Harvard University educators are considering changes to their core curriculum to require students to take more classes on topics such as religious studies and American history. The goal is to create a more-educated graduate geared toward the current global problems affecting today’s world. According to an article in The Chronicle of Higher of Education, the proposal was drafted by a committee titled Task Force on General Education and would require students to enroll in at least one course in each of these areas: “Reason and Faith,” “The Ethical Life,” “Cultural Traditions and Cultural Change,” “The United States: Historical and Global Perspectives,” “Societies of the World: Historical and Global Perspectives,” “Life Science” and “Physical Science.”
The Lantern agrees with Harvard’s possible change in its curriculum and thinks Ohio State should follow the example. Although the university is doing a commendable job stretching its reputation as a research and science-minded university, there is room for improvement in other fields such as a more worldly education. Studying only courses dealing with North American viewpoints severely limits a student’s education. Topics such as Eastern and Middle Eastern history would provide a graduate with a much-needed background for entering today’s workforce.
OSU does offer a strong study abroad program and tries to encourage students to participate in it. But for those lacking the financial means to participate, the program is pointless. The general education courses required by OSU require students to take a course on issues of the contemporary world. This section, designed to expand a student’s horizons, however, contains courses that do not reflect religious or worldly views. It is possible for a student to pass through this university without taking a course on religion.
Because religion plays such a large role in today’s world, it is necessary for a college graduate – no matter their degree – to have a basic understanding of religion and the positive and negative effects it brings. Unless a student takes it upon themself to self-educate, the recent turmoil in the Middle East and its origins are likely a mystery. The fighting dates back to one of the earliest points in history and, judging by that storied past, religion plays a large part.
Though some may argue that requiring religious courses is a violation of the separation of church and state, The Lantern believes that because students will have choices and because these courses would primarily consist of a factual and historical subject manner, that line would not be breached.
Despite changing the GEC policy, it is imperative OSU takes a look at its requirements and puts serious thought into improving the requirements to better educate its graduates about this ever-changing world in which we live.
