General Education Task Force to Revise Simon's Rock A.A. and B.A. Curriculum
by Maeve Dwyer
Issue date: 3/10/10 Section: News
For the first time since 1985, Simon's Rock is taking a comprehensive look at the General Education requirements, the requirements for an A.A., and considering changes to the curriculum. Any changes implemented would take affect for the entering class of 2011.
John Weinstein, the head of the Committee looking at the General Education overhaul, decided now was a good time to take a serious look at the requirements, given the amount of interest the Simon's Rock community was showing in the subject. "It's important to think about changes in the world since the 1980's," Weinstein said.
Currently, the committee is focusing on the Seminar formats. A required course among students but taught by a variety of different faculty is very rare at other colleges. The committee views the school's ability to provide this common experience to students as a positive aspect of their curriculum.
Despite the concentration on the Seminar series this semester, the committee plans on moving on to other aspects of the requirements in the future. "You can only do so many things at one time," Weinstein explains.
Students have also been holding their own forums to ensure the opinions of the students, those actually going through the curriculum, are heard by the committee. Student representatives to S&P Olivia Stransky and Faisa Sharif and student representative to P&P Darcy McCusker have been leading these.
The first of the two meeting that have been held attracted around 50 students and lasted for two hours. The seminar series was a major topic of discussion, as was a desire for more interdisciplinary classes. Freshman Abi Pena commented, "I think there were a lot of interesting suggestions, though some seemed a little unrealistic."
Smaller student meeting will be held for students with special interest in a particular distribution requirement. A smaller forum already has been held on the seminar series. "It's been really exciting to work with the students on this," Weinstein remarked.
Students are encouraged to read their student announce emails for information on more of these meetings and get involved in shaping the education of future Simon's Rock students. "It was nice to feel like the students' voice has been heard in what's going on," Sophomore Kristie Nash replied when asked about her feelings on the student involvement.
John Weinstein, the head of the Committee looking at the General Education overhaul, decided now was a good time to take a serious look at the requirements, given the amount of interest the Simon's Rock community was showing in the subject. "It's important to think about changes in the world since the 1980's," Weinstein said.
Currently, the committee is focusing on the Seminar formats. A required course among students but taught by a variety of different faculty is very rare at other colleges. The committee views the school's ability to provide this common experience to students as a positive aspect of their curriculum.
Despite the concentration on the Seminar series this semester, the committee plans on moving on to other aspects of the requirements in the future. "You can only do so many things at one time," Weinstein explains.
Students have also been holding their own forums to ensure the opinions of the students, those actually going through the curriculum, are heard by the committee. Student representatives to S&P Olivia Stransky and Faisa Sharif and student representative to P&P Darcy McCusker have been leading these.
The first of the two meeting that have been held attracted around 50 students and lasted for two hours. The seminar series was a major topic of discussion, as was a desire for more interdisciplinary classes. Freshman Abi Pena commented, "I think there were a lot of interesting suggestions, though some seemed a little unrealistic."
Smaller student meeting will be held for students with special interest in a particular distribution requirement. A smaller forum already has been held on the seminar series. "It's been really exciting to work with the students on this," Weinstein remarked.
Students are encouraged to read their student announce emails for information on more of these meetings and get involved in shaping the education of future Simon's Rock students. "It was nice to feel like the students' voice has been heard in what's going on," Sophomore Kristie Nash replied when asked about her feelings on the student involvement.
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