Futureholds

Any pros or strong cons for these category 1 and 2 classes for a science person? Some seem to have an excessive amount of work.

I am really disappointed at the general education offerings over the last two years. The best classes fill up early and some of the so call "general ed" classes are not general survey classes at all but esoteric convoluted subjects that would never appeal to the masses. I think if it is not in your major, you are better off having a general survey class which brings out the best of the dept's subject matter.

mdcissp

Futureholds: I thought a lot of the Gen. Ed classes did not have enough broad appeal. For example, most of the Cat. 2 classes are Asian studies related. That is fine if you are interested in Asian studies, but what if you are not into Asian studies? And why can't USC take more AP classes to apply for Cat. classes or allow students to pursue Gen. Ed. classes at other universities/study abroad after starting USC? My suggestion to you is to see if your child will take Gen. Ed. classes as a Pass/not pass option. I think the USC catalogue allows you to take some classes Pass/not pass (was it one or two Gen. Ed. classes Pass-not pass?).

mdcissp

My son took a Philosophy class (I don't remember the course numbers) and said it required a lot of writing. Make sure your child is interested in the subject. Can s/he take the class in USC summer school to get these classes out of the way quickly?

War Chant

Don't forget you are allowed to take one category pass/fail if you haven't done so already. You only need a C- to receive a pass.

jbusc

Cat 4-6 classes are supposed to be "case studies", they're meant to be specific. Dunno if that's an overall benefit or not.

All cat-1, 2, 5, 6 classes require 12-15 pages of written work throughout the semester. This is a requirement to be certified as a GE class.

I'm going to register for anth 263, but I don't know that much about it.

2+2=5

Oh god, stay away from ANTH-263. I have had many friends take it and none had a good experience.

jbusc

have any cat-2 suggestions then?

2+2=5

I took REL-133: Religions of Latin America. Not sure if it's offered in the fall, but I highly recommend it.

Futureholds

Unfortunately the diversity classes for the summer are not 1 or 2. I wish the advisor insisted that he make his required category 6 the first year a diversity one so he could have that out of the way. At 17-18 units of required work each semester in engineering just to pass there is maybe one elective space other than 2 tech electives

jbusc

it might be useful to remember that diversity can be transferred during the summer

Futureholds

could you please elaborate?
thanks

jbusc

if all that's needed is diversity, you can take it some place else during the summer and transfer it to USC. then you can take any cat 1/2 classes without worrying about whether it has diversity or not.

mdcissp

I thought the diversity classes were gm (added) onto certain cat. 6 classes.

jbusc

the 'm' designation may go on any class that satisfies the diversity criteria, GE or not. In fact, most diversity classes are not GE's. Some GE's (mostly cat 6 ones) satisfy diversity and are popular because they "get two birds with one stone"

Schedule of Classes: Fall 2009: General Education Requirements: Diversity Courses

furyshade

i love phil-155, though i am not sure if manley is going to teach it in the future