In light of all the stories this week concerning changing compsci requirements, the creation of a new interdisciplinary major, and how the linguistics major has no department at all, we asked our Opinion writers: What is the best major and why?

Jim Pagels, Blogger: Defense Against the Dark Arts—I honestly don’t see how in these troubling times, anything else could be any more pertinent. Especially when all the courses are personally taught by Provost John Coatsworth.

Noel Duan, Columnist: I’m not a Classics or Classical Studies major, but once I met a faculty member at a party who told me (while inebriated, I believe) that they have the best-looking professors.

Derek Turner, Blogger: Archaeology, because it’s an obscure major that nobody ever takes. Talk about indie!

Sam Klug, Blogger: Anything that takes you to Knox. (Knox! Knox! Knox! Knox! Knox! Knox! Everrryboooody!)

Jeremy Liss, Columnist: I would say Linguistics, but “Columbia at stupid linguistics”. (This is what happens when there’s no department).

Alex Collazo, Columnist: Creative Writing. We get free cookies and tea, then sit down and read each other’s stories. Plus, I’ve heard they provide cardboard box housing when you graduate.

Emily Tamkin, Blogger: The best major is whatever you want to be majoring in and are passionate about. And also Russian Literature & Culture.

Caroline Blosser, Blogger: Ancient History—an exceptional major for the the student desiring to shroud herself in mystery and a sense of timeless wisdom.  Not so good for “practical” things like “jobs” and “marketable skills.”