A long-standing student complaint - boring classes and tedious professors - is, at last, being addressed by the University at Buffalo.
"Classes like 'Flirting' will not only entertain students and keep them awake, but they'll also be invaluable to the student, both during and after the collegiate years," said Kerry Grant, vice provost of academic affairs and dean of the graduate school.
The new courses, available next fall, range across four or five departments and cover topics such as: Academic Bluffing (APY 501); Sowing Dissent (COM 501); Basic Deathmatching (CSE 496); Flirting (ATH 401); and Vices 1, 2 and 3 (UGC 501, 502, 503).
After informal studies showed student dissatisfaction with current course offerings, the administration decided to follow a less traditional solution.
"We sat down and talked to target groups, tried to get a feel for what the students wanted," said Dennis Black, vice president for Student Affairs. "What we found was that while students were getting enough technical education, certain areas, like "Gettin' It On," were sorely needed at UB."
"That's great, and it's about time," said Marcy Cley, a junior communication major. "The guys at this school could really use some lessons in a few of these areas. I mean, come on, my last boyfriend could barely pick a fight, let alone start a riot."
A few professors have decried the alternative classes, pointing out the risks inherent in offering classes like "Academic Bluffing" to students.
"When you offer a student the opportunity to enroll in a class where we say, 'here's how to bluff your way to an A,' what we're really doing is coming out in support of that kind of behavior," said professor of psychology Dan Marles. "This is going to muddy the ethical waters at this university."
Organizers say that despite the apparent drawbacks, the success of the programs at drawing students into the university mainstream will outbalance the difficulties.
"Students need to get more involved on campus," said Student Association President Christian Oliver. "If they decide not to get involved with SA or maybe aren't into any of the bands we bring to UB for free, this is a great way to go. What better way to show your students you love them than by directly catering to their needs?"
At press time, both "Academic Bluffing" and "Gettin' It On" had reached capacity, and others were close behind.
