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PE has expanded to include what are called "Lifetime Sports" or "Skills" that encompass more than the traditional calisthenics and physical fitness (running). That actually started, at least at the college level, back when I attended fifty years ago. I remember Archery, Bowling, Badminton, Tennis, a couple or three levels of Swimming as well as "traditional" PE areas like weightlifting and General Physical Fitness.
I'm guessing your Medieval Literature isn't really an elective (unless someone just wants to take it) but an upper level requirement for Lit majors. Just like Constitutional Theory or International Economic Theory was for me.
Uh, it's a joke reference to Sean Connery's character in Indiana Jones "He's a professor of Medieval Literature. The one the students hope they don't get."
Seriously though, most programs have a series of electives to pick from that have little use to most people. That's why the joke. Though the class on Sex in the Cinema with Lab might get a lot of students to sign up. (Yes, a real upper division class.)
DH had a rugged STEM degree program (before they called it STEM). I always thought it was funny that his language requirement was satisfied by his FORTRAN course way back then.
However, he did have some electives and we took a couple of Fine Arts classes together on Medieval and Renaissance architecture and paintings. The professor was quite famous.
Turned out to be really helpful and added to our appreciation on our trips to Europe. A four year university education should be more than just a trade school but also expand your knowledge in general.
Yes, but after 70 hours, I had all necessary core classes to teach. Why have to take another 50 that I did not need just to make some school rich? I took them, but I was able to pay out of pocket. Many young people cannot afford the unneeded classes.
DH had a rugged STEM degree program (before they called it STEM). I always thought it was funny that his language requirement was satisfied by his FORTRAN course way back then.
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The standard joke way back when I was in college (also before it was called STEM) was that ...
All engineers have to take two foreign languages. One of them is English. The other is FORTRAN
The standard joke way back when I was in college (also before it was called STEM) was that ...
All engineers have to take two foreign languages. One of them is English. The other is FORTRAN
Yeah, I heard that also.
I taught myself FORTRAN and simply tested for credit. And the dean allowed me to take 20 hours of German in lieu of 10 hours of English Lit. For me well worth the extra 10 hours.
I had taken four years of Latin in high school, so for me English lit had no appeal at all.
Wait a minute. You went to college in retirement to pick up a teaching certificate or degree? Didn't you already have a BA from earlier in life? If so, your gen-ed courses from back then would apply toward the new BA, so all you should have had to take were the specialized courses, those 70 credits, or thereabouts. Who was advising you? Did you see an academic adviser?
Was drafted straight out of high school. Opened a business soon after and never had a chance for college. Taking are of my family was more important.
No it isn't. Most colleges offer crap classes just to fill out the schedule.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pitt Chick
It is up to you to not choose crap classes, even if they are options.
I see your point Pitt Chick, but the very fact that you can fill your schedule--post core courses--with "crap" classes makes me question whether the remaining credit hours should be a requirement. There's too much wiggle room, IMO. From where I stand, these other courses, while they may be useful to many, largely serve as a way for colleges and universities to extend their gravy train. I'd be OK with the core classes being all that's required to obtain employment in your intended/related field of work, while also giving others the option to pay to continue taking additional classes if they want.
I see your point Pitt Chick, but the very fact that you can fill your schedule--post core courses--with "crap" classes makes me question whether the remaining credit hours should be a requirement. There's too much wiggle room, IMO. From where I stand, these other courses, while they may be useful to many, largely serve as a way for colleges and universities to extend their gravy train. I'd be OK with the core classes being all that's required to obtain employment in your intended/related field of work, while also giving others the option to pay to continue taking additional classes if they want.
My point exactly. My college Algebra teacher commented that 95% of students, even ones who became teachers, would never use Algebra. And many students had to take it twice to pass.
My point exactly. My college Algebra teacher commented that 95% of students, even ones who became teachers, would never use Algebra. And many students had to take it twice to pass.
To me, Algebra would be one of the crap classes.
Seriously.
Algebra is taught in the ninth grade here... there is NO WAY it should be a college course!
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