The big four to take before graduation

By: Courtney Carter

Posted: 4/5/07

Sex, drugs, beer and TV, all for three credits a pop. All four are topics of classes undergraduates can take at Syracuse University.

Sure, there are other classes like Quantitative Geographical Analysis, but if you must save room for some of your good credits, below are the four to take before graduation.

Human Sexuality (CFS 388)

With class notes that read, "intimacy isn't for amateurs" and "the most common sex problems," human sexuality is bound to be a favorite.

"I think the students like it because it's so relevant to them," said Joe Fanelli, an instructor in the College of Human Services and Health Professions, who teaches the class. "They are surprised that the class is more than high-school biology. It's an approach in an adult way. I'm not trying to water it down."

Fanelli has been at SU for 23 years, taught 46 semesters and has had 28,000 students rush to sign up for this class.

"So many students were angry because they couldn't get into the course," Fanelli said. "I was stunned people like it. When I came here as a new professor, all I wanted to do was survive the first semester."

Thanks to Fanelli's teaching style and the open dialogue in the course, it's a hit with students.

"He has all these stories," said Victoria Chan, an undeclared sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. "He's so funny, and the course is not just about sex; it's about everything people usually don't talk about."

Wine & Beer Appreciation (NHM 422)

According to the syllabus, "this course is designed to increase your awareness of wines and beers."

Taking this course on a weekday is giving you about the same experience of a Saturday night. Each semester a state trooper lectures students about responsible drinking. However, while many think just because it's a good class, it's an easy class, it is not.

"As far as being difficult, I think it is because they come in with the preconceived notion that they are just going to have a few drinks," said Timothy Barr, an instructor in the College of Human Services and Health Professions. "We do sample products, they do need to know growing conditions, proper way to taste, how the product is made among other things."

The class is also important, Barr said, for developing social and cultural taste.

"I think that this is a great class for everyone," Barr said. "Don't forget we are sending students out into the business world, and a lot of business is done over a meal and a glass of wine."

History of Prime Time TV (TRF 435)

It is not often you can take a class with a man quoted daily in major media outlets across the country commenting on pop culture. Robert Thompson, a professor of television, radio and film, teaches about a subject most students are familiar with but rarely get to learn about: television. Thompson does more than show clips of shows such as "I Love Lucy" and "The Simpsons." He also provides the background knowledge behind them.

"Everyone hears about the famous 'I Love Lucy' episodes, like the one when she had her baby," Thompson said. "But at best you see clips of these episodes on Nick at Nite. We watch the whole show, even the commercials, to understand more."

The class offers American history filtered through a pop-culture perspective.

"If you've actually been going and paying attention in class, you leave this class knowing more than anyone about television, even more than some people in television," Thompson said.

The class includes watching historical moments through the media, such as the moon landing and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

"You don't always get to study a topic like television with such depth," said Carly Berezin, a senior television, radio and film major. "The professor presents a completely different way of looking at things."

Drugs and Human Behavior (PSY 315)

Tibor Palfai is something of an eccentric.

"You never forget your first kiss, and you never forget your first cocaine dosage," is just one of the outlandish statements typical of Palfai, a psychology professor.

Palfai's class discusses the effects of psychoactive drugs on human behavior, the history, short and long term effects, and the use and abuse of drugs. The class digs deep into the subject matter and leaves the student learning about more than they thought they would.

"We learn a lot about drugs, but it's about deeper stuff that students don't know much about," said Allison Leung, a sophomore advertising major.

Palfai's lectures are direct and to the point, refusing to skirt around the complex issues related to drug use.

"Because of the subject matter, kids want to know about it," Palfai said. "They always hear about it, and I tell it to them straight, no propaganda."