“That’s so silly, it’s like an underwater basket weaving class!”  Ever heard that one before?  Ever wonder if it really exists?  Well here are some strange courses, underwater basket weaving and all, that really do exist in universities around the country:

1. YouTube

Someone must have been obsessed with YouTube to go create a course about it.  But that is exactly what one professor did at Pitzer College in California.  This course studies the popular video sharing site and the impact it has on our culture.

2. Walking

In Kentucky, a student can take a course called “The Art of Walking” at Centre College where they learn all about the lost style of transportation…walking.

3. Harry Potter & Engineering

Not a science major but love Harry Potter?  Then there’s a course for you at Frostburg State University in Maryland.  Developed for the non-science majors, this course asks if the three headed dog found in the popular series could possibly be explained by genetic engineering.

4. Black Community

At Occidental College (not accidental…that‘s not a typo), a student can take a class on “The Exploration of Blackness”.  Although controversial, this class offers discussion about future repercussions of current events in a black community, rather than studying the past.

5. Queer Musicology

At University of California Los Angeles, or UCLA, there is a course called “Queer Musicology” which teaches how sexual preference can affect how we hear music.  For example, someone who is gay may find music written by a gay composer more appealing.

6. How to make Maple Syrup

Do you like maple syrup?  Well, there is a professor who must have liked it so much he created a class all about it at Alfred University in New York.  This class is about the business of making syrup and how it is similar to the way the Native Americans made it.

7. European Witchcraft

In New York you can also take a course studying “European Witchcraft.”  This course will have you traveling back in time to study the background and mind sets of both those accused of being a witch and their accusers.

8. Trekkies Unite!

Love Star Trek?  Georgetown University combines Star Trek with philosophy and compares philosophical ideas with similar themes found in the TV show.

9. Underwater Basket Weaving

Aha!  An “Underwater Basket Weaving” class at University of California San Diego.  This class must be somewhat popular because surprisingly, it’s offered at Reed College in Oregon as well.  For some people it may just be a waste of time, but you will learn how to make wicker baskets by soaking plant stalks in water.

10. Popular Logic on TV and Judge Shows

What do Judge Judy and the People’s Court have in common besides being TV shows full of people suing each other? They’re also the topic of conversation at University of California Berkley.  This “Popular Logic on TV Judge Shows” class is not a legal course, but rather explores the legal fallacies and fabricated stories presented on the shows.

11. Garbage

At Santa Clara University in California, a student can learn all about the “Joy of Garbage”.  If you have an un-traceable odor in your place, maybe this class is for you!  You will learn about decomposition and what makes garbage so stinky.

12. Superheroes & Science

Leave it to California to keep introducing strange new courses to our nation’s young minds in school.  University of California Irvine has a course dedicated to “Superheroes”.  How does Superman fly?  What makes Spider Man’s silk netting so strong?  The professor claims his class is just a way of teaching physics with context that is familiar to the students.

13. Zombies

Why are zombies so popular?  In Chicago students can take a class covering the topic of zombies in popular media, such as movies and video games.

14. Cyberporn and Society

If you weren’t before, now you can be open about watching porn in a class called “Cyberporn and Society” offered at State University of New York in Buffalo.  That’s right!  Students in this class actually watch porn at school and discuss what affects it has on our society. (uh, awesome!)

15. The Far Side and Insects

If you love comic strips like “The Far Side” this might be a course you would enjoy.  At Oregon State a professor combines “The Far Side” with the study of entomology (the study of insects) to teach the connection between people and bugs.

16. Magic Tricks

Ever wish you had taken up magic as a kid?  At North Glasgow College, you can learn magic and its ties with psychology, studying mind reading and telekinesis tricks and techniques.

17. Etiquette of Bowling

Bowling isn’t just a hobby anymore, now you can take a bowling class for physical education.  This 2 hour class at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, California teaches of all things…the etiquette of bowling!

18. Filipino Mail Order Brides

“Mail Order Brides”…  This class at Johns Hopkins University is not encouragement to fill out an application and give up dating.  Rather, it helps to explain the common stereotyping of Filipino women as part of its women’s studies major.

19. Tightwaddery – How to Live Cheaply

Does money seem to burn a hole in your pocket?  Alfred University makes the list again with a class called “Tightwaddery”.  This class teaches how living meagerly can benefit your body, the environment and even your relationships.  The professor of this course will also have you examining your personal spending habits while learning haggling skills.

20. Daytime Soaps

There is a strange obsession with daytime soap operas.  University of Wisconsin offers “Daytime Serials: Family and Social Roles” as part of its women’s studies major.  This class dives into how these TV shows affect family life and working relationships of the people who watch them.

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