The Wall Street Journal recently wrote about the sixth annual analysis of core curricula at 1,098 four-year colleges and universities by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni which included Whittier College. The study found that just 18% of schools require American history to graduate, 13% require a foreign language and 3% economics. But there are shortcomings to the survey commissioned by the nonprofit organization that advocates for accountability at U.S. colleges and universities.
Among the California schools that fared poorly according to the survey were Whittier College, Pomona College, and Occidental College. By the metrics of the poll, Whittier requires only one core course—in composition—and none in literature, language, government or history, economics, math and science.
“Every couple of years there is a similar article based on very flawed surveying,” said Whittier College President Sharon Herzberger. “The truth is that we have many required courses, but these requirements are not always listed within the stringent categories used in the survey.”
Whittier College’s liberal education program requires two science courses and one math course. Four courses in “cultural perspectives” are also mandatory and can be taken in history, sociology, anthropology, political science, and other related disciplines. The liberal education program emphasizes writing, critical thinking and the practical application of knowledge. While foreign language is not required at the College, about three-fourths of Whittier students take language courses. Moreover, courses in foreign language, U.S. History, advance mathematics, literature, and science are all requirements for admission to Whittier College.
Sean Morris, chair of the English Language and Literature Department, pointed out in the Wall Street Journal article the shortcomings of the survey and called it superficial. “Whittier has a strong interdisciplinary approach, so a history curriculum might be wrapped into an art or science course, and composition might be tied to math,” said Morris.
According to Professor of English Wendy Furman-Adams the core curriculum at Whittier College is based on four Cs: Community, Communication, Cultural Perspectives, and Connections.
“The interdisciplinary approach at Whittier allows students to learn how to think through the course of their college career and the rest of their lives so they can keep on adding knowledge,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs, Charlotte Borst.
President Herzberger adds, “Our students are doing very well – getting jobs, getting promoted, starting businesses, getting into graduate school. In fact, 86 percent of our students who apply to medical school get accepted. Whittier is also in the top 4% in the country in graduating students who go on to earn a Ph.D. in the life sciences.”
