Quote Originally Posted by Galician View Post
As someone who was asked if I spoke English for wearing a kilt by a person visiting from another (let's just say central) part of the country, I beg to differ.

In this country, we are getting a good example right now of how we need to make decisions which effect the entire globe. We need to choose leaders and decision makers who can push "the" button or work out trade treaties with countries halfway around the world. And, yes, send soldiers to fight and die on our behalf.

If we don't know anything about the world outside our future careers, we don't have much of a chance for making any better choices than have been made in the past. Perhaps even worse, as choices are made without knowledge of societies and the histories which unite or divide us.
And if we were required to have a working knowledge of world history, economics, logic (I can't stress that one enough) world governments, constitutional law, and so on, then I'd be all for it. (Although it really should be taken care of before college, but that's another issue) The thing is, that isn't how it works around here.

The general education requirements here fall into 3 categories: Classes that ensure you know at least a little bit of the stuff you should have learned in high school, classes that give a professor a semester to beat you over the head with a world view, and classes that, in theory, are meant to expand your horizons and blah blah blah, but which are actually a measure of your ability to show up for class and get that easy A.

The classes that cover the basics are so basic that they are insufficient. And there aren't even very many of them. I think the real reason the college requires them is to help cut down on stupid questions in later classes.

The ideologically driven classes are not helping anyone but the professor. Not only are they doing a disservice by presenting a single point of view, but they are often riddled with inaccuracies. These are the classes that lead to studies about students leaving college dumber than when they started.

And then there are the easy A classes. Honestly, neither the professors or the students try in these classes. They are just a waste of time, and no one even bothers to hide it.

Other than that, you just have to get enough random credits, which could accidentally lead to someone learning something useful, but that is entirely up to the student.


I agree that in a democracy, people need to know more than just how to do a job, but I think making people watch the history channel and read the occasional book would probably be more effective, and a lot less expensive.