Who wants to be stuck inside during spring quarter? Photo by Janna Bodnar // AS Review
By Alexandria Baker
Ah, spring quarter at Western. A time of warm sunshine, gentle breezes, the sounds of ultimate frisbee being played on Old Main lawn and–wait, you mean classes are still being held, despite the gorgeous weather?
If you, like me, have been caught unawares by spring quarter registration, then never fear–we’re here to give you some of Western’s most entertaining classes that will keep you riveted in your seat, instead of skipping class in your Chacos.
Geology 303 — Dinosaurs and Their Environment
You may have heard of Western’s infamous class on dinosaurs. Taught by the hilarious Thor Hansen (who is known to frequently bring his dog to classes), this 3-credit class covers the evolution and anatomy of various prehistoric denizens. Never one to disappoint, Hansen (who literally wrote the book on dinosaurs) enjoys sprinkling in short video clips in nearly every lecture.
Since the book used for the class was written by Hansen himself, the lectures are fairly easy to follow. The class fulfills the GUR requirement for a non-lab science, and the only prerequisite is Geology 101. It’s being offered as both a large lecture and online next quarter.
P.E. 170 — Beginning Sailing
So maybe lectures aren’t your thing. With the rare sunshine in Bellingham, who would want to miss a chance to get outside? This P.E. class will put you right in the heart of the action, learning the fundamentals of sailing at Western’s property on Lake Whatcom. There are no prerequisites, as this class focuses on the basics of sailing safety. The class is also only 1 credit, so it certainly won’t be a burden on your schedule. The only downside? The class tacks on a $250 Self-Sustaining fee to help fund the activities.
English 364 — Intro to Film Studies
For anyone who loves movies and has ever considered making your own–this is the class for you! Don’t be deterred by the 300-level bracket, the only prerequisite for this class is English 101, so nearly anyone can take it. The 5 credits includes a weekly film screening as part of the class.
Taught by Greg Youmans, the class covers the foundations of film theory, from the earliest silent movies, through the black and white sound era, and into modern masterpieces. The class covers common film techniques and builds vocabulary about cinema. Finally, the major project of the class is the production of your own short film, including writing the script, filming, and editing.
Art 101 — Glassblowing I
You may not have known this, but Western holds classes on glassblowing. This class is a great option if you’re looking for a creative outlet and you have cash to burn! There are no prerequisites, but this class comes with a hefty price tag including the $250 Self-Sustaining fee, on top of a $150 flat fee. At a solid 4 credits a week, it may be worth the extra cost. The class description states that students will learn proficiency of the medium by exploring form and design.
Hopefully you’ve got some great ideas for classes to hold your interest spring quarter. Whether you’re undeclared, or nearly done with your major, I highly recommend searching through classfinder to see what unusual offerings Western has for its students.