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Zombies, Miley Cyrus, and Star Trek: 5 Great Pop Culture College Courses

Zombies, Miley Cyrus, and Star Trek: 5 Great Pop Culture College Courses
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Adam D'Arpino profile
Adam D'Arpino August 6, 2014

From classes about the zombie apocalypse to Miley Cyrus, colleges all over the country are offering courses off the beaten track.

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Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certificate

Offered By University of South Florida logo
In this course, participants learn core principles, concepts, and methods of continuous improvement and explore the history of continuous improvement efforts. In a series of lectures, Master Black Belt in Six Sigma Shane Wentz, Ph.D., enables learners to enhance, optimize, and stabilize business processes and to augment quality control through varied methodologies. Participants gain the skills and knowledge to reimagine internal processes, engage in advanced problem-solving, and empower employees. The course covers high-level foundational principles of Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC processes before diving deep into Lean Six Sigma methods. Learners will analyze the tools of process mapping, Kaizen (a continuous improvement method/tool deemed a prerequisite for Lean transformation success), Lean (a continuous improvement philosophy that emphasizes streamlined workflows and reducing waste), and the process improvement methodology driving DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

Beyond Silicon Valley

Offered By Case Western Reserve University logo
Entrepreneurs fostering new ventures outside of well-developed entrepreneurial ecosystems like Silicon Valley face significant challenges. These markets are unlike Silicon Valley, and they will likely remain so. That doesn't mean they can't nurture and sustain new businesses. In transitioning markets that lack abundant private sector financing, creative approaches from government officials, donors, and business leaders can fill the void to support entrepreneurial activity. Northeast Ohio (where Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University are located) has become a laboratory for such innovative solutions. During our time together in this course, we will explore some of these creative approaches to promoting regional entrepreneurship. Northeast Ohio has seen a massive infusion of government and donor resources for over ten years. In that time, Northeast Ohio has promoted regional development (including job creation and follow-on funding) through alternative methods of financing startups. It has not been easy. The region has made progress, but it remains to be seen whether it has struck upon an enduring formula. A dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem takes many years, even decades, to develop. Government policymakers and donors typically seek quicker returns on their support programs, which makes long-term support for entrepreneurship challenging. This course includes case studies and first-person testimonials from entrepreneurs who have launched products and services ranging from medical devices to LED lights to whiskey. You will learn how these entrepreneurs discovered and procured resources from various programs and intermediary organizations. You will hear from business people still in the process of developing their companies as well as those whose ventures have flourished. Our focus will extend beyond Cleveland to selected markets around the world, including Greece, Vietnam, Tunisia, Argentina, Rwanda and China. You will learn about international incentives and other supports available to developing startups and small businesses across the globe. This course examines how different communities around the world approach implementing strategies and methods to support businesses. I will ask you to reflect on how to apply the principles we learn to growing entrepreneurship where you live. The social interactive features of the online platform will enable students from around the world to share ideas and learn from one another. Most MOOCs rebroadcast professors’ lectures; this course is different. Don’t expect to see me standing in front of the camera, talking and lecturing every module. Instead, the lectures will be relatively short in length. They have more of the feel of an engaging documentary than a static classroom setting. ## __What type of person takes the *Beyond Silicon Valley* course?__ - Active and aspiring businesspeople in communities looking to initiate new startup ecosystems or bolster existing ones - Current and prospective entrepreneurs who want to learn about funding sources, risk management, and the lifecycle of startups - Professionals who work in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic institutions, and various private funds that fund startups - Anyone curious about how to create and grow startup ecosystems outside the major tech hubs - The principles Beyond Silicon Valley teaches have been drawn from and applied to startups worldwide, from small villages to megalopolises. You'll study success stories spanning the globe from Vietnam to Kosovo to Botswana. ## __What will you learn in *Beyond Silicon Valley*?__ - How and where startups can find funding to get their businesses off the ground - What role government can play in encouraging startups and a healthy startup ecosystem - How anchor institutions such as universities and healthcare systems participate in startup ecosystems - How nongovernmental organizations support startups - How to raise funds from venture capitalists, angel investors, and accelerators - How to navigate challenging periods in the startup lifecycle - The importance of mentoring in successful startups

Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certificate

Offered By University of South Florida logo
In this course, participants learn core principles, concepts, and methods of continuous improvement and explore the history of continuous improvement efforts. In a series of lectures, Master Black Belt in Six Sigma Shane Wentz, Ph.D., enables learners to enhance, optimize, and stabilize business processes and to augment quality control through varied methodologies. Participants gain the skills and knowledge to reimagine internal processes, engage in advanced problem-solving, and empower employees. The course covers high-level foundational principles of Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC processes before diving deep into Lean Six Sigma methods. Learners will analyze the tools of process mapping, Kaizen (a continuous improvement method/tool deemed a prerequisite for Lean transformation success), Lean (a continuous improvement philosophy that emphasizes streamlined workflows and reducing waste), and the process improvement methodology driving DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

