Waive Maths Requirement?

The argument made by Gordon Adams contains a valid ideology that is present in if not all but most students. “Why should we waste time and pay for classes that are not even related or beneficial to our future careers?” Being a student myself, my friends and I have muttered this inquiry subconsciously many times whilst trudging to and from our classes, without ever conjuring up a satisfying answer. However, we must take into consideration that students nowadays want to 'race through' their education, avoiding the 'long winding road' to their destination. Adams’ notions are from the perspective of a student. Yet, instead of relentlessly complaining why we 'have to study' certain subjects what if we consider the reason why we have required courses?

It can be said that the main reason by having a ‘core course’ system is due to the fact that, students who graduate from high school, are too young to have a secure and stable vision of their careers in the future. This may consequently lead students to ‘waste more time and money’ switching majors due to their indecision. Core classes covering different subject areas may thus allow students time to decide on their ‘true calling’ as they grow older and become more mature.

Also, it is only logical that, once one person is allowed to ‘opt out’ of a required course, then, as justice requires us, we have to have the same considerations for all other students. Just imagine, the ‘chain effect’ once a person has been allowed ‘leeway.’ We have to remember that the argument of having to do subjects not required for a particular course, has been in the mindsets of many students throughout their schooling years. Thus the university itself will be overwhelmed with similar situations as in the case of Gordon Adams. As we contemplate more into the future, we may have to face serious situations. Not only may there be an increase in unemployment and a diminishing variety of subjects, due to the decrease of student participation in certain areas of study, but students will have a less ‘well rounded’ education.

If the United States is willing to change its whole curriculum and school system from a long tradition, then waivering subjects due to their irrelevance on a certain major can proceed. However, we must consider the advantages of having requirement courses and remember, that education, can only serve to benefit us, as well as our future generations. Consider this: You have a child, he/she comes home with a mathematics assignment and asks you a question, you have one of two options: 1) You fortunately have had the advantage in studying in college and is able to answer his/her question. 2) Tell them that you're sorry, you didn't study it at school because it was not related to your major. Which one would you choose?

“The more you know, the more you grow, the more you grow, the greater your voice, in making a decision or making a choice” - anon.