The World's Most Unusual University Courses, and Why They Matter

Have you ever imagined that you could study cannibalism at university? Or organised crime and corruption? Now you can.

University of Nazarbayev in Kazakhstan is one of the few universities offering module options such as Cannibalism and Civilization, Organised Crime and Corruption, Space Anthropology, Nomads, and the Sociology of Covid-19.

Gavin Slade, an associate professor of sociology in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Nazarbayev University, said: "These courses give students incredible insights into the long sweep of human history, human practices, and the social forms that have existed historically."

He added: "Students want to study unusual topics, so these courses are generally well received."

Interested in taking an unusual module? Here are some of the strangest ones offered by universities around the world:

Durham University: Harry Potter and the Age of Illusion

Studying Harry Potter at a British university that looks almost exactly like Hogwarts is a dream for many students. Fortunately, you can now make that dream a reality.

Durham University’s education department offers a module called Harry Potter and the Age of Illusion. Wands at the ready: the module explores the social, cultural, and educational context of Harry Potter and examines why it has become so popular.

The course also considers the relevance of the beloved books to modern education systems and explores the links between Harry Potter and citizenship education.

It also looks at how the written word can be interpreted across different media, and at the influence of the novels on education policy.

Kansas State University: Cereal Science

In the course titled "Baking Science and Management," you study the science and technology behind baked goods and build skills in chemistry, mathematics, and microbiology.

In the cereal science module, you may be disappointed to learn that you will not simply be eating endless bowls of cereal. Instead, you will explore the characteristics of cereals and legumes, their ingredients, and how they are processed into food. It is a little less exciting, perhaps, but much more practical when applying for competitive jobs in the food industry.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD): Comic Book Publishing

Comic Book Publishing is a module within MCAD’s Comic Art program. It teaches students how comic books are produced and promoted in print and digital publishing.

The module covers technical demonstrations in scanning, prepress, printing, and marketing collateral, making it an ideal choice if you want to work in publishing.

London Metropolitan University: Forgetting Air

As part of the School of Art, Architecture and Design, the master’s module "Forgetting Air" examines air as a medium and how it is understood by the body and mind in different contexts.

The course aims to help students interpret the cultural construction of the senses and its impact on the way we view architecture; understand the relevance of a key philosophical question in the development of architectural aesthetics; and understand how the built environment is perceived.

Nazarbayev University: Paleontology

Nazarbayev University’s ichthyosaur fossil

Paleontology - the study of prehistoric life through fossils - may not sound like the strangest module, but the subject recently took an unusual turn when Nazarbayev University was asked to save an ichthyosaur fossil found in Jurassic strata in Kazakhstan’s Oral region.

Laurent Richard, an associate professor in the School of Mining and Geosciences at Nazarbayev University, said: "The ichthyosaur fossil is a marine reptile that is 90% complete, including the head, fins, ribs, and vertebrae."

He added: "The fossil will be reassembled by undergraduate geology students and displayed at the school."

Involving undergraduates in the conservation effort, Richard said, "will help develop a sense of responsibility among students," because they are taking part in conservation work and helping keep Kazakhstan’s geological heritage in the country.

Cornell University: Theory and Practice of Winemaking

As part of its viticulture and enology program, Cornell University offers a Theory and Practice of Winemaking course that helps students understand the non-fermentation aspects of wine production.

While it may not be the class you would hope for after a heavy night, it is useful if you want to become a viticulturist, an expert in the scientific study of grapes and their production for wine and food, or an enologist, an expert in wine science.

So why are unusual courses so popular with students? Slade explains that the unusual nature of these modules can help students stand out to future employers.

He said: "Students who take these courses demonstrate their curiosity, their ability to think outside the box, to look at issues from multiple angles, and to show the breadth of what they have learned across their degree programme."