Is there a problem with "Core Curriculum" schools?

Illinoisparent12
Mon, 04 Jul 2022 21:06:32 +0000

I think there are two distinct advantages of a core curriculum. First, the one that has been discussed a lot here is that it compels a student to be “well-rounded” and graduate with at least a little knowledge and understanding of multiple disciplines. The second advantage though, is the very fact that a core curriculum forces students to take classes that they may not otherwise have taken. Why is that good? Because 18 year olds for the most part haven’t had the academic and life experience to really know what they want, and often are surprised to learn that they like something they didn’t expect to like. My daughter and I have just been on 7 college tours over the past two weeks, and we heard some version of this story at most campuses: “I was required to take a class in “x” subject and expected to hate it, but once I took the class, I realized I loved it and now that’s what I’m majoring/minoring in.” For that reason, I’m a big proponent of the core curriculum, as I do think that it can often open up a whole new academic interest for some students that they may not otherwise have even tried.