Now that we've reached the fifth week of the term and midterms are upon us in full force, the time is fast approaching for us to once again choose classes for next term. For many of us, this once-a-term ritual seems to have long since lost whatever fun it once brought us.
Maybe it's because we're all sick of the old-school, ivory-tower, overly-academic and elite nature of most of Dartmouth's courses. Great books are great, but according to the experts we only have enough attention span for MTV, right?
Just imagine what might happen if Dartmouth decided to follow the lead of more "student-friendly" schools and asked for more student input into designing courses, so as to better reflect modern interests and concerns. Here are some of the courses we might see:
Economics 31: Theory of DarTalk
This course will examine the special circumstances and regulatory factors that allowed a company providing unpopular, poor quality services to establish dominance over a market of otherwise intelligent college students. Will focus on monopolism, the Hanover phone service market and factors which discourage reform. (Course has been updated to deal with the 1995 DarTalk Reforms, the 1996 Congressional Telecommunications bills and their impact upon College phone service).
Psychology 47: Pong Psychology
This course will examine the question that has preoccupied Dartmouth philosophers and thinkers for decades: what psychological and physical factors influence pong-playing ability?
Comp Literature 18: Cliffs or Monarchs?
This course will examine the age-old rivalry of these two major late-20th century writers. Readings will involve both Cliff's and Monarch's versions of "Macbeth," "The Great Gatsby," and possibly others. The course will also include a unit on newer contemporaries, including Barron's Book Notes.
Government 31: Public Apathy
This course will examine the state of politics at Dartmouth, in which politics is dominated by radical fringe elements on both sides, with a large apathetic, indifferent middle ground, and random acts of vandalism manage to dominate the political landscape every few years.
Psychology 21: BlitzMail Psychology
A study of several different aspects of BlitzMail usage, including but not limited to: dating and blitzing, obsessive compulsive blitzing by freshmen and the effects of BlitzMail withdrawal upon recent graduates. The course will conclude with the psychological and emotional factors behind BlitzWars, with possible game-theory implications.
Geography 12: The River Cluster
This course will examine the social, economic and psychological ramifications of the distance separating this cluster from the rest of campus. While the rest of campus has managed to become integrated and interdependent, this cluster often seems to be in a parallel, separate universe.
Comp Lit 31: Catalogs: J. Crew & L.L. Bean
A comprehensive study of the modern consumer literature genre, starting with a close reading of several catalogs from each company. Then, students will compare the literary merit of captions accompanying the photos in each catalog. In discussion sections, students will choose one company and trace the development of its catalog from the early 80's to the present, particularly focusing on major cathartic events such as the sudden discontinuation of the J. Crew bicolor anorak in '92 and their repercussions on Dartmouth society.
Sociology 30: Baseball Caps
This course will examine the social groupings and statements symbolized by the color, insignia, position on head and degree of wear-and-tear of hats.
Biophysics 21: Technology of Booting
This course will examine the structural and biological aspects of booting, including the "trigger" method, the involuntary method, and spontaneous occurrences. Guest speakers from the profession may be invited on occasion to lecture and share their experiences.
