Correlate options limiting

Jessica Gentile Asst. Opinions Editor

I find it rather odd that, in a college that constantly touts its academic flexibility and encouragement of intellectual exploration, correlate sequences are not offered in all departments. This lack of continuity can provide a dilemma for students who have interests among various facets within a department, but do not wish to fully focus and major in that subject matter.

In order for a student’s transcript to accurately reflect more specific areas of concentration, there must be equal opportunity available to minor in the subject area of his or her choice. Given the overall flexibility of much of Vassar’s core curriculum, one would think that the administration’s philosophy of academic freedom would extend into the realm of correlate sequences. But clearly this is not the case—as of this moment, correlate sequences do not exist within the psychology, sociology, or drama and film departments.

This is an annoyance to students who wish to minor within these subject areas, especially given the potential to form various smaller concentrations. For instance, say a student majoring in biology also had an intense interest in sociology. A possible correlate sequence, focusing on the emphasis between medical issues and public policies is definitely feasible.

There are a multitude of courses offered that one could form into an appropriate correlate sequence, such as Soc. 260 Health, Medicine and Public Policy, Soc. 243 Birth, Death and Public Policy , Soc. 270 Drugs, Culture and Society, and Soc. 367 Mind, Culture and Biology. Along with an introductory course and a 300-level seminar, a student could minor in sociological impact of biological and medical advances.

And then there are situations in which a student has completely separate, unrelated interests. There are unquestionably some students that only want to delve into one subject area, rather than declare a double major. Say a student is intensely interested in film theory and criticism, but not the actual process of filmmaking? Since no correlate sequence of that kind exists, it might actually deter a student from taking film courses, as the extraneous classes wouldn’t count towards any particular minor or major, that would show up on their transcript.

Students, with administrative approval, should be allowed to design an individual curriculum. The only way this would be feasible is if the decision for correlate sequences were not decided by individual departments, but rather a separate board of faculty advisors.

The ability for students to design independent minors is also not an available option, adding to the dissatisfaction students may experience while attempting to formulate their schedules, especially when it comes down to ultimately declaring majors and potential correlate sequences. Much like the independent major program that currently exists, students should also be able to propose interdisciplinary sequences, to suit their particular academic desires.

In an environment that supposedly caters to the individual’s intellectual needs, Vassar is surely lacking in the structure that would provide for ample freedom in terms of the creation of independent correlate sequences. And this is somewhat necessary if Vassar wants to maintain its liberal reputation in terms of the nature of its progressive educational policies.