Let me just start off by saying that Marc Taylor is a genius. In his op-ed, he proposes an idea for universities to not just learn about the world for the sake of learning, but for the sake of understanding the problems in the world and proposing solutions. He discusses the worthlessness of having professor do research only in their department on obscure topics. He explains to readers that as professors stay within the boundaries of their department, the departments as a unit grow further apart. He proposes instead that universities in general change their curriculum and strategies from one that is narrow and focused in each department to one that is broad and inclusive of many departments. "Responsible teaching and scholarship must become cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural.," he writes. This makes so much sense! I think every school should do this. In any one subject, whether a grad school or a high school class, there are several different angles and perspectives of it. Consider African Studies, a course I took at NHS. This class incorporated language, economics, music, literature, art, and history into a study of past and modern Asian culture. Learning about all of these things together made me think in a new way. For once, I wasn't just learning about Shakespearean novels or how the sun uses nuclear fusion to create heat, asking myself, "When am I ever going to need to know this?" These were ideas and concepts I could actually incorporate into my studies and life.
Taylor says that if we are teaching students a multiplicity of ideas in each subject, we might as well be using students' knowledge to solve the world's problems. Many students today are preparing for futures that do not exist, explains Taylor. Many grad students will never be able to pursue a career in higher education like they hope. Instead, he proposes uses their intellect and motivation to make changes in the world that will help in the long run. For example, my AP Environmental Science course discusses the political, social, economic, and cultural impacts of issues like population growth. While fertility may not seem like part of an environmental science curriculum, it was important for me to understand why people decide to have more children in order to understand the trend of population growth. Population growth affects humans culturally, economically, socially, politically, and environmentally. There are so many people putting a strain on the earth today, that we might not be able to enjoy our good ol' planet for much longer. This is a problem that needs fixing! Taylor is basically saying that these kinds of problems are more important than "how the medieval theologian Duns Scotus used citations."
This is logical - and cost-effective- advice.
1 comment:
First of all, I just have to say that I say "When will I ever need to know this" just about EVERY DAY in math class. :D I can totally relate.
But in terms of the fusion of disciplines into one class, I definately think that's a great idea. It may even interest more students in the subject, as typically people can be classified as either artsy, english/history orientated, or math/sciencey. I'm not saying everyone fits into one of those categories, or that they can't be good at other disciplines, just that oftentimes people have a preference for one or a combination of those categories.If classes icorporated more than one discipline then maybe more students would be able to relate on some level, therefore fostering interest in the over all ideas being presented in the class.
Post a Comment