Beyond Silicon Valley

Offered By Case Western Reserve University logo
Entrepreneurs fostering new ventures outside of well-developed entrepreneurial ecosystems like Silicon Valley face significant challenges. These markets are unlike Silicon Valley, and they will likely remain so. That doesn't mean they can't nurture and sustain new businesses. In transitioning markets that lack abundant private sector financing, creative approaches from government officials, donors, and business leaders can fill the void to support entrepreneurial activity. Northeast Ohio (where Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University are located) has become a laboratory for such innovative solutions. During our time together in this course, we will explore some of these creative approaches to promoting regional entrepreneurship. Northeast Ohio has seen a massive infusion of government and donor resources for over ten years. In that time, Northeast Ohio has promoted regional development (including job creation and follow-on funding) through alternative methods of financing startups. It has not been easy. The region has made progress, but it remains to be seen whether it has struck upon an enduring formula. A dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem takes many years, even decades, to develop. Government policymakers and donors typically seek quicker returns on their support programs, which makes long-term support for entrepreneurship challenging. This course includes case studies and first-person testimonials from entrepreneurs who have launched products and services ranging from medical devices to LED lights to whiskey. You will learn how these entrepreneurs discovered and procured resources from various programs and intermediary organizations. You will hear from business people still in the process of developing their companies as well as those whose ventures have flourished. Our focus will extend beyond Cleveland to selected markets around the world, including Greece, Vietnam, Tunisia, Argentina, Rwanda and China. You will learn about international incentives and other supports available to developing startups and small businesses across the globe. This course examines how different communities around the world approach implementing strategies and methods to support businesses. I will ask you to reflect on how to apply the principles we learn to growing entrepreneurship where you live. The social interactive features of the online platform will enable students from around the world to share ideas and learn from one another. Most MOOCs rebroadcast professors’ lectures; this course is different. Don’t expect to see me standing in front of the camera, talking and lecturing every module. Instead, the lectures will be relatively short in length. They have more of the feel of an engaging documentary than a static classroom setting. ## __What type of person takes the *Beyond Silicon Valley* course?__ - Active and aspiring businesspeople in communities looking to initiate new startup ecosystems or bolster existing ones - Current and prospective entrepreneurs who want to learn about funding sources, risk management, and the lifecycle of startups - Professionals who work in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic institutions, and various private funds that fund startups - Anyone curious about how to create and grow startup ecosystems outside the major tech hubs - The principles Beyond Silicon Valley teaches have been drawn from and applied to startups worldwide, from small villages to megalopolises. You'll study success stories spanning the globe from Vietnam to Kosovo to Botswana. ## __What will you learn in *Beyond Silicon Valley*?__ - How and where startups can find funding to get their businesses off the ground - What role government can play in encouraging startups and a healthy startup ecosystem - How anchor institutions such as universities and healthcare systems participate in startup ecosystems - How nongovernmental organizations support startups - How to raise funds from venture capitalists, angel investors, and accelerators - How to navigate challenging periods in the startup lifecycle - The importance of mentoring in successful startups
Article continues here

Everyone knows that college is a time to expand your horizons. This means trying new things, branching out, and taking college classes that are awesome and perhaps a little outside of your "traditional" subject matter.

Pop culture has become a fascinating field of academic study with classes on everything from Miley Cyrus to the zombie apocalypse. Here are five of the most unexpected current culture classes you can take in college.

1. Star Trek and Philosophy

Do you love Star Trek? Do you spend hours arguing if Data's positronic brain can ever truly allow him to be "human?" You can showcase your talent for talking Star Trek shop by taking "Philosophy and Star Trek." So long as you go to Georgetown, that is.

According to Georgetown's website, the philosophy class allows you to mull over questions on free will, metaphysics, and time travel ("Could you go back and kill your grandmother?").

2. Disasters, Catastrophes, and Human Behavior: Surviving the Coming Zombie Apocalypse

Michigan State University's fully online, award-winning summer seminar gives students the chance to take on complex problem solving as they "attempt to survive the catastrophe, escape death by zombies, and preserve the future of civilization," which sounds way more fun than say, algebra.

It's also notably a 200 level course, because everyone knows you can't just dive into the zombie apocalypse your freshman year.

3. The Sociology of Miley: Race, Class, Gender and Media

Miley Cyrus really does get a lot of attention these days, but is there more to the twerking teen star? Thankfully, this summer, the good folks at Skidmore College in Saratoga, New York will remedy the issue with "The Sociology of Miley: Race, Class, Gender and Media."

According to the course's professor, the class will focus on the "surprisingly complicated cultural moment" and use her as a jumping off point to explore "core issues of intersectionality." We're interested to see if, maybe, they'll also discuss her other notables, like selfies and twerking.

4. Breaking Down Breaking Bad

Like pizza and the Beatles, "Breaking Bad" is just one of those things everyone seems to like. So why not spend a few hours on SUNY Buffalo's Breaking Down Breaking Bad class during the spring 2014 semester (that is to say, right now)?

According to SUNY Buffalo's website, the graduate seminar "analyzes the critically acclaimed series’ realistic storyline, development and execution." This may or may not be an amazing way to hang out, binge watch "Breaking Bad," and learn something in the process.

5. Feminist Perspectives: Politicizing Beyoncé

This Spring, Rutgers students are getting an academic look at former Destiny's Child front-woman and current extraordinarily famous person Beyoncé, in a class that uses her work as "lenses to explore American race, gender and sexual politics." Beyoncé is a force of nature and one of music's most respected stars. If we can listen to — and study "XO" — for course credit, sign us up!

Sources:

Course to break down "Breaking Bad." (n.d.). Jackson Breaking Bad. Retrieved April 26, 2014, from SUNY Buffalo

Directory. (n.d.). PHIL-180 Philosophy and Star Trek. Retrieved April 26, 2014, from Georgetown

Michaels, S. (2014, March 28). Back to twerk … Miley Cyrus to be studied on new university course. theguardian.com. Retrieved April 26, 2014, from The Guardian

SW290: Surviving the Coming Zombie Apocalypse | Disasters, Catastrophes, and Human Behavior. (n.d.). Michigan State. Retrieved April 26, 2014, from MSU

The ABC’s Of Beyonce? Rutgers University Offers ‘Politicizing Beyonce’ Course. (2014, January 8). CBS New York. Retrieved April 26, 2014, from CBS Local News

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Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certificate

Offered By University of South Florida logo

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Beyond Silicon Valley

Offered By Case Western Reserve University logo

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