The proposed changes to the language and culture requirements for students in the College of Liberal Arts are a positive step forward for the Tufts community. Tufts is proud of its reputation of preparing leaders who think globally, and the changes, if enacted, will help students to better understand a world that seems to be getting smaller and smaller. The proposed changes would allow a single course to double count for both the world civilization and part of the culture requirements, require that one culture course be focused on the region of that culture's origin, and remove ASL from the culture option while allowing it to count as a second language. The final proposal would put the added cultural requirement into effect for the class of 2009, while allowing everyone starting with the class of 2006 to double count world civilizations and culture.
At a time when transnational flights are (relatively) cheap and quick and access to what were once remote regions grows easier by the day, the imperative for Jumbos to understand a language and culture other than their own will prove extraordinarily valuable.
The most valuable part of the proposal is its requirement that at least one of the courses taken as part of the culture option deal with the region of origin (of that culture). While this may seem like an insignificant change, it does well for liberal arts students by focusing their cultural attention and sensitivities on not just Diasporas but also their places of origin. Knowing the nature of where a culture originates is essential to fully understanding that culture.
This aspect will also have added value for the many students who choose to go abroad, since it will arm them with local cultural knowledge that proves useful when in foreign lands. It will help students avoid being the stereotypical "ugly American" and instead allow them to be a culturally and linguistically sensitive guest. Increasing the salience of the abroad experience furthers Tufts' goal of creating the next generation of global leaders.
Allowing classes to count for both the world civilization requirement and the culture option will simplify what often seems like a maze of requirements for liberal arts undergrads. If the faculty passes this part of the proposal, students will have more time to concentrate on problems in the world and at home and will spend few hours worrying about how to fulfill needed courses.
Applause is in order to the Senate for nearly unanimously passing the resolution calling for these changes. Now it is up to the faculty to act appropriately and approve them, which promise to make life a bit easier and more meaningful for Jumbos. These small changes mean a world of difference on the Hill.
