College minors offer students a chance to delve into specialized areas of study, complementing their majors and expanding their academic horizons.
While many students opt for more conventional minors, such as foreign languages or business, some universities provide unique and peculiar options that stand out from the norm. In this article, we'll explore 10 fascinating college minors that go beyond the traditional offerings.
1. Cannabis Science at SUNY Cobleskill
For students passionate about horticulture, agriculture, or natural science, SUNY Cobleskill offers a minor in Cannabis Science. This program delves into the intricacies of the cannabis industry, covering topics like production, plant care, breeding, and cultivation. With courses ranging from soil fertility to weed identification, students get hands-on experience in the conservatory, greenhouses, and gardens on campus.
READ ALSO: Top 10 US Universities With The Highest Acceptance Rates For International Students
2. Climate Change at Cornell University
In the face of global environmental challenges, Cornell University provides a minor in Climate Change. Students explore the physical science, ecosystems, and human aspects of climate change. Courses like "Marine Diseases in a Changing Ocean" and "Communicating Climate Change" equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the causes and potential solutions to climate-related issues.
3. Digital Media Influencer at Saint Leo University
For the social media-savvy generation, Saint Leo University in Florida offers a minor in Digital Media Influencer. This program hones technical skills related to content creation, including graphic design, video editing, and audio production. With courses like video production, branding design, and digital literacy, students are prepared for a career in the rapidly evolving world of digital media.
4. Esports Industry Professions at Northern Illinois University
As esports gains prominence, Northern Illinois University introduces a minor in Esports Industry Professions. This academic discipline goes beyond casual gaming, offering courses like "Strategies and Issues in the Esports Industry" and "Promotion and Marketing of Sport Programs." It prepares students for diverse roles in this burgeoning field.
5. Game Design at New York University
Gaming enthusiasts can turn their passion into a career with New York University's minor in Game Design. This 16-credit program covers core concepts, history of game production, and introductory courses in game design, programming, and visual communications. "Game 101" delves into game literacy, analyzing board games, card games, and digital games.
6. Glass at Kent State University
While fine arts programs often include disciplines like ceramics and graphic design, Kent State University in Ohio offers a unique minor in Glass. Students explore flameworking, glassblowing, and kiln-formed glass, developing skills in sculpting glass using various techniques. This minor provides a hands-on experience in the art of glasswork.
7. Hip-Hop Cultures at Arizona State University
For those intrigued by the origins of hip-hop, Arizona State University provides a minor in Hip-Hop Cultures. Courses like "Beginning Hip-Hop Dance Technique" and "Rap, Culture and God" explore the themes represented in hip-hop culture, including multiculturalism, migration, race, class, gender, and identity.
8. History of Capitalism at Drexel University
Drexel University in Pennsylvania offers a minor in the History of Capitalism for students interested in understanding the modern world economy from a historical perspective. Courses like "History of Work and Workers in America" and "Empire and Environment" delve into the economic evolution shaping contemporary societies.
9. Iranian Music at the University of California, Los Angeles
Breaking away from conventional music minors, UCLA introduces a minor in Iranian Music. This program explores the cultural context of music, requiring students to study "Current Practices in Iranian Music-Making" and other related courses. It provides a unique perspective on music outside the Western tradition.
10. Turfgrass Management at the University of Connecticut
For students intrigued by the maintenance of recreational land, the University of Connecticut offers a minor in Turfgrass Management. This program goes beyond traditional landscaping, encompassing the business side of maintaining turfgrasses in various settings, from highway medians to residential lawns.
These peculiar college minors showcase the diverse and dynamic nature of higher education. As students increasingly seek unconventional paths, universities respond by offering unique programs that cater to a broad range of interests and career aspirations. Whether exploring the cannabis industry, delving into the history of capitalism, or mastering the art of glasswork, these minors exemplify the limitless possibilities within the world of academia.
RELATED ARTICLE: How Many Degrees Can You Get In A University?
