Should Brown offer a 3-year BA/BS?

PAGRok
Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:42:53 +0000

@mgcsinc I truly don’t understand why Chicago’s core curriculum reinforces the dominance of White European culture? The science part of the core does not, the arts part of the core does not, the math part of the core does not, the civilizations studies part of the core does not (you can study many non-european civilizations), the humanities part of the core does not (most of the Hume courses do not involve classical Western canon), and the Social Sciences part of the core has 3/5 core classes with a classical reading list. Also, I still don’t understand what courses in the Core are “tired and dry”. I’m not trying to upset you, I’m genuinely curious as to your distaste for the Core. Is it the areas of study that you don’t like? or the core courses offered within each area that you find dull? You said your ideal core would focus on “mind and brain science”, what classes are those? Psych courses? Neurobiology courses? humanities courses that develop thought?

@iwannabebrown I took that to mean that if Brown creates a 3 year degree then more people could have the option to go to Brown, and everyone deserves an equal opportunity to attend Brown, or any place they want. No one has the right to an education at Brown, but everyone has the right to an equal ability to attend Brown, and a 3 year program would allow more people who cannot afford Brown to attend. I didn’t know that Brown “stands for” a 4 year education, and really it seems to be standing for whatever education the students feels is necessary for them. Possibly some students want a 3 year education, and if that is what would be best for them, then I’m surprised Brown wouldn’t let them do that. Brown allows students control over their education, shouldn’t it allow them to choose to take classes for only 3 years? Why does a 4 year education automatically mean you have accomplished the ideal goal and are ready to graduate? Who determined at what point you have taken enough classes and why is it 4 years, not 5 or 6, or not 3? I should probably look up the history of higher education in this country to find the answer though, and it seems like other countries are more likely to have shorter years to graduate for various reasons (different K-12 system, more specialized focus in college, etc).