University For Dummies

If you're looking for a well-rounded college education, someone has probably suggested to you St. John's College in Annapolis, MD, and Santa Fe, NM. Their "great books curriculum" really takes learning back to the primary sources -- learning math from Pythagoras, astronomy from Galileo, etc. At graduation, students are prepared for modernist salons and Nobel Laureate receptions. (The job market may be another story.)

But if you think you build a successful career without speaking Ancient Greek, the University for Dummies might be for you. In the same reading-rather-than-lectures format, students learn from the classic "For Dummies" series.

A freshman Literature class might start out with "Shakespeare For Dummies" and "Poetry For Dummies." When St. John's students agonize over volumes of Supreme Court decisions, these students just have to master "Law For Dummies." They also study fields which don't have great books available -- what classic can replace "C++ For Dummies"?

Students may also choose from a variety of electives, from "Lawn Care For Dummies" to "Tarot For Dummies." Recreational activities include "Fly Fishing For Dummies," "Needlecraft For Dummies," and of course a campus favorite, "Homebrewing For Dummies."

Not only will students graduate knowing the meat and bones of every subject, they also receive excellent career help. Studies show that students who read "Cover Letters For Dummies" and "Job Interviews For Dummies" have a higher employment rate three years later than those who rely of Machiavelli's "The Prince."

The only drawback is money. At $22 a book, a liberal arts education can be quite costly. But don't worry. The Office of Financial Aid has announced a plan to supply all parents with "Investing For Dummies," "Fundraising For Dummies," and "Gambling For Dummies."