There are arguments both ways. Some of the ancillary courses required at universities today are either a complete waste of time or little more than leftist indoctrination. I don’t blame anyone for resenting such requirements.
However, the notion that universities should be trade schools is also abhorrent. If that’s the educational experience you’re after, there are vocational-technical schools that will give you what you want. But if you want a university degree, be prepared to learn outside your immediate sphere, across the landscape of human knowledge.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I particularly noted this: “However, the notion that universities should be trade schools is also abhorrent.” From some of the arguments put forth by the “engineering degrees or nothing” crowd, that would be my answer to them, i.e., then engineering and similar disciplines should be taught in a trade school environment. After all, that’s how we turn out doctors.
I know that I am veering away from your statement that universities should not be trade schools and I totally agree. Some Freepers just don’t understand the need to learn more than just engineering principles.
I attended college from 1962 to 1966, and thankfully, I was not subjected to any ideological lectures.
When I took the law school exam I noted that some questions had references to ancient Greek history and Western European history. I was later told that the reason for is that law schools do not to turn out lawyers who know only law. They want well-rounded graduates. This is the thing that the Freepers who yell “engineering, engineering” seem to not understand.