After more than two decades of keeping students abuzz, Oregon State University’s Far Side Entomology class has been named the best college course of 2010 by Playboy Magazine.
Playboy recognized the course for its combination of humor and intellectual rigor.
Playboy is not the only publication to have taken notice of the unique course. The class, created by Michael Burgett, honeybee expert and professor emeritus of horticulture at OSU, has also received attention from NPR and Online Collegest.
While the class has been recognized across the country over the years, Burgett believes that the recent recognition of the course by Playboy has created the biggest stir.
“I was flattered by the recognition from Playboy,” Burgett said.
Burgett stated that he learned the course was honored in the magazine from an e-mail from a former student who is now serving in the United States military in Afghanistan.
“I guess Playboy gets read cover to cover by GIs,” Burgett said.
According to students, the class could not have been nearly as successful without Burgett’s contribution. Many students believe his extensive history and research in the world of entomology is a large part of what has made the class so popular.
“I really like professor Burgett,” said OSU freshman Kevin McElhaney. “He doesn’t tell us what to create, we create what we want.”
Burgett’s tour of entomology allows students to learn while incorporating Gary Larson’s “The Far Side” comics. The unique class has been part of the course catalogue for University Honors College students since the late 1980s. Burgett attributes the course’s success to the 20 honor students who take the class each year.
“The class is very successful because it is in the Honors College,” Burgett said. “These people are very driven.”
The course also allows students to teach one another. The class is divided into 10 student teams who give presentations each class connecting the comics to the science of entomology.
“I didn’t know anything about insects before,” said Chris Burns, OSU freshman. “I’m definitely learning a lot.”
Excepting the first class, Burgett said he does not make the class a lecture, but instead an environment where students learn from each other.
“I call myself the guide on the side,” Burgett said.
Burgett said that one of his main goals is for the course to encourage creativity in his students.
The course began 22 years ago when Burgett was nominated by students to teach a class at OSU. After the nomination, Burgett was given the opportunity to create his own course and came up with Far Side Entomology.
“This is the only Far Side Entomology taught in the world,” Burgett said.
Other professors have approached Burgett about wanting to model a class after Far Side Entomology, but Burgett maintains that his course is the original.
“It has been a fun run and I hope to continue on for as long as possible,” Burgett said.
Burgett said his objective for the class is for students to get a taste of the world of insects. His experience stems back to his service in the army during the Vietnam War, where he was first introduced to entomology. The U.S. military employs a large number of entomologists to research diseases spread by arthropods.
“For every one person who gets shot, 50 get illnesses,” Burgett said.
Upon coming to OSU, Burgett was the first official honeybee researcher on the staff. Burgett said that since retiring from the position in 2002, he has had more time to dedicate to teaching the class.
“The arrow of time moves in one direction, but when you can continue to work with undergrads, it is amazing,” Burgett said.