As seniors begin to put together their final semester’s schedule, it’s time for a Pipe Dream tradition. Here’s our annual academic bucket list: a few classes that outgoing students need to try to fit into their last frenzied fight with BU Brain, before they leave the wonderful world of Binghamton and wait for reality to begin.

English 300V: Television in American Culture ‘ Ryan Vaughan

BU Brain says: ‘The course will focus on all genres of American television, and it will attempt to broaden students’ knowledge of the power of television and their individual roles as meaning makers. Much of the class time will be devoted to discussion of ‘ programs students watch themselves.’

We say: The man, the beard, the legend. Vaughan is an icon in the English department, and this is his definitive course. He learns the name of every single student, regardless of how many are in his lecture. Vaughan’s class causes you to view TV with a purpose that you wouldn’t have had otherwise. He turns TV, often comedies, into something more than mere consumption. He provokes you to think about not just what the show says, but why the show says it.

History 381P: Civilization: History on TV ‘ Richard Mackenney

BU Brain says: ‘Kenneth Clark’s television series [Civilisation] (note the British spelling) was first shown on BBC television in 1969, and it aired in the United States the following year. It was a landmark not only in its intellectual range ‘ and level ‘ but also in its pioneering use of technology ‘ Discussion will centre on the analysis of each programme, and how perceptions of what constitutes ‘civilisation’ have changed since the making of the series.’

We say: Another TV class, but we chose this one solely because it’s Mackenney’s only class that is readily available. He’s British, wears spectacles and is frequently spotted with a pocket square. In other words, he’s awesome. Arguably the best lecturer at BU, Mackenney relevantly quotes Shakespeare off the cuff, breaks out in rhyme at random and is hilarious in a peculiarly English way. He went to Cambridge and makes you feel like you’re at Oxford. And despite the fact that he’s been lecturing for years, he still makes the effort to engage with each student.

Philosophy 107: Existence and Freedom ‘ Randy Friedman

BU Brain says: ‘Existential philosophy, starting with Kierkegaard and Nietzsche and running through Sartre and others, poses directed questions at the heart of human existence. In this class, we will explore all of the basics: meaning, freedom, anxiety, life with/out God, death, and so on ‘

We say: Friedman took life’s big questions and built a class around them. Using compelling lectures and a wide range of philosophical sources, he creates an environment where students, with guidance, ponder the ultimate. An excellent class regardless of what you normally study, Friedman’s course is a must-have for any student. His TAs are also usually excellent; sign up for Regan Rule’s discussion if available.

There are plenty of other classes that, though we wouldn’t call them requisite, are a ton of fun and even mind-opening.

Take a crazy gym class if you still need the credit, like Scuba 202 for instance, or Karate 114 with William Winkler ‘ he’s got the capacity to inspire. There’s always Pop, Rock and Soul, of course. Mary Haupt’s journalism classes are always great. Try any studio art class, Creative Writing 250 or Theatre 101 for something new. As usual, there are a slew of awesome 300 level English classes. Michael Sharp’s Comics class or Virginia L. Shirley’s Zombie Nation are spectacular ‘ neither’s humor can be beat.

Happy class hunting! And may your DARS be forever fulfilled!