Can You Take It? The Latest Shopping List of 11

So, it's Friday already. If you haven't yet found the perfect fourth class, or realize that you're only taking classes from four pages in the course guide, here are 11 electives fit for the CUE and the most premed of schedules.

Pop Culture

Seen Pulp Fiction? Want to see it again? Af-Am 187y: "Black Cinema as Genre-From Blaxpoitation to Quentin Tarantino" includes movies like Boyz 'n the Hood, Girl 6, and Superfly. Students are expected to "read" the movies, analyzing them in an effort to explore gender, race and society. The class meets Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and experience in film theory is recommended, but not required.

Af-Am 10

The intro Af-Am course, taught by the illustrious Cornel R. West '72, has no tests and includes only two papers. On top of being taught by one of the most sought after professors on campus, the course is comprehensive and receives rave reviews from past students. An introduction to the department, it requires somewhat extensive reading, and meets Monday and Wednesday at 11.

The American President

For those tired of hearing about Monica and Bill, Government 1540: "The American President" offers a trip back to presidential gaffes and triumphs of the past.

"It is a course about the US political system from the vantage point of the president," IBM Professor of Business and Government Roger B. Porter said.

So, basically, everything Clinton never figured out. Actually, when Porter was asked about the Clinton scandals, he laughed and alluded to posible course material.

"The best way to put it is that we will study the presidency past and present," he said.

The class has a required midterm, a five-to seven-page review of a book of your choice, and the option of a final exam or 20 to 25 page paper.

Universal

Time to take on the world, at least conceptually. This fall, Professor of Astronomy Margaret J. Geller is teaching "Astronomy 14: The Universe and Everything," a class that will teach physics with astronomy in a relaxed atmosphere that has room for beginners.

"We routinely get some very bright and capable students who are interested in astronomy or astrophysics who haven't taken other science classes and who do very well and enjoy themselves," Head Teaching Fellow Ted Pyne '88 said.

The course, which meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m., has a math requirement, but it's nothing beyond basic algebra and trig, and it doubles as a Science A core. There are problem sets, an oral report, two hourly exams and a final, perfect for those with an aversion to response and research papers.

Change of Subject

If you haven't made it to the end of the course catalog yet, best by-pass Linguistics and Slavic Studies and head straight for Women's Studies 101: "Introduction to Women's Studies: Changing the Subject" with Assistant Professor of English and American Literature and Language Ann Pelligrini.

On top of lectures on modern feminist issues and concerns, there is a series of film screenings and an optional Millenium Series of lectures. The six-week series includes lectures by Rita Nakashima Brock, Barbara Ehrenreich, Professor of English Marjorie Garber, Smith Professor of French Language and Literature Juliet Schor and Urvashi Vaid.

The class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 p.m., and requires two papers (one 5 pages and one 10 pages) plus a final exam.

Agree to Disagree

For the first time since 1995, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield, Professor of Government Michael J. Sandel, and Visiting Lecturer on Government George F. Will are going to share the podium in a debate concerning the state of American politics.

And the show will last all semester. With only two seven-to eight-page papers and a final, Government 1091: "Debating American Politics: Liberal Democracy Past and Present" means free front row seats for the political fight of the semester. There are no pre-requirements, making Gov 1091 the perfect chance to journey into Gov Jock territory for the uninitiated.

Silent Screen

No, you really don't have to audition for VES classes, at least, not the ones that count like VES 157ar: "Silent Screen."

As part of the comprehensive course, Visiting Lecturer on Visual and Environmental Studies Antonia Lant will present the first 35 years of film to interested students during the next four months. With only one class a week on Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and weekly screenings at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, the class is a light, multimedia elective.

Intellectual History

This next class is a slacker's dream. There are no sections, six required books-of your choice. (The list is basically identical to the one compiled by the average high school English teacher.) The only assignments are a take-home quiz and a final. History 1407: "European Intellectual History, 1790-1900," even has a great reading list, including Tolstoy, Hugo, and Dickens, and meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 a.m..

