Welcome, freshmen! We know that figuring out what classes to take can be difficult and stressful. So here are some suggestions from six upperclassmen.
Name: Elizabeth Wuerstle
Year: Senior
Major(s): International Studies and Economics
Favorite class:
Age of Tolstoy
What makes it special?
“My favorite class at Hopkins was Age of Tolstoy, a Russian history class that analyzed late imperial Russian history through works of literature from the time period. I enjoyed getting to read many classics, such as War and Peace and A Hero of Our Time, and see how political events of the early 20th century were reflected in the literature.”
Name: Harrison Folk
Year: Junior
Major(s): Civil Engineering
Favorite class:
Solid Mechanics & Theory of Structures
What makes it special?
“Solid Mechanics & Theory of Structures is by far my favorite class. It is a great class because it allows students to delve into solving real-world, meaningful problems. It’s the first class that makes you think ‘Wow, this is what being a civil engineer is like.’ We learned how to... determine the stress induced in beams and columns and the deflections of certain points of structures.”
Name: Elizabeth Winkelhoff
Year: Senior
Major(s): Archaeology, Natural Sciences
Favorite class: Archaeology at the Crossroads
What makes it special?
“It’s a freshman seminar or a normal class every other year and it’s taught in a seminar format, usually in the archaeological museum [in Gilman].
“It teaches the basics of archaeological thinking through interesting case studies and working with and handling actual objects from the museum. Three students, including me, from that 12 person class went on to change their majors to archaeology, and the professor, Emily Anderson, is now my advisor.”
Name: Michelle Abt
Year: Junior
Major(s): Cognitive Science
Favorite class:
Introduction to Social Policy: Baltimore and Beyond
What makes it special?
“[It] was my favorite class because it dove into the social issues and crises that face our community and nation. Not only did the course help transform students into more informed citizens, but also the topics discussed are the main focus of my Social Policy minor.
“The course was taught by three professors, which allowed for multiple perspectives on the same issues. Our weekly readings and reflections were very intriguing... The class size was also small enough to allow for intimate and engaging class discussions.”
Name: Laura Oing
Year: Sophomore
Major(s): Writing Seminars
Favorite class:
Great Books at Hopkins
What makes it special?
“I really liked Great Books at Hopkins, which is a freshman seminar. We got to move through so many different pieces of literature in one semester. I also just really like the whole idea/concept that the course is based on. Basically the professors who teach the class change often, and each year the professors each pick two of their favorite books and we read those. We get both lectures and discussions that are interesting and engaging.”
Name: Justin Stith
Year: Junior
Major: Environmental Engineering
Favorite class: Leading Change
What makes it special?
“Not only was the professor very passionate and interesting, regardless of what he was saying, but he also loved to hear what his students had to say. He valued their input and opinions and goals when it came to making their own personal change. I want to save the environment. This class gave me the hope that I can make my own change. “
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