Should general education classes be required in universities?

[ShyGuyInChicago]

What do you think? These classes are intended to make a person well rounded. Do you think that is what happens? Should gen eds. be optional for people with majors and required for those who are undeclared?

Personally, I feel that university students should not be required to take any classes that are not related to their major. I think the only classes unrelated to a major that should be required are classes that teach skills that are necessary in all professions. I think the only exception to the rule should be that students with undeclared majors should be required to take general education classes.

[Sith Lord 13]

I think they should be needed to some degree. Math, at least to the degree needed to balance a checkbook. At least one course in speech so that one knows how to speak well. English, at least one to show that one is literate. Philosophy, at least one so that one knows how to think.

I do, however, believe that people should have the right to test out of them.

[The Dark Lord]

Not at university level, if you can't count or speak at the age 18, then you are wasting your time. At school though, I think English, Maths, a science, a language and a social science should be required

[Sith Lord 13]

Not at university level, if you can't count or speak at the age 18, then you are wasting your time. At school though, I think English, Maths, a science, a language and a social science should be required

It's not about counting or speaking, it's about reminding people of real life math and teaching people to speak properly.

[The Dark Lord]

It's not about counting or speaking, it's about reminding people of real life math and teaching people to speak properly.

that's what I meant, sorry.

[PJay]

Yeah I agree 100% with both you guys. I dont feel like I know anything compared to a lot of you guys about stuff that gets talked about on VT, especially politics, things like that.
They do what you are talking about in the sixth form, but actually I think they should do it more for younger years too.

[TopGear]

I think its just a money hole in the United States. Just another way for them to get more money out of you.

[Syvelocin]

Maths and English required only. That's what I think. The point of uni is to study for a specific degree, unlike public schools prior to that. I'm so sick of sciences, other than psych and socio of course which are required for my major. Maths and English are necessary in most all careers to a certain degree. History and Sciences are not. And most people don't retain that information anyway. Some but not all Maths and English are remembered, and are obviously important.

[CaptainObvious]

Absolutely some breadth in one's education should be required. No one is educated with mastery of only a single subject, no matter how significant that mastery may be.