It’s that time again.

Class registration can be competitive. Especially with limited availability and requirements to fulfill, the process often involves students creating multiple plans in preparation. 

Fall 2025 course registration runs from Tuesday, April 1, until Wednesday, April 9. Emerson students register based on their current credit total (view the registration page to see when your registration time is).

Here are The Beacon’s all-time favorite classes.

Conflict and Negotiation — CC266 

Iselin Bratz

In an increasingly politically polarized landscape, navigating conversations with those who disagree with you is now more important than ever. Professor Nico Emack’s Conflict and Negotiation class has changed the way I approach conflict. As a teacher, Emack is excellent at engaging the class in meaningful discussions and activities that move beyond the surface level. The skills I gained in approaching conflict from this class will stay with me far beyond my time at Emerson—something that can’t be said for every course.

While I’m taking it for my political communications minor, this class is open to all majors, and I would even argue it should be required. At Emerson, we frequently engage in debates with our peers, but most of us share similar values and opinions. This lack of exposure does us a disservice as outside of the Emerson bubble as differing perspectives are unavoidable.

It is for this reason that I believe this class is crucial in preparing us for what comes when we leave Emerson. I can’t recommend this class enough.

History of Jazz — MU239

Jordan Pagkalinawan

I was exposed to all genres of music as a kid, and I can still remember listening to jazz music in the background while studying throughout middle and high school. So when I had the opportunity to take MU239, History of Jazz, to fulfill my liberal arts aesthetic perspective, I jumped at the chance.

The course explains jazz styles and the elements that make them unique, from the rhythm of New Orleans to improvisations heard in Manhattan, especially within big bands and solo acts. Professor Dylan Jack brings his lively attitude to the class, which was a great way to start my day. The Spotify playlist he curated with every song we listened to during the semester was not only helpful for the four auditory exams we took in the course, but thoughtful for honoring the memories of the many musicians who made an indelible impact on jazz’s centuries-long history. 

MU239 is a worthwhile course for anyone looking to expand their musical horizons, especially for those who want to understand how jazz has shaped American history and culture.

Evolution of Queer Identity — IN230

Merritt Hughes

While I signed up for this class to fulfill part of my women’s, gender, and sexuality studies minor, it quickly became my favorite class at Emerson. I remember being shocked the second week of class when the “reading” due was a zine entitled “Queers Read This!” It was the perfect mix of engaging, educational, and fun to get me hooked on the class. 

Professor Chris Lee, who taught the course last fall and is teaching it again this fall, uses a mix of readings, lectures, discussions, papers, and the occasional field trip. Evolution of Queer Identity covers queer history, both nationally and in Boston. 

I cannot recommend this class enough, to those who are queer, transgender, cisgender, heterosexual, or anywhere in between, because the evolution of queer identity is our history.

Global Political Communication — CC221

Meg Richards

Though my one true love is journalism, I found a twin flame in political communication my first year. Because of it, I have a double major in journalism and political communication. Some days I regret taking on double the work, courses, and senior projects, but alas, two bachelor’s degrees are better than one.

The first class I took in this program, which ignited my once dormant passion for politics, was Global Political Communication with professor Vincent Raynauld.

(Shoutout Vince, you’re the GOAT)

Each day, two different students would bring in something topical—a news article, a TikTok, anything you can think of—that they felt said something about our ever-evolving political climate. We talked not just about the state of U.S. politics, but the whole world, too. Here, I learned about political systems akin to and unlike our own, equipping me to carry conversations regarding politics from Italy to Canada, and so much more. 

We talked about the fundamentals of political communication, which is far more interesting than most people realize. This sometimes meant a whole class about why Donald Trump talks like that, but also things like effective messaging in political ads, propaganda, and even outfits worn on the campaign trail.

If you’ve ever been interested in the subliminal messages behind JD Vance’s tie color, Italian electoral politics, or how the Democratic Party consistently alienates working class voters, this class is for you. Even if you’re not typically interested in politics, it will make you a better journalist, communicator, and student of the world. 

Renaissance and Baroque Art — VM210-K01 (Kasteel Well students only!)

Bryan Hecht

For students shipping off to the Kasteel Well program in the Netherlands, I cannot recommend Renaissance and Baroque Art enough. 

If you’re interested in Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and other European art from the 13th to 17th centuries, this class is perfect—and likely to turn you into a de facto, fact-spouting tour guide on weekend trips.

