So, it just occurred to me that something fun and helpful for me to write about would be some of my favorite Furman classes! 🙂 Here are the TOP 5, in no particular order!*
Public Speaking with Professor Bentley (COMMUNICATION STUDIES)
Public Speaking is a requirement for the Com major, but I truly think it should be a General Education Requirement for all Furman students. It is SO valuable to learn how to address a group of people publicly, and we learned how to write a variety of speeches (including wedding toasts, which I later drew upon for my sister’s wedding!) This class was one of my smallest, and we essentially gave speeches every day, so it was always dynamic and interesting.
History of Women in America with Dr. Strobel (HISTORY)
I LOVED this class! I took it just for fun and learned so much about American history – in particular, the little-known role that some truly fabulous women played in it. We had several debates in this class as well, another useful experience (again, an opportunity to draw on that public speaking!)  I’ve always felt that a truly gifted professor can make any topic come to life, and Dr. Strobel certainly did so in this class.
Chemistry and Global Awareness with Dr. Gordon (CHEMISTRY)
I took this class as my non-lab science GER and it remains one of my favorite classes ever. I say this as someone who hadn’t taken Chemistry since sophomore year of high school (and I took it second semester of my junior year at Furman.) Dr. Gordon approaches this class from the perspective of someone who is not trying to make a bunch of non-science majors turn into science majors – she instead shows us why science (and chemistry especially) is pertinent and relevant in everyday life. We learned about everything from food additives to sunscreen. So much valuable information – I no longer buy pre-packaged cinnamon rolls for fear of Yellow #5 and I always use Hawaiian Tropics SPF 30 sunscreen now.
Ceramics II with Professor Chance (ART)
This list just wouldn’t be complete if my wonderful Ceramics class didn’t make it on here. I am the first to admit that Ceramics doesn’t come naturally to me, but I am having so much fun with it. There is something too cool about making something that you can actually USE with your own two hands – you get to form it, trim it, glaze it, and ultimately, use it! So many functional dishes in my future (get ready, all future roommates!)
Youth and Adolescence with Dr. Longest (SOCIOLOGY)
This class was my Sociology Senior Seminar, and taught me all about being a parent (someday!), which was fascinating. It was all discussion based, and Dr. Longest had our class making parental decisions from day 1 (when we determined how to distribute hypothetical families into bedrooms in a house) to day 20 (during which we visited Toys’R’Us to investigate genderizing of toys) to the last day, during which we turned in semester long academic research projects (mine was on generational body image development between young collegiate women as compared to their mothers.) I imagine I will continue drawing on this in days to come!
Ultimately, my advice to all Furman students with regard to classes is to CHALLENGE YOURSELF. Â You are attending college NOT for an easy A or a perfect GPA. Â You are here to learn, develop yourself, grow personally, and expand your mind – so take advantage of the opportunity to take all different kinds of classes, in all different kinds of departments! Â You will learn so much more if you reach outside of your comfort zone!
*I have denoted the departments that classes were in via parenthesis