Your class schedule can make or break your semester. There is nothing worse than taking classes you aren’t interested in or have nothing to do with your major. Lucky for you, I went over the course catalog so you don’t have to! If you’re looking for something to fill the gaps, check out these cool electives offered in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026!
ART 395: A Cultural History of Alcohol
The Cultural History of Alcohol elective covers topics from ancient Greek symposiums to modern trends like non-alcoholic spirits. Additionally, it covers the decline in drinking among younger people. Professor Guy Jordan teaches the course during Fall 2025.
The class is also one-quarter of the Brewing and Distilling Arts and Sciences Certificate. You don’t need to be 21 to take this class. However, if you continue with the certification, you are required to be 21 for some of the other classes.
The course covers the effects and use of alcohol from the Shang Dynasty to religious ceremonies to the present day.
“We go through the Middle Ages and Trappist Monasteries. We talk about the gin craze in 18th-century England,” Jordan said.
Jordan said that this is one of his favorite classes to teach. You may enjoy this class if you like lateral and interdisciplinary thinking.
HIST 432 Coffee & Chocolate: Food in World History
Are you a foodie? Do you ever wonder why your favorite foods are the way they are?
The Food in World History elective, offered in Fall 2025, is taught by Professor Eric Reed. Reed said his interest in history began after he completed a study abroad in France as an undergrad. He said he was inspired to teach this class after he began roasting his own coffee beans approximately 15 years ago. This is when he became fascinated with coffee.
“I tried to make it something where it’s not just about the past of food, but the students can see why our food culture and practices are the way they are,” Reed said.
Reed said his favorite part of teaching this class is helping students to think critically about the origins, and historical significance of their food. Some possible class assignments include visiting coffee shops and grocery stores to compare historical readings to real-world observations.
RELS 211: Jesus in Film
The Jesus in Film elective covers 10 films over the span of the semester. It compares them to their Gospel counterparts. This course is offered both in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. Professor James Barker said that this is one of the rare courses where you can become an expert on the material in one semester.
Barker said in order to get the most out of his class, students must be willing to engage with the films and ask questions about them. He said that he has taught this class over 20 times. Students are still pointing out things that he has never noticed before.
“I really do love it,” Barker said. “I think it’s tons of fun, and I think having the people in it who really want to be in it and are not afraid of doing the work and digging into the details. They are going to come away with something that they can continue with when a new Jesus film comes out.”
REC 434: Interpreting America’s National Parks
Are you an avid hiker or nature enthusiast? The Interpreting America’s National Parks elective is being offered in Spring 2026. It will cover the natural, cultural, and historical resources and the evolution of the National Parks system.
Professor Eric Knackmuhs said he discovered his interest in the national parks due to his personal interest in Alcatraz. This is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and managed by the National Park Service. Knackmuhs said he was a night tour guide during his time at Alcatraz.
Knackmuhs said many people don’t realize that many national park sites are sites of small historic homes and sites like Alcatraz. He said that students who are in the humanities don’t typically take the course, but he thinks they would enjoy the class.
“The National Parks system consists of a really wide variety of historic sites and monuments and natural parks and recreation areas,” Knackmuhs said. “So there is something for everyone, no matter what you’re interested in; we can pursue that interest through the National Parks.”
SPM 335: Global Perspectives in Sport
Could soccer affect the process of globalization? Can basketball affect a person’s political ideologies? I have no idea personally, but doesn’t that sound interesting?
The Global Perspectives in Sport elective is offered in Spring 2026. It will cover the role that sports play in our values, economies, politics, etc. Professor Rachel Green said she enjoys helping students realize how sports connect people around the world.
This class contains group work, class discussions and activities about the different roles that sports can play in globalization. Green coached Special Olympics Cheerleading for eight years. She said she began working as a Graduate Assistant in the Sports Management department in 2017.
“What I find most rewarding now is building relationships with students, supporting them in their journey, and helping them see how sports can connect to their lives and future careers,” Green said via email. “I’m passionate about student success, and I do my best to create a classroom where everyone feels included, supported, and challenged to grow.”
MUS 321: Country Music
This elective focuses on the development of country music from the 1920s to the present day. This is offered both in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. Professor John Martin also teaches a Blues Music class and a Rock and Roll Music class.
Martin said that most students are country music fans when they enroll. However, he has had some that aren’t who still enjoy the class as a whole. There is also an online version of the class offered.
“I’ve been listening to country music in some form since I was a little kid,” Martin said. “It’s interesting for me to be able to look at the history and see how it progressed and how it turned into what it is today.”
No matter what classes you’re taking this semester or what your major is, use your time at WKU to expand your knowledge and discover more about yourself. Take classes outside of your comfort zone, and who knows? Maybe you’ll discover a passion for sports or music. College is about discovering who you are and what you want. What’s a better way to do that than by taking some really cool electives?
