Kyle Cape-Lindelin (The Beacon)
By Kyle Cape-Lindelin, Staff Commentary
Much like the rest of the student population at the University of Portland, I experience a pretty packed and stressful schedule with two jobs, a full course load and trying to find an hour or two of me time. I have managed to do this for three years now and am happy to know I am well on my way to meeting UP's prestigious academic challenge.
However, in my three years at UP, there is nothing that has been a bigger challenge to me than overcoming some of its core curriculum requirements. These include (for an English major) a full year of a foreign language course and a baffling NINE credits of theology courses, though I guess we should all be thankful we don't have the University of Notre Dame's, UP's sister school, requirement of 12 credits.
I didn't come to UP expecting an easy ride. I knew of its requirements for academics and believed I could overcome its challenges standing on my own two feet. In fact, it's one of the main reasons I choose to come to UP those long three years ago.
But, do I really need three semesters of theology classes to obtain an undergraduate UP diploma? I realize this is a Catholic school (and it puts a stress on spiritual growth as well as personal and academic growth), but as I sat through my first required upper division theology class, I heard the same answer from everyone in that room as to why they choose the course: "Because I was required to."
These were the same words coming out of my mouth. My class was not filled with a bunch of atheist slackers, either. We all expressed a faith in God, but after a semester of the student-dreaded Biblical Traditions (most notably its 12-15 page paper), I think we have had a full plate of theology, and more than any student should have to swallow.
Yes, we should have a theology class to broaden our religious scopes, no harm there. I'd even be willing to take Bib Trad to satisfy these requirements. I also understand the importance of taking a foreign language. However, I consider the year of foreign language and the three semesters of Theology classes by far the hardest classes I have taken at UP.
I know I'm not going to learn Spanish (I have a well-established language barrier), nor am I ever going to be a priest. I would like to become a writer or get into the communications field, but because I've had to load my schedule up with required theology and foreign language courses, I can't take advantage of some of the communications courses available because of a lack of space and time.
UP can find a better use of our course space. Trying (and in my case failing) to learn a new language I won't remember and pulling a week of all-nighters to write and research a huge Bib Trad or theology paper is a waste of my personal time.
For those who want to broaden and research their religious beliefs, or want to become fluent in another language, hats off and good luck to you. The University should offer you these courses, not force them down our throats, especially when we don't have the slightest bit of interest.
UP, I applaud your academics. I will be very proud to hold a diploma that I've earned rather than a diploma I've paid for. So let me work hard on the courses that mean something to me and will give me the skills to succeed in the workforce of my choice. We're grown adults and it's only fair that we get to choose how we spend our time at UP - not to be lazy, but to better who we are individually.
