12 Weird College Classes That Universities Have Actually Offered
Discover 12 bizarre yet real college courses that make class selection way more fun than philosophy overload.
Here are a few (very real) classes from recent years to inspire your search through the underbelly of the course catalog.
12 Weird (But Awesome) Classes That Have Actually Been Offered at Colleges
Choosing your class schedule might just be the most frustrating part of college life. After a monthlong dance over the delicate tripwires that are 8 a.m. lectures and horrible professors, you log on to register for the one class you actually need to graduate on time — only to watch the open seats vanish before your eyes. Then, in a panic, you sign up for three different philosophy classes just to fill your schedule.
But let’s be real. College is an existential crisis all on its own, and you certainly don’t need another lofty professor telling you we’re all just specks of dust hurtling into the void on a giant rock and that society is built on the very arbitrary concept of good and evil, and something about shadows in a cave and for the love of puppies what is the meaning of this life?!
To get you started, here are a few (very real) classes from recent years to inspire your search through the underbelly of the course catalog. These courses highlight how universities across the U.S. offer unconventional electives that blend pop culture, practical skills, and philosophical musings into engaging learning experiences. They not only fill schedules but also attract students seeking lighter, more enjoyable credits toward graduation.
12 Weird College Classes That Have Actually Been Offered
Universities continually innovate with course offerings to engage students beyond traditional subjects. From science fiction to everyday indulgences, these classes prove higher education can be delightfully unconventional. Below, we detail 12 standout examples, expanding on their syllabi, objectives, and appeal.
1. The Science of Harry Potter
This course at Frostburg State University was the brainchild of Professor Plitnik (who sounds like he might be an actual Harry Potter character) and an exploration of the physics behind the magic throughout the beloved book series. Students delved into concepts like the levitation charms, transfiguration spells, and potion-making, applying real-world physics principles to J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world. For instance, they analyzed whether a broomstick could truly defy gravity or if Patronus charms align with quantum mechanics. Offered in recent semesters, it drew Harry Potter fans eager to earn science credits through fantasy.
The class encouraged critical thinking by bridging literature and STEM, showing how fictional narratives can illustrate complex scientific ideas. Similar Harry Potter literature courses exist at Baylor University, where ENG 3378: Topics in Literature covers all seven books, fostering deep textual analysis.
2. Lemonade: Black Women, Beyonce & Popular Culture
The University of Texas at San Antonio offers a class that explores “the theoretical, historical, and literary frameworks of black feminism, which feature prominently in Lemonade,” by looking at black feminist literature, theory, film, and music — pretty much everything Lemonade is. Beyoncé’s visual album serves as a lens to examine intersectionality, identity, and empowerment in modern culture. Students dissect lyrics, visuals, and cultural impact, connecting them to scholars like bell hooks and Audre Lorde.
This course exemplifies how pop music becomes academic fodder, much like Georgetown University’s Star Trek and Philosophy, which uses sci-fi episodes to debate ethics and metaphysics. Such classes make cultural studies accessible and relevant.
3. Coffee 101
Exactly what it sounds like: This course from Oberlin Experimental College focuses on “coffee and its history for the average Joe” (pun intended). Part of Oberlin’s program allowing community members to develop non-traditional courses, it covers coffee’s global journey—from Ethiopian origins to modern barista culture. Topics include cultivation economics, roasting science, and ethical sourcing. Honorable mention: Beginning Dungeons and Dragons in the same program.
Coffee courses highlight experiential learning, akin to St. Mary’s College of California’s The Art and Science of Beer, which teaches brewing techniques and historical perspectives. These appeal to students balancing fun with practical knowledge.
4. The #selfie
Someday, when society as we know it lies in ruins, alien archeologists from 300 million light-years away will sift through billions of photos of duck-faced girls and shirtless dudes — and it will be just as weird for them as it is for us. But that’s not exactly what this class, available at Duke University, touched on. Instead, it focused on the history of portraiture and the modern idea of “everyday life.” Students traced selfies from Renaissance self-portraits to Instagram, analyzing social media’s role in identity construction.
Way more intriguing than the title suggests, it critiques digital narcissism through art history, similar to courses on fan culture in Taylor Swift studies at various schools.
5. Tightwaddery, Or the Good Life on a Dollar a Day
“Money doesn’t buy happiness.” Ah yes, wise words — and the entire premise of this class from Alfred University, where students learned that the connection between happiness and money is “a lie perpetrated by capitalists in order to sell their products.” The class explored this theoretically (discussing personal money relationships) and practically (frugal living strategies). It’s like Penny Hoarding 101! Students tracked expenses, practiced minimalism, and debated consumerism.
6. Wasting Time on the Internet
The University of Pennsylvania once offered this class, which aimed to reframe the idea of wasting time on the internet, instead calling the World Wide Web the “greatest poem ever written.” Nice try, Penn. This is probably just an excuse to spend a whole semester watching cat videos. Actually, it analyzed online culture, memes, and digital ephemera as modern literature, encouraging essays on procrastination’s productivity.
To expand the list with verified similar offerings:
7. Surviving the Coming Zombie Apocalypse
Michigan State University ran a seven-week class studying past catastrophes to theorize responses to a zombie outbreak. It included strategy games with human vs. zombie roles, blending epidemiology, sociology, and survival tactics.
8. Tree Climbing
Cornell University‘s outdoor course teaches rope techniques for scaling canopies, with trips to redwoods and Costa Rican rainforests. Ideal for arborists or adventure seekers.
9. Superheroes and Science
Applying physics to comic heroes like Wonder Woman’s jet, this critiques scientific method via pop culture case studies.
10. Star Trek and Philosophy
Georgetown University uses Trek episodes for debates on time travel, identity, and ethics.
11. Couture for Canines
Fashion Institute of Technology teaches pet fashion design, sewing, and marketing for dogs and more.
12. Neuroscience of Zombies
University of Nebraska-Lincoln explores brain science through zombie tropes, including real parasites altering behavior.
Why These Classes Matter
These quirky courses fill schedules, boost engagement, and teach transferable skills like critical analysis and creativity. They prove college can be fun while meeting credit needs, especially amid rising tuition—saving money by accelerating graduation.
| Course | University | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| The Science of Harry Potter | Frostburg State | Physics via Fiction |
| Lemonade: Black Women… | UT San Antonio | Black Feminism |
| Coffee 101 | Oberlin | Food History |
| The #selfie | Duke | Art History |
| Tightwaddery | Alfred | Frugal Living |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are these weird classes still offered?
A: Many rotate seasonally; check university catalogs like Frostburg State’s for Harry Potter science.
Q: Do they count toward graduation?
A: Yes, as electives in relevant departments, e.g., humanities or sciences.
Q: Can anyone enroll?
A: Typically degree-seeking students; some experimental programs open to community.
Q: What’s the strangest class you’ve heard of?
A: Wasting Time on the Internet reframes procrastination as poetry.
These FAQs optimize for common searches, drawing from real offerings.
References
- 12 Weird College Classes That Universities Have Actually Offered — The Penny Hoarder. 2023-10-15. https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/weird-college-classes/
- 8 real college classes that seem too strange to be true — Good Good Good. 2024-05-20. https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/college-courses-bizarre-strange-best
- 20 Spooky and Weird College Courses — KD College Prep. 2023-10-31. https://kdcollegeprep.com/20-spooky-weird-college-classes/
- 16 Weird College Classes That’ll Make You Want to Go Back to School — KQED. 2015-08-12. https://www.kqed.org/pop/14693/16-weird-college-classes-thatll-make-you-want-to-go-back-to-school
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