Bate's New Graduation Req's

<p>I just came across links about the revisions in Bates College’s curriculum, which seemed very thoughtful and interesting. </p>

<p>The cruxes of the curricular changes, at least as far as I can tell from the web site are:</p>

<li><p>a requirement for two “concentrations” outside the major. Concentations resemble, but are not the same as minors, since they consist of only 4 courses, there are two of them instead of the more conventional one minor, and more significantly, because the four “courses” can include non-classroom experiences like volunteering, playing in the orchestra, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>a quantitative requirement (math) with real teeth</p></li>
<li><p>more required science courses, though still only 2, including a lab science. </p></li>
<li><p>3 writing intensive courses (up from a freshman writing course requirement if I read correctly between the lines?)</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Can any Bates folks share their take on the new requirement–and correct me if I’ve misread them–and reflect on the process that led to the changes?</p>

<p>the administration just thought it was time to change...to be honest the one thing that i am not very pleased with are our general education requirements, maybe these new requirements will make others happier. as for the concentrations, i believe that one concentration can be within your major and the other is outside of it.</p>

<p>not 100% on that information though...</p>