this aren't offered at virtually all universities, including the worlds elite institutions.

What about my first question? What does it take to be a "respectable degree"? Apparently arts and social sciences don't count, so what are we limited to here? Engineering? Biology? Chemistry? Commerce?

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by valo403

Well there you go, you found one inaccuracy. Clearly you win.

Enjoy your dreamworld where courses like this aren't offered at virtually all universities, including the worlds elite institutions.

As I said, I checked one example, because it was Melbourne. I don't care enough to check curriculum in Korea or Liverpool. They want to teach about Beckham, more power to them. However it remains my opinion that if indeed they offer such classes, it is a shame and it poorly reflects on the world we live in. It's got nothing to do with my "dream world" thanks for your concerns thought.

Originally Posted by valo403

What about my first question? What does it take to be a "respectable degree"? Apparently arts and social sciences don't count, so what are we limited to here? Engineering? Biology? Chemistry? Commerce?

Yes, engineering, biology, chemistry, commerce all count in my view. Pottery and David Beckham do not, shocking I know.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

As I said, I checked one example, because it was Melbourne. I don't care enough to check curriculum in Korea or Liverpool. They want to teach about Beckham, more power to them. However it remains my opinion that if indeed they offer such classes, it is a shame and it poorly reflects on the world we live in. It's got nothing to do with my "dream world" thanks for your concerns thought.




Yes, engineering, biology, chemistry, commerce all count in my view. Pottery and David Beckham do not, shocking I know.

You do understand that you don't get degrees in pottery and David Beckham right?

My point has never been that these courses are particularly academically challenging, but you also don't seem to be grasping that there is a lot more to academics then math and science. Studies of culture are hugely important to pretty much every industry, if you don't get that I think you might need to up your own education. BTW, nice of you to make an unfounded assumption to start with and then go to the "I don't care enough to check" excuse afterwards, it's very convenient.

The only reason I responded to your post was your assertion that this was a Canadian issue, I've clearly demonstrated that this is not the case. The top schools in the world have courses that are pretty strange on the surface, if they were degree programs I'd agree that they were rather useless. However, these courses are a small subset of forming a rounded degree that is actually viable in the real world. Outside of a very few technical areas an ability to place your knowledge in a wider context is absolutely crucial.

Just so were clear, a reputable university in your world consists of science, math, and what exactly? Is that it?

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by valo403

You do understand that you don't get degrees in pottery and David Beckham right?

My point has never been that these courses are particularly academically challenging, but you also don't seem to be grasping that there is a lot more to academics then math and science. Studies of culture are hugely important to pretty much every industry, if you don't get that I think you might need to up your own education. BTW, nice of you to make an unfounded assumption to start with and then go to the "I don't care enough to check" excuse afterwards, it's very convenient.

The only reason I responded to your post was your assertion that this was a Canadian issue, I've clearly demonstrated that this is not the case. The top schools in the world have courses that are pretty strange on the surface, if they were degree programs I'd agree that they were rather useless. However, these courses are a small subset of forming a rounded degree that is actually viable in the real world. Outside of a very few technical areas an ability to place your knowledge in a wider context is absolutely crucial.

Just so were clear, a reputable university in your world consists of science, math, and what exactly? Is that it?

Whatever dude. You can debate in this manner with yourself for all I care but I am done after reading stuff like this coming from you.

[Bobblehead]

Hmm, I took "Cults of North America". Kind if interesting learning the belief structure of many cults (Hare Krishan, Moonies, Scientology, etc).

"History of Mathematics" - you learned the proofs behind many mathematical questions, for example prove that you cannot "square a circle", or determine the fractions from the repeating number.

Not a whole lot of practical use, but a bit of knowledge about stuff like that isn't all bad.

[bcb]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Yes, engineering, biology, chemistry, commerce all count in my view. Pottery and David Beckham do not, shocking I know.

When I took my Biology degree, after taking all the cognates in inorganic and organic chem, calculus, linear algebra, geology, etc, I was more than happy to broaden my horizons with social science courses that didn't require popping Tylenol after the final exam.

And you know what, I learned stuff I wouldn't have if I'd only stuck to the hard sciences.

PS, regarding that course on the Sopranos, although I didn't take it, I heard somewhere that it's not as easy as everyone assumes.

[chid]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

No joke.

I highly doubt that this is a world wide thing, I've never heard that let's say German universities offer crap courses like these. I mean maybe they offer them as "short courses" for fun and games separately from the curriculum but I find it highly unlikely that they count these sorry excuses for academic courses towards a respectable degree*.

* if you study stuff like "fine art" for example and mock around with pottery classes and get a paper at the end, I don't consider that as a degree. i consider it a paper proving that you wasted a number of years and a lot of taxpayer dollars fooling around with clay and crayons

Quite the ignorant thing to say. All degrees while may not produce a job at the end have value and knowledge that one must learn. Clay and crayons? Really? Perhaps you should take a fine arts class at a university to really understand that it is not a waste of time OR taxpayers dollars. A society doesn't only run on math/science.

[troutman]

Any course can be as challenging or as easy as the prof makes it.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by chid

Quite the ignorant thing to say. All degrees while may not produce a job at the end have value and knowledge that one must learn. Clay and crayons? Really? Perhaps you should take a fine arts class at a university to really understand that it is not a waste of time OR taxpayers dollars. A society doesn't only run on math/science.

