Although general education classes are unrelated to majors, some students feel they have been benefited by taking them.
General education classes may sometimes be overlooked and deemed as unimportant or just an easy grade, but they’re still a part of the college experience.
While those classes do not always relate to a student’s major, different courses can pique one’s interest in a new topic.
Erika Poling, a sophomore studying psychology and studio art, recently decided to study studio art after taking the introductory arts class, also known as IART.
“I found IART to be helpful because it’s nice to learn about different cultures,” Poling said. “I think everyone should be educated in that aspect.”
General education courses could make students consider different applications of their degrees, or if a student is undecided in their major, the classes could provide a student with an area of interest to pursue.
Taking courses from different studies also gives students the opportunity to meet other professors at Ohio University that they may have otherwise missed out on.
“Women and Writing with Kelly Masterson was the bomb.com, and I absolutely love her,” Katie Pittman, a freshman studying journalism and Spanish, said. “She is a lovely ray of sunshine.”
Masterson also teaches English 1510, a writing and rhetoric class.
“I found the professors to be really helpful,” Nicholle Acciarri, a freshman studying finance, said. Acciarri said she enjoyed taking Dance 1700, and found the class to be easy.
The dance and exercise classes offered at OU are a way to break a sweat, all while gaining course credits. Students can get a group of friends to take the same class to spend some time together working out.
“Sociology is an interesting class that’s easy,” Lauren DeLuca, a freshman studying exercise physiology, said.
General education courses are meant to increase the consideration of other perspectives and cultures. Considering those perspectives more often can benefit people by integrating such skills into the workplace, Poling said.
“Chris Hedges has an interesting way of teaching that doesn’t let you get bored,” DeLuca said about her sociology professor. “Plus, he calls out students that don’t attend, which is always entertaining.”
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While general education classes do not focus on a student’s particular major, some feel it is beneficial to their studies nevertheless.
“I think the environment and people here really aids students in the learning process,” Pittman said.
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