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The Biggest, Bluest Book We Can't Put Down: 26 Classes For Lazy Yalies

This is not a drill; the Blue Book has been released.

Sarah Luckart

Jul 19, 2016

Yale University

The Biggest, Bluest Book We Can't Put Down: 26 Classes For Lazy Yalies

Yale Daily News

As a rising sophomore (who can't believe they've been here a year already), I've got some distributional requirements to meet. In true Sarah-fashion, I procrastinated my way through freshman year, avoiding foreign languages, humanities, and social sciences, and focused too much on STEM. With distribution requirements coming up, and an ever so slight desire to try new things, it's time to turn to the newly released course catalog and begin blue-booking.

Blue-booking - noun - the process in which Yalies browse the course catalog (the Blue Book) and choose anywhere from four to 70 classes to consider taking.

I'm still not entirely sure what even counts as a "Social Science" but I know I need to take one soon. For those who are looking for an easier class to balance their schedule out -- or have procrastinated distributional requirements and are getting desperate -- here's a list of Yale courses for this fall with the lightest workload*.

*Workload was determined solely according to numerical course evaluations. Class size, seminar versus lecture, and other factors were not considered in the making of this list, although all language courses other than L1, laboratory courses, and audition-only courses were omitted. I am not responsible for any reckless blue-booking that may occur as a result of this list. Please consult an advisor before changing your major based on this list.

1. CHEM 437: Chemistry of Isotopes

Workload: 1.5 out of 5.0.

2. NAVY 100: Naval Science Laboratory

Workload: 1.5 out of 5.0. Note this is an NROTC course not-for-credit, so don't count on using this as a gut, despite its low workload.

3. NAVY 311: Naval Engineering

Workload: 1.7 out of 5.0. This is another NROTC course, and to tell the truth, I'm not convinced anything with "engineering" in the title is actually easy.

4. PLSC 225: Policing in America

Workload: 1.8 out of 5.0.

5. PORT 110: Elementary Portuguese I

Workload: 1.9 out of 5.0. You've got to make it through PORT 120 before getting credit for this class, so not a true gut class (although it will definitely meet that foreign language requirement).

6. RLST 407: Midrash Seminar: The Revelation at Sinai

Workload: 1.9 out of 5.0. The workload is only this easy because you have to be fluent in ancient Hebrew to take this class. I suppose it might be simple if you already read ancient Hebrew though...

7. MB&B 110: Current Issues in Biological Science

Workload: 2.0 out of 5.0. This once-a-week science credit is intended for non-science majors, so... *gut alert*.

8. ZULU 110: Beginning isiZulu I

Workload: 2.0 out of 5.0. Note credit only on completion of ZULU 120. I still don't believe any foreign language is a true gut, but I guess it's worth shopping if that's what you're interested in.

9. CPSC 150: Computer Science and the Modern Intellectual Agenda

Workload: 2.1 out of 5.0. I know it says "computer science" but it's followed by "no previous experience with computers necessary". Since you're reading this on an electronic device right now, I'm sure you can handle this class.

10. ER&M 419 / SOCY 319 / AFAM 390: Ethnography of the African American Community

Workload: 2.1 out of 5.0. A class that meets once a week could be very good or very bad. Be careful with this one.

11. PLSC 114: International Challenges of the Twenty-First Century

Workload: 2.1 out of 5.0.

12. ART 111: Visual thinking

Workload: 2.1 out of 5.0.

13. ASTR 155: Introduction to Astronomical Observing

Workload: 2.1 out of 5.0.

14. CLCV 020: The Arts of Persuasion

Workload: 2.1 out of 5.0. Note that this is a Freshman Seminar, available only to freshmen.

15. HSHM 007 / HUMS 076: Epidemics in Global Perspective

Workload: 2.1 out of 5.0.

16. PLSC 123: Political Economy of Foreign Aid

Workload: 2.1 out of 5.0.

17. EVST 010 / G&G 010: Earth, Resources, Energy, and the Environment

Workload: 2.2 out of 5.0. Note that this is a Freshman Seminar, available only to freshmen.

18. HIST 193 / HSHM 242: Molecules, Life, and Disease: Twentieth Century

Workload: 2.2 out of 5.0.

19. HUMS 205: Boundaries of the Body in Law and Literature

Workload: 2.2 out of 5.0.

20. HUMS 231 / MUSI 435: Music in European Thought: Three Moments in the Modern Era

Workload: 2.2 out of 5.0.

21. HIST 309: History of Ancient India

Workload: 2.2 out of 5.0.

22. WGSS 120: Women, Food, and Culture

Workload: 2.2 out of 5.0.

23. HIST 219: Jewish History and Thought to Early Modern Times

Workload: 2.3 out of 5.0.

24. LAST 318: Globalization Space

Workload: 2.3 out of 5.0.

25. PLSC 235: Political Journalism and Public Policy

Workload: 2.3 out of 5.0.

26. SOCY 133: Computers, Networks, and Society

Workload: 2.3 out of 5.0.

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The Biggest, Bluest Book We Can't Put Down: 26 Classes For Lazy Yalies

This is not a drill; the Blue Book has been released.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sleepovers are not a thing. They're just not.

1. You only ask things once.

2. Seriously, you only ask once.

3. When you do muster up the courage to ask your parents for something, you creep around and wait until they’re in a good mood.

4. Before you get that final yes, you have to go through an interview.

5. If you ever got “the eye,” you knew you were screwed.

6. You were always the first to leave your group of friends when hanging out.

7. If you say you will be home at a certain time, you better be home at that time.

8. Seeing a missed call from your parents sends fear and horror through your veins.

9. If relatives are coming over to the house, your room better be clean.

10. You are careful about what jokes you share with your parents.

11. "You’re not an adult until you turn 18! You can do whatever you want then!"

12. If plans change while you’re out, you better text or call.

13. Don’t talk back. Ever.

14. When you’re called by your full name, you’re in deep trouble.

15. Don’t make them call your name twice.

16. Sleepovers are not a thing.

17. Despite all of these things, you know your parents love you.

For better or for worse

1. Pets

2. Mornings

3. Mistakes

4. Cooking for yourself

5. Hosting

6. Taking care of yourself

7. Holidays

8. Roommates

9. Keeping focused and getting stuff done

10. Cleaning

11. Social life

No, really. I'm not mad. Just hungry.

1. You’re tired of people asking you if you know what “RBF” stands for every time you zone out.

2. You’re constantly using the excuse, “I’m just tired” when people ask you if you’re mad.

3. Or “I’m just thinking.”

4. In fact, you’re rarely ever actually mad.

5. But when you are, people usually can’t tell.

6. You find other people with RBF’s and have to convince yourself that you don’t look like them.

7. You constantly remind yourself, “At least I’m not a psycho.”

Some of your best ideas come through boredom.

1. If the professor is late by one minute, I'm leaving.

2. Oh crap, that's due TODAY?!

3. Can I nap in here?

4. I wonder what they're serving at the cafeteria.

5. How much does my teacher even get paid?

6. How much will I get paid?

7. This is the longest 50 minutes of my life.

8. Maybe if I call mom, she'll give me money.

9. How much do street performers make anyway?

10. Why am I here? I could be a street performer by now.

11. Oh right, I'm not talented.

The Belchers hold the key to a better life.

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