Gonzaga University - Spires Yearbook (Spokane, WA)

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Core curriculum: Stifles creativity or basis of Well-rounded education?

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ming uninteresting and irrelevant courses down the student's throats. They feel that it does not provide enough oppor- tunities for student involvement. On the other hand, those supporting the Core feel that it provides the basis for a well- rounded liberal arts education from which students can branch out into their chosen areas of study. They feel that it provides an opportunity to explore the basic principles of a variety of areas, providing a chance for the student, un- decided about what he wishes to study, to find an interest and pursue it. As both sides argue, one fact remains intact-academi- cally, Gonzaga University rates among the best in the class of universities its size. Few, if any, can question Gonzaga's quality. ln most of the major programs ample opportunity is provided for students to pursue their interests. Of the 100 plus faculty members, over 6776 have doctoral degrees. In this year's freshman class, 56.5'Zn graduated in the top one- fourth of their high school classes. The mean high school G.P.A. for the freshmen was 3.02, Of the total undergra- duate Gonzaga enrollment, the mean G.P.A. hovers around 2.86. However, when quoting facts and figures one should en- deavor to be careful. For instance, statistically, 67'Zp of Gon- zaga's faculty have their doctorates. But the letters PhD on a diploma often mean little in a classroom. The ability to get the idea across in the simplest way and to convey an interest in the subject matter to all kinds of students are the criteria of a good instructor. With the goal of achieving academic excellence, Gonzaga instituted the Core Curriculum. A few years ago the Core was an inflexible structure which allowed little room for diversity. Today, the Core has been drastically reduced until it now entails fifty-eight hours of instruction-a formidable N., ff .W block indeed, and still somewhat inflexible. However, in a recent impartial poll conducted by a Gonzaga faculty member, approximately 75fZn of the students randomly se- lected, indicated that they had no particular objection to the Core Curriculum. But do not let it be said that the Core Curriculum, or any other part of the educational program at Gonzaga, should not be criticized. By refusing to con- structively criticize the Core, the students are denying the very thing the university stands for-development of the intellect. Doctors Anthony Wadden and Andrew Bjelland have offered an experimental alternative to the Core Curriculum, which would strive to give more relevancy to the liberal arts. This experimental Core is a twelve hour block which would partially satisfy four of the old Core requirements: Natural Science, Social Science, Philosophy and English. The program aims to bring the students in contact with the outside world, utilizing certain principles obtained in the classroom. It is necessary to make the liberal arts relevant? Should- n't a person who has had a well-rounded liberal arts edu- cation be able to- detect the relevancy in it? Should the stu- dents be satisfied with the explanation that someday they will see the relevancy of what they have been studying? The Bjelland-Wadden approach is a compromise between a purely pragmatic approach toward relevancy in education and purely philosophical approach which lets the student find his own relevancy-if any exists. The institution of this experimental Core alternative as a regular part ofthe curriculum would greatly enhance the academic situation and fulfill the goal of the university in providing the best possible education for the students.

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ir' if as-.. ln the final analysis, Gonzaga University should not be looked upon as an integratedmachine which automatically and impersonally programs each stu- dent and places him in a slot. It should, rather, be considered a living entity: an entity which responds to its students, which works with them, not against them, which points out new paths for them to followg which evolves better methods. Above all, however, it should be considered a place of growth-spiritually and personally- for man's most precious asset, his intellect. written by- Wally Larsen photographed by- Gordon Hickey