Tattoos in American Popular Culture
Pitzer College
Ready to think ink? This course for first-year students includes reading and analysis and covers tattoos’ relevance to race class gender sexuality and belonging to the country.
Lady Gaga and the Sociology of the Fame
University of South Carolina
Although the description makes it clear that this isn’t a course in Lady Gaga but rather in sociology we’re guessing it’s still pretty popular. In fact in the fall of 2012 this class was only open to honors students.
Topics in Comparative Media: American Pro Wrestling
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Have you ever wondered how wrestling characters and performances have changed from the 1950s to present day? Or how those changes compare to shifting popular ideas about American masculinity over time? If so this class is for you.
The History of Piracy
Suffolk University
Arrr! Read about famous pirates in literature and learn the history of those very real scallywags stirring up big trouble on the seas. In one class session brave students even sample pirate food!
Surviving the Coming Zombie Apocalypse: Catastrophes & Human Behavior
Michigan State University
This seven-week course offered by the university’s School of Social Work focuses on how humans behave in earthquakes the Great Plague and of course a zombie invasion.
How to Watch Television
Montclair State University
No you can’t show up in your pajamas. This media theory class is about “critically evaluating the role and impact of television” on the students’ lives and in American culture in general. Bring your own popcorn.
Tree Climbing
Binghamton University
If you’ve always wanted to reach great heights in your education you’ll get your chance—for real—at this woodsy campus of the State University of New York.
How to Win a Beauty Pageant: Race Gender Culture and U.S. National Identity
Oberlin College
Analyze the roles that race class sexuality gender and nationality play in beauty pageants. Best of all students get to judge contestants up close with a field trip to an actual pageant.
