Technological learning and cultural experiences were major players in Tuesday's forum on the core curriculum.
The Core Curriculum committee planned the forum to get feedback on which skills the University should stress to help prepare upcoming graduates.
Suggestions of language courses with multicultural topics surfaced. Other programs stressed were like those of John Vann, associate professor of marketing and Ball State's green initiatives coordinator. Vann's suggestion included focusing on the environment, society and economy.
"There should be courses that help the understanding of environmental sustainability," Vann said.
Student Government Association vice president Megan Pickens provided a student perspective on the importance of interdisciplinary courses. This theme was the opinion of the majority present.
Cultural aspects include all subject matters, according to Charles Jones.
"We tend to think of culture as humanities," Jones said. "We should encourage students to go visit the planetarium."
John Reno, chairperson of the school of physical education and coordinator of sports administration, suggested more focus on physical activity in the core curriculum.
Other issues also surfaced, such as the level of challenge of the core classes. Some people argued that students with a strong high school background in math, science and foreign language may be bored with core courses.
Others, like assistant professor of theatre Michael O'Hara see boredom varying by instructor.
"The quality of teaching is the issue, not the class," O'Hara said.
Part of the debate also stemmed from transfer students. Faculty said they feared students transferring from other universities do not get the same curricular objectives that they do at Ball State.
Assistant provost Tom Lowe suggested that if Ball State wants to ensure that graduates will have the skills Ball State claims to have taught the students, the committee may need to look into having junior level core curricular courses.
"We can ensure they are our graduates, and we can put our stamp in these courses," Lowe said.
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