Choosing Electives in Preparation for a Future Major
By Shannon FitzGerald, Social Sciences Correspondent
As sophomores at Princeton University prepare to declare their concentrations, it's essential to make informed decisions. Here are some key steps to help you choose representative courses across different departments, providing an accurate picture of academic life and aiding in the exploration of potential majors.
- Identify foundational and introductory courses in various departments: These courses often reflect the core questions, methods, and scope of a discipline. For example, introductory seminars or proseminars (like the Anthropology Proseminar) introduce critical debates and theoretical approaches foundational to the department.
- Sample a variety of course formats and levels: Include lectures, seminars, and tutorials to experience different teaching methods and intellectual demands. Some departments, like Anthropology, have required seminars that expose students to diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives early on.
- Consider departments' requirements and advising: Princeton sophomores typically declare majors by the end of their sophomore year but may explore courses in multiple fields before deciding. Checking departmental advising helps identify courses that are representative for exploring the discipline.
- Balance between depth and breadth: Taking courses that provide a substantial introduction to the discipline alongside interdisciplinary or cross-listed courses can offer broader perspectives relevant for individualised or interdisciplinary majors.
- Examine courses with faculty known for mentoring or research: Highlighting specific professors, research projects, or unique interdisciplinary offerings can deepen understanding and engagement.
- Use academic calendar deadlines for course selection: Sophomores should plan course registration around key dates to ensure the desired classes are available (e.g., course selection period in late August).
When selecting Economics courses, consider the mathematical differences between introductory and advanced courses, as they might reflect future coursework. The process of shopping courses in the sophomore spring is considered an important step before concentration declaration.
For example, if you are considering Comparative Literature, it would be beneficial to take a course in German or French Literature. Some sophomores are certain about their concentration, while others have multiple options. Regardless of your decision, the representativeness of a course depends on factors like its size, topic specificity, and professor's standing.
Use the upcoming spring term to take courses in your top-choice departments. Consulting departmental independent work guides can provide useful insights. As Rafi, a sophomore, suggests, it's crucial to know what you're getting into, and taking a course in a potential major's related subjects before deciding can help you make an informed choice.
By carefully selecting representative courses in each department, you'll gain an accurate picture of academic life in potential major departments, ensuring a smooth transition towards your chosen concentration.
- To get a comprehensive understanding of a potential major in Comparative Literature, it may be beneficial for juniors to enroll in an independent work course, such as German or French Literature, which can offer a hands-on experience and contribute to education-and-self-development.
- As juniors prepare for their independent work, it's essential to choose a junior paper topic that allows for the exploration of diverse intellectual perspectives in a specific discipline, fostering both depth and breadth in education-and-self-development.
