should universities offer general education courses?

Question

As a college freshman, one has to take certain courses that the university feels they need to graduate with their intended degree, these courses are called general education courses. But even though majority of these courses were offered in high school, should they, in turn, be required to take again in college? That's the issue! Please justify your answer.

Answer 1

At most 4 year universities as opposed to community colleges, students are generally required to complete a number of courses in their major as well as some outside it. The general education classes are offered to help broaden a student's horizon and further develop a way of thinking and looking at things.

What you learn in high school, and how you learn it is night and day from the way it's done in college. Things are most definitely bumped up a notch from high school, and there's far more emphasis on the researching and writing aspects in college.

True, there's some repetition in the basic information, but you also go far beyond what you generally do in high school. And these classes are critical to helping students learn how to think "outside the box" and become a more well-rounded person.

So I definitely believe they have value. And that's one big reason why I got my B.A. in Economics from the liberal arts division rather than the business division. Because the liberal arts division allowed me to take the same major classes while allowing me more flexibility to take classes outside it. And classes like philosophy, sociology, philosophy, and even anatomy & physiology broadened my horizons and made me think a little differently from those who went through the business division. And in the end, I think I'm a better person for it because I see things from other perspectives.

Answer 2

If you took courses in high school (e.g., foreign language, and/or chemistry) and passed, then no, you are not required to retake those course in college. I'm not sure if this rule applies though to other classes like physics and trigonometry for example. You'd have to check with your university.

Let's say they say it doesn't apply, then what you can do is... if you know the subject, there's such a thing called a "CLEP" exam. Many subjects (not all) allow you to take the CLEP exam which is an overall background of the subject, and if you meet the required passing grade, then you are considered "proficient" in the subject and thus get exempt from having to take the ACTUAL course.

By the way, it's much much cheaper to take the exam than to take the course. Also, keep in mind, universities RECOMMEND students to take the CLEP IF they know the subject.Think about it... doesn't make any sense to relearn something you ALREADY know.

Answer 3

At most universities, the general education courses are NOT the same as the ones you took in high school, or if they are, you are expected to take a higher level course instead. The idea behind general education is to ensure that college provides you with exposure to some of the things you need to be an educated person in our society; without these, many colleges would be more like trade schools.

Answer 4

Like asking them where their drinking water comes from?
Is it from bottles in planet of apes.

Answer 5

yes