Reaction to Unnecessary College Courses by kimmychristy
I understand that some courses are unnecessary, but I have to disagree on the example kimmychristy gave. Drawing is a course that will benefit in photography skills. It teaches how to place objects and arrange them in the frame in a more athestically pleasing way. Some photographers add more flare to their work manually or with photoshop. The basic skill of drawing is a necessary evil, if you want to think that way. It seems bogus, but it really will help you in the future.
College says it prepares you for the real world, but in the way you are talking about it doesn't. It gives you the tools and means to further your future in the world, but all the communcation and know how to get a job comes from who you know. You learn that from your peers, parents, etc. And only if you ask. What you are learning in college, will broaden your creative and imaginatation skills. This is more pleasing to your future employer. If you have the know how and college degree, they want you. Even more if you have experience in the real world, like your job now.
Yes, I do agree that some classes are unnecessary... I'm a studio art major... not all GE is easy for me and I can say I don't need Math in the field I'm going into, but that is a lie. I have to know how to use a ruler and all the basics. It is just better we know a little more.
Though I am going to throw out there that our school systems need to change. This degree thing really isn't working. Example... when a college professor of art history is teaching how to teach art history to the class... but can't get a job for actually teaching art history, is beyond me. My professor had to go back and take more courses even though she was BEYOND qualified to do the work.
All in all... my response... Oi vay...
Thought: Maybe we all should make a difference and change the school system by making a petition to do so. That is the only way things get done anyway, is by taking action. Yes we all can be lazy college students, but obviously if we are on this site we are more modivated then the norm. What do you think? I am ready for a change.
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I dont think that there are any classes that in and of themselves are unnecessary, but I think that there are a lot of courses that are unnecessary to certain majors. As a journalism major I have asked myself time and time again how biology and math are going to help me with writing. But they could! It was pointed out to me by an advisor that sometime I might have to do a story on a famous biologist. It might be good to have some basic knowledge on the subject. And when I am editior of Newsweek someday, fingers crossed,I might need a little background in math to plan the monthly budget.
I agree that there are a lot of classes that I have to take that I would rather not take, but I think that educators really have our best interests at heart.
Francesca Chambers
Oh and I agree Francesca... I didn't specify myself when I was refering to majors and not in general. They all potentially can help us, and I do ultimately think that General Education is very beneficial... it is just sometimes the bureaucracy of education gets in the way of actually educating. Especially with elementary, jr. and high schools.
Sincerely,
Ashleymarie Sey DeBondt
visit my art website Behind the Brush
or for my photographic work my deviantart page
I agree, wholeheartedly, that all individual courses are not without merit or significance. However, add a few of these course to a particular curriculum and they instantly become wasted. American National Government? What didn't I learn about the American Government in the eighth grade that I need to know now? If I didn't learn all I need to know about the legislature or the Supreme Court by the end of high school, then I'm not going to. Western Civilization? Two sciences- physical and biological? That's doubly unnecessary. These kind of classes are wasteful in the wrong curriculum. Seriously.
True. I would have to agree with that one. Though you'd be surprised... when I took American Government last semester, there were students in there who did not know half of it. It was sad, and quite scary.
Sincerely,
Ashleymarie Sey DeBondt
visit my art website Behind the Brush
or for my photographic work my deviantart page
This is why I whole heartedly agree with taking highschool classes for college credit, duel credit. I took General Biology as a junior for duel credit and so I dont have to take it now. The only problem is that during my senior year in highschool the state put really strict limits on duel credit and so as a senior i was not able to take any. Basically the big state universities were angry that kids were graduating in three years becuase they came in with a lot of credits and were spending less money on the university so they lobbied against duel credit. Stupid lobbyists that complained one year too early.
Francesca Chambers
Ok, so maybe kimmychristy didn't give a great example. But there are college courses that are really bogus. I wrote a blog on the diversity requirement. Of course I support diversity! But many of these professors are actually promoting reverse discrimination. I also don't think diversity can be taught. Prejudice runs deep. I think students should be on committees that mandate requirements. We need to have more input in what we learn.