Why do college students have to take 'other' classes for credits instead of studying their chosen subject

Question

Is the high school system working properly, do students know how to read, write, and calculate when they graduate, or is this the reason they need extra classes in college?

Answer 1

Some need remedial courses; some just need polishing; some need a more advanced course. There are other courses that the powers-that-be have decided that you need either to complement your studies or to be a well-rounded person.

IMHO, judging by some of the questions posted, our HS system is woefully inadequate in English.

Answer 2

A college education in the U.S., unlike in some other countries, is about becoming an educated person, and not just a matter of training people in a particular field. While many of us could complain that a substantial number of our incoming freshmen were NOT well educated in high school, even the best of schools (MIT, Harvard, Stanford, etc.) require that about half the program be about more than just the student's major. "General education" or "core" courses are not remedial. Those courses exist too, but they are not for credit. They require students to take courses in areas outside their majors so that they could be considered to be generally educated. For example, most schools require some sorts of history courses, literature courses, a science or two (for non-science majors), something in the arts, and maybe something in the humanities, like philosophy, and social science, like psychology. This has nothing to do with poor high schools, and everything to do with the university's mission to educate, not just train, their students.

Answer 3

They want to make sure people get as much of an understanding about the world before they graduate. For example, a foreign language class is required at a lot of colleges to make it so that you're exposed to a culture and language besides English and American Culture. It's just their way of giving you a thorough education.

Answer 4

Colleges want people to have a broad, general education. Not just knowledge of their chosen field. It will help you be more successful in the "real world".

Answer 5

astonishing thought. i think of RE could be included into Philosophy truly than considered instead. finally the government could make the alternative (no longer likely). If the concern covers all viewpoints objectively then mothers and dads could have no longer something to whinge approximately. in the event that they could indoctrinate their toddlers they might do it at domicile.

Answer 6

yes, I don't understand either. 60 credits for some BS classes and 60 for ur major.