Joshua StorieI always thought that the overly sensitive, entitled, ignorant Arts student was a myth of the conservative media. But at the Bachelor of Arts Renewal Town Hall on Feb. 5, the students who spoke up embodied some ridiculous stereotypes.
The major point of contention was the proposed BA basic requirements which the Faculty of Arts claims will be more flexible compared to the current ones. Many profs voiced their opposition.
The debate was lively until students spoke. Some students expressed a general disregard that Arts courses need to build off of each other. Unlike in Sciences or Engineering where vague notions of “flexibility” in learning would be laughable, students seem to think that critical theory, German idealism and the history of ideas can sorta just be picked up whenever they transfer into the Arts. At their worst, some students seemed downright lazy. As a defence for eliminating the mandatory language requirement, one student complained that they couldn’t remember anything from the language class they took. They also implied that taking too many Arts requirements could adversely affect their mental health. This is why Engineering students laugh at Arts students.
The problems with our current BA requirements should be discussed, but they should be discussed by students who have things to learn rather than by those who already know everything about education.