Professors Rob Dückers and Jochem van Eijsden, who co-teach the class, both have experience in museum curation across the Netherlands, and each explain different art periods and movements.

Never having left the United States before coming to Kasteel Well, I was very naïve about European history and culture. But this class was great at deconstructing how art is a product of its time and place, for example, in European history, culture, and politics. Analyzing art history helped combat my initial culture shock, which then carried over into my other courses and travel excursions (it helps because a lot of the mandatory activities are at museums).

Not to mention, there’s nothing cooler than returning from travel on the weekends only to find the next day’s lecture about a painting I happened to see in the museum in Belgium or Italy just days earlier. 

American Popular Culture — IN122

Rylie Burns

A first-year seminar, American Popular Culture truly changed how I view my identity as an American.

I took this course with professor Ellie Beargeon, who actually received the Alan L. Stanzler Award for Excellence in Teaching from Emerson the semester I took the class. 

This course explores social media, visual and material culture, sports, politics, and social life through class discussions and smaller group activities. 

For example, one of the most fascinating topics I learned about was cultural capital—basically the idea that the more pop culture references you know, the more social currency you have. 

We watched the music video “APESHIT” by Beyoncé and Jay-Z and pointed out instances of elite, folk, and cultural capital. The song is about Black excellence and the longevity of their success and was filmed at the Louvre in Paris. 

I learned my reporting can benefit from my social media scrolling habits. And discussing elements of pop culture in conversation with each other can actually lead to deeper analysis. 

Topics in Religion: Living in a Broken World — RL210

Rachel Choi

This is the only class I can definitively say changed the way I think of the world in a tangible way. Unconventional, discussion-driven, challenging, and deconstructive—professor Amer Latif leads every student, hand in hand, to a place where Western conceptions of “ritual,” the recurring topic of the course, are broken down and seen anew through the multicultural but ultimately human experience of needing to connect and feel safe. 

Everyone is engaged in ritual, whether it be waving at a friend to say hi, brushing your teeth at night, or praying before you eat. Ritual is not inherently religious or spiritual—it’s how we survive as social beings shouting into the chaotic, messy void that we understand as life. But this statement is barely scratching the surface of the depth the course dives into.

Be prepared to talk about subjects you may have never considered. Don’t be afraid to dig deeper into preconceived notions of normalcy; throw yourself fully into the meditations and conversations without reservation. Let go of your defensiveness when the way you’ve viewed the world—relationships, religion, politics, and reality—is scrutinized with a foreign lens.

Engage and go absolutely ham: You’ll come out of the class wondering what the hell is going on but in the best way possible.

International Politics — PL220

Anna Knepley

After declaring a political science minor, I was excited to dive into an aspect of politics that hadn’t really been taught at my high school: international relations. 

I had some interest going into the course, and afterward, my passion for global affairs has only grown, even sparking career aspirations in public diplomacy.

We explored the major international relations theories and their real-world applications through lectures, in-class activities, readings, and a mix of individual and group projects. I really appreciated the creative freedom afforded to us on said projects (and on tests!) in regards to what topic/country/theory we wanted to pursue. One of my favorite in-class activities was a mock Model United Nations, where we discussed solutions to a real-world human rights problem.

I took this course with professor Ian McManus, and he is one of the smartest professors I know (without being unapproachable and know-it-all-y). I loved dissecting why various political entities make the decisions they do and how those actions affect global perceptions, economies, and relations. 

Given the political tension online and in person, this course is incredibly relevant and I think everyone could benefit from a refresher on international politics, along with new learning about the theories that help predict global affairs. 

Whether you’re interested in international relations or just want to better understand what’s happening in the world and why, I would recommend Ian’s class. You do not need to be a political science minor to sign up—it counts for the global diversity and history and politics perspectives if you still need either (or both) of those!

Data Visualization — JR324

Adri Pray

I wish I could write about the entire journalism program at Emerson College, but if I had to pick one class, there’s no question that I would take professor Lina Giraldo’s Data Visualization course again.

While it may sound intimidating, Data Visualization equips students with the necessary data mining skills that journalists need going into the industry. The course encourages students to adopt a “data mindset” and introduces them to industry tools like Tableau and Flourish—software we otherwise wouldn’t have exposure to.

As someone who is a print journalism supporter until I die, I didn’t think I would like this class as much as I did. Giraldo, however, makes the material engaging and fun, and tasks her students with just enough work to challenge them without making it frustrating. 

And, in true Emerson College fashion, there’s no math!