No matter what high school someone went to — whether it was private or public, small or large, rural or urban — everyone was required to take a series of core subjects like math, history, language and science. These have been in the basic core structure of our education since we were in elementary school.

When biology became chemistry and algebra became geometry, the general subject material was still the same. I know many other students had these same core classes and requirements. However, college seemed to be were these building block classes stopped.

Finally allowing students the choice of what they want to study creates the idea that they will take classes they are truly interested in and won’t be forced into unwanted ones. However, after a year and a half of college, I have seen that this is not the case at Syracuse University.

Whether it be Newhouse, Whitman, or any other college, students continue to complain of their school’s core requirements that force them into all types of classes they have no interest in.

Why should a journalism major who excels in writing be forced into a natural science course? Why should a biology student be required to take intensive writing classes?

Students applied to their majors for a reason. To take classes in subjects they are truly passionate about, and not be stuck in the same classes that left them bored and zoned out in high school.

“I’m a public relations major in Newhouse but I’m in philosophy and earth science this semester,” said sophomore Lilly Mavis. “They aren’t terrible, but I also don’t love them.”

While SU colleges do offer a variety of class options to fulfill core requirements, there are still some students that might not do well in sciences regardless of the class they choose.

Many students are paying steep prices to come to this school, so it seems unfair that much of their education is spent learning subjects they aren’t passionate about or have already taken in high school.

“It feels like I’m wasting money on classes I don’t care about,” said Nick Ladino, a second-year student in the School of Architecture.

Each school and major has its own core requirements that students need to complete by the time of their graduation. It is unreasonable to assume that they should completely change them. However, a conversation about the types of classes required for certain might benefit everyone.

Lowering the number of core requirements for students will allow them the flexibility to take the classes they want. This could allow students to get excited about their classes and not have them feel like just another steppingstone to graduation.

It could also improve classes by giving professors students who are actually interested in the class who may have more incentive to participate. There would be fewer 400-person lectures comprised of kids online shopping or watching Netflix because they are forced to be there.

Core classes are impossible to avoid. They determine a major’s structure and, in some cases, keep students well rounded. However, the volume of requirements most SU students has to complete leaves them overwhelmed and forced into unwanted classes.

Reducing these requirements would allow students better control of their education, and of the investment they make into it.

George Hashemi is a sophomore writing and rhetoric and broadcast and digital journalism dual major. His column appears bi-weekly. He can be reached at geohash@gmail.com. He can be followed on Twitter @geohash123.

Published on January 21, 2020 at 10:15 pm