25 Extremely Strange And Bizarre College Courses

Posted by , Updated on April 24, 2024

Attending college doesn’t only mean pursuing conventional degrees like nursing; there are also a variety of unique courses available. There’s an adage that suggests, “You can make a specialty of Gameboy if you can leverage your wisdom.” Essentially, smart people can turn any opportunity to their advantage. So, if you’re going to college, don’t hesitate to sign up for a quirky course. You have the ability to make it worthwhile! College isn’t just about dry lectures on topics such as Plato’s Cave. Unexpectedly, you can concentrate on and engage in college classes that explore a range of captivating subjects, like analyzing 2PAC lyrics or perfecting tree climbing. So, instead of settling for ordinary classes that teach practical skills, consider these 25 Exceptionally Strange and Unconventional College Courses.

25

Maple Syrup: The Real Thing

maple syrupSource: https://blog.ivywise.com/blog-0/bid/138938/Wacky-College-Courses

At Alfred University, you can explore the history of maple syrup, and maybe even learn to make it yourself. We can’t say that any trees weren’t hurt in the process.

24

Street Fighting Mathematics

mathfighterSource: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-098-street-fighting-mathematics-january-iap-2008/

This course offered at MIT analyzes fighting with math. We suggest you watch out for the flying protractors, and compasses.

23

How to Win a Beauty Pageant

beuatypaegentshttps://www.oberlin.edu/news/buzz-how-win-beauty-pageant

Technically, the full name of the course offered at Oberlin College is “How to Win a Beauty Pageant: Race, Gender, Culture, and U.S. National Identity.” We can see how there might be a lot of upset parents, though. Perhaps the course should be called “How to Win a Beauty Pageant, but we’re not miracle workers.”

22

Comedy

comedianhttps://creativearts.humber.ca/programs/comedy/comedy-writing-and-performance

Have you been told that you are the comedian of your friends? Then, this is the course for you. At Humber College you can actually major in comedy. Get those hand buzzers ready.

21

Elvish, the language of “Lord of the Rings”

precioushttp://www.browndailyherald.com/2007/11/30/lord-of-the-languages-prof-teaches-with-elvish-orkish/

At the University of Wisconsin you can let your nerdiness flow unhindered. We think this course is “precious.”

20

Golf Course Management

golfinghttps://study.com/articles/Golf_Course_Management_Major_Information_and_Requirements.html

For anyone interested in maintaining greens, building sand traps, and watching Happy Gilmore, this class at Tarleton State University is for you. Just don’t steal the golf carts.

19

Topics in Comparative Media: American Pro Wrestling

prowrestlehttps://alum.mit.edu/slice/recalling-link-between-pro-wrestling-and-mit

Offered at none other than MIT, we’re not sure what exactly this course is supposed to teach you, but if they say that you need to suplex your roommate to get an A, then…well, you don’t want to fail, do you?

18

Tightwaddery, or The Good Life on a Dollar a Day

scroogehttps://www.chronicle.com/article/Cheapskate-Course-at-Alfred-U/3086

At Alfred University, you can learn to be a miser. Seems like an ironic class to host at a private institution. Maybe this was what Ebenezer Scrooge majored in?

17

Furniture Making

furniture makinghttp://www.flickr.com/photos/designandtechnologydepartment/4013776314/

Another baffling course coming to us from MIT, this time you have to build your own desk. Okay, that is unconfirmed, but it would still be pretty cool. I’m having flashbacks of my wife making me go to Ikea.

16

Underwater Basket Weaving

underwaterbasketweavinghttps://boingboing.net/2010/07/05/underwater-basket-we.html

Why Reed College offers this course is beyond us. We can imagine many projects were probably ruined and there were a lot of unhappy people.

15

Joy of Garbage

garbagehttp://educationtechpro.com/featured/the-art-of-walking-the-joy-of-garbage-unusual-college-classes/

Taught at Santa Clara University, this course actually goes into depth about decomposition and odors. Did anybody else think this course would be Oscar the Grouch’s paradise?

14

The Strategy of StarCraft

videogamehttps://www.redbull.com/us-en/starcraft-studying-esports-at-university

This University of California-Berkeley offering is limited to super geeks only. No, not really, but you will need to bring your A-game. And your own snacks.

13

Zombies in Popular Media

zombiebrainshttp://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199791286/obo-9780199791286-0263.xml

Brought to you from Columbia College in Chicago, this course teaches you the basics of zombie survival. I call dibs on the crossbow.

12

The Textual Appeal of Tupac Shakur

pacpichttps://dailyegyptian.com/32611/archives/harvard-university-offer-courses-using-tupac-shakurs-lyrics/

At the University of Washington you can study Tupac’s gangster rapping through a “sophisticated” lens. Make sure you don’t go off and challenge someone to a rap battle, unless you got bars.

11

The Amazing World of Bubbles

bubbleblowinghttp://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2016/03/07/getting-bubble-blowing-down-to-a-science/#.XGHSKlxKiUk

At Cal-Tech, learn the science behind blowing the perfect bubble. Afterwards, you can get a job! Well, you can be a…professional… bubble…blower, we think?