Opinion: From food to film, here are six unique elective offerings
Your class schedule can make or break your semester. There is nothing worse than taking classes you aren’t interested in or have nothing to do with your major. Lucky for you, I went over the course catalog so you don’t have to! If you’re looking for something to fill the gaps, check out these cool electives offered in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026!
ART 395: A Cultural History of Alcohol
The Cultural History of Alcohol elective covers topics from ancient Greek symposiums to modern trends like non-alcoholic spirits. Additionally, it covers the decline in drinking among younger people. Professor Guy Jordan teaches the course during Fall 2025.
The class is also one-quarter of the Brewing and Distilling Arts and Sciences Certificate. You don’t need to be 21 to take this class. However, if you continue with the certification, you are required to be 21 for some of the other classes.
The course covers the effects and use of alcohol from the Shang Dynasty to religious ceremonies to the present day.
“We go through the Middle Ages and Trappist Monasteries. We talk about the gin craze in 18th-century England,” Jordan said.
Jordan said that this is one of his favorite classes to teach. You may enjoy this class if you like lateral and interdisciplinary thinking.
HIST 432 Coffee & Chocolate: Food in World History
Are you a foodie? Do you ever wonder why your favorite foods are the way they are?
The Food in World History elective, offered in Fall 2025, is taught by Professor Eric Reed. Reed said his interest in history began after he completed a study abroad in France as an undergrad. He said he was inspired to teach this class after he began roasting his own coffee beans approximately 15 years ago. This is when he became fascinated with coffee.
“I tried to make it something where it’s not just about the past of food, but the students can see why our food culture and practices are the way they are,” Reed said.
Reed said his favorite part of teaching this class is helping students to think critically about the origins, and historical significance of their food. Some possible class assignments include visiting coffee shops and grocery stores to compare historical readings to real-world observations.
RELS 211: Jesus in Film
The Jesus in Film elective covers 10 films over the span of the semester. It compares them to their Gospel counterparts. This course is offered both in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. Professor James Barker said that this is one of the rare courses where you can become an expert on the material in one semester.
Barker said in order to get the most out of his class, students must be willing to engage with the films and ask questions about them. He said that he has taught this class over 20 times. Students are still pointing out things that he has never noticed before.
“I really do love it,” Barker said. “I think it’s tons of fun, and I think having the people in it who really want to be in it and are not afraid of doing the work and digging into the details. They are going to come away with something that they can continue with when a new Jesus film comes out.”
REC 434: Interpreting America’s National Parks
Are you an avid hiker or nature enthusiast? The Interpreting America’s National Parks elective is being offered in Spring 2026. It will cover the natural, cultural, and historical resources and the evolution of the National Parks system.
Professor Eric Knackmuhs said he discovered his interest in the national parks due to his personal interest in Alcatraz. This is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and managed by the National Park Service. Knackmuhs said he was a night tour guide during his time at Alcatraz.
Knackmuhs said many people don’t realize that many national park sites are sites of small historic homes and sites like Alcatraz. He said that students who are in the humanities don’t typically take the course, but he thinks they would enjoy the class.
“The National Parks system consists of a really wide variety of historic sites and monuments and natural parks and recreation areas,” Knackmuhs said. “So there is something for everyone, no matter what you’re interested in; we can pursue that interest through the National Parks.”
SPM 335: Global Perspectives in Sport
Could soccer affect the process of globalization? Can basketball affect a person’s political ideologies? I have no idea personally, but doesn’t that sound interesting?
The Global Perspectives in Sport elective is offered in Spring 2026. It will cover the role that sports play in our values, economies, politics, etc. Professor Rachel Green said she enjoys helping students realize how sports connect people around the world.
This class contains group work, class discussions and activities about the different roles that sports can play in globalization. Green coached Special Olympics Cheerleading for eight years. She said she began working as a Graduate Assistant in the Sports Management department in 2017.
“What I find most rewarding now is building relationships with students, supporting them in their journey, and helping them see how sports can connect to their lives and future careers,” Green said via email. “I’m passionate about student success, and I do my best to create a classroom where everyone feels included, supported, and challenged to grow.”
MUS 321: Country Music
This elective focuses on the development of country music from the 1920s to the present day. This is offered both in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. Professor John Martin also teaches a Blues Music class and a Rock and Roll Music class.
Martin said that most students are country music fans when they enroll. However, he has had some that aren’t who still enjoy the class as a whole. There is also an online version of the class offered.
“I’ve been listening to country music in some form since I was a little kid,” Martin said. “It’s interesting for me to be able to look at the history and see how it progressed and how it turned into what it is today.”
No matter what classes you’re taking this semester or what your major is, use your time at WKU to expand your knowledge and discover more about yourself. Take classes outside of your comfort zone, and who knows? Maybe you’ll discover a passion for sports or music. College is about discovering who you are and what you want. What’s a better way to do that than by taking some really cool electives?