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One thing that makes Tech unique among other higher education institutions is its core STEM-focused curriculum across all of its 36 majors on offer.
According to the Registrar’s website, general education at Tech is designed to produce students “mathematically, scientifically and technically competent; competent in information retrieval; know how to read, write and present; and literate in the use of technology.
This means that every student, regardless of their specialty, will take a combination of lab science, math classes, computer science, health, and a little English and humanities to satisfy their genes.
While these requirements are excellent as they expose students to a range of different disciplines, what technology lacks in its general education is the ethical and global context to which these disciplines fall, which would be done through ‘a compulsory ethics course and either a course focusing on the language or cultures of the world for each major.
While it is extreme to require a modern language for every major, especially with the heavy pre-existing course load and rigor that come with pursuing a technology degree, it would still make sense for the Institute to require some sort cultural literacy or a world-oriented class to expand students’ worldview.
For example, if students wish to choose Russian as their language or culture of choice to meet the requirement, students can either take a Traditional Russian course or choose to take a Russian Literature or Russian Foreign Policy course at the place.
By allowing students to choose the path they take for the requirement, it creates a more interesting individualized experience that makes the approach to international and cultural studies more accessible and less intimidating, which is ultimately more rewarding than forcing students to do so. students trying to learn songs. of a foreign language that does not interest them during a semester. Especially in the increasingly larger interconnected world we live in, it is crucial that students are exposed to different cultures to bring their understanding closer and become better citizens of the world leaving the Institute.
What is arguably more important to address, however, is Tech’s lack of ethical requirements across all of its majors.
For the importance of ethics in our society, there is no excuse that every major discipline does not include it somewhere in its curriculum.
It is irresponsible of this university to expect students to already understand the real repercussions and effects of the decisions they make in their respective fields as they enter the real world.
Especially in majors like aerospace and biomedical engineering, business, computer science, or any discipline involving laboratory or research work, it is imperative that students know the principles of right from wrong and the potential harms of their decisions. on the environment and communities around the world.
If Tech wants its graduates to be a positive change in the world, it must provide its students with a solid understanding of the principles that guide our decisions and actions. While it is important to acquire technical skills, understanding and being able to make informed decisions related to the overall or broader ethical context of a discipline is what will allow technology students to stand out and do even more. the difference in the real world.
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