humanities

they're so good! what, exactly, are you doing in college if only getting a degree and getting out? life is about living. sure, you might get somewhere, but more likely something, if you get a degree in a subject that pays well (*cough* engineering *cough*). but then you might realize that money isn't everything. it is very important in our silly little capital-based society, for like, food and housing and such. but if you don't have a community, a hobby or two, a real purpose in life... are you really living?

and that doesn't seem too connected to the classes you study in college. because really you can become knowledgeable about the world in any manner of ways: travel, genuine conversation, reading books, reading news, etc. but I am oddly academic, so my method of learning about the world, about humans, about life as a whole.. is the humanities.

and i'm not saying everyone need be as obsessive as me, but certainly a few courses with deeper dialogue, discussion, and overall insight into the society we live in could do many people at this school quite well. there's so many stark issues our world is facing: climate change (oh my lord we're already irreversibly fucked) and dynamics of power (racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, etc. etc.) entrenched within wealth inequality should be enough to spark a little concern. the humanities help you feel these issues and explore them further. and maybe consider whether what you're doing in the world is "good". and what "good" means. and so much more.

so if you have the privilege (like I do) of taking whatever classes you want at a university.. I'd recommend taking at least one or two interesting humanities courses. pass/no pass or auditing is fine! it's just a matter of learning and discussing.

the non-standard* (non-CS) classes i've taken at UCLA:

• Information Studies 19 — Campus Art outside Museums: Sculptures, Murals, Special Rooms, and Buildings^ (Fall 2021)
  We just walked around and looked at art!! Got to see some really cool hidden rooms, and our library in downtown LA?? Would recommend.
• History 3A — History of Science: Renaissance to 1800 (Fall 2021)
  Very eurocentric, sure, but so is modern science, unfortunately. Starts all the way back w the Greeks (although only a little) and their... interesting science methods, and then builds up to.. well the 1800s. Very chill class, very chill professor (Amir oml)
• Film and Television 6A — History of American Motion Picture (Spring 2022)
  We watched films from the beginning of film to today, and discussed interesting dynamics of power as conveyed through film. Would recommend just for the screenings of old films in UCLA's theater -- on the original film reels!
• Sociology 19 — Do Schools Have Civic Purpose? (Spring 2022)
  Or, as the professor titled it, "Sociology of Education." We just read a small reading about the purpose of schooling each week and then discussed with the professor. Super low-key, but helped me think about the place of education in our modern society. Wild stuff.
• World Arts and Cultures C142 — Myth and Ritual (Fall 2022)
  I couldn't really tell you what the class is about. You hear from powerful people about powerful topics, and Prof. Sellars tries to get you to think about your life and education differently. It's really a great chance to just do some self-reflection, and if you're dissatisfied with the culture and education you find yourself in.. to think about that. Connecting with Peter himself is fantastic. Very different from any other class at UCLA — take it for something new and different, but you'll only get something out of it if you're properly engaged! (But that's true for most things in life :)
• English 98TB — How Does Climate Change Feel? (Winter 2023)
  This and future descriptions coming soon...
• Engineering 96A — Underwater Robotics (Winter 2023)
• Physics 192 — Elegant Mind Club (Winter 2023)
• Gender Studies 185 — Queer Aesthetics (Spring 2023)
• Political Science 10 — Introduction to Political Theory (Spring 2023)

* a decent amount of these are GE classes. but you know. same diff. some people take the easiest GEs possible.. I think people should take interesting and relevant GEs! much more exciting and fulfilling.

^ Fiat Lux class. would recommend! tiny classes are dope. they're restricted to freshmen first pass, tho