Quinnipiac University offers all kinds of unique courses for its students to take. All of the schools, from health sciences to communications have classes that can’t be found anywhere else. Perhaps the courses most unique to Quinnipiac are QU 101, 201, and 301. These seminars aim to help students learn about their local, global, and international communities. Unlike the rest of those unique courses, QU 101, 201, and 301 are required.
The major issue with these classes being required is that they take time which could be filled with credits that can be put towards a major or minor. Many students feel that they could use the time they spend on the QU seminars to take more relevant classes. Physical therapy majors in particular have trouble with the classes, as their rigid schedule severely limits when and what classes they can take. “(QU 201) is interesting and helpful,” said sophomore physical therapy major Tom MacDougal, “but it is really inconvenient.”
Another problem with the classes is the monetary cost. It costs a lot of money to attend Quinnipiac and take 15 credits worth of classes. Students could spend the money they spend on QU 201 and 301 on other courses, more conducive to their majors. “I feel like my money could be going to something else,” sophomore Ethan Donovan said. “It just seems like I should be taking something else.”
Still, there is something to be said in support of the QU seminars. Sean Duffy, a political science professor and the creator of QU 101, 201, and 301 explained that he wants to have all Quinnipiac students to have something in common. “It brings students back to commonality,” he said. Duffy went on to explain that he felt this was needed because as students advance in their studies, they grow farther and farther apart in what they learn. When asked whether or not he has seen any progress, Duffy said, “I think so, but it’s kind of too early to tell.” He hopes to have a better idea after the first students complete the program.
So is it possible to balance the good and the bad with these courses? The best possible solution would be to offer QU 201 and 301 courses, but not make them mandatory. QU 101 is entirely different because if nothing else, it allows freshmen to interact with each other in a new environment. While some argue that students would stay away from the courses if they were, it is not necessarily true. One would be hard pressed to find a sports fan that would not at least glance at a course entitled “The ESPN-iazation of America.”
If Duffy’s plans for QU 301 come to fruition, students may actually get opportunities to travel to international locations. “We’re trying to develop QU 301’s that will actually be international experiences,” he said. Once again something that many students would take part in whether it was mandatory or not.
In conclusion, it is not the idea of the QU seminars that are flawed, but the way in which they are presented. Perhaps Quinnipiac will one day change policy to make those classes more flexible and easier to work with.
