Ok, so seeing as my other options for electives are full, I was thinking of taking a second year course as an elective in my first year. In particular RELIG 2QQ3, the Cults in North America course, caught my eye. Is there any reason why I should possibly reconsider this?

Originally Posted by gcruz91

Ok, so seeing as my other options for electives are full, I was thinking of taking a second year course as an elective in my first year. In particular RELIG 2QQ3, the Cults in North America course, caught my eye. Is there any reason why I should possibly reconsider this?

Alright, there are 2 sides to this.

I took a 2nd year course in my first year (Gerontology 2B03 - The Aging Body) and absolutly loved it. It ended up being among my top marks and I do not regret taking it. However, I absolutely love learning about aging & learning about the body, so when you put both together in a course, I think it's amazing. This being said, second year courses are different from first year in what they expect from you. First year courses assume you're doing this for the first time and the expectations are different from second year courses where second year courses expect you've already gone through a year of school, know how to study and guide you a lot less than first year courses do.
I personally wouldn't recommend taking a second year course in first year unless you're really passionate about what you're learning.

If I were you, I'd just keep re-checking SOLAR for course openings to the electives you want. By the first week of classes, there most likely will be seats open.

I agree with Christina. However, if you can take that course in 2nd term, by then you've already had some experience with university and have possibly completed courses in first term. It's something to think about.

Can anyone tell me about the actual CULTS IN NORTH AMERICA course? b/c i tried looking for a review about it, but i couldnt find one. perhaps i just wasn't looking in the right place.

What should I expect in the course? and my only worry is being a first year among a group of second years

Originally Posted by gcruz91

Can anyone tell me about the actual CULTS IN NORTH AMERICA course? b/c i tried looking for a review about it, but i couldnt find one. perhaps i just wasn't looking in the right place.

What should I expect in the course? and my only worry is being a first year among a group of second years

http://www.socsci.mcmaster.c a/relstud/emplibrary/CultsNA2007.pdf
Here is the course outline for the course... maybe it can answer some of your questions about the course.

Originally Posted by gcruz91

Can anyone tell me about the actual CULTS IN NORTH AMERICA course? b/c i tried looking for a review about it, but i couldnt find one. perhaps i just wasn't looking in the right place.

What should I expect in the course? and my only worry is being a first year among a group of second years

Mm you shouldn't worry so much about being the only first year. I met a lot of 2nd and 3rd years in my first year classes last year. You might meet other first years too.

after reading the course description:
two tests worth 25 % each and the final exam worth 50 %, i think i want to keep looking for other electives. idk if i an willing to take that risk in first year : /

Originally Posted by gcruz91

after reading the course description:
two tests worth 25 % each and the final exam worth 50 %, i think i want to keep looking for other electives. idk if i an willing to take that risk in first year : /

Hmm okay, but that outline is from 2007 so the course may be run differently.
Anyways there are some second year social science courses that can be taken. They were recommended to me by others who took these courses when they were in first year.

Originally Posted by gcruz91

after reading the course description:
two tests worth 25 % each and the final exam worth 50 %, i think i want to keep looking for other electives. idk if i an willing to take that risk in first year : /

Haha, I know what you mean. I however, had a first year course similar to that. One essay worth 45% + 5% for it's paper proposal, an exam worth 40% in second term. And two essays worth 25% and 35% plus a 30% exam in first term. That was Poli Sci 1G06, i.e. hell.

I took a second year pol sci (2XX3) in first year. I did okay in the class, but not as well as I should have. The prof (who still teachers the class now) writes really hard midterms and/or finals. Our class average for the midterm was like 56% or something...

I actually took a second year course during first year and I loved it. I found that the TA/professor expected more from me but the lectures were very interesting. If you are willing to work hard, it should not be a problem.

Okay, this isn't a second year course, so I'm kinda veering off that topic, but has anyone been in the Communication Studies course? I've taken it as one of my electives, but I'm not entirely sure what happens in the course, or what to expect.

I'm guessing you're referring to Communication Studies 1A03.

Check out the course reviews: http://www.macinsiders.com/showthread.php?t=1829 7 .