Into the Discomfort Zone
Every ending is a new beginning, and semesters are no different. Many of our classmates will be leaving Concordia for new beginnings elsewhere after this semester. But for those of us who remain, we have the opportunity to choose what new seeds we plant in the next academic year. It is normal to focus on our majors and the required courses for our degrees, yet our electives are an opportunity to cultivate new dimensions of ourselves we may not have known existed. I’m going to describe a few of the more unique electives that Concordia offers and encourage you to take one course next year that is outside your comfort zone.
Dance 340: Modern Dance
This course is an introduction to the techniques and practices of Modern Dance. It has an obvious appeal to students who have taken dance before, but there is no need to be an experienced dancer to take this class. If you are a biology student, think of how having a more embodied understanding of human anatomy could help your understanding of it. If you are a psychology student, you will be able to understand kinesthetic learning more clearly. A business or marketing student can learn about the nuances of body language and movement and apply that to their studies.
Indigenous Studies 100: Introduction to Indigenous Studies
This class introduces students to many topics that will be important to their studies in other disciplines. History students can learn from Indigenous oral history. Criminology students can learn about how the criminal justice system is experienced by Indigenous individuals. Future law students can learn about the process of treaty-making and how Indigenous Nations have stood up for their rights within the legal system.
Writing 300: Essay Writing (Non-Fiction)
This course will help you enhance your writing skills, which is a benefit in any field. If you are a drama student, this is the course that will help you learn the skills you will need to write a winning grant proposal. If you are a science student, this course can help you learn how to write a strong abstract for your research paper, or how to communicate complex ideas in a simple and informative way.
Religious Studies 312: Magic and the Occult
One thing that is very helpful as you get older is to be comfortable with the weird, both in yourself and in others. This course will immerse you in the weird, without judgement or arrogance. Who wouldn’t want a psychologist who accepts you without judgement? Many of our greatest scientists have been quite weird, as well. If you are a science student, this course could help you accept those weird parts of yourself and unlock a greater potential within. Music students may find themselves inspired to strange, new ways of composing.
These are just a few of the options you can find if you’re willing to go outside of your comfort zone. I’ve offered a few ideas for how they could enrich your studies, but I encourage you to think outside the box and look for something new and unique. When we leave our comfort zone, we open a door to a greater potential self. Whatever your goals, don’t let your path be predictable. The magic is in the detours.
