I asked some of the Life at U of T Digital Storytellers to share their favourite courses so far in their undergraduate programs at U of T. Here's what they had to say:
Sammi:
My favourite course so far has been VIS204: Performance Art. This is because it introduced me to the medium of performance art, which completely changed my practice as an artist. It was a unique class, because it pushed every student out of their comfort zone by having to perform for each other and work in this very experimental form. It really brought each student together to support each other. You never know how a class can change you for the better, so don't be afraid to take something that is different than what you're used to, because hey, you just might become a performance artist!
Anisha:
One of my favourite courses is PSY220: Intro to Social Psychology. I took this as an online summer course, and it was well-paced and had no final exam. The content was interesting, intuitive, and applicable to my daily interactions because it is the study of how people interact! Would recommend if you're interested in psychology or need a manageable breadth requirement course.
Jessica:
My favourite undergrad class would have to be BPM338: Exploring Mindfulness Awareness. This course was different from "traditional" courses; our lectures took place in the Multi-Faith Centre where we sat on the floor on pillows, it was discussion-based instead of lecture-based, and my homework consisted of going on meditative nature walks! Taking electives in the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health program allowed me to expand my knowledge on meditation and its benefits on mental health while also putting it into practice, helping me to schedule self-care amid my other courses with heavier workloads.
Bolu:
My favourite course so far would have to be PHL381H1: Ethics and Medical Research. The format of the course was we had a class to set the groundwork for a specific topic (for example, randomized clinical trials and evidence-based medicine), and the week after we had an industry professional present on the specific topic. I really loved this format because we got to learn from actual professionals who are able to share knowledge that we otherwise wouldn't know. Additionally, we got to discuss some of the ethical implications of different methods used in research and medicine, which I think is really interesting! I would definitely recommend the course.
Selina:
My favourite course has to be WGS271: Gender in Pop Culture! I really loved this class because it taught me how to approach the media we consume in a critical manner while also being really fun and engaging! The assignments were super entertaining, as we were expected to do in-depth analysis on fanfiction, music videos, and more! I highly recommend this class for anyone who is interested in learning more about how social attitudes influence pop culture!
Yashvit:
One of the courses that I've really enjoyed is ENT200: Entrepreneurship and Innovation. It teaches you the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, the risks involved, how innovate you could potentially be in today's market, and the importance of being creative. This course had no midterm or final exam, and grades were only based off of assignments, such as pitching a business idea and writing what you think about real life scenarios in the entrepreneurship world. Definitely worth the effort!
I hope this gives you a glimpse into some of the interesting courses available! Best of luck, and have a fantastic Fall semester! Cheers!
– Yashvit