Why is it necessary to take worthless liberal arts courses to obtain my A.S.?

[Nezumi]

Going through college I assume most of you know the situation. You're a science major, yet you have to take courses in history, sociology, and art. Although it's not such a bad thing to know how to explain your ideas through art as Leonardo Da Vinci did, you start to find that very little of this relates to your major. Slowly, your GPA comes out of your grip.

 

What is the point of taking liberal arts courses to obtain an Associates of Science degree? I really don't see the point whatsoever as to why I have to take these courses.

 

Right now I'm taking a U.S. history course and I find that it is completely worthless and I will not use it later on in life. I don't want to use it later in life, therefore it is pointless to me. I'm sure history in a sense when it includes science has its uses, however people, places, dates, wars.. none of that really matters.. none of it really matters at all.

 

To me it seems the only thing those courses are there fore is to lower a student's GPA to slow down economic competition among educated people. In other words, as long as you can make the other guy look bad, you keep on looking good.

 

I really don't see much other use for these courses except to deter people and bring them down. A waste of time.

 

I like to look at these things by the perspective of power. I'm using my time to learn about history which will give me power in history... I don't think that type of power is going to do me anygood. I don't have a use for it, never did growing up when I took it in middle school. I don't have any use for it now.

 

I'm anarchist and I don't care about governments, I'm only worried about watching my own tail. I don't see the point of some of these courses. If a person is into business then sure, some of it matters. I'm not a business major. I'm sure it would be fun for making conspiracy theories about bullionism saying that the NWO broke off from Atlantis and that's why people had to collect gold, because the NWO was conducting scientific experiments in the 1400s. As a scientist knows, silver is a better conductor.. therefore gold is crap.

[Phi for All]

Right now I'm taking a U.S. history course and I find that it is completely worthless and I will not use it later on in life.

If you are truly looking out for yourself, you will realize that a statement like, "I will not use it later on in life" is pure conjecture. Trying to relate history to hard science can be difficult but one can gain a better perspective of both by doing so.

 

Since you take things by the perspective of power, how much more power will you have (or not have) over your colleagues in the work force by knowing more or having a better grasp of a situation because your knowledge base is broader?

[swansont]

If you are truly looking out for yourself' date=' you will realize that a statement like, "I will not use it later on in life" is pure conjecture. Trying to relate history to hard science can be difficult but one can gain a better perspective of both by doing so.

[/quote']

 

Exactly. One never knows what information will become useful later on. And there's more to life than science. Requiring liberal arts is a good thing, IMO. I'm just a little miffed that liberal arts majors tend to be able to take watered-down science classes (e.g. "physics for poets"), and not as many courses, to fulfill graduation requirements at many liberal arts schools.

[the tree]

And there's more to life than science.

Lots lots more. Note how history is a million times better a talking point with new people than science. Also how an understanding in history really helps with an understanding of modern politics.

[Phi for All]

I love the way author James Burke relates history to science and traces the pathways of how one thing led to another. Like how banana republics got their name or how ether first became recognized as an anesthetic agent. He's a clear example of how one can take the pieces of a broad education and fit them together like a jigsaw puzzle to explain the world around us.

[Nezumi]

So far all I'm getting is how it would relate to politics. I assume the reason I have to take it is because the ignorant mass of human life on this planet doesn't allow the system of money to be taken away so easily. In other words, people still use money and the world is based on money which relates to politics. As a scientists, although one that understands money=paper, I still have to figure out how to manipulate the system. The system being how the ignorant people still bow down to people who know the system but keep it built on money and psychological control.

 

In all truth, though, without money or politics or ethics, etc. etc. It is somewhat pointless.

[Nevermore]

I take it you don't like the government. An understanding of history is essential for recognising when somthing bad is about to go down. Take a look at the fall of Rome, the rule of Eva Peron in Argentina, and the holocaust. Compare them to today. Scary, huh? Without knowing any history, people repeat failures and mistakes.

