How to adjust to Non-science classes

[907914]

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So, I have taken nothing but science courses for the last two years and this quarter I am enrolled in some gen-Ed courses titled “Social Problems” And “Race and Diversity”. Today is the first day of Spring quarter and, while the two classes certainly feel like they will be fun and engaging and they certainly have their place, it is a much MUCH different change of pace and learning style than I have been used to with the sciences.

I have not taken an in person liberal arts class since sophomore year of high school in 2010...Any advice on how to accommodate a new/different learning style?

 

[965978]

I'm not sure there is anything you need to specifically do to prepare. I would say just keep an open mind about the topics that are discussed! You'll get used to the change of pace in a couple weeks.

 

[dr_kateb]

Read the slides and assigned readings... Pander to whoever's evaluating your essays... And lots of ibuprofen.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

There’s nothing to do. You treat it like any other class, except be prepared to write more papers and to probably study less. But yes, if you want a good grade, figure out your prof’s stance on things and pander to that. You’re not making a stand in Congress or something. It’s term paper no one cares about, but profs will ding you for disagreeing with them if they’re dinguses.

 

[907914]

There’s nothing to do. You treat it like any other class, except be prepared to write more papers and to probably study less. But yes, if you want a good grade, figure out your prof’s stance on things and pander to that. You’re not making a stand in Congress or something. It’s term paper no one cares about, but profs will ding you for disagreeing with them if they’re dinguses.

I figured that out today when our mandatory book is called “White Man Falling.”

 

[dr_kateb]

I figured that out today when our mandatory book is called “White Man Falling.”

Eh... I’m not optimistic given the title. Apparently it’s a book about white supremacists. Given the books I had to read I wouldn’t be surprised if the author strays away from white supremecists to vilifying all white men.

 

[stubblesmcgee]

Try to keep an open mind and dont fall behind on your reading.

 

[751866]

Honestly, as long as you pander appropriately and keep your GPA at least as good as it was coming into these courses, you will survive. Best case is your overall GPA is inflated a bit, but if there's not room to go up, just don't drag it down. This is where brown nosing and pretending you're a giant weenie (no spine, agree with the professor and popular sentiment no matter how illogical) will come in handy. Also, don't engage in many logical discussions if you disagree with someone; this is the arena for everyone to earn a medal and be told their emotional argument is just as good as one based in facts and logic. Coming from science classes, you will need to adjust to that. Go to office hours and curry favor with the professor/instructor (always call everyone professor even if it's an MA/PhD student); always seek advice on your assignments.

Lots more subjectivity, so actually try to see where someone is coming from with their argument even if you disagree; it doesn't mean you think they're right but it's a good skill to develop in medicine and life if you can understand another person's thought process, especially when you disagree (this is a lost art nowadays as opposed to instantly recoiling from anything we disagree with).

 

[cantankerous]

Uh, it's a Gen-Ed class. You just have to show up to class and study slides for 30 min before exams to get an A. You're acting like you're taking 19th Century Art History or an advanced study of Russian Literature.

 

[Rachapkis]

You raise a good question. Different classes require different skills--both in- and outside of the sciences. Assuming that you dedicate sufficient effort to a class (which should be table stakes), dance with what has worked for you in past--that is, until you find that it does not work any more. At that point, you need to adapt by asking mentors and others who are succeeding how they approach the topic. Then, importantly, you have to implement the new strategy. Adaptability is often the key to success.

 

[907914]

Uh, it's a Gen-Ed class. You just have to show up to class and study slides for 30 min before exams to get an A. You're acting like you're taking 19th Century Art History or an advanced study of Russian Literature.

Oh, I could totally handle a history class. There are actual facts to learn and specific examples to discuss.

Neither of these 2 classes have tests or quizzes...We read the book, right a paragraph about how we felt about it every day, and then discuss in class. Both classes.

I did overblow their difficulty, these will be super easy as I am great at pandering and, honestly, just public speaking and making my voice heard.

Is it an adjustment for a class? Yes. Am I wondering why I have to spend money on these courses? A little. Will it be easier than thought. Yes.

 

[cantankerous]

Oh, I could totally handle a history class. There are actual facts to learn and specific examples to discuss.

Neither of these 2 classes have tests or quizzes...We read the book, right a paragraph about how we felt about it every day, and then discuss in class. Both classes.

I did overblow their difficulty, these will be super easy as I am great at pandering and, honestly, just public speaking and making my voice heard.

Is it an adjustment for a class? Yes. Am I wondering why I have to spend money on these courses? A little. Will it be easier than thought. Yes.

