Many experts agree that college students should be encouraged to read a variety of types of literary genres. However, others argue that such courses could be detrimental to the students. In recent years, studies have proven that the humanities are not as important as once thought and that students should focus solely on the sciences to succeed in their courses. In the face of these conflicting recommendations, I believe that students should be required to take courses where they read literary genres but not required to take courses that concentrate on science.

The focus in college should be on learning. Students should be required to take various courses based on their interests rather than their perceived academic needs. Many people believe that courses that emphasize the humanities, such as literature, history, and philosophy, are wasted. However, these subjects are not frivolous. On the contrary, studying the humanities can help students develop critical thinking skills and appreciate the human experience. By reading these sorts of texts, students develop an appreciation for literature, philosophy, and history. This encourages them to read more of the same. Such courses also help students understand other people and cultures, which is essential to being a well-rounded person.

Similarly, the popularity of science courses has led to a perception that the sciences are the most important subjects a student should take. However, this false impression has the opposite effect to that which the advocates of science suggest. Science courses emphasize memorizing factoids and regurgitating them in an impersonal manner. As a result, students lose their ability to grasp the material truly and thus become unmotivated. On the other hand, humanities courses encourage students to think critically and motivate them to learn more on their own. By reading literature, students become more knowledgeable about their own culture, and by reading about other people and cultures, they become better people. In this way, the humanities are invaluable to the modern student.

The idea that all college students should be required to take courses in the humanities is not without merit, but there are several areas in which it could fail. First, the concern is that requiring all students to read literary genres may alienate those who do not enjoy reading. However, if these courses are taken outside the classroom, students who do not want to read can still take other courses, such as math or computer programming. Second, many proponents of humanities courses argue that college should be a time for students to explore their interests. However, this sort of time is wasted on students who are not interested in the subject. If students are required to take a course based on an interest they do not have, they are wasting their time. Instead, students should take classes that are tailored to their interests, such as computer science.

Finally, it is essential to consider the value of liberal arts courses in the job market. In many professions, such as computer programming, science, and engineering, liberal arts education has little value. These jobs require little creativity or critical thinking, and thus, students in these majors have little to show for their college education. Therefore, students would be better served by taking courses in these fields rather than the humanities. However, in these fields, the benefit derived from liberal arts education becomes more apparent. These professions require workers to think creatively and to understand people and history. Thus, the liberal arts are excellent preparation for these fields. In conclusion, although all college students should be required to take courses where they read literature, they are not required to take courses that concentrate on science.