The Red and Black

In response to Hannah Johnson's opinion article entitled "Degrees should include more" I would like to both agree and disagree with some of the recommendations that are stated.

For one, I agree that a holistic, well rounded education should be an option for any major University such as our own. While I agree on this principle, I do it on the basis that I understand it is already an option. Take Ms. Johnson for example, with a major in Spanish as well as English. While she is getting a broad set of knowledge, some would say she is working harder for it by negating many of the privileges that a double major affords, such as a multitude of elective classes. Within this example also lies a perfect illustration, by Ms. Johnson's definition, of how to constrain oneself to certain practices. She may be taking a few science classes, but why could she not major or minor in a science with a social science if it were that important to her? The answer is she can. Ms. Johnson might say that these sciences do not correspond to the knowledge that she needs to obtain for success in her future, and she is right.

Undergraduate studies provide 2 years of well rounded knowledge (even for social science majors that are required to obtain 7 credit hours in science classes, including a lab). The other 2+ years are intended to extensively prepare students for a variety of career paths that far exceeds the tasks of writing "a decent essay and work[ing] hard in grad school". These skills, as Ms. Johnson suggests, can transition a students' opportunities into a slew of career field, just like a math or science major, and in many cases, allows for greater flexibility in post-graduate choices.

While I understand a need for more variety in course requirements, I also understand that it is, and in recent history, has always been an option for students. The question that it really comes down to is if you like science classes so much, can you not just pick up a minor? The options are there, whether the motivation is or not.

I agree completely. I always like to take courses where I learn something. And it's true that SO MANY students don't bother going to sections of the campus where they don't have class. So little interest in campus life, or their fellow students with whom they might work, one day, even though not in the same capacity.

So many students waste their years by ignoring whom might be their future colleagues. And there's so much riches within a campus and all the courses.



[ See this piece about inventions for the Future ]

http://media.www.crystalclearnewsviews.com/media/storage/paper1250/news/2008/02/06/BlastFromThePast/Back-And.Forth.To.The.Future-3368784.shtml