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Universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's field of study.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.
(514 words, 40 mins)
Today, many universities ask their students to complete a variety of courses outside of their field of study. Such courses usually include both social sciences, such as economic and history, and natural sciences, such as mathematics and biology. They are not a waste of the students' time and are in fact extremely helpful in personality- and career-building in the long-run.
High schools have very narrow selections of courses on very few subjects compared to college. Consequently, students often come into undergraduate education confused about what they are good at and what they are passionate about. At this point, taking courses outside their major study can give them opportunities to experience different fields of study and academic cultures. It will be undeniable be helpful for students to understand themselves better since no-one can make a wise decision without comparing different options that he/she has.
However, there are also those who are extremely sure about what they want to study before entering college. Should they take courses outside their field of study? The answer is surely yes. Knowledge and sciences are all more or less intertwined no matter how unrelated them seem. Taking a more diversified curriculum introduces students to different disciplinary of study that can deepen their own academic comprehensiveness. Without inter-disciplinary study, a student of international relations will not be able to understand the history of the Cold War because they lack cultural contexts from the United States and U.S.S.R. Similarly,an economics student will not understand why free trade will never happen because they neglect all the political factors. Besides, students are also encouraged to get out of their social comfort zone through taking courses outside of their major studies. They are given the chance to interact with more distinct personalities which can prepare them better for what they need in the real world.
A few years after graduation, many people find themselves with a career completely different to what they had planned in college. For instance, Natalie Portman graduated Yale University with a degree on philosophy and Hebrew studies. But today, she is one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood. Life is too unpredictable that none of us can have an extremely accurate forecast of where we will be doing in five or ten years. That is to say, anything we learn today may be a determining factor of our future failure or success. Those who are able to take a variety of courses outside their field of study are definitely more fortunate who do not because they are better prepared for possibilities.
Offering courses outside students' major studies may be costly but would definitely increase universities' education quality. If budget allows, all universities should consider applying these requirements in their systems.
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发表于 2011-11-14 14:17:09
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