Spring Break
Letter to the Editor
Academics: Bacc Core could help our ed.
Issue date: 5/18/09 Section: Forum
Your recent editorial ("Bacc Core bore needs a change," 13 May 2009), implicitly juxtaposes the value of classes in one's major to those required for general education. Such a great divide is not new. Back in the days of the Roman Empire, the roles were reversed. Slaves were encouraged to undertake vocational or specialized training necessary to do their work; however, only free citizens were afforded a broad education with the intent to develop their full humanity and help them understand their role in society and in the world.
As Oregon State looks to define what general education could look like for us in the 21st century, we owe it to ourselves not to sell short its possibilities. The abilities of critical thinking, effective communication and problem solving are undoubtedly valuable both in our future careers and in leading a fuller life. The exposure to the intellectual inquiry of a mathematician and the intellectual inquiry of a historian sharpens and broadens the ways that we can think. Simultaneously being able to express our beliefs and to take seriously views of others, to understand ourselves and to respect the culture and history of others, to see multiple sides of an issue is the cornerstone of our democracy.
So rather than ask how the Bacc Core can interfere less with our success, I think the better question is, "How can the Bacc Core more effectively promote our success?"
Milo Koretsky
professor, school of chemical, biological and environmental
engineering
As Oregon State looks to define what general education could look like for us in the 21st century, we owe it to ourselves not to sell short its possibilities. The abilities of critical thinking, effective communication and problem solving are undoubtedly valuable both in our future careers and in leading a fuller life. The exposure to the intellectual inquiry of a mathematician and the intellectual inquiry of a historian sharpens and broadens the ways that we can think. Simultaneously being able to express our beliefs and to take seriously views of others, to understand ourselves and to respect the culture and history of others, to see multiple sides of an issue is the cornerstone of our democracy.
So rather than ask how the Bacc Core can interfere less with our success, I think the better question is, "How can the Bacc Core more effectively promote our success?"
Milo Koretsky
professor, school of chemical, biological and environmental
engineering
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