Should this be compulsory?

[theonlyone]

What do people think about a 10 credit first year compulsory module on the history of the university, and the town in general?

[DrAlex]

Taught by whom? And where? There are over 1000 first year students, how could they all possibly take this module? Would it be assessed? What would the credits count towards?

Surely such an endeavour is completely infeasible.

[hr]

The Sinner: Where no one ever learned "if you haven't got any thing nice to say, don't say anything at all."

[exnihilo]

The history of the town and university? Hmm, the estate of Ronald Cant would be pleased, as he wrote the only worthwhile book on the subject.

Why do you feel it would be neccessary? What purpose would such a course serve that couldn't be served by a booklet made freely available?

[Raindog]

More useless art subjects that get you nowhere.

[Duggeh]

What about another 10 credit module about something else just as pointless, because theres really bugger all 10 credit modules to pick from outside philosophy and youll need to balance up to 60.

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Duggeh: Master Of Ceremonies

[Senethro]

Quoting Duggeh from 16:47, 20th Nov 2007
What about another 10 credit module about something else just as pointless, because theres really bugger all 10 credit modules to pick from outside philosophy and youll need to balance up to 60.

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Duggeh: Master Of Ceremonies

Not to mention philosophpy modules only count for half credits in some science schools

[Jono]

Compulsory history is always good!

Then again, the history departments' entry requirements are pretty high. We don't want a load of under-qualified scientists piling into St. Katherine’s Lodge and winging that they don't know how to write an essay! It'll ruin the acoustics!


[hr]

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[DrAlex]

Then we're in agreement. You don't want us, we don't want you. Huzzahs all 'round.

[hr]

The Sinner: Where no one ever learned "if you haven't got any thing nice to say, don't say anything at all."

[Steveo]

I do think more information, in one easily accessible place (like a more comprehensive section on the website) would be a great asset to current and perspective students.

[hr]

Get off my internet.

[Thalia]

Quoting Jono from 23:52, 20th Nov 2007
Then again, the history departments' entry requirements are pretty high. We don't want a load of under-qualified scientists piling into St. Katherine’s Lodge and winging that they don't know how to write an essay! It'll ruin the acoustics!

I'm not sure if there are any sciences that have lower entry requirements than history - if we're going by that then it's the language students you have to worry about as i think they only need ABBB to get in

And, at the risk of sounding like i'm whinging - i've never really liked the history department's essay style, i've always hated putting references in footnotes. Or even in endnotes. Parentheses make it far easier to remember who's being referred to when you're reading an article. But since i only took history for one semester before i dropped it, i guess i'm not one to judge.

[hr]

You've been nothing but an angel every day of your life and now you wonder what it's like to be damned...

[Mehmsy]

What a hilariously silly idea. 10 credits for a course on the town's history when all one needs to do is pick up a book up on the subject and read it during the course of an afternoon?

I wish honours modules were like that.

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[exnihilo]

They're not?

[macgamer]

It could be taught electronically over WebCT, the readings are specified and the essays set.

I don't know how you would teach all first years simultaneously in the traditional lecture or tutorial format, even if you were to split them between semesters.

Another solution would be to force Science students to take at least one arts module elective and vice versa with Arts students.

That way you could achieve a more rounded student.

Perhaps this is more a discussion about what a University education actually is now and what it should be.

[[James]]

Quoting macgamer from 12:46, 21st Nov 2007
Another solution would be to force Science students to take at least one arts module elective and vice versa with Arts students.

That way you could achieve a more rounded student.

Perhaps this is more a discussion about what a University education actually is now and what it should be.

Quite a few people in the University would agree that you have a point here. My own tutor vehemently believes all IR students should automatically be enrolled in Modern History and Economics.

[lts2]

Quoting Jono from 23:52, 20th Nov 2007
Compulsory history is always good!

Then again, the history departments' entry requirements are pretty high. We don't want a load of under-qualified scientists piling into St. Katherine’s Lodge and winging that they don't know how to write an essay! It'll ruin the acoustics!


[hr]

BY FIRE; BE PURGED!


http://www.myspace.com/tauntra

And we don't want you in our departments either but still the university decide to fling every other 1/2nd year arts subject into my building. I wouldn't mind so much if they didn't scowl at us in our own common room as we discuss quantum mechanics. Stilettos + rainy day + physics = history students on the floor. Hahahaa....

Anyway, 1st year compulsary history module would be a bit pointless and at that level surely the exam would just me a memory test?

PS Jon, we science students can write essays I assure you, infact I am pretty sure that I have written more for my degree this semester than thou....9,000 and counting...

[Raindog]

Check out his melodies

[theonlyone]

Well would it work if one member of each department was educated in teaching such a module, no essays would be required really, and the exam could just be a memory test. What is wrong with that? It needn't count towards anything, why does everything have to count towards something?

As to why, well I think that the history of the town and the university attracts a lot of students to st andrews, and really I believe that there are a lot of people who would be interested in it.

Also it would make students, especially those of a scientific nature "well round people". I don't think that it is right that we should all waltz through this ancient town, take part in the "traditions" and get our degrees with out knowing anything about how it all came about. Culture is just as important as education, I would say.

[Thackary]

In that case, why don't people learn about it themselves? Why does it have to be taught?

Why can't it go onto a website with information about the town? - the Sinner's Guide, for example?

[theonlyone]

Quoting thackary from 16:06, 21st Nov 2007
In that case, why don't people learn about it themselves? Why does it have to be taught?

Why can't it go onto a website with information about the town? - the Sinner's Guide, for example?

As good as the sinners guide as it doesn't cover terribly much, lets me fair. And let people learn it themselves, well time is an issue, but there is no real reason why they shouldn't get credit for it, is there?

[Thalia]

TBH, i would rather my credits went towards something more interesting, thanks. I know a bit about the town and its history but i don't see why i should be tested on it - makes no difference to my psychology degree if i can rattle off the history of the town my university's in.

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You've been nothing but an angel every day of your life and now you wonder what it's like to be damned...