Question: If you founded your own college or university, what topic of study would you make mandatory for all students to study and why? What would be the values and priorities of your institution and why?
"What good is a growing economy if you don't have a decent planet to put it on?"
This was one of the first quotes I read in my Environmental Studies class this year. This quote, by David Orr; a distinguished professor at Oberlin College was imprinted in my mind the moment I read it. If I were the founder of my own University, without a moment's hesitation, I would require an Environmental Studies course for every incoming freshman. The environmental course which I am partaking in this year in high school has had a greater impact on me and my fellow peers than any other topic of study. The issue of Climate change is constantly placed on the back burner to what are considered to be much more pressing issues such as the economy and war. Yet if the general population were to become even slightly more educated on the topic, it would not be difficult to see what is truly the most pressing issue in our world today. My institution would require an Environmental course for all students in the hopes of educating the younger population and starting movements to save and protect our environment. This would not only be a required course in my university, but also a core value and something to be highly respected by all students and faculty. David Orr's words of advice would be a banner statement for student movements and guiding words to all students.
"What good is a growing economy if you don't have a decent planet to put it on?"
This was one of the first quotes I read in my Environmental Studies class this year. This quote, by David Orr; a distinguished professor at Oberlin College was imprinted in my mind the moment I read it. If I were the founder of my own University, without a moment's hesitation, I would require an Environmental Studies course for every incoming freshman. The environmental course which I am partaking in this year in high school has had a greater impact on me and my fellow peers than any other topic of study. The issue of Climate change is constantly placed on the back burner to what are considered to be much more pressing issues such as the economy and war. Yet if the general population were to become even slightly more educated on the topic, it would not be difficult to see what is truly the most pressing issue in our world today. My institution would require an Environmental course for all students in the hopes of educating the younger population and starting movements to save and protect our environment. This would not only be a required course in my university, but also a core value and something to be highly respected by all students and faculty. David Orr's words of advice would be a banner statement for student movements and guiding words to all students.
