From what we at the Daily Sundial understand is we go to a university to attain more knowledge. As a staff, we’ve always noted the lack of requirements in our college and in others in the time we’ve spent at CSUN. This translates into a lack of knowledge, but more importantly a lack of understanding.
Put in terms of reading how would a reader be able to make a critical analysis of Plato’s ‘Republic’ if they skipped through the pages?’ The thesis would be picked up, but the principles and applications would be substandard and crude.
Class requirements reflect the basic understanding a student has in his or her field and if we can get the amount of required classes to increase it should directly affect the student’s depth of knowledge.
The reason classes such as composition aren’t taken can be attributed to the administration and/or ourselves. The first because they’re currently concerned with budgets (as well as making sure students graduate sooner rather than later), so they cancel classes and try to limit the time spent in college by number of units accumulated.
Cancellation due to low enrollment also prevents students from taking a class that will benefit them. The system forms a paradox, educated yet without substance. It’s as if they don’t care about education.
The students on the other hand on this campus come and leave like bad take-out food does to your digestive system. They’re taking what is available which is never filling.
By taking classes other than those listed in your section of the university catalog could be to your own benefit.’
As a staff we all come from creative majors, ranging from journalism to art. We’ve all taken classes outside what is required of our major.
The basic principles taught are concept, craftsmanship, and composition. What students don’t understand is they’re for the most part learning exercises in their fields: art and shadowing, history and research, journalism and notepads.
The most important component is the development of a concept, but it seems to almost always be left out of the process or handed to you. The concept will always be there, but it’s never pushed out of your brain and made sense of.
Being technically proficient with materials and media isn’t sufficient as it takes intellect to be able to form a concept. It should be the student’s responsibility, but without the availability of classes we’re left on our own.
There are classes that offer a technical skill that can build towards a conceptual thought. This is true not just for art, but for other colleges as well. The history department has classes that help build research skills. Even though the student can build an extensive database, without a carefully formed thesis their research will be a string of facts with no aim.
It’s time the student body realizes the benefit their’s. If a student uses the excuse of ‘not enough time’ to take classes, then they should reconsider their career as a student.
Classes offering more to a student than units towards graduation should be required. Exceptional classes should be brought to the attention of students and not canceled.
