<p>I confess to knowing not a thing about economics except buzzwords like “guns and butter.” And, Merc81, will probably go all graphy on me. That said, I think your analysis changes depending on the definition of “commodity” (as you note, film classes vs. a film class with a particular professor). In other words, do you define the commodity as “classes,” “classes in your major,” or “classes that you really wanted to take but were shut our of.” No one suggests that there is a scarcity of “classes.” Rather, the poster suggests that there was a scarcity of classes that the student wanted/needed for his or her major. So perhaps the academic side of economics fails us in the practical world. If in fact the commodity is defined as the classes a particular student wants to take, then that will never work its way out over time since the student will graduate and the nature of the commodity at issue will be dependent on who is seeking it out. The best that can be hoped is that certain trends will be identified and adapted to over time, but more likely they will be in a constant state of flux. My guess is that this explains why complaints seem to follow this particular problem at a number of schools (or at least I hear parents complaining about it all the time for a range of schools).</p>
<p>@gointhruaphase
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<p>Actually, the OP’s exact words were:</p>
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<p>I took that to mean they found a scarcity of classes that interested him and/or <em>compatible</em> with his major. It’s the social science equivalent of the arts major who is allergic to taking math and science courses. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, in answer to the second part of the OP’s comments, the ones regarding Middletown, here’s a recent video made by Wesleyan students of a Black Lives Matter demonstration that moved from campus to the intersection of Main Street and Washington, where the die-in footage takes place. That’s about as sketchy as Middletown gets. There are single family homes as well as multiple-family dwellings visible in the background; there’s a Roman Catholic church; there are mom and pop stores in old-fashioned facades. I grew up in New York, and to me Middletown always reminded me of the television show, “Greenacres”. Which is not to say, you shouldn’t watch your step when walking alone at night. An abundance of caution comes in handy no matter where you live. :-/ </p>
<p><a href=“[VIDEO] Black Lives Matter March | Wesleying”>http://wesleying.org/2014/12/09/black-lives-matter-video/</a></p>
<p>@gointhruaphase: “merc81 will probably go all graphy on me.” Ha! . . . You took a prior post and added a considered perspective to it . . . No need to go graphy, although a real economist might. I couldn’t say.</p>
Pre-reg is kind of a nightmare everywhere. You just have to stalk the website and grab any open spots when they appear.
Atleast that’s how it was when I was an undergrad. It wasn’t ever really an issue for science classes though.
Here’s my theory:
Parent: Why are you taking this useless dance class? Why aren’t you taking another math or science class so you can be more successful in life?
Student: Uh…I wanted to take another math class but they were all full. Yeah, that’s right–they were all full.
I share the skepticism to which one poster alluded concerning the OP. Two posts and gone. Wham bam …
My S graduated from Wesleyan last year and in his entire four years there, this never happened to him one single time.
I suspect that something else is really going on here…
My son is now getting his master’s at Wesleyan in the TUITION- FREE 5th year program.
He double-majored and spent a semester abroad.
Housing was never a problem, and all students live on campus.
I do remember that he was unable to get one or two classes his first year, but as others have stated, he quickly learned how to get into the classes he wanted.
And as for taking music or dance classes, I wonder if the OP’s son actually wants to take these classes-but tells his parents that they were the only classes available to him-because he knows his parents would think studying the arts is a waste of time…
My son has loved Wesleyan and could not have wished for a better college experience. I’ve met many of his friends and they all seem exceptionally happy with Wes.