Uncovering the best classes at HPU
By Ann Shelley// Opinion Editor
General education requirements can sometimes really be a bore when all you want to do is take classes that you are interested in. However, have you ever really looked into what general education classes High Point University offers? Although they aren’t the most obvious classes to take when you have so many choices, they can sometimes be just as interesting as your favorite subject. Although not all of these classes may pertain to your major, you may consider taking additional general education courses as your schedule allows. I went into the course catalog found some classes that may be of interest to you.
1. If you are looking for an English class, check out Dystopian Fiction. Not only do you read books like the Hunger Games and watch the movie, you also get to read other incredibly interesting books. I took it this semester and I have been in love with it. The papers are straightforward and easy to understand just like the books.
2. Calling all history lovers — check out Hollywood History to fulfill your history class requirement. Why not watch a ton of amazing films from the earliest film to modern day? You learn so much about how the theme of the movie connects to the time it was filmed. The movies are all so interesting.
3. If you are a communication major and love to write, why not take screenwriting? This class is called Writing For Film, Electronic Media. While taking this class, you will learn how to write your own screenplay, all the details it entails and analyze some of the best screenplays from the last couple centuries. Along the way, you’ll also have the opportunity to write your own short screenplay. Who knows, maybe you could be the next Quentin Tarantino or Woody Allen with this course on your schedule.
4. Social sciences general education requirements are honestly one of the most fun classes you can take. Introduction to Cultural Anthropology is one of the most interesting classes offered. You learn how anthropologists do their job and what other cultures do that set the standard. If you want to learn about the in and outs of Anthropology or just want to look at a culture from a different perspective, sign up for it.
5. Most people don’t think too hard when considering their practicum class requirement. Practicum in Publicity Methods is truly a hands-on class. It was started not too long ago and is a class that involves being your own advertising agency. If you are interested in being part of a creative team or a marketing team, try this class. You will be working one on one with a local nonprofit company in High Point and the rest of the triad.
6. Art is a class that doesn’t end in high school. Digital Art and Design is a class where you can let your creativity side fly. You work on so many projects that include 3D designs, photography, drawing and painting. Along the way you learn key tips when creating your artistic pieces as well as the basics of everything with design. In this day and age, it’s a good thing to know the basics of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
7. Rock climbing is a sport not many are aware that HPU offers as a PE credit. You have the opportunity to go off campus to this amazing facility that offers a small indoor rock climbing park. You are pretty much free to climb wherever after you learn the basics, and it is a great way to build your core.
8. Calling all social media savvies and business majors – HPU offers a course called Social Media Marketing Strategy. In this class, you learn various ways to understand what sells more on social media platform than others. It is a great way to look at a whole new side of marketing that fits in more with this day and age. If you are looking for a class to fulfill part of your marketing credit, check out this one.
9. If you are interested in computers, there are endless classes to fulfill your wildest dreams. A really interesting class is Cyber-Crime where you learn about crime exploitation in the digital world. You will basically learn everything there is to know about a computer so you can understand a crime involving computers. You will get to learn about various hackers in the past and how cyber-criminals fit in within the criminal justice system.
10. Photography is a class, too. If you are interested in anything documentary, the class called Documenting the community through Photography would be right up your alley. You learn about past photographers and their various projects they have done. As part of the class, you will complete your own documentary project and eventually will do something with the furniture industry since it is such a big part of our surrounding area in High Point.