College courses are usually considered to be serious (and practical!) building blocks to a student’s development and preparation for their chosen career.

College courses taught for the sake of simply learning about something you’re interested in (however obscure) seem to have all but disappeared, especially if you’re trying to complete college in 3 years.

However, there are certainly exceptions to this rule! We’ve compiled a list of the top 5  strangest college courses in America. As part of college prep, consider this. Would you be interested in taking any of these?

1. Underwater Basket-Weaving

Used synonymously as an idiom for what is considered a “throw-away” elective, this informal, non-credit class has actually been offered!

Taught in both Reed College of Portland, Oregon and the University of California, San Diego, underwater basket-weaving involves making wicker baskets by dipping reeds or stalks of plants into water, and letting them soak.

2. Learning From YouTube

The media studies department of Pitzer College in southern California is offering this college course to its students. From what we understand, the class involves students watching and discussing YouTube videos, as well as uploading videos of their own.

This college course is meant to study YouTube as a cultural phenomenon in contemporary culture–but getting college credit for watching YouTube sure seems like a sweet deal!

3. Philosophy and Star Trek

For all you Trekkies out there, this is the college course for you! This class, offered by Georgetown University, synthesizes pop culture and philosophy by using one as a means to discuss the other.

4. The Joy of Garbage

This college course is offered by Santa Clara University, and examines garbage through a scientific lens. Students learn about decomposition, nuclear waste, what makes things rot and what chemicals are attributed to the stench that garbage gives off. The perk? This college course includes field trips to sanitation plants and landfills!

5. The Science of Superheroes

University of California at Irvine offers this unusual college course to teach its students physics! It uses familiar icons like Spider-Man, Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman to explain difficult concepts, making this college course more relatable to its audience. For example, the physics of flying and fluid dynamics is taught using Superman as an example.

Are you bored with your college courses? Don’t just stick to your college major and minor classes. Flip through that coursebook! There are likely some hidden gems that you’re unaware of that could add a little variety to your schedule.

Keep in mind that learning is not just a means to a diploma. You might find that some of the best college courses are ones you took just because!

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