Editing Mickey Mouse degrees (section)

==Examples==
Comedian [[Jay Leno]] quipped that “in college, [[philosophy]] majors study [[Is the glass half empty or half full?|if the glass is half full or if the glass is half empty]]. See, this prepares them for careers later as [[waiters]]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityam.com/lets-be-honest-university-waste-of-time/|title=Let's be honest, spending three years at university is a waste of time for too many|first=Matthew|last=Lesh|date=August 29, 2022}}</ref>

In 2000, [[Staffordshire University]] received negative press coverage when a module on the sociological importance of football which had been designed for students taking [[sociology]], [[sports science]], or [[media studies]] was portrayed as a "degree in [[David Beckham]] Studies".<ref name="beckham">"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/694451.stm Beckham in degree course]", BBC News, 29 March 2000. URL accessed 24 June 2006.</ref> A professor for the department stressed that the course would not focus on Beckham, and that the module examines "the rise of football from its folk origins in the 17th century, to the power it's become and the central place it occupies in British culture, and indeed world culture, today".<ref name="beckham"/> In July 2015, [[UK Independence Party]] MEP [[Louise Bours]] referred to the module on ''[[Question Time (TV series)|Question Time]]'', but as though it was a full degree course.{{cn|date=February 2021}} Other degrees deemed "Mickey Mouse" include "golf management" and "surf science".<ref name="takingthemick">Emma Brockes [http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/story/0,,875003,00.html "Taking the mick"], EducationGuardian.co.uk, 15 January 2003. URL accessed 24 June 2006.</ref> [[Durham University]] designed an optional module centred around [[Harry Potter]] to examine "prejudice, citizenship and bullying in modern society" as part of a B.A. degree in Education Studies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Durham University students offered Harry Potter course |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wear-11011279 |work=BBC News |date=18 August 2010}}</ref>

One thing these courses share is that they are "vocational", which are perceived to be less intellectually rigorous than the traditional academic degrees.<ref name="takingthemick"/>

Defenders of these courses object that the derogatory comments made in the media rely on the low [[symbolic capital]] of new subjects and rarely discuss course contents beyond the titles.<ref name="Hodge"/> Another factor is the perception that the take up of these subjects, and the decline of more traditional academic subjects like science, engineering, or mathematics,<ref>Polly Curtis and agencies
[http://education.guardian.co.uk/alevels/story/0,,1548150,00.html "A-level pupils urged to spurn 'soft' subjects"], EducationGuardian.co.uk, 12 August 2005. URL accessed 24 June 2006.</ref> is causing [[grade inflation|annual grade rise]] in the [[United Kingdom]].