Should BSC 101 be a required course?

A recent survey of Buffalo State faculty and students revealed a desire to keep BSC 101, Foundations of Inquiry, as a required course at this school.

The issue has met opposition, as some people seem to think taking the course is a waste of time.

Our editorial staff couldn't agree on whether or not BSC 101 should be eliminated from the curriculum, because we took the class in different semesters with different professors. Some of us loved our BSC 101 class, and others found it to be a huge waste of time.

Based on our discussions about our experiences with BSC 101, or its equivalent, one thing is clear: We all took vastly different versions of the course.

Some of us took English-based classes in literature and semantics. One editor took a science-based course, while another learned the art of debate. One editor was even uncertain of what was supposed to be the subject of his BSC 101 class.

One thing that some of us remembered, albeit vaguely, from BSC 101 was a "chart thing" discussing creating a good argument, or something to that effect, but others didn't remember ever learning that. Perhaps this indicates that what may have been the basis of the course was either glossed over or nixed altogether.

So we ask the same question others have: What were we supposed to learn? Why is this class required if people are coming away with such different information?

If BSC 101 is to remain a required course at this school, the college should tighten the reigns on the course; standardizing exactly what should be taught and ensuring the students learn it. Otherwise, it really may be a waste of time for some students.