1. Fulfill your PE requirement if you haven't yet.
Register online and be sure to attend the first class meeting. PE courses may initially appear in your myBarnard program as 0 credits and will then be transformed to 1 credit (if you are eligible) after the final registration deadline.
Pro Tip:
Unfortunately, there is little to no space in PE for students who want this as an elective. Only students who have not yet completed the PE requirement will be able to preregister for PE. Dance, on the other hand (see below!), often has space
2. Take a dance class
Dance classes may initially appear in your myBarnard program as 0 credits -- if you don't change this when registering, you can fill out the Form to Request a Point of Dance Credit.
3. Search Vergil for courses between 0 and 2 credits.
You'll have to scroll through a lot of things that may not help you, like labs for courses you're not taking, courses limited to class years other than yours, but this will give you the most comprehensive listing.
Pro Tip:
Use the schools filters for "Barnard College" and "Faculty of Arts and Sciences" to refine your search to undergraduate courses offered on both sides of Broadway. Check the detailed course descriptions in the Directory of Classes for prerequisites, restrictions, or special application procedures.
4. Seminars in the sciences or humanities,
such as these two short classes offered by the Barnard Film department:
Artemis Rising Short Course in Filmmaking
Artemis Rising Short Course in Film Production
5. For those looking to refine their foreign language skills,
the French, Italian and German Departments offer advanced conversation and grammar classes. Some language programs also provide 1-credit directed reading courses. You can also find supervised readings in some languages -- this spring there is this offering in Dutch.
6. For students who sing, play an instrument, or want to know more about music:
- Columbia/Barnard Chorus or Chamber Singers
- Voice Lessons or Music Lessons -- see Music Department website for info about auditions and fees
- These may be free for music majors and minors, and those participating in University Chorus or Orchestra -- there is additional cost for other students.
- Ear Training -- offered on a variety of levels, check Music Department course listings for details
7. If you're interested in Theatre, Dance, or Backstage work:
Practicum or Rehearsal & Performance (Theatre or Dance) -- for actors, dancers, stage managers, prop or costume makers, and theatre tech people. Check the course description to see who to contact if you are interested.
8. If you're interested in International Affairs, Political Science, and/or Economics: consider a "short course" at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)
*check the course description for "course date" to see when the course starts & ends*
One of the "short courses" offered by the School for International & Public Affairs (SIPA). Search Vergil for SIPA courses between 1 and 2 credits, or the SIPA page of the CU Directory of Classes for 1-1.5-credit courses. You can't just register online for these. Here is the procedure:
- Check to see if the class you want is on the list of SIPA courses approved for Barnard students (forthcoming -- link will be added when available; in the meantime, use your judgment to assess if the class is academic as opposed to professional development)
- Contact the instructor to ask if there is space available and if it is appropriate for you given your background. Get any approvals in writing (email is fine).
- Contact your academic adviser for approval that the course appropriately fits into both your schedule and a liberal arts curriculum.
- Upload both approvals when submitting the online add form.
