Dumbing down college degrees further, semester by semester. Basic Economics has been replaced as a core class by something simpler that emphasizes Keynes's theories. And now, my state has decided to do away with basic Algebra as a requirement to graduate.
Wonderful. By so doing, they're devaluing the degrees of those that took Algebra. I mean, I can sort of see it for trade schools, for trades that have little to do with math (which are damn few), but not for liberal arts colleges and universities.
Coming soon: Master's degree required for a basic, entry-level position at most jobs.
16 minutes ago
The same thing is taking place in the military. Recently the U.S. Army ran a course for women applicants for the Rangers. The course is horrific, only a handful of male applicants can pass the physical requirements of the course. None of the women did. So several Senators are now insisting that the requirements for obtaining Ranger status be lowered to accommodate females. The trouble is, Special Forces are just that. You have to be in astounding condition, mentally and physically, to qualify due to the nature of their missions. Lower the requirements for political reasons, and you are going to have a Banana Republic special forces no more capable than the average unit.
ReplyDeleteNone of this will end well. Unicorns and rainbow fart promises are fantasies being sold to the common Joe as realities, which always--ALWAYS--ends badly. Kipling nailed it in "The Gods of the Copybook Headings."
DeleteWon't end well... Ever... sigh
ReplyDeleteYup. It's sad. If I can pass Algebra with a B, then anyone can.
DeleteI hate math, and have never been good in it. However, thanks to Dad (an electrical engineer) I can add, subtract, multiply, divide, balance the checkbook, do my taxes, figure IV med doses, and insulin carb ratios. It took me a year and a half ( in the slow class in high school) but I passed algebra with a B-. Best day of my life until my kiddo was born.
ReplyDeleteSo, I hate math, and firmly believe calculators are a great invention, but even using one, you still need to know what you're doing. But you use algebra fairly often in real life, so I agree they should not drop the requirement.
Besides, I think it is a good thing to have to struggle to learn some things. Not everything should be easy-peasy, some things you should have to work for to really appreciate the benefit of having the degree.
Suz
I can do a lot of things in my head--fractions, in particular, are easy, because I cook from scratch a lot. I routinely make 2/3 of a recipe, or make it half again bigger, rarely as simple as halved or doubled.
DeleteBut algebra, the word problems in particular, kicked my ass. Weird for a person to whom words and language make more sense.