By Izabela Zaluska and Emily Delgado
Curious about how video games relate to identity or want to better understand genetic disorders? Or maybe you’re interested in sustainability and want to see how it can be applied to your major.
Whatever your interests are, there’s likely a general education course offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences that fits what you’re looking for.
General education courses go beyond academics and allow you to get out of your comfort zone. It’s a way for you to explore different areas of study and uncover interests outside of your major.
The CLAS Core curriculum is designed to give you the skills needed to succeed after graduation, including thinking in new ways, interpreting information, communicating ideas, problem-solving, and working with all types of people to generate ideas.
As you prepare for registration, explore courses that fit your interests or consider trying something new. As you think about what to take, learn about these four general education courses offered in the college and find out what students thought about their experience.
Explore video games and identity
One of the reasons Chris Goetz, associate professor in the Department of Cinematic Arts, enjoys teaching his general education course CINE 1195: Video Games and Identity is because “my students teach me as much as I teach them.”
Video Games and Identity introduces students to fundamental concepts in game studies with particular emphasis on how these concepts relate to the identity of those who play, Goetz said. Students learn about and participate in these conversations while playing games together as a class.
“Learning to critically engage with interactive media is a crucial learning outcome for this course, but the human need for genuine connection and friendship is even more important,” Goetz said. “That's what's so powerful about games to begin with.”
In course evaluation comments, students said this was their “favorite course of the semester” and it helped them see certain aspects of video games in a different light.
“I never thought to think critically about (video games) until taking this class,” one student said.
Goetz said general education courses are exciting because students choose them based on interest rather than the degree they’re pursuing. If students have a good experience in their general education course, it can help reinforce the benefits of lifelong learning.
“General education courses remain the place where students can explore an unexpected offshoot, where there still exists the potential to discover something that changes how they see the world and how they see themselves,” Goetz said.
Understand genetic disorders
John Manak, professor in the Department of Biology, wanted to develop a course that “demystified the genetics of genetic disorders especially to students with limited or no background in biology.”
This is the focus of BIOL:2120 Good Genes Gone Bad – Genetic Disorders of Notable Celebrities. Manak teaches students basic genetics, human disease genetics, and the relevant developmental biology in order to underscore what goes wrong in a particular genetic disorder. He also shows students videos of famous individuals with genetic disorders talking about their disorder.
During the semester, Manak invites several guest speakers who live with genetic disorders to discuss their experience with the students. This is his favorite part of teaching the course as it allows students to have honest and revealing discussions with the guests.
“This part of the course encourages dialogue between two groups of individuals that likely would not engage in conversation in a real-world situation,” Manak said. “Hopefully, this course can help change that and make students become more supportive and compassionate towards the disability community.”
General education courses encourage students from all academic backgrounds to work together, Manak said.
Students who have previously taken this course said they enjoyed Manak’s teaching style and passion, how engaging the course material was, and how it was one of their favorite sciences classes.
“It is wonderfully refreshing to have a professor who is so clearly passionate about their work and teaching, and I am so glad that this course gave us a truly in-depth look into the field of genetics,” one student said.
Dive into the world of sustainability
Stratis Giannakouros, director of the Office of Sustainability and the Environment, hopes students leave his class, GEOG 2013: Introduction to Sustainability, understanding the importance of sustainability.
“The best part about teaching this course is seeing students realize that sustainability can apply to their course of study and professional goals regardless of their chosen undergraduate major,” Giannakouros said.
The course uses topics like energy, water, environmental justice, and biodiversity to discuss the importance of solving complex environmental challenges. The course helps students understand and interact with new topics outside of their declared major, allowing them to become well-rounded learners.
“We know that many undergraduates work in different careers than their chosen field of study, so having broad exposure to ideas gives them the best opportunity to continue to find success long after graduation,” Giannakouros said.
For Giannakouros, teaching a general education course is personal to him as he remembers those being his favorite classes while being an undergrad.
Past students who took the course expressed how taking the course changed their minds on sustainability and how general education courses can be vital to their learning.
"The semester wasn't just about sustainability – it was like an invitation to see the world in a new way, fostering a mindset that considers the long-term impact of our actions and encourages responsible decision-making,” one student said.
Experience the history of animation
Michael Cowan, professor and DEO in the Department of Cinematic Arts, enjoys introducing his students to new types of animation and animation from around the world in his general education course CINE 2626: History of Animation.
Students learn about key developments, movements, milestones, and technologies in animation, as well as how to analyze animated films more deeply. The course covers a diverse array of animated film, ranging from well-known industries—like Disney and Studio Ghibli—to more experimental forms of animation and animated documentary.
“Almost everyone grew up with animation, and I really enjoy it when students learn to see a form they already know in a new light," Cowan said.
General education courses allow students to learn about specific areas, like animated film, but they also teach transferrable skills, Cowan said. He added how this course is also a “training in critical media citizenship.”
“One of the goals of this course is to better understand how animation has helped to shape public perceptions and learn to approach animated representations critically,” Cowan said.
The course was offered for the first time in fall 2024. One student expressed how they now have a strong appreciation for animation. Another student said Cowan created a class environment that was comfortable, stress-free, and supportive.