Just Tasty

You show up at class with mismatched socks, and the prof can even tell you why. Sociology 150: "The Social Underpinnings of Taste," taught by Abbot Lawrence Lowell Professor of Sociology Stanley Lieberson makes a class out of fashion and pop culture. Enjoy.

The class includes four exams, a term paper, and meets Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. There are two required texts and a sourcebook, but the tomes include "Reading the Romance." What more do you want?

Witchcraft

After having co-taught Eliot House's popular seminar on the Salem Witchcraze, Co-Master and Professor of Scandinavian and Folklore Steven A. Mitchell is now teaching Folklore and Mythology 108: "Witchcraft." The course explores the plights of witches all over the world and throughout history. It requires only two essays and a final and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11.

Be Social

Robert Cole's class is one that most seniors can tell you to find time for as they head to Paine Hall for the weekly lectures on Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. The fact that so many seniors are willing to make the sacrifice of rising before noon speaks volumes.

Just look in the CUE Guide. Gen Ed 105: "The Literature of Social Reflection," received a 4.7 in the guide as a class, and a 4.8 for reading. Peruse the list, which includes works by William Carlos Williams, Elie Weisel and Dorothy Day, and expect enlightenment.

But above all, relax. Take one less class for the concentration this semester. Accept that you are not getting into Warren Court. Take an elective and enjoy

The class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 p.m., and requires two papers (one 5 pages and one 10 pages) plus a final exam.

Agree to Disagree

For the first time since 1995, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield, Professor of Government Michael J. Sandel, and Visiting Lecturer on Government George F. Will are going to share the podium in a debate concerning the state of American politics.

And the show will last all semester. With only two seven-to eight-page papers and a final, Government 1091: "Debating American Politics: Liberal Democracy Past and Present" means free front row seats for the political fight of the semester. There are no pre-requirements, making Gov 1091 the perfect chance to journey into Gov Jock territory for the uninitiated.

Silent Screen

No, you really don't have to audition for VES classes, at least, not the ones that count like VES 157ar: "Silent Screen."

As part of the comprehensive course, Visiting Lecturer on Visual and Environmental Studies Antonia Lant will present the first 35 years of film to interested students during the next four months. With only one class a week on Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and weekly screenings at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, the class is a light, multimedia elective.

Intellectual History

This next class is a slacker's dream. There are no sections, six required books-of your choice. (The list is basically identical to the one compiled by the average high school English teacher.) The only assignments are a take-home quiz and a final. History 1407: "European Intellectual History, 1790-1900," even has a great reading list, including Tolstoy, Hugo, and Dickens, and meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 a.m..

Just Tasty

You show up at class with mismatched socks, and the prof can even tell you why. Sociology 150: "The Social Underpinnings of Taste," taught by Abbot Lawrence Lowell Professor of Sociology Stanley Lieberson makes a class out of fashion and pop culture. Enjoy.

The class includes four exams, a term paper, and meets Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. There are two required texts and a sourcebook, but the tomes include "Reading the Romance." What more do you want?

Witchcraft

After having co-taught Eliot House's popular seminar on the Salem Witchcraze, Co-Master and Professor of Scandinavian and Folklore Steven A. Mitchell is now teaching Folklore and Mythology 108: "Witchcraft." The course explores the plights of witches all over the world and throughout history. It requires only two essays and a final and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11.

Be Social

Robert Cole's class is one that most seniors can tell you to find time for as they head to Paine Hall for the weekly lectures on Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. The fact that so many seniors are willing to make the sacrifice of rising before noon speaks volumes.

Just look in the CUE Guide. Gen Ed 105: "The Literature of Social Reflection," received a 4.7 in the guide as a class, and a 4.8 for reading. Peruse the list, which includes works by William Carlos Williams, Elie Weisel and Dorothy Day, and expect enlightenment.

But above all, relax. Take one less class for the concentration this semester. Accept that you are not getting into Warren Court. Take an elective and enjoy