History is like memory. The collective memory of the whole human race. If you fall off you bike, you remember that you were trying to drink a coke while riding, and don't repeat the mistake. If the human race elects Hitler, we remember that we were willing to sacrifice liberty for security, and don't repeat the mistake.

If you were to experiment with radium, and had not learned about Marie Curie, you could repeat her mistakes and die.

[AzurePhoenix]

I agree on having a well-rounded knowledge, i myself have interests in everything from a bunch of natural and bio sciences to writing, ancient history, mythology and more, BUT i do full well understand the strain and agony that classes you simply don't want can have, especailly when these classes aren't really necessary for what you're going into. Take math for instance in regards to my particular focus; is it necessary for a zoology major? Certainly, but what's needed for me could easily be learned in a single semester of certain specifics, and yet, I'm doomed to toiling with many smesters of classes I inevitably do poorly in just to glean the rare bit here or there that helps me, when I could instead be focusing on more classes that at least have something to do with me, that I can enjoy at teh same time.

[the tree]

O.k. so the talking point factor doesn't mean anything to you, that's fine although I suggest that you do take it into consideration.

As a scientist knows, silver is a better conductor.. therefore gold is crap.

But if you'd taken an interest in music, then you'd know that gold might not be a great conductor but it's absolutely brilliant for shielding cables so as to get a clean signal, therefore it is far from crap and in fact really awesome.

[prion]

by the way we don't do the whole 'major/minor' thing in the UK. 3 years of science all day and you're done. It's great. Of course people should be encouraged to have a broad education, but to me it's patronising for subjects to be enforced at degree level, when degrees themselves aren't compulsory. For me, that is the point at which you are an adult and have the maturity to choose to either specialise or not study further.

[Roadstar]

You get to do your specialization in your upper level course work and in post-grad. Take advantage if the broad wealth of knowledge available to you in university, it's had to fine anywhere else.

[sophster]

How much choice do you get in choosing your non-science courses? I think it's great you get the chance to cover so many different areas during your degree but also appreciate how frustrating it can be if you only really, really, really want to learn about certain limited, narrow or specific topics.

 

Could you maybe do more foreign language classes which would tie in brilliantly with science and allow you to follow your science career in a choice of different institutes and countries. And if you want to know how to screw the system you're better off taking accountancy, economics and business type modules

[insane_alien]

...Note how history is a million times better a talking point with new people than science.

 

Well i've never introduced myself to anyone by talking about the rise and fall of the roman empire or the great fire of London or the pyramids. but i first got talking to my current girlfriend during a conversation about chemistry. so from a personal viewpoint id say science is a better taling point.

 

then again... http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/295165

[scicop]

I used to feel the same way! Back then I hated the fact that I had to take sociology, and psychology, and history as I was a science major and those other subjects we beneath me!

 

Now..I REGRET that I didn't enjoy those course more! I was a solid science major and when ever need credits to fill up a semester, I took science courses!

 

HOW DUMB I WAS. Since college I've gone on to obtain my Ph.D. (Molecular Pharmacology) and pursued postdoctoral studies for a short period. I do something a litte unrelated to science now (see my screen name/avitar) but during graduate school I learned to appreciate how important its is to be aware of the world we live in and to have an open mind and a broad education!

 

In part my view was influenced and changed by my dislike of the narrow scope of my PhD studies and the fact that I was pursing studies in the best city in the world, New York City!! Its impossible to live here without desiring to go to museums, lecturers, taking in all the cultures of the city and to LEARN about all...OUTSIDE of SCIENCE!!

 

I WISH I could be in your shoes and really appreciate those courses..and take more of them!! Later on, it becomes difficult to take such courses as time is hard to come by, but don't take my word for it, you will see.

