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U of M | Minneapolis | St. Paul
Tuesday
May 21, 2013

Uncommon Courses

Subhead: 
In one course, the class votes on rules in the syllabus.
Publish Date: 
Tue, 11/08/2011
AP Article: 
Not AP Article
Reporter: 
rraveling@mndai...

Students enrolled in Professor Gilbert Rodman’s communication studies class are shocked to find they will have to bring a yoga mat or recite the “Polka Pledge” each class meeting.

His syllabus for New Telecommunication Media is designed with a set of rules — some ridiculous, like requiring students to correctly predict a week of National Football League game outcomes — and some rules expected in an average University of Minnesota classroom. Students spend the semester voting out the ridiculous rules and voting in new ones, changing the syllabus as the semester progresses.

Editor's Note: 
This is the fourth in a series featuring interesting courses at the University.
Blurb: 
In one course, the class votes on rules in the syllabus.
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p1stclass
Associated Content: 
g1_Uncommon
p2stclass
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Subhead: 
Adventure-learning bikers prepare for upcoming desert conditions in Chile.
Publish Date: 
Thu, 10/27/2011
AP Article: 
Not AP Article
Reporter: 
rraveling@mndai...

Biking from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Lima, Peru has exposed University of Minnesota students to severe climate conditions, extreme elevations and most importantly, agriculture.

Four students and their professor, Paul Porter, have been biking through South America since Sept. 25. They’ve reached central Chile.

Blurb: 
Adventure-learning bikers prepare for upcoming desert conditions in Chile.
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g1_bike
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Subhead: 
A new freshman seminar immerses students in the history of urban America.
Publish Date: 
Thu, 10/06/2011
AP Article: 
Not AP Article
Reporter: 
ymohamud1@mndai...

Students in Evan Roberts freshman seminar are immersing themselves in a different time and place — 19th century Chicago.

Roberts, an assistant history professor who usually teaches economic and demographic history, said he has always been fascinated with history and cities. So when the opportunity came to design and teach a freshman seminar course that combined the two, he jumped at the chance.

Blurb: 
A new freshman seminar immerses students in the history of urban America.
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Subhead: 
Sight-singing and ear-training classes are a first step for students trying to get into music programs.
Publish Date: 
Tue, 09/27/2011
AP Article: 
Not AP Article
Reporter: 
jwilcox@mndaily.com

Instructor Adam Zahller  casually played a few chords on the piano to prompt the students before they suddenly came in with the melody.

“One, two, three, seven, five …” the students sang in harmony, never having heard the song before, as Zahller played the corresponding notes on the piano.

For the students in MUS 1511 Ear-Training and Sight-Singing I,  seeing a melody on paper and being able to sing without first hearing it is a daunting but common task.

Blurb: 
Sight-singing and ear-training classes are a first step for students trying to get into music programs.
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Subhead: 
The class will also include history, culture, politics and other topics along the way as they relate to food and agriculture.
Publish Date: 
Tue, 09/13/2011
AP Article: 
Not AP Article
Reporter: 
rraveling@mndai...

Freshman Evelyn Reilly is jumping into her first semester at the University of Minnesota in a unique way: She will bike from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Lima, Peru, crossing the Andes Mountains twice and camping in local communities or remote, unpopulated areas along the way.

She’s taking “Food & Agriculture from Buenos Aires to Lima at 10 mph” with three other students and one professor from the University.

Editor's Note: 
This is the first in a series featuring interesting courses at the University.
Blurb: 
The class will also include history, culture, politics and other topics along the way as they relate to food and agriculture.
Story Attributes
Breaking News: 
Not Breaking News
Developing Story: 
Not developing story
Front Page Feature: 
Front Page Feature
Section Feature: 
Not Section Feature
Weekend Sports: 
Not Weekend Sports
MPR Story: 
Not MPR story
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Cool Class Map
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