25 of the Coolest Classes You Can Take at Binghamton

Juggling: An Introduction

Course Number: UNIV 101J / Instructors: Tyler Lenga & Jeanette Patterson

This course offers a blend of fun and learning, making it perfect for anyone interested in the art and science of juggling. Not only do you study juggling from many different angles, but you also learn how to juggle yourself. If you’ve never juggled before, no problem! No prior experience is needed.

Scuba

Course Number: HWS 202 / Instructor: Robert Hamilton

Want to take your swimming skills to the next level? Take HWS 202 and learn how to scuba dive in the West Gym pool! You’ll learn how to use masks, fins, snorkel and underwater breathing equipment properly. You’ll also discuss environmental wellness issues to enhance your understanding of the aquatic world. Registration fees are required.

Fly Fishing

Course Number: OUT 176 / Instructor: Gary Romanic

Before you know it, fly fishing may become your new favorite hobby! Master casting techniques, stream and field safety, basic fly tying and entomology as they apply to fishing. Get excited for three weekend day trips to practice fly fishing in a field setting! Students must obtain a New York State fishing license to participate in this course.

Marathon Training

Course Number: HWS 222 / Instructor: Matthew Gawors

If you love to run or want to become a better runner, I recommend taking this course! The training programs are designed to meet each individual’s goals. You will also learn the importance of nutrition, running techniques, time management and more. Registration fees are required.

Singing Chinese

Course Number: MUS 202 / Instructor: Hong Zhang

Being able to sing in a different language is a great talent to have! In this course, you will explore art songs, folk songs and popular songs from Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Through singing practice, you will learn new words and sentence structures while enhancing pronunciation, diction and voice projection.

Living a Meaningful Life

Course Number: UNIV 101Y / Instructors: Various faculty & staff

Do you want to live a more meaningful life? This first-year seminar begins by building a sense of belonging and connections that will support you throughout your college journey. You will work to discover your purpose by identifying your strengths, values and passions. These will be connected with social issues you are interested in to help find career paths that lead to a fulfilling life.

Science and Language of AI

Course Number: LING 380H / Instructor: Sungdai Cho

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown rapidly in recent years and transformed everyday life. This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of natural language and its application to AI. You’ll explore fundamental questions about the nature of language, its unique characteristics and how these insights can enhance the development of advanced AI systems like ChatGPT.

Ghosts in America

Course Number: SCHL 280L / Instructor: Elizabeth Tucker

Do you love haunted houses and telling spooky stories? Or are you a scaredy-cat like me? Either way, this course might be of interest to you! You will analyze the significance of ghosts in American folklore and literature. By combining classic texts with film excerpts and field research, you will engage in discussions that deepen your understanding of the supernatural world.

Humor Across the Media

Course Number: ENG 280V / Instructor: Ryan Vaughan

Laughter is an important aspect of life! This course examines the role of humor and comedy in our culture and society by analyzing it through the mediums of literature, television, film and more. You will broaden your perspective of the different ways you use humor as a tool to navigate your own life.

Presidential Elections in U.S. History

Course Number: HIST 380D / Instructors: Donald Nieman & Connor Naylor

How exciting is it that a presidential election coincides with this course? Enroll and dive deep into specific themes and issues in U.S. history. And remember – your vote matters. Don’t forget to cast it!

Stress Management

Course Number: HWS 233 / Instructor: Jennifer Wegmann

Almost everyone experiences some form of stress each day, especially college students. If you want to change your mindset about stress, HWS 233 is for you! I have taken this course myself and can tell you it was truly beneficial. You will expand your knowledge and strategies needed to manage stress effectively, creating pathways for positive outcomes.

Walt Disney and Modern America

Course Number: UNIV 101M / Instructors: Kevin Murphy & Lauren Garnett

Growing up in a Disney-loving family, you can only imagine my excitement when I discovered this course. The Walt Disney Company has grown to be very popular and influential over the last century. In this course, you will examine the connections between Walt Disney as an individual, the Disney brand and modern American history. You won’t want to miss out on learning all about Mickey Mouse!

Intro to African Drumming

Course Number: AFST 188B / Instructor: James Burns

Music helps us learn about the different traditions and values of cultures around the world. This class focuses on music from the African continent, but also from the diaspora – including Cuba, Brazil and Haiti. Explore drumming, melodic instruments such as the xylophone and singing! No prior music experience is needed.

