Shreya Parikh FCWR 101-W02

Professor Patterson 11/11/16

Undergraduates in college should not have a core curriculum. Taking classes that are part

of a core curriculum are a waste of an individual's time and money. Some of these classes aren't

necessary to a person's major because they were fulfilled during high school, and technical

colleges/universities may not transfer these core distribution credits. They also are not necessary

for assisting a person to interact with others.

People say college is about having the freedom of making your schedule and a step into

adulthood. Imposing classes onto a student whose major has nothing to do with that particular

class is regressive. For example, an art major having to take a writing class is unnecessary and a

waste of that person's money. Also, that person may dislike writing and happen to do badly in that

class. Doing badly in that class may cause her to fall behind, get discouraged, and ultimately drop

out, which can negatively impact their GPA. That major doesn't need English but may need a

history course or math course such as geometry, which has relevance on their a particular. These

classes may be beneficial because for example, in a history class, they're introduced to different

artists and their style during a specific period. A geometry class introduces one to different angles

and shapes that can be useful in their art. Also how many times in the real world will a client ask

you to write a paper as an artist detailing your artwork?

The main reason colleges mandate core curriculum classes unrelated to their major is

because they want students to be well rounded. A student's entire academic career from

kindergarten through high school provides the exposure necessary to become a well-rounded

person. Also, our daily life experiences including reading newspapers, watching television and

movies, the internet, provides basic knowledge in subject areas that develop a well-rounded
person. All this helps the individual interact with others in a social atmosphere. As a result,

mandating non-major classes does not enhance a person's ability to be socially adept.

Technical schools such as NYIT have a much more focused curriculum for their majors.

An example would be students in the Physician Assistant's program or BS/DO program are more

focused on classes that provide science knowledge rather than writing or math, only basic math

and writing would be useful in doing research papers and prescribing medication dosages. These

students aren't required to take history or anthropology classes even as electives.

We are learning new things every day, thus increasing the knowledge related to our field

of study. Core curriculum classes divert focus and attention from fully concentrating on absorbing

technical knowledge since students worry about doing well in those classes as well. Focus on

colleges and universities should be only on curricula useful in the preparation to meet and succeed

in a student's career goal. Universities needing core curriculum classes is a way for them to make

money.