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The A+ core
We at ACTA know a thing or two about gen ed requirements. We have after all ploughed through dozens upon dozens of course catalogues to evaluate some 170 colleges and universities for our WhatWillTheyLearn.com initiative. We know, for example, a good core when we see one.
Yet, we also know that the seven core subjects on which we grade universities constitute a minimum benchmark of competency, but that they do not exhaust the possibilities for greatness. As we explain:
Of course, arguments can be made for including any number of additional topics, such as art, music, psychology, sociology, philosophy, or world history. But a core curriculum that fails to require most of the seven key subjects outlined on this website will not satisfy the basic demands of general education.
Once in a while, we come across a truly excellent core -- one that goes beyond meeting basic demands and offers students a comprehensive, reasoned and thorough liberal education. The University of Arkansas offers such an example. In order to graduate, students must take English comp, philosophy, math, world literature, Western Civ, American history, 6 fine arts credits , 6 social sciences credits, 12 science credits and demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language.
Let's just say that if we gave out A+'s, UA would get one.
Sadly, as our readers know, the university administration is determined to eviscerate UA's stellar core curriculum. Even sadder, is the university's defense of its project which essentially boils down to a grown-up version of "but ma, everyone else is doing it." As Chancellor David Gearhart explains, the core should be halved to bring it in line with that of "peer institutions." Such logic makes no sense when you're at the head of the pack.
Thankfully, others are catching on.
Paul Greenberg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning editor at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, remarks: "The lowest common denominator becomes the standard we strive for, and any hope for excellence shrivels."
Our friend Anthony Paletta at Minding the Campus wryly notes that "Arkansas is indeed behind the times -- it has been comparatively slow to eviscerate core curricula that most colleges destroyed long ago."
Our friends at the National Association of Scholars drive home the same point: "As for Arkansas, its flagship university used to stand apart. Having more demanding general education requirements than is typical of American higher education today was a genuine distinction."
How sad that future generations of students in Arkansas may be denied the privilege of graduating from a university with such a distinction.
Posted by David Azerrad on May 26, 2010 at May 26, 2010 10:22 AM
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