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This is when a character reveals that she or he was educated in (or is being educated in) a field or subject that is unexpected for the character. Typically, this gag takes the form a college minor, as per the title suggests.
For example, a tough macho man could minor in Women's Studies or a ditzy society girl is minoring in Particle Physics.
A great, if narratively cheap, way to showcase Hidden Depths. Bonus points if this comes up at a plot relevant moment and not just as small talk. In such a situation this can act as a justification for a Deus ex Machina or Ass Pull (possibly softening the blow). Sub Trope of Suddenly Always Knew That. Compare Subject101. See also Minored In Asskicking.
Not exactly related to becoming TV Tropes savvy.
Examples
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Anime & Manga
- Gambling Emperor Legend Zero has the comic relief idiot Yakuza answer a ridiculously difficult quiz question and reveal that, because his father was a diplomat, he knows a lot about world geography and international relations.
Fan Works
- Dragon Ball Abridged: Team Four Star's Nappa graduated from Sayian University with a major of Child Psychology and a minor in PAIN.
- Doctor Jeremiah from Code MENT has a PhD in Ass kicking, a Bachelor's in Pain and a minor in Women's Studies.
Films — Live Action
- In Mr. Holland's Opus, it becomes a minor plot point that that the school's physical education teacher "minored in modern dance."
- James Bond himself, in the film version of You Only Live Twice, claims to have earned a first in Oriental languages from Cambridge. However, he only says this to Moneypenny and never demonstrates any great language skills, so it's possibly an exaggeration or joke.
- The James Bond books actually do emphasize Bond's language skills quite a lot.
Films — Animated
- In Monsters vs. Aliens, the Mad Scientist Dr. Cockroach (who turned himself into a half-cockroach monster while working on a teleportation system, in a Shout Out to The Fly) turns out to have a very plot-relevant degree.
My Ph.D. is in DANCE!
Literature
Live Action TV
- Adam frequently makes jokes to this extent about Jamie in MythBusters. While it's true Jamie has done some peculiar things — like being a licensed SCUBA instructor — most of them are made up by Adam on the spot for the lulz. Most of them gags on Jamie's age, such as offhanded mentions of his supposed actions during the Great Depression, though it is a fact that Jamie has a major in Russian Literature of all things.
- A Running Gag on Greek is that Cappie has supposedly majored in pretty much anything plot-relevant.
- A stripper in Bones mentioned majoring in Criminology while giving Booth a lapdance. In another episode, Sully mentions having minored in kinesics - he knew what a scapula was.
- The Have I Got News for You perennial gag of Paul Merton's CSE in metalwork.
- Annie Cartwright, quiet and put-upon mild-mannered WPC of Life on Mars, turns out to be a psychology graduate.
- Used as a joke in an episode of Full House. Normally straight-laced uptight Danny reveals that he's an ace at billiards since he played it all through college. Another character challenges him to darts and, when Danny scores two bullseyes in a row, Danny says, "I minored in Darts."
- Mad Men: Betty majored in Anthropology.
Web Comics
Western Animation
Video Games
Real Life
- Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe, claims to have a degree in violence
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- Indiana University apparently offers a B.A. in Magic. Actually a subversion: IU offers a "Build Your Own Major" major. It's the same way New York Times Crossword Puzzle Editor Will Shortz got his degree in Enigmatology.
- Uwe Boll holds a doctorate in Literature.
- Thanks to Polish psychologist Andrzej Łobaczewski, students may now recieve an actual degree in evil—ponerology, in his terms. It's the study of societal causes of sociopathy and social injustice, although nonetheless his students can legitimately claim to have least taken a few courses in evil.
- Indie actress and screenwriter Brit Marling majored in Economics at Georgetown University and was offered a job with Goldman Sachs, then turned it down to pursue acting.
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