With everyone still trying to navigate Workday, planning your fall class schedule can feel like just one more thing to stress about. But don’t worry, as registration approaches, the editors of Student Life are here to share some of our favorite classes to help make your decision a little easier!

WRITING 3208 – Imaginative Fiction: Science Fiction and Fantasy

Imaginative Fiction is great for everyone, from those passionate about the craft of speculative fiction to those looking for a fun class. The reading selections were amazing, Shannon Rabong is so sweet, and I felt like I grew close to the people in my class because eye-opening discussions on craft would often devolve into hilarity.

— AnaElda Ramos, Managing Illustration Editor 

ELIT 2201-01 – Sophomore Seminar (American Ghosts)

For those looking for a fun humanities credit, American Ghosts is an absolutely amazing class. Professor Maciak is such an engaging lecturer and great at facilitating class discussions. This class is somewhat reading heavy, as most English classes are, however the books are all fascinating and great reads! Who wouldn’t want to take a class about ghosts?”

— Olivia Lee, Junior Scene Editor

SDS 2020 – Elementary Probability and Statistics

For those of you looking for NSM credits, Elementary Probability and Statistics is a great choice. As someone who has taken many, many STEM classes, 2200 stands out in terms of its consistent and strong teaching, as well as its approachability for those who may not be experts in the topic. While the class has a decent workload, it stays true to its classification as an intro-level course.”

— Elizabeth Grieve, Senior Scene Editor

ART 1110 – 2-D Design

As a second major in design, I believe everyone should take a design course whether it is something they want to explore or just to take a break from your heavy course load! 2D Design is a great introduction to the principles of design in a low-stakes and beginner-friendly environment. Imagine this: while your friends are stressed about going to the glass lab because they broke another beaker during a titration experiment, you are painting sticks and sticking them in the ground at Forest Park. All in all, I am a strong believer in giving space for your creativity and its exploration whether that be in the arts or music. If it is the arts you are curious about, I highly recommend this class!

— Sydney Tran, Editor-in-Chief

PHIL 1040 – Great Philosophers

Whether you are an aspiring PNP student (like me) or not, I would recommend taking this class. This class will teach you fundamental philosophy on a beginner level. You will read some of the most famous philosophers, including Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, and more. Bonus points because the class gives you an LCD credit!

— Hannah Much, Junior Sports Editor

SOC 2010-01 – The Roots of Ferguson: Understanding Racial Inequality in the Contemporary U.S. & SOC 4214-01 – Race and Place

These are an intro level class and an upper level elective class that both focus on race/racial ideology, how it forms, and its connections to place. They are super interesting and insightful classes that everyone should take… at least all Sociology majors/minors. I took Roots of Ferguson my very first semester as WashU and it was how I knew that SOC was right for me! Very important class to take as a person living somewhere as racially and socio-economically divided as St. Louis. Great professors teach these two courses and make class feel engaging and applicable to real life.

— Kate Theerman Rodriguez, Senior Forum Editor

CLASSICS 3830 – Magicians, Healers, and Holy Men

In desperate need of a culture credit? A retired (or maybe closeted) Percy Jackson and Harry Potter fan? Have enemies that you want revenge on? No matter who, this is the class for you! My mom of all people recommended this class to me and told me that she had heard (from Facebook) that students love it, and she was right, this class is amazing. Professor Jenott is so funny and brings so much life and energy to the class so I’d recommend taking the class just for him. While I may not have learned ‘practical skills,’ this course is a refreshing break from your average academic endeavors. There are no prereqs for the class, just bring an excitement to learn about ancient culture, magic, astrology, and how to make an authentic curse tablet (yes, that’s the final).

— Astrid Burns, Special Issues Editor

SOC 3030 – Introduction to Research Methods

I took this last fall as a requirement for my Sociology major, honestly expecting the class to be somewhat tedious. On the contrary, Dr. Wyndham’s classroom model makes for interesting discussions where everyone feels good about participating and contributing their opinions. The class actually goes far beyond a cut-and-dry explanation of how to perform different kinds of research, giving you the opportunity to read several interesting studies (including one on food delivery apps) and question the ethics around sociological research. There were many non-Sociology majors in the class as well (especially psychology)! If you read any kind of social science research in your studies, this class is a great supplement.”

— River Alsalihi, Junior Forum Editor

POLSCI 3326-01 – Topics in Politics: Freedom and Resistance in African American Political 

African American Political Thought is by far one of the best classes I’ve taken at WashU. In the class, we read many modern political thinkers spanning from slavery to the current day including Frederick Douglas, Ida B. Wells, and W.E.B. Du Bois and you consider topics regarding systemic racism, intersectionality, gender, visions of liberation, strategies of resistance. I would recommend this to anyone even remotely interested in politics, history, race and ethnic studies, and/or the humanities. The wide variety of readings and topics means there is something for everyone, and the greater diversity in the classroom creates more enriching discussions. Every class is fully discussion-based and Dr. Gais gives the students independence in steering the conversation wherever they want it to lead. What I love most about the class is that I learned more from my classmates’ reflections than I did from the authors themselves.

— Sylvie Richards, Managing Forum Editor

Art-Arch 1515: History of Western Art, Architecture, and Design

I’m so glad I took this class because it taught me a completely separate way to think about art and world history. The class is organized chronologically, and it offers a survey view of world history from the Paleolithic era to the modern day. This class also taught me how to properly enjoy art and visit a museum — there are field trips to the SLAM and the Kemper included in the curriculum! Even if you swear that art is boring, I promise that this class will change the way you think — and I’m not in Sam Fox or in an art-related major. If you’re interested in history, need a simple humanities credit, or just want to know what you’re looking at in a museum, I can’t recommend this class more.

— Matt Eisner, Managing Sports Editor

DESIGN 3254-01 – Communication Design: Interaction Foundations

If you are at all interested in a technical career, this is the class for you. The workload is relatively light, and instruction is easy to understand. I was able to succeed in this class right after taking CSE 1301-01 – Introduction to Computer Science (FKA CSE131) and having no other previous coding knowledge. The course’s focus pushes the boundaries of standard web development and explores topics such as accessible design and microinteractions to elevate coding projects. I have applied the principles from this course to every personal and academic project since, and I can clearly see how my work now stands out from others.

— Grayce Cooper, Managing Social Media Editor