Ambassador Mallory's Unique Approach to Choosing a GE Course

A few months ago, I was a first semester freshman, with all the excitement and fear of starting college. I was dropped off at the USC dorms, nervous and sleep deprived (having spent my last night at home panicking that I had overpacked and would be embarrassed in front of my new roommates), yet thrilled to finally be in college. I was at USC, a place where I could take classes I liked, with people who shared my interests! But only one thing seemed to stand in my way: The General Education requirements (the GEs).

Like my friends at other schools, I worried that the mandatory classes would take me away from that dream of pursuing my interests. But I knew there must be a solution where I could find interesting classes, despite the fact that they are unavoidable. So, what are the best ways to choose GEs that are perfect for you?

A first thought is to ask your friends or parents for suggestions. But, this may land you with classes that are the perfect fit…for the interests of your parents and friends, yet not for you. Out of desperation, I began browsing the course catalog. It was then that I realized the GEs are an opportunity to explore my passions and hobbies outside of my major.

The way I see it, perfecting the craft of choosing fun and fascinating GEs boils down to passion and practicality (with passion as the true priority).

When selecting GEs, I looked to explore my interests and hobbies by finding unique and fun courses sprinkled throughout the long lists of options. Let’s just say, I hit the jackpot when I veered outside of the obvious and turned to my love of movies and film for inspiration. As I looked at the listings, I began to see classes listed under the cinema department, thus prompting my search for Cinema Arts GEs that are fun, relevant, and thought provoking.

CTWR 211g: The Television Writer: An Agent of Change, a class for non-majors where anyone from cinema connoisseurs and movie lovers to people who have never watched traditional television join together to watch TV shows in class and explore how television has sparked social change in society. As soon as I saw this class, I knew I had to take it. It was everything I was looking for in a GE, and instantly, I understood that GEs could become a highlight and novelty in my everyday schedule.

Additionally, I looked for courses with interesting titles, hoping these classes would be just as captivating and creative as their titles suggested. In this way, I found GSEM 120g, Sympathy for the Devil, a fascinating Humanistic Inquiry requirement that explores the depiction of evil and morality in literature from ancient texts through modern times. The cherry on top was that we even watched and discussed Stranger Things in the last week of class!

Friends of mine also began finding fascinating classes, for example art classes in which non art majors explore various media, such as painting, drawing, film, and photography, generating a creative experience for the semester. Another friend took an International Relations class on political violence and terrorism and has gained a greater understanding of democracy through history. Collectively, we found that looking at different USC schools and departments allowed us all to find unique and engaging classes in pretty much any area of interest.

I implore anyone dreading their GEs, just like I was a few months ago, to look for GE classes offered in departments that cover personal areas of interest. Take the chance to explore other schools at USC. Think creatively and act with intention, nostalgia, and passion when choosing a GE course. I promise you will have a GE-nuinely good time!

USC’s School of Cinematic Arts building where some of Mallory’s favorite GE classes were held!