Freshman Center
First-Year Insight
Fall 2002
Generally Speaking
In the next few weeks, first-year students will be sitting down with their academic advisors to begin choosing courses for spring semester. Often, those conversations include questions about Berry's general-education requirements: "I'm a Biology major. Why do I need to take a literature course?" "I want to be an English teacher? Why do I need two science courses?" "Why can't I take ‘Beginning Ceramics’ to fulfill my fine arts requirement?”
Regardless of their major, all Berry College students must complete 52-53 hours in the general-education curriculum: 19 courses across a variety of disciplines. Unfortunately, to many students and sometimes their parents, these courses are perceived as something to be gotten out of the way as quickly as possible so that the real work of college—taking courses in one’s major—can begin. This approach is a recipe for disappointment, as it leads students to choose courses on the basis of convenience and availability rather than genuine interest. That lack of interest, in turn, can lead to a lack of engagement and effort that results in dissatisfaction and poor performance.
Moreover, the “get it out of the way quick” approach to general education misses the point of attending a college like Berry. General education is at the core of Berry’s mission to educate the whole student rather than merely provide training for a narrow field or career. Through general-education courses, students gain the breadth of knowledge that is the hallmark of higher learning and that provides the foundation for further education. Mike Crego, class of 1992 observes: “’Art Appreciation’ took me from an art neophyte to someone who can have an intelligent conversation on the subject.” Furthermore, a student will frequently discover his or her major and even future career through general-education courses. Senior Blythe Williams remembers: “ Before I took ‘Cultural Anthropology,’ I thought it had something to do with digging up dinosaur bones and exploring ancient underground civilizations. Once I learned that anthropology was the study of cultures around the world and began to learn what I thought was some fascinating information, I decided to major in anthropology.”
By taking courses in many different areas, students also become familiar with the methods of inquiry and discourse of different fields. General education at Berry places particular emphasis on developing the communication skills so necessary to personal and professional success. Every student must complete courses in writing and public speaking. Hall Graham, a senior marketing major, says, “My ‘Rhetoric and Writing’ class helped me learn how to think critically and communicate my thoughts clearly for a specific audience, which are essential elements of advertising.” Mike Crego, now vice president of investments for A.G. Edwards Corp., attests to the value of the speech class he took at Berry: “Like most college students, public speaking was not one of my strong suits. However, the ‘Intro to Speech’ course helped me overcome my trepidation of public speaking, taught me how to prepare for a public speaking engagement, and has had a very significant impact on my career.”
Berry’s general-education program also reflects the school’s role as a teaching-centered institution. Unlike other schools where introductory courses are offered in large lecture halls and frequently taught by graduate assistants, the typical general-education class at Berry has 20 to 25 students, and classes are usually taught by full-time faculty. Students benefit from having outstanding instructors in their introductory classes. Alison Damerow, a junior communications major, recalls: “My freshman year I took Dr. Bailey's ‘American Democracy’ class. His incorporation of humor and his ability to break down complex ideas led to a very enjoyable and challenging class experience. In fact, I enjoyed his class so much that I discovered I had a real interest in government and politics. Since my freshman year, I have taken other courses from Dr. Bailey and have declared a government minor.”
As your students begin planning for next semester, encourage them to be thoughtful and deliberate in as they work with their advisor to choose their general-education courses. Discuss their interests, listen to their plans, and suggest that they look for courses that will stretch them intellectually.
We tend to think that specialization in a narrow field is the ticket to success. But a glance at current world affairs reveals the tremendous need for cultured and literate individuals who are able to see connections among ideas, to communicate with diverse groups of people, and to reason intelligently. Through its general-education program, Berry aims to graduate just such individuals.