Backcountry Medicine

Course Number: OUT 255 / Instructor: Kevin Hastings

This wilderness first aid course is a valuable opportunity for anyone interested in learning how to handle emergencies in remote settings. You will gain skills for providing emergency care and rescue when medical help is far away. This course also emphasizes leadership development, accident prevention, group awareness and the dynamics of the environment. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a 16-hour certification in wilderness first aid! Registration fees are required.

The Power and Justice of Food

Course Number: GPH 380H / Instructor: Belinda Ramirez

This course title caught my attention simply because I love food! If you are curious about where your food comes from, why certain foods end up on your plate or how you can help create a more sustainable food future then GPH 380H is for you. You will explore the global food system and its personal, societal and environmental impacts.

Birds and Bugs at BU UNIV

Course Number: UNIV 101X / Instructors: James Brice & Steven Tammariello

Do you want to explore the fascinating world of birds and insects at Binghamton University? This course allows you to do so while also strengthening your critical thinking and writing skills. This is a great choice for students who are not biology majors but want to develop a deeper appreciation for the animal diversity on our campus.

The Beatles in Cultural History

Course Number: HIST 387A / Instructor: Jonathan Karp

The Beatles are one of the most successful and influential musical acts of the twentieth century! Even though their time as a band was short, their impact on British and American culture remains significant. Take a deep dive into the legacy of the Beatles and learn about their lasting influence on fashion, politics and cultural norms.

Taylor Swift, 21C Music

Course Number: UNIV 101V / Instructors: Madison Mcqueeney & Phoebe Hughes

I have been a Swiftie since elementary school and had the pleasure of seeing Taylor Swift in concert during the 1989 World Tour. I unfortunately was not able to get tickets to the Eras Tour (yet!), but believe everyone should learn about it through this course. Explore Swift’s career by studying her musical expansion, songs, albums, music videos, concert tours and documentaries to gain an understanding of the 21st-century music industry.

Robotics

Course Number: ME 428 / Instructor: Colin Selleck & Kaiyan Yu

This course offers a hands-on opportunity to design, program and build robots – how cool! You will learn how to use feedback from sensors, applied mathematics and measurement to program robots to navigate their environments and complete tasks. You will even get the chance to compete against your classmates!

English for Horsemanship

Course Number: OUT 130 / Instructors: Jennifer Joines & Cailin Elliott

Are you interested in horseback riding and the horse-human relationship? With no prior experience needed, you will learn basic riding techniques, grooming, tacking, feeding and the anatomy of horses. OUT 130 will also give you a healthier outlook on life as you will enhance your physical, social and emotional well-being. Registration fees are required.

Make Binghamton Your Home

Course Number: UNIV 101U / Instructors: Alison Twang & David Campbell

Binghamton University students are not only a part of the university community but also the wider Binghamton and Broome County community. Learn to connect with and understand these communities by gaining insight into their local history, challenges and strengths. This course encourages you to reflect on what it means to be part of a community and the responsibilities that come with it.

World Climate Catastrophes

Course Number: HIST 286H / Instructor: Bradley Skopyk

Get involved in the ongoing conversation about climate change by taking this course and becoming educated about the issue. You will examine the impact of both modern and pre-modern climate extremes on human history to see if they can inform our understanding of today’s climate challenges. Whether or not you have previous knowledge about climate change, you should consider taking HIST 286H.

Unwatchable Media

Course Number: CINE 288A / Instructor: Zeke Saber

What makes media “unwatchable”? If you are intrigued, you should take this course and find out! You will examine media that is disturbing, boring or hard to access and learn how we judge and understand different forms of expression. This unique perspective encourages you to think critically about the reasons why we watch media and how it affects us.

The Hidden History of Animals

Course Number: UNIV 101T / Instructor: Mikala Ferry & Lubna Omar

Animals have always brought a lot of joy to my life and I appreciate what they do for us. This course highlights the important role animals have played throughout history. By examining stories from different cultures and time periods, you will gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between humans and animals. No matter if you are a cat or dog person, everyone is welcome!

E-Business

Course Number: MIS 460 / Instructor: Jinglu Jiang

There is no doubt that e-business is a compelling field! This course offers an introduction to the concepts of e-business and provides you with knowledge in management information systems and marketing. You will also gain hands-on experience in web design.

Check out this TikTok featuring 8 of the coolest classes you can take at Bing!

@binghamtonu i’m def taking scuba

Emma Young is an intern for the Office of Media and Public Relations, and a junior majoring in English with a minor in education. She is undecided on a career path, but is interested in public relations and teaching. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading and writing.