The Benefits Of General Education

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The process of obtaining a college degree is not an easy task, it requires a large amount of time invested. In order to graduate, colleges and universities require a certain amount of credits. These credits achieved by taking courses referred to as general education classes. Colleges set these courses to enable the students to “Explore, Discover, and Transform.” The general education courses prepare students to acquire knowledge and skills to become well educated people, that are then ready to interact with the outside world in a responsible manner (“Degrees: General”). The general education courses include English, History, Science, and Mathematics. In order to receive credit for the specific section students are required to take one or two classes that fall under each section. In addition, specific majors require …show more content…

Having to take these general education classes evidently serve a purpose for the students attending colleges or universities that require the courses however, it is questioned if these classes are really necessary? Debates pertaining to whether college education is worth the trouble dates back to when the colonist returned from Europe in 1636, and founded the “New College” (“College Education”). In order for college students to obtain their college degrees in a timely manner there should be some accommodations made to the requirements necessary to graduate including the general education courses. Chris Hedges quotes, “We should not forget that the true purpose of education is to make minds not careers” (Quotes about). General education is often perceived as a waste of time and money however; Hedges reminds one that the purpose of attending college is to get an education not just to get

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