Pitt offers an incredible variety of courses in nearly every field imaginable at the undergraduate level. Anyone who has ever spent a few minutes on Rate My Professor knows that there are ways of knowing which professors are the best. But no matter how hard I’ve searched, I have never seen a list of the best classes to take at Pitt. That’s why I asked some of the Her Campus Pitt staff to give me their favorite classes from over the years; here are some of the best classes to take at Pitt, hands down!
History of Jazz (AFRCNA 0693/MUSIC 0711)
Fulfils: Creative Expression, History, Social Change
If there’s one class that has unequivocal popularity, it’s History of Jazz. Nearly 200 students take this course each semester. The course studies various styles associated with Jazz from the early 1800s to its present state as world concert music. Four sections of History of Jazz are offered in the spring, so sign up to get your groove on!
Animal Behavior (BIOSC 1440)
Fulfils: Natural Sciences/Biology Higher-Level Elective
This might be my biology nerd-self speaking here, but any science student will have high praise for Dr. Relyea’s Animal Behavior course. The course has an interesting structure – no note-taking allowed! While this might stress some of us out, it is undeniably the best way to learn because it forces you to think analytically and focus on the lecture. And the course material covers a fascinating range of subjects, from the strange birth canal of the female hyena and its uses, to the reason humans are more likely to save their siblings from a fire instead of a complete stranger.
Introduction to Performance (THEA 0830)
Fulfils: Creative Expression
This theatre arts introductory course is a great way to unleash your inner drama queen, girls! Taught every semester, Intro to Performance develops the students’ awareness of the actor’s process and basic physical and vocal presentation in front of a group. Learning how to act is an important skill in the workplace as well as when dealing with daily life drama. We all know that, right?
Death in the Mediterranean World (CLASS 1151/HIST 1714/RELGST 1151)
Fulfils: IF, History, Classics, Religious Studies
You don’t have to be morbid to love this class! Taught through the history department, this course focuses on the evolution of beliefs and rituals related to death and the afterlife. It focuses on Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Etruscan practices. I highly recommend this course because not only are the professors experts in their field, but the reading materials are fascinating and as long as you show up to class and pay some modicum of attention, you are guaranteed an A.
Russian Fairytales (RUSS 0090)
Fulfils: Russian, IF, Literature
With four tests and no final, Russian Fairytales is a favorite among some of our HC gals! Now that might seem like too much studying for some of you, but the course material isn’t exactly taxing. This course introduces students to the study of folklore and fairy tales and compares Russian fairy tales to Western tales, such as Disney adaptations and the Grimms. It’s not a guaranteed A, but it’s fun and all it takes is a little love for bedtime stories.
Emergency Medical Technician (EM 1102)
Fulfils: Emergency Medical Technician Certificate
This is a fascinating course that actually directly prepares you for real life. You learn basic life-support psycho-motor skills and students may become certified with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. One of our writers has taken this course, saying that it was highly applicable to real life and very interesting. So if you want to learn a skill that will help you and others out in the future, this might just be the course for you!
Drugs and Behavior (NROSCI 0081)
Fulfils: Natural Sciences, W-course
This course examines the general effects of a variety of drugs and other compounds on the body and how they affect our behavior and psychology. Drugs used in the treatment of common psychological disorders such as schizophrenia, Parkinson’s Disease, and depression are also discussed. This is a great class for both science and non-science majors because it is applicable to the medicines we take over the counter as well as specialized ones. And the professor is absolutely hilarious.
These are some of our favorite courses at Pitt – now it’s time for you to tell us what some of yours are!