Fine, "study" that in a private arts institute and broaden your horizons and enrich the society. But that is not something tax dollars should go into as it is not even remotely "necessary public good."

Not to mention it doesn't belong into the academic world. Soon enough schools will be handing out diplomas and degrees for every nonsense that "enriches the society."

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Fine, "study" that in a private arts institute and broaden your horizons and enrich the society. But that is not something tax dollars should go into as it is not even remotely "necessary public good."

Not to mention it doesn't belong into the academic world. Soon enough schools will be handing out diplomas and degrees for every nonsense that "enriches the society."

I hope they come up with a diploma for taking the stick out of your own ass soon because that would really enrich society.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

I hope they come up with a diploma for taking the stick out of your own ass soon because that would really enrich society.

Over the years here on CP you have proven to be such a giant ###### I don't even know why I bother replying to you...

[fatso]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Over the years here on CP you have proven to be such a giant ###### I don't even know why I bother replying to you...

just to make sure I'm following along...

You came into a fun, light thread and painted the Canadian educational system as in shambles, disparaged whole bodies of knowledge, and effectively called people who pursue those knowledges as time-wasters and drains on taxpayers and society, and valo and GTF are the ######s?

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by fatso

just to make sure I'm following along...

You came into a fun, light thread and painted the Canadian educational system as in shambles, disparaged whole bodies of knowledge, and effectively called people who pursue those knowledges as time-wasters and drains on taxpayers and society, and valo and GTF are the ######s?

Are you for real??

All I said is that taking a class about Judge Judy is a waste of time and waste of tax dollars and it reflects poorly on the education system. I stand by that. The end.

[Boo Radley]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Wow I must admit I am shocked after reading this thread, I mean I've heard a lot of bad things about Canadian education system but I would have never imagined it was this bad.

Quite the statement. I am curious to hear what you have been told.

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

But that is not something tax dollars should go into as it is not even remotely "necessary public good."

Who decides this? You? Me?

I have a degree in Science and am working in the 'field'. However, I feel Academic Institutes are exactly the place for studying fine arts and should be supported publicly. Of course we may not find all courses interesting or useful. It was certainly not for me but I agree with bcb many of these courses provide a different way of looking at things, a change of pace from taking science/math courses and hopefully produce well-rounded, open-minded citizens.

As an aside, there are certainly many publicly funded scientific pursuits that I do not find particularly interesting or useful either.

Edited: Because of my strict program requirements the only course I took that was outside of science was...wait for it...Philosophy of Science. I am still bothered by that course.

Not a strange class by any means but I really enjoyed a Food additives course I took during undergrad. There was me and ~15 female Nutritionists.

Radley

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Whatever dude. You can debate in this manner with yourself for all I care but I am done after reading stuff like this coming from you.

I guess I get a bit riled up when people make outlandish claims without support and then play the "I don't care enough to look it up" card when they get called on it.

[chid]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Fine, "study" that in a private arts institute and broaden your horizons and enrich the society. But that is not something tax dollars should go into as it is not even remotely "necessary public good."

Not to mention it doesn't belong into the academic world. Soon enough schools will be handing out diplomas and degrees for every nonsense that "enriches the society."

Please, define academic world for me. Take a look around you, the public good needs design, colour, entertainment, and enrichment. Great, someone goes to school for chemistry and helps out with cures and medical science. But it is ALSO great on a different level that someone goes to school for fine arts, architecture, literature etc and develops a beautiful piece of art or a magnificent building that creates discussion, awe, and enrichment to society. Each field of "study" at a university helps create a well rounded society. Independent of income of course

[jayswin]

Boo Radley, valo403 and chid, why are you guys still debating with Flame of Liberty? He clearly ended the debate by saying......

Are you for real??

All I said is that taking a class about Judge Judy is a waste of time and waste of tax dollars and it reflects poorly on the education system. I stand by that. The end.

There it is...."the end". The debate is over.

[OilersBaby]

I used to live in Canada until I was 21 years old, and Ive since moved to the US (California). Im now 31. When I lived there, I thought that to be successful I had to go to university and major in Comp Sci, Engineering, Business or Sciences.....but since then, Ive realized that it doesnt major what you major in, as long as you are good at it, you will be successful (and even earn money). For example, my husband majored in Geography. Yes, a BA in Geography. He was great at it, got As and Bs. Well that led him to go to Law School and now he's a Prosecutor at the District Attorneys office. Had he believed that only the things that some consider successful (Comp Sci, Engineering, Sciences, Commerce etc etcc)..he would have majored in one of those, got a crappy GPA and never got admission into law school.

My point is that I think there might be more opportunities than you think there are if you stick to what you are passionate about - even if they are not directly in that field (ie a BA in Geography might not have the jobs)..but then you could pursue other things with it..an MA in Geography would have allowed him to work for the city or state in GIS (Geographical Information Systems) for Canada.

Im prolly going to get some heat for this, but I think that the above statements I made are more true in the USA than Canada..there seems to be more opportunities to succeed in whatever you are good at here, then in Canada..it seems to be more narrower in terms of options. Yes, there are lots of other problems here (such as healthcare), but thats not what this thread is about.

Come to think of it, my whole post was off topic, but I just got thinking after reading some of the above mentioned posts.

So to get back on track, another "strange" class I took was called - "Sport in America". Got to learn all about how sports influence society. Did a paper on hockey and violence.