10

Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang

gthanghttps://cup.columbia.edu/book/nuthin-but-a-g-thang/9780231124096

Oberlin Experimental College lets you unleash your gangsta side. Do not, we repeat, do not commit any crimes after you graduate.

9

Tree Climbing

treeclimbinghttps://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-holton/ivy-league-school-offers_b_504202.html

There are only a select few who recognize the value of climbing trees quickly and efficiently. I have to admit, I am jealous of some of these.

8

Soviet Visual Propaganda

sovietflaghttp://www.academia.edu/6387163/A_Study_of_Soviet_Propaganda

At Rhode Island School of Design, you can learn all about the evils of capitalism with out the fuss of being black listed.

7

UFOs in American Society

ufosclasshttps://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/28/news/campus-journal-taking-ufo-s-for-credit-and-for-real.html

This class at Temple University analyzes the reaction of American society to UFOs and aliens. The truth is out there, my friends.

6

Mail Order Brides: Understanding the Philippines in Southeast Asian Context

brideshttp://www.wunrn.org/news/2007/01_07/01_15_07/011807_course.htm

Supposedly designed to explain the stereotyping of Filipino women, this course at John Hopkins University does a good job of standing out. We think there was a lot of confusion with this class.

5

The Unbearable Whiteness of Barbie

barbpichttps://www.goacta.org/news/the_unbearable_whiteness_of_barbie_and_other_college_stupidity

Given at Occidental College, this class uses Barbie to launch discussions on gender, race, and social justice.

4

The Science of Superheroes

superherohttps://360.rollins.edu/academics-and-research/course-spotlight-the-science-of-superheroes

At the University of California-Irvine, you can fight crime and learn to use your mutant powers. No, not really. But, you can learn the science behind these things, so that’s pretty cool.

3

Gossip

gossipgirlshttps://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/11/have-you-heard-gossip-is-actually-good-and-useful/382430/

This graduate course at Cornell University may actually have a slightly misleading title. It focuses on the work of scientists rather than magazines like the National Enquirer. It also doesn’t advocate for you to spread rumors about someone you don’t like.

2

The Art of Walking

walkingpichttps://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/unusual-american-college-classes/4173663.html

Taught at Centre College, their students get credit for walking to class. Maybe there is bonus points for chewing gum at the same time? Fingers crossed!

1

Learning from YouTube

symbolhttps://www.theodysseyonline.com/youtube-career-college-major

What student wouldn’t want to get credit for watching Youtube videos? We have to admit this is actual a pretty useful major, especially in today’s society. However, maybe have a backup plan.



Photo: Featured Image - Shutterstock, 1. Original: YouTube Vector: Jarould, YouTube social red circle (2017), marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons, 2. pxhere.com, https://pxhere.com/en/photo/929897 (Public Domain), 3. pixabay.com, https://pixabay.com/en/gossip-girls-group-portrait-school-532012/ (Public Domain), 4. pixabay.com, https://pixabay.com/en/superhero-superman-hero-male-3524056/ (Public Domain), 5. maxipixel.net, https://www.maxpixel.net/Beauty-Pretty-Charming-Barbie-Doll-Children-Toys-1260975 (Public Domain), 6. anonymous, United We Sit Mail Order Brides, CC BY-SA 3.0, 7. pixabay.com, https://pixabay.com/en/photos/ufo/ (Public Domain), 8. pixabay.com, https://pixabay.com/en/soviet-union-flag-lenin-post-stalin-155472/ (Public Domain), 9. Bhaskaranaidu, Climbing a Tree, CC BY-SA 3.0, 10. Jason Persse from Brooklyn, USA, Snoop Dogg Coachella-01, CC BY-SA 2.0, 11. publicdomainpictures.net, https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=3780&picture=girl-blowing-bubbles (Public Domain), 12. Чигот, Tupac graffiti, Vlasotince, Serbia, CC BY-SA 4.0, 13. pixabay.com, https://pixabay.com/en/zombie-flesh-eater-dead-spooky-949915/ (Public Domain), 14. pixabay.com, https://pixabay.com/en/spaceship-starship-starcraft-3346068/ (Public Domain), 15. Ryan Hagerty creator QS:P170,Q28112513, Litter and garbage dumped in wetland area among water lilies and marsh plants, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons, 16. Charlotte Coats from Garden Grove, USA, Soaking reeds for basket weaving, CC BY 2.0, 18. pixabay.com, https://pixabay.com/en/scrooge-stingy-greed-mean-selfish-28854/ (Public Domain), 19. flickr.com, https://www.flickr.com/photos/vegaseddie/2667479401, CC BY 2.0, 20. Shane Smith, Flag at Spur Valley Golf Course - panoramio, CC BY-SA 3.0, 21. goodfreephotos.com, https://www.goodfreephotos.com/other-photos/lord-of-the-rings-the-one-ring.jpg.php (Public Domain), 22. flickr.com, https://www.flickr.com/photos/steveay/35484171831/, CC BY 2.0, 23. Paul Chin from Manila City, Philippines, Binibining Pilipinas 2008 Evening Gown2, CC BY-SA 2.0, 24. Averater, Lots of math symbols and numbers, CC0 1.0, 25. pixabay.com, https://pixabay.com/en/maple-syrup-food-delicious-tasty-2232088/ (Public Domain)