Registering for Classes

On the left, Brendan got into all of his four classes on the first try. On the right, roommates Brianna (left in picture) and Emily were freaking out because Brianna didn't get into all of her first choices for classes.

For some people, registering for classes can be either a successful or scary process. On a regular day, Knightvision is at ease and it's great for looking up grades, classes, and major requirements, but when it comes to registration day, Knightvision can be hectic. You wouldn't think that registering for classes is competitive, but seats for classes can fill up quickly. Luckily, this time around, I clicked the register button exactly at 7am. I had to wait in suspense to see if my classes went through to fully register, and I ended up 3 for 4. I got into Intro to Philosophy, Children's Lit Studies, and Research Methods I. Since I just changed my major to Media Studies, Digital Arts, and Journalism, I was freaking out because I didn't get into any media classes.

So, what happens if you don't get into a class that you need for your major?

Well, first, definitely don't start to freak out too much. The first thing you should do is to e-mail the professor for the class and explain why you would like to take the class. I emailed Traci Griffth, who was my Media Revolutions teacher first semester, to see if I could get into her Media Law and Ethics class. To my surprise, she e-mailed me back within minutes to say that all I had to was show up to class on the first day with an add class slip and she would allow me into her class. If the teachers do not give a response right away to your e-mail, it's a good idea to also petition to get into a class, which requires filling out a piece of paper explaining why you need to take the class.

Here's my final schedule for the fall semester:

Literature for Children and Adolescents 8:00AM-9:35 AM Monday, Wednesday
Examines literary genres of fantasy, folklore, prose, fiction, picture books, biography, and nonfiction. Discussions focus on content analysis, literature related to interests and development of children and adolescents, including gender and multicultural aspects. Students are expected to read a substantial number of books for children and adolescents.

Introduction to Philosophy 9:45AM-10:50AM Monday, Wednesday, Friday
The course both shows the student the nature and value of philosophical inquiry, using only primary texts such as Plato's dialogues and other major philosophical writings, and, at the same time, invites the student to become personally philosophical by developing their own way of seeing the meaning and value of things. One way of coming to see how deeply human and profoundly personal the questions of meaning and value examined in philosophy are is by coming to understand how they would remain unanswered even if some day we were able to answer all the questions of the sciences. 

Research Methods I Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11:00AM-12:05PM
The course trains students to be knowledgeable consumers of public and professional psychological research by stressing theoretical and practical aspects of the field's research techniques. Topics include the theoretical standards psychologists use to design and evaluate research, the concepts underlying informational analyses, and the methods psychologists use to communicate findings. Media Law and Ethics in Digital Age Tuesday, Thursday 9:45AM-11:20AM This course explores the political, historic and philosophical roots of the First Amendment. Particular emphasis is given to the legal and ethical problems of the new communications technologies; other topics include libel, privacy, obscenity, newsgathering, copyright, and the free press/fair trial dilemma. The class also provides insights into how the legal process works and an understanding of the principles and philosphies that underlie the restraints on and privileges of the media. After analyzing what the law says journalists can do, the course moves into the ethical component of what they should do. Using basic philosophical theories, students analyze ethical dilemmas through the use of case studies. Using multimedia, guest speakers and current events the course considers media law and ethics and its impact of journalists' ability to fulfill the historic function of the press to inform the public.  Also, quick reminder that there is a Knightchat tonight from 7:30PM-9PM! It's a great way to talk to prospective students about Saint Mike's and I'll be there tonight answering some of the questions. If you are unable to attend it tonight, there's always more to sign up at http://www.smcvt.edu/knightchat/ and if you have any other questions, you can always tweet or formspring!