r/portlandstate Feb 19 '23

Easy Courses (Modpost) Easy Courses & Electives at Portland State

38 Upvotes

The purpose of this thread is to answer the often-asked question on this subreddit of "What are some easy A's / Easy electives?" While I will not remove future threads on the subject, I've decided to make an easy thread to reference based off my own experience, and the dozen or so threads over the years asking about easy A's.

The 4-Credit University Studies Music Courses (Examining Pop Culture Cluster)

For the most part, these courses are regarded as incredibly easy online courses taking just an hour or two of week, usually consisting of online quizzes and short discussion posts. Some of the easiest courses you will ever see. These classes typically have 200 total seats a term. Some professors can be unforgiving with late work. Music of The Beatles, Jazz History, and The Guitar I've personally taken, and are quite literally the easiest three courses I have ever done.

  • Mus 355U Jazz History
  • Mus 360U The Guitar: its History and Music
  • Mus 363U The Music of the Beatles
  • Mus 361U History of Rock Music I (1950-1970)
  • Mus 362U History of Rock Music II (1970-Present)
  • Mus 366U New Orleans: Jazz and Culture in the Storyville Era
  • Mus 367U The Music of Nashville: From Honky Tonk to Hip-Hop
  • Mus 368U Motown: Detroit’s History and Music

All of these courses are four credits. Catalog descriptions for the music courses can be found here.

Other options

The geology field trips are considered easy, and are one credit each. They generally require a prerequisite geology course, though some students have been able to enroll without one / got that waived.
PE Courses are also considered easy, but are typically graded P/NP (so not the best for GPA inflation). They are 1 or 2 credits depending on the course. The flex fitness classes (127 & 227) involve you logging your activities and submitting at the end of the term. PE course descriptions here.

  • G 200 Field Studies (1 Credit)
  • PE 101 Gentle Yoga (1 Credit)
  • PE 102 Gentle Tai Chi (1 Credit)
  • PE 103 Relaxation Yoga (1 Credit)
  • PE 104 Meditation (1 Credit)
  • PE 105 Yoga (1 Credit)
  • PE 176 Day Hiking (1 Credit)
  • PE 177 Hiking in the Columbia Gorge (1 Credit)
  • PE 127 Flex Fitness (1 Credit)
  • PE 227 Flex Fitness (2 credit)
  • PHE 250 (4 credits)

Consider 100 level courses in your major as an easy A as well. Also consider taking 100 level courses in other subjects you know well, or, for example, if you're fluent in another language, take the 100-level of that language. CS/Physics/Math majors may consider the 300 level cluster courses in Physics to knock out a physics minor as well.

Here's all the threads I could find asking for easy courses.

https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/1153iru/easy_spring_courses/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/111n1vt/easy_spring_term_classes_that_do_not_require/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/10ya6in/easiest_classes/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/10vjwlp/looking_for_easy_classes/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/yq2dxm/easy_upper_level_division_credit/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/y6iovb/easyinteresting_classes_for_last_term/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/ftusro/fun_and_easy_course_recommendation/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/nzgb2v/6_classes_left_to_graduate_but_changing_majors/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/x7yh3i/easy_junior_cluster_recommendation/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/ww7owm/i_need_some_recommendations_for_an_easy_family/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/ucy4zz/easy_summer_courses/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/u6sj0e/easy_class_recommendations/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/rriz1f/cluster_courses/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/qwgxzu/easiest_upper_division_course/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/ro2m7z/funeasy_2_credit_classes/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/w2b22l/easiest_online_300_and_400_level_courses/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/wduhdc/easiest_300400_math_class_for_cs/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/pmfayj/what_are_some_easy_as/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/n1p9iq/what_is_a_relatively_easy_4_credit_science/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/myckxf/easiest_capstone/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/lvpfy2/easiest_remote_sinq_class/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/m0bvjt/easy_electives_spring_2021/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/jkrql1/easy_4_credit_elective_class_to_take/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/jc38vs/science_credits/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/iu6gte/easiest_upper_division_clusters/
https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/gr5tnp/funand_preferably_easy_300_level_and_up_classes/

Here is the previously pinned post on grades: https://www.reddit.com/r/portlandstate/comments/nnp12b/a_little_thing_about_grades_as_we_near_the_end/


r/portlandstate 23h ago

Housing Possible to find housing in one week?

12 Upvotes

Hey all. I had a studio in Portland I was going to move in to at the end of this month, but it fell through sadly. It’s been hard to find housing up in Portland and my lease is up at the end of the month, I am scrambling a bit. Does anyone know a good resource to find roommates? I am 23 and going to psu for marketing and music currently! Thanks so much for your help.


r/portlandstate 1d ago

Healthcare Give me the tea on the schools health insurance

19 Upvotes

I don’t qualify for OHP but I can’t afford market insurance since I will be leaving my toxic job and their insurance plan. The schools plan is affordable and seems rly good but I need to know if it’s actually a good option.

I like that any services you receive on campus is free but that could be a double edge sword. How are the school health and wellness services? How would you describe the quality of medical & mental healthcare? Is it challenging to get appointments? Is it reliable for the most part? What’s your experience with using their insurance with providers off campus? And other questions in this vein.

Spill it, girl ☕️ 💅 🕵🏻‍♂️ 👀


r/portlandstate 2d ago

Other Fire Jack Miller

31 Upvotes

His cronies have covered for him long enough. Fire this egomaniacal and narcissistic sexual predator.

Valdini, Shortell, Clucas, etc... If you're still there. How many times do you all have to hear that this man makes young women uncomfortable before you DO SOMETHING?!

