Another summer come and gone

[Galician]

Aye, summer is over and it's back to class for me, though sadly I must keep the job as well.

The purpose of general education is to separate you from more of your money (or your future income, someone else's money, tax money, and private funds) and at the same time, prop up departments which would have no purpose if people only studied that which would help them in some future career.

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.

[Makeitstop]

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.

[davedove]

You have to remember that when these requirements were first formulated, for the most part the only people attending universities were those who already had their futures assured. That is, the children of the wealthy. They didn't have to learn a trade; they were going to take over for dear old Dad.

As such, what they were taught were not skills to survive or make their way in the world. Instead they were taught things like literature, art, philosophy, etc. That way they could participate in the conversation sof the gentry, who weren't concerned with the affairs of "lesser folk."

Now, of course, people from all walks of life can attend and most of them are pursuing a career. Yet, because of tradition, a lot of the old requirements remain. Sure, they may have been adjusted over the years, but you still have the requirements, in the interest of producing well-rounded individuals.

There is some value in learning things outside your field. There are some very highly educated people out there who are brilliant in their field, but are clueless about other things.

[macwilkin]

<removes mod bonnet>

I started to reply to this thread once, but then stopped.

All I'll say is this: Makeitstop, if you're such the expert in matters pedagogical, put your money where your mouth is: Let's see you teach and put up with the rampant academic bureaucracy in the system today.

It's one thing to be an armchair quarterback, it's another thing to practice what you preach. If you can do better, then quit grousing on an Internet forum and get in the classroom.

I am very passionate about my teaching sir -- I realize that most of my students will not go on to be historians, but at the end of the day, I can say that I at least tried to show them that a knowledge of history is valuable in today's world, as well as knowledge in general. I bring a love of history and the blood, sweat and tears I spent not only on my MA, but also working for the NPS interpreting an Civil War Battle.

Todd

[macwilkin]

and a PS:

I have nothing against the History Channel, but it's not the be-all-end-all. My teaching style is that of a storyteller; Good history is a well-told story.

Todd

[Coemgen]

Now, I have no bone to pick with the idea of general education requirements. Personally, I applaud the desire to ensure that all students, regardless of academic concentration, have a basic understanding of mathematics, science, history, logic, philosophy, and economics. IN fact, many of my favourite classes thus far have been general ed. classes.

However, I do take issue with long lists of requirements that take three years to finish, cost huge amounts of money, and most of which exist primarily to imprint the school's owners' worldview on the students. Over here these are referred to as the CORE classes, and you can't graduate without passing them.

Case in point: my aforementioned class CORE 300: "Values and Critical Thinking." Instead of logic or philosophy, we learn how to kiss the professor's behind and agree with everything she says.

I currently have a three page list of things that she has said that a) contradict known facts about the world; b) contradict what she said earlier; and c) are logically inconsistent. And that's just from the first class!

[Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]

<removes mod bonnet>

I started to reply to this thread once, but then stopped.

All I'll say is this: Makeitstop, if you're such the expert in matters pedagogical, put your money where your mouth is: Let's see you teach and put up with the rampant academic bureaucracy in the system today.

It's one thing to be an armchair quarterback, it's another thing to practice what you preach. If you can do better, then quit grousing on an Internet forum and get in the classroom.

I am very passionate about my teaching sir -- I realize that most of my students will not go on to be historians, but at the end of the day, I can say that I at least tried to show them that a knowledge of history is valuable in today's world, as well as knowledge in general. I bring a love of history and the blood, sweat and tears I spent not only on my MA, but also working for the NPS interpreting an Civil War Battle.

Todd

Thanks for being a caring history teacher..there are very few good ones out there!!
To all students, good luck and enjoy these times...the real world sucks!! (we just have to do those things that make it more bearable)
Sara