 "Photo: Zevandah Barnes/Echo staff photographer")
Every semester we hear the moans and groans of students complaining about the General Education Curriculum required at N.C. Central University.
The GEC is characterized by four interrelated themes: communications, global awareness, critical and analytical thinking, and professional development.
Completing the GEC absorbs 32 percent of each student's academic four-year plan.
The requirements consist of 12–16 hours of mathematics and science, nine to 15 hours of communications in English and foreign language, six hours of social sciences, five to six hours of arts and humanities, two hours of social and career enhancement/development, and both fitness and health.
But some students say that NCCU would benefit from the diverse GEC course selection offered by other universities.
"Even though it is my senior year, I feel like I might be missing some valuable information that Central did not teach me within the foundation courses," said criminal justice senior Philip Henry.
Some students say that NCCU should require more courses that explore the African-American experience.
"I wish that Central had an African-American requirement like Howard," said business administration senior Jeremiah Anderson.
Howard University has a required African-American cluster.
"I think that it's important for us to know where and what great people we came from and what exactly we need to do as a people to get to where we need to go," said Anderson.
NCCU does offer a GEC course called The Black Experience to 1865, but it is only an option, not a requirement.
Other students say they would like to see more language offerings.
"Maybe I'd be more interested in foreign language if there were other choices besides the usual suspects: Spanish, French, and German," said criminal justice junior Tay Jackson.
The GEC got its last major overhaul in 2005.
"The program is under constant review," said GEC director and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Carlton Wilson.
"Members of the faculty and academic units may propose program revisions," said Wilson.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article! Log in to Comment
You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now