Sounds like a participation class. The grad student TA is not going to spend time reading and analyzing a bunch of surface level analysis from uninterested students who are there for filling graduation requirements only. If you get into a gen-ed where the professor really gives a hard time with grading AKA anything below an A, you should drop out of that class. Required participation would be raising your hand once in class regardless of what you have to say at most and even then it's likely just to be attendance. I went to a large public school, so maybe that's the reality of Gen-Eds there.

 

[stubblesmcgee]

people who go in trying to pander to the professor and not actually learn are the ones who come out thinking they're the only ones thinking logically and not emotionally. don't be one of them. as you said, you could have taken other humanities courses but you chose to take these ones. believe it or not, but people who've spent their lives studying the nuances of difficult sociological phenomenon may actually understand them better than an undergrad.

 

[puahate]

Just read. Do work. Study. These are gen-eds. I took plenty of intro and mid-level social science classes as a science major.

The biggest thing is to READ.

 

[dr_kateb]

people who go in trying to pander to the professor and not actually learn are the ones who come out thinking they're the only ones thinking logically and not emotionally

Uhhh have you met some of these professors?

 

[907914]

people who go in trying to pander to the professor and not actually learn are the ones who come out thinking they're the only ones thinking logically and not emotionally. don't be one of them. as you said, you could have taken other humanities courses but you chose to take these ones. believe it or not, but people who've spent their lives studying the nuances of difficult sociological phenomenon may actually understand them better than an undergrad.

I am sorry, but when the current topic of a “Social problems” class is environmental pollution, his PhD in Philosophy doesn’t make his statement of “All carbon emissions would go away if we switched to electric vehicles” correct.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Let’s not have this thread devolve into bashing either end of the political spectrum in academia. Keep the discussion to the topic. If you think pandering to the prof is necessary, that’s fine. But leave it at that.

And as someone said early—try to keep an open mind. Maybe you’ll learn something.

 

[futureDocDD]

Just a thought, can you pass/fail the gen-ed class?

 

[907914]

Let’s not have this thread devolve into bashing either end of the political spectrum in academia. Keep the discussion to the topic. If you think pandering to the prof is necessary, that’s fine. But leave it at that.

And as someone said early—try to keep an open mind. Maybe you’ll learn something.

I am definitely learning a good amount in the Race/power/privilege class. Social problems is basically the amount of sociology on the MCAT but expanded to include non-health related topics.

Just a thought, can you pass/fail the gen-ed class?

Nah, P/F can’t be done for graduation requirements (my school as a cultural diversity requirement and an international awareness requirement. Whether Gen-Ed’s should be required is a whole other story...)

 

[futureDocDD]

In that case, I'd go find a private tutor (preferably a grad student in the same dept).

 

[907914]

In that case, I'd go find a private tutor (preferably a grad student in the same dept).

I have since found the classes will be easy A’s with the right effort...it is just completely different then the sciences.

I found myself sitting at home yesterday afternoon saying “I have nothing to study and nothing to learn...I have a paper to write, though.” Which I am just not used to. I am used to thinking and learning material, not just producing something that shows reflection on the material.

 

[965978]

I have since found the classes will be easy A’s with the right effort...it is just completely different then the sciences.

I found myself sitting at home yesterday afternoon saying “I have nothing to study and nothing to learn...I have a paper to write, though.” Which I am just not used to. I am used to thinking and learning material, not just producing something that shows reflection on the material.

I took a race and privilege class once and the prof assigned a 4-page paper. A third of the class wrote a paper with only a couple lines extending to the 4th page and the prof told the TA's to give automatic D's to those papers. LOL.

 

[751866]

I took a race and privilege class once and the prof assigned a 4-page paper. A third of the class wrote a paper with only a couple lines extending to the 4th page and the prof told the TA's to give automatic D's to those papers. LOL.

Lazy students...

 

[907914]

I took a race and privilege class once and the prof assigned a 4-page paper. A third of the class wrote a paper with only a couple lines extending to the 4th page and the prof told the TA's to give automatic D's to those papers. LOL.

Compare that to how I do writing assignments - I just research the topic or whatever it is, type until the whole story is told, and then wind up with a 5 page paper that only needed to be 2.

 

[965978]

Compare that to how I do writing assignments - I just research the topic or whatever it is, type until the whole story is told, and then wind up with a 5 page paper that only needed to be 2.

How are all your papers descriptive? All of my humanities classes required argumentative papers.

 

[907914]

How are all your papers descriptive? All of my humanities classes required argumentative papers.

My bad, by 'whole story is told' I just meant until my opinion/details/arguement or whatever is exhausted.