Breaking: GS students, welcome to the Core
According to an email sent out by Dean Peter Awn, General Studies is adopting several changes to its core curriculum in order to “bring about closer alignment between the GS Core and the Columbia College Core.”
Just what are these changes? Students accepted to GS for and after the Summer 2012 term will have to complete Lit Hum, CC, and the Global Core requirement. Check out the News desk’s story here, and read the full email below:
Dear Students,
I am excited to let you know about an exciting change to the GS Core Curriculum that will bring about closer alignment between the GS Core and the Columbia College Core.
The GS Core CurriculumContemporary Civilization Requirement
Columbia’s Contemporary Civilization course was forged between 1917 and 1919 as a course on questions of war and peace. Today, it works to inform students about how human beings forge communities – be they political, social, moral, or religious. GS is adopting the “Contemporary Civilization” requirement (COCI F1101 and COCI F1102) while still allowing for approved substitutions. Approved substitutions for the “Contemporary Civilization” requirement will be two social science courses.Literature/Humanities Requirement
Established in 1937, Literature Humanities (HUMA F1001 and HUMA F1002) is one of the foundations of the Columbia Core. GS is adopting the Literature Humanities requirement (while still allowing for approved substitutions). Approved substitutions for this requirement will be two literature classes, or one literature class and one humanities course. As was previously the case, one literature class must be completed at Columbia.Global Core Requirement
The Global Core is one of the most recent additions to the Columbia Core, and it seeks to educate students about areas that are not the primary focus of either Contemporary Civilization or Literature Humanities. The Global Core consists of two courses from the approved list of Global Core courses. At GS, the Global Core requirement will replace the current Cultural Diversity requirement. (N.B.: Courses taken for the Global Core will not “double-count,” as is the case with our Cultural Diversity requirement.)Who Is Affected
New Students
The new policy applies to students accepted to GS for or after the summer term of 2012.Continuing Students
If you have met the Cultural Diversity requirement, you need not take the Global Core – although you may do so if you wish.If you have not yet met the Cultural Diversity requirement, you will have the option of fulfilling either the Cultural Diversity requirement or the Global Core requirement. You will need to decide which program you will complete before the start of the spring 2013 semester. Students who opt to complete the new Core requirements will complete the Global Core, Literature Humanities, and Contemporary Civilization/Social Sciences requirements as noted above.
You should check with your GS academic advisors to clarify any questions or concerns you may have about these upcoming changes and give some thought as to which option you wish to pursue going forward.
Please join with us in acclaiming these new academic policies, developed so that all undergraduates at Columbia can share the same educational experience.
Sincerely,
Peter J. Awn
Dean
The LitHum/CC change doesn’t represent a substantial change from the previous requirements in terms of what classes students can actually take. Previously GS students could take CC and LitHum, or they could substitute as outlined in the email. The new policy does more strongly encourage CC/LitHum, and may suggest additional GS sections of those classes.
The Global change is substantial for students who are tight on credits, as previously they would often double count the diversity with Lit, Art, or Music.
But this is a big deal in many ways. I think it could be a good thing for the health of the core overall. I think the core represents a huge pedagogical statement that despite the post-poitivist turn in the social and other sciences, Columbia is still committed to the life of the mind. It will maintain a major and increasing investment in the fundamentals of actually thinking, forming sound conclusions, following and thus making challenging moves, etc. And GS will continue to be a more and more central part of that whole worthwhile tradition. I am very pleased with this decision. I encourage continuing students who have an interest in the intellectual history of the present Global University to opt into these changes. I think they will serve everyone well intellectually at GS and at Columbia in general.
I hope GS will be in different sections than the CC and SEAS students. We need to maintain the small class sizes.
definitely not different sections – that’s a terrible idea – but i think you do still strike at a valid point. we need to make sure that the increase of students comes with an increase in core resources. core class sizes are ballooning enough as they are, and faculty incentives to teach the core are not as good as they could be. if they’re going to add students to the core, then the core needs more funding.
“definitely not different sections – that’s a terrible idea”
That’s exactly what they do for UWriting already….
i am genuinely enthusiastic about the core and i think this is great. i agree with anonymous though ^
I think they should try to have classes divided 50/50 by CC/SEAS and GS students
Yawn. Do you really think GSers are going to take a course that requirres four days per week, endless reading and writing assignments, when they can take much easier courses now that fulfill the same requirement?
Well, CC and Lit Hum meet two days a week, not four. Second, nearly every class in the humanities and social sciences has required reading every week, and most require as much writing as CC/LH. Third, I think most GS students would resent the implication that they’re looking to take the easy way out — they did, after all, choose to come to Columbia.
In other words, I don’t mean to be rude, but what the hell are you talking about?
Is barnard getting the Core too?
“Please join with us in acclaiming these new academic policies, developed so that all undergraduates at Columbia can share the same educational experience.”