 

The world is a beautiful place, take advantage and the opportunityto learn as much as you can about it, cause one day, you'll be in a lab watching your gel run, and discussing the politics of China with your chinese colleagues..and you'll say to yourself..."gee I wish I took/paid attention that Chinese History course back undergrad"

 

 

You're in college, you have front row tickets to the greatest show on earth...take it!!!

[Hades]

i still hate the fact im paying off loans for classes such as american literature and music appreciation.

[augment]

 

Right now I'm taking a U.S. history course and I find that it is completely worthless and I will not use it later on in life. I don't want to use it later in life' date=' therefore it is pointless to me. I'm sure history in a sense when it includes science has its uses, however people, places, dates, wars.. none of that really matters.. none of it really matters at all.

 

 

[/quote']

 

Can you say Manhattan Project?

[dirtyamerica]

Universities get more of your money if you're enrolled there longer, taking useless classes. That's another way to think about it.

[swansont]

Universities get more of your money if you're enrolled there longer, taking useless classes. That's another way to think about it.

 

The tuition you pay usually doesn't cover the actual cost of your education. That income motivation isn't as strong as you think. They are better served having you graduate quickly so the alumni association can start hitting you up for donations.

[GutZ]

I think he has a point though.

 

If you look at uni/college as education, then yeah you would like a broader range of topics.

 

My understanding is most people pay for schooling in regards to careers and work. In that case its strictly business. You can always go back for interest courses.

 

Problem is does your employer want you to have those courses? do they want you to have a different perspective of life, not just your field.

 

I am sure that uni/colleges gear their courses based on what the business/employment world needs or wants.

 

Really you should have the choice, but even if you did, it might not benefit you.

[silkworm]

Nezumi, it's because we share a world with a population of people who, as a great majority, have been brainwashed by literature. Unfortunately we have to live in the very flawed world they have created and with them. It's good to understand the "magic" that goes on inside their head, because unfortunately they're unavoidable.

[s pepperchin]

Do you discuss only science with everyone you meet and if not what do you discuss with them? I am a physicist and I felt the same way in college, however now that I know a lot of people who are not physicist or even scientist I can use that information to have discussions with them. An example of this is that my fiance is a history teacher and on a few occasions I have been able to offer suggestions for her curriculum based on classes that I took in college. So although you don't like taking the other classes it makes you a well rounded person who people will want to carry on a conversation with.

[tellerulam]

So far everyone said why these courses might be useful, and I'm not denying that they are, but no one addressed the fact that they have absolutely nothing to do with science and do not impact one's understanding of it. You're paying your university for a degree in science, so you should only have to take classes pertinent to it. For twelve years you've been told what you have to study, well after you're eighteen no one should make you do stuff because they think it's good for you. You paid them for a degree in science and they should educate you in it. Only it if you don't want to study other crap.

 

Meh, what the hell do I know.

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

You're in the university for higher education, with a focus on science.

 

That's a better way to put it.

[D H]

I am looking for several things when I interview freshouts. I not only wany someone who has the requisite technical skills, but also someone who is confident and well-spoken, can make a coherent argument, and can read and write.

 

If I wanted someone who had good technical skills only, I would look at a trade school graduates. I want a lot more than good technical skills, so I look at university graduates.

[Pangloss]

When I was at Georgia Tech back in the early 1980s (majoring in Physics), I had to take a class on "US History Since 1865". I put the bold type on there just to emphasize the focus on the course.

 

For some reason, they invited a professor from Morris Brown (which is a prominent African American university just a couple of miles away) to come in and teach the course. We spent the first six weeks talking about the causes of the civil war (which, last I checked, actually *ended* in 1865). The rest of the course we spent covering the Civil Rights movement (at least he got the timing right on that one). That was the entire course!

 

I've never figured out if this happened because he was given incorrect information about what to teach, or because he figured those kids down at the North Avenue Trade School needed a little help.

 

Either way, the course was a blast. Learned a lot and it was interesting as hell. Go figure, huh?

 

(Course I've never quite figured out why the US never got involved in World War 2....)