From gen-eds like Engagements and “Engineering Foundations” to capstones and theses, a lot of our curriculum at the University is spelled out for us as we work to complete our degrees. Yes, most of us are choosing a major we’re interested in, and yes, those majors require structure to get the most out of them. However, when so much of our schedules is prescribed, it’s easy to feel a lack of autonomy over our academic experiences. So, if you find yourself with room in your schedule at some point in your undergrad experience, opt to try one of the University’s imaginative, creative, fun or interesting courses. Here are 10 courses sure to add a dose of flavor to your future schedules.
1. MUSI 2340: “Learn to Groove”
The music department gem “Learn to Groove” is known by many as the “drum circle class,” and Robert Jospé, Lecturer of Groove Percussion in the Music Department, will lead you through rhythmic patterns from West Africa, the Caribbean, Brazil and the United States. Every class starts with a few minutes dedicated to mindfulness through short passages read aloud and body scan meditations to get the group in a calm, relaxed headspace before jamming. The small, initial investment needed to begin the course is to obtain a djembe drum — though many previous students are willing to lend or sell theirs to you. With both beginner, which I took, and intermediate levels of “Learn to Groove” offered every semester, the jamming never has to stop.
2. EDLF 2050: “What the Innovators Do: Strategies to Transform the Lives of Youth”
“What the Innovators Do: Strategies to Transform the Lives of Youth” is a course that employs guest speakers to integrate a variety of expertises and perspectives in class conversation. Housed in the Education Leadership, Foundations & Policy department, this course takes a deep dive on innovations developed to address inequalities within every level of education. This Fall, “What the Innovators Do” will be co-taught by Chi Kim, visiting lecturer and CEO of Pure Edge, Inc., and Chad Ratliff, lecturer in the School of Education and Human Development. Guest speakers include leaders in the private, educational and government sectors. Offered in both fall and spring semesters, “What the Innovators Do” challenges the status quo of traditional perceptions of education and education policy.
3. LPPS 3280: “Lessons in Leadership: JFK and the Most Personal Office”
One of my personal favorites, “Lessons in Leadership: JFK and the Most Personal Office” is taught by Larry Sabato, founder and director of the U.Va. Center for Politics, and Kenneth Stroupe, associate director and chief of staff at the University’s Center for Politics. This Batten class provides an interesting mix of both history and policy. The course’s first half focuses on former President John F. Kennedy’s life, and the second analyzes how Kennedy’s life, presidency and assassination influenced the leadership styles and public policy of his successors. The class covers over sixty years of history in two 50-minute lectures and a discussion per week. You’ll quickly soak up important themes from Kennedy’s life and learn many, many historical tidbits that will come in handy come trivia night.
4. RELG 2713: “Sensing the Sacred: Sensory Perception and Religious Imagination”
For an introspective and existential consideration of the senses and what it means to experience the world, add “Sensing the Sacred: Sensory Perception and Religious Imagination” to your future schedule. This prerequisite-free course is taught by Gregory Goering, associate professor in the religious studies department, and examines the role of sensory perception in religious imagination. The curriculum analyzes concepts of how religious practitioners assign meaning to the senses, how religious traditions use senses to describe the human experience and how we can have experiences that transcend them. Though offered irregularly, seeking out this course is worth it due to the philosophical pause it provides to your day — forcing you to reconsider how we live, feel and engage on and with this planet through case studies.
5. AMST 1050: “Slavery and Its Legacies”
I find that the most interesting classes are the ones that take advantage of the local landscape and engage with its more meaningful history. “Slavery and Its Legacies” is one such course, accessible to all with Kirt von Daacke, assistant dean and professor of history in the American Studies department. This class looks at the history of slavery and its legacy at the University and in the central Virginia region, contextualizing this period to our community and sending the powerful message that we must reckon with our past to lead a better present and future. In a time when it is more important than ever to learn from our unjust history, take the initiative to learn more about our local past and ways to repair and remember into the future.
6. COMM 3410: “Commercial Law I”
If you know the University, you probably have heard the well-placed hype around “Commercial Law I.” This course is taught every semester — along with its upper level counterpart, “Commercial Law ll” — by Sherri Moore, and studies the American legal system, with special focus on topics like contracts and torts. Don’t let the name fool you — “Commercial Law” is the intro to the law you never knew you needed, teaching about concepts as simple as the Constitution and the Amendments and as complex as criminal and civil law. Handwritten notes are required, but considering Moore writes a lot on the board herself, this is very manageable. The semester will close with Prof. Moore’s famous last lecture, titled “Life is Precious: Create a Good Day.” Pre-law or not, this class is a must-take.
7. KLPA 1200: “Badminton”
Taught by Abby Fines, assistant professor in the department of kinesiology and director of the Kinesiology Lifetime Physical Activity (KLPA) program, “Badminton” is a very accessible way to incorporate sports and a little bit of exercise into your day, all while learning about this more unique pastime. While sports like track and field and basketball require innate talent and athletic ability, badminton’s easy “point of entry” for inexperienced athletes invites more to learn the sport. In this course, you’ll learn the basic fundamentals of skills and shots and game rules and strategy. This fall, get your competitive cap on with singles and doubles play, helping to put those skills into practice. This one-credit, credit-no-credit class has no prerequisites — beginners, rejoice.
8. DRAM 1010: “How Theatre Works”
Have you ever wanted to learn what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite theater productions? Fall 2025 is your chance with “How Theatre Works,” taught by Cady Garey, lecturer of drama. This largely participation-based class has you complete the best type of readings out there — play readings. You’ll write some essays and take a few exams, but day-to-day, you’ll be participating in hands-on games and exercises that help instill important takeaways from lessons. This is no easy-A course, though, as you must be fully engaged, showing effort throughout activities and group work to achieve an A. This course forces you into the deepest of dives on plays — you’ll read, watch and write them. Oh, and did I mention your final project is to create a group play? Best. Final. Ever.
9. SLAV 2360: “Dracula”
Offered for the Fall 2025 semester, “Dracula,” taught by Stanley Stepanic, assistant professor in the slavic languages and literatures department, is consistently popular at the University. “Dracula” consists of short analysis projects and a textbook with built-in work, doing away with dreaded long essays. A mainstay in the Slavic department, this course explores Slavic folklore and the origins and manifestations of vampirism. More than anything, though, the course is about understanding the human experience, and that just so happens to be taught through the medium of “Dracula.” Described by a theCourseForum user to be like “listening to an interesting podcast,” this is the ideal class for those wanting to learn in an engaging way. And, similar to the course aforementioned, the final is a LARP — Live Action Role Play.
10. INST 3600: “The Best of U.Va.: A Collection of Unforgettable Lectures”
Think of “Unforgettable Lectures” as a stress-free survey course into a wide variety of fields. Each 75-minute, once-a-week class is filled by a guest speaker — largely professors and deans — presenting their most popular lectures, as deemed by fourth-year students. The speaker lineup changes every semester, with participants from this past fall including Ian Solomon, dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, and Edward Murphy, associate chair of the astronomy department. Grading? Participation based — be there, engaged and listening to each speaker, and fill out a few thoughts on an index card to get credit for each class. Fortunately, this is offered for Fall 2025, get a flavor of what else is out there with “Unforgettable Lectures.”
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