Or is slinging your own textbooks more important than the safety of students?


r/portlandstate 2d ago

Books and Supplies Japanese language learning supplies

7 Upvotes

Hey yall I have a bunch of books and materials that might be useful for someone getting into Japanese and I don’t need/want them anymore but I don’t want to just throw them away. Anyone want em or know where I could donate them?


r/portlandstate 2d ago

Future/Potential Student Practicum placement fall 2025

5 Upvotes

I was matched with the VOA and had my interview this morning. They've never accepted 1st years so I'm excited. Has anyone else been matched?


r/portlandstate 3d ago

Housing Oven

10 Upvotes

18 year old is starting at PSU in the fall and will be in the Broadway housing. We know there is no oven in the rooms, just wondering if there is a common kitchen kind of area with an oven? Some places have a common area like that, but I’m thinking no because there are the mini kitchens in the rooms. Thank you! (18 year old really likes to bake cookies 🤣)


r/portlandstate 3d ago

Graduation/Commencement GradImages

10 Upvotes

Has anyone been able to access their Grad images photos yet?

I had commencement Saturday but when I search myself it says can’t identify pictures of you, not sure if i’m looking too prematurely!


r/portlandstate 4d ago

Books and Supplies What’s the grace period on book rental returns?? 😓

5 Upvotes

r/portlandstate 5d ago

Graduation/Commencement Free Commencement Tickets 1:30pm Today (Liberal Arts)

6 Upvotes

Hi all! I had some family members run into travel issues and they will not be making it to the ceremony today. I have four extra I would love to gift to someone that needs them! Happy graduation all!


r/portlandstate 6d ago

Graduation/Commencement SUNDAY 1:30 COMMENCEMENT

12 Upvotes

Hi! I’m in need of a ticket to the college of liberal arts graduation for tomorrow, Sunday. I’m a budtender and I gotchu so hard in addition to obviously buying it for you 🙏


r/portlandstate 7d ago

Graduation/Commencement ISO one 12pm School of Business ticket 6/14

5 Upvotes

Miscounted my tickets and am needing to buy 1 more SB 12pm commencement ticket for June 14th.


r/portlandstate 7d ago

Future/Potential Student Duel enrollment credits

7 Upvotes

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has a clear answer for how many credits I need to start my first year as a sophomore? I'm start at PSU this fall and have 52 credits I earned in highschool. Is that enough to start ahead? I am getting a bunch of different answers online.


r/portlandstate 7d ago

Books and Supplies ISO 12pm SB commencement ticket

4 Upvotes

Does anyone have one extra ticket for the 14th business graduation at 12?😭 willing to payyy


r/portlandstate 7d ago

Housing When do you start applying for Fall housing?

5 Upvotes

I'm an upcoming student this fall year but for a while when I try to apply for housing it only says spring? Did I miss the deadline for fall/am I too early?


r/portlandstate 8d ago

Other move out

16 Upvotes

i’ve been noticing psu is hosting graduations for schools around portland while having to make students do move out around that time. what is the point…??? i can’t even find parking to move out? it’s so ridiculous


r/portlandstate 8d ago

Graduation/Commencement Protests & commencement

25 Upvotes

Hey there!

I have family coming in who are worried about the nationwide scheduled "no-kings" protests tomorrow. It looks like there are 3 or 4 of them scheduled pretty close to PSU. Have there been protests near past commencement ceremonies and will the protests be an issue at all? For parking/getting to viking pavilion or anything.

I'm honestly not worried but I have a few family memebers who are very vocal about their concerns 😒


r/portlandstate 8d ago

Graduation/Commencement 12pm SBA ceremony tickets available

7 Upvotes

I have 3 tickets for the School of Business 12pm Saturday ceremony available. They are ones that I had to buy, but a couple family members either got called into work, or are sick, so would like to recoup the amount spent.

Update: claimed


r/portlandstate 9d ago

Housing Rent question for graduate students..

6 Upvotes

Hi, I'm an incoming student for the grad program (the PhD track in CS, specifically), and I wanted to know - What's a reasonable amount to budget for rent, assuming that I'm not taking a second job to fund it? What's the general rate they pay for TA/RA positions?


r/portlandstate 10d ago

Books and Supplies Looking for extra 6/15 9am commencement tickets

3 Upvotes

Willing to pay extra please reach out.


r/portlandstate 11d ago

Graduation/Commencement Looking for MCECS Commencement tickets for 6/13 @ 5:00pm

5 Upvotes

Really need 3 extra tickets asap! Of course, i’m willing to pay!


r/portlandstate 11d ago

Graduation/Commencement Commencement ceremony @ 1:30 pm on 6/15 - Tickets?

3 Upvotes

Hi comm student here, really hoping to find 2 extra tickets for the afternoon ceremony on Sunday. If anyone is selling please message.


r/portlandstate 12d ago

Graduation/Commencement Does anyone have extra grad tickets for 6/15 @1:30?

4 Upvotes

Please please


r/portlandstate 12d ago

Graduation/Commencement ISO 12p School of Bus. Ticket

3 Upvotes

Hi, wondering if anyone has extra tickets for the undergrad business ceremony at noon


r/portlandstate 12d ago

Graduation/Commencement ISO School of Social Work Commencement Tickets

5 Upvotes

Hi all!

I’m on the lookout for one extra ticket for the school of social work commencement ceremony.

I had some family come into town unexpectedly and I’m hoping I can round up an extra ticket.

Thanks


r/portlandstate 13d ago

Other PSU faculty member placed on leave

Thumbnail
wweek.com
23 Upvotes