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My son got up this morning, read the article and ended up saying (with some unprintable words) that Noonan doesn't really understand. He illuminated me a bit. He said the reason they study engineering and become "scientists" is that those are the people who are "problem solvers", and that is what a military leader needs to be. He also pointed out that the Thayer System is not what Noonan stated at all, but has more to do with how the classes are structured. The cadets learn the material BEFORE class and are prepared to present it. He did say they ALL study psychology, sociology, history, and liberal arts areas for content and understanding.
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<p>This is exactly how I understood the "Thayer system" and why cadets hate it so! I think the writer confused teaching method with curriculum.
As regards to curriculum - no other SA teaches liberal arts and languages like USMA - he is barking up the wrong tree here. He should be picking on the Naval Academy - they are just getting on the bandwagon with foreign language.
You son is absolutely correct as to why math and science are stressed heavily - High level math and science teaches one to problem solve.</p>
<p>The article almost sounds like sour grapes - did someone who can't do Calculus but is fluent in 3 languages not get an appointment??</p>
<p>Now back to the Thayer System - the cadets learn the material and do homework before they are taught the subject matter - Yuk. At a candidate visit they had a Cow come talk to parents. I couldn't resist so I asked his opinion of the "Thayer System" - rather bluntly he just said "It sucks"!</p>