Originally Posted by Botnst

Kerry Edwards asked a very leading question about whether requiring math in university is a waste of human resources.

Algebra is to calculus what grammar is to language.

IMO, if you cannot pass calculus you shouldn't be in a university. The same goes for other fundamental analytic skills in other liberal arts disciplines. That's what the "university" word is all about -- once through with it, you can apply your knowledge universally -- to all problems.

Go to a JuCo or trade school if you want a curriculum that doesn't require analysis in the major fields of human endeavor.

So no, it's not a waste, if we set low educational goals for our most advanced education, we'll get students of exactly that quality. Kind of like what we have.

Originally Posted by Botnst

That's sure the reality. And as we "dumb-down" so that more people can matriculate, we devalue that which they seek to accomplish. Welcome to the world of everybody's a genius.

There are some few things for which there is no substitute. Aristocracy of the intellect is one of them. Egalitarianism in education is self-defeating bull*****.