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The core of the issue
Our friends at the National Association of Scholars have published an incisive piece on the University System of Georgia's pending curricular changes. As they point out, the current USG curriculum -- while not perfect -- "does present an accessible combination of math, science, English, the humanities, and fine arts." That's quite similar to the assessment in ACTA's recent report card on public higher education in Georgia, Shining the Light, where we gave the curriculum a passing grade but noted its deficiencies in a few key subjects. We also agree with the NAS that the proposals that have come forth to replace the current curriculum would be steps backward, not forward. While the goal of the review ("to ensure that we are providing students with the knowledge and abilities they will need to meet the challenges of our rapidly evolving, technologically interconnected global world") is sound, the best way to get there is to beef up the curriculum -- adding an economics requirement, for instance -- not water it down.
Trustees in and out of Georgia would be well advised to read up on this controversy, as curricular reviews are a frequent occurrence on campus, and it's critical that they be done right.
Posted by Charles Mitchell at April 18, 2008 11:28 AM
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