The Georgetown classes you need to take before you graduate

Academic FOMO, it’s a thing. And it’s not the mild emotional burden like social FOMO that you forget about and can compensate for on the following weekend. Simply because you only get one, single chance at college. Four years that fly by until it’s May of senior year and you realise that you don’t have a job, you actually discovered that you strongly dislike your major, and now you’re on your own in the real world. If you’re spending this absurd amount of money to earn your degree, you might as well do it right. “Doing it right” doesn’t mean ticking off the checklist for your major and minor. In a way, it means the opposite.

A Liberal Arts university like Georgetown gives you the possibility to try your hand at a diverse range of classes that might have nothing to do with your intended academic or professional path. You can take a painting class for the sake of proving the hypothesis that your skills really do not exceed those of sketching stick figures. But, on the other hand, you may also discover that you had a passion and hidden talent that was just waiting to blossom. Regardless, you have the chance to experiment. In the worst case scenario you lower your GPA slightly, knowing that you are developing yourself as the well-rounded person that the guiding Jesuits are urging you to be.

Before you reach your last semester of senior year only to realize that in the professional world, you cannot “try and fail”, get out of your comfort zone and follow the advice of these wise, graduating Hoyas.

COLLEGE

Bridget Feeney: Painting 1: Acrylic (ARTS-151) by B.G. Muhn

“I think every senior who has room to take an elective should take a class with Professor Muhn. Not only have I really improved my painting skills, but it is fun to go to class. Professor Muhn is always talking about movies and philosophizing about life and its fun to go to a happy space and laugh for an hour or two.”

Cole Seiler: Prisons and Punishment (GOVT-219) by Marc Howard

“The Professor always came to class prepared with an interesting lecture and the readings and class discussions completely changed my views on a rather clandestine national issue.”

Max Astruc: Hispanic Cinema (SPN-341) by Alejandro Yarza

“This class traces the evolution of Spain under Franco through Cinema. I loved this class because Yarza is a leader in this field and can guide discussion very well. You don’t have to be completely fluent in Spanish to take this class, Professor Yarza cares mostly about the quality of your ideas, not your Spanish.”

SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE

Sara Chehrazi: East European History II (HIST-173-01) by Catherine Jean Morse McKenna

“The Professor is an amazing lecturer who makes 100 years of genocide, wars and communism surprisingly light and fascinating. The books we read for the class are good enough for me to actually read cover to cover.”

Nicolas Walker: Holocaust by Bullets (INAF-276) by Father Dennis McManus

“Phenomenal class on an untold aspect of the Holocaust. It was an eye opening and really moving experience. Particularly because Father McManus is a fantastic lecturer that really engages the students and makes time to meet with them one on one.”

Camila Moscoso: International Law (GOVT-263) by Anthony Arend

“It’s the class that made me love my major (IPOL-ILAW). A professor makes a class good and Arend is amazing. He makes a two and a half hour class entertaining with his energy and funny hypothetic scenarios featuring Justin Bieber and Rihanna. I learned so much and would recommend it to everyone in the SFS!”

MCDONOUGH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Natalia Kirkpatrick: Competing in a Flat World (BADM-101-06) by Ricardo Ernst

“This class gave me glimpse into how business is conducted in the real world and is probably one of the best classes I have ever taken in the MSB, taught by a great Professor.”

Alberto Bustamante: Luxury Marketing (MARK-231) and Global Retail Marketing (MARK-232) by Charles Skuba

“The great thing about these two classes is that they are both 1.5 credits so you get to have two completely different experiences in one semester. They are both very different from other marketing courses and provide very useful frameworks and tools to apply in a global context. Big plus: They are taught by Prof Skuba who is hands down the best professor I’ve had at Georgetown.”

Tatiana Lizarralde: Creativity and Innovation (MGMT-277) by Robert J. Bies

“This is not your typical MSB class, you do not have to crunch numbers or analyze the financial crisis. Robert Bies is a passionate and very well rounded professor who will push your limits to uncover your creativity. He teaches through a variety of methods including films, in-class activities, and readings to explain the innovation process. It is a fun and dynamic environment and I assure you that after taking this class, you will be surprised to have discovered a whole new side of you.”