GW administrators and faculty are questioning the academic merits of a new credit system that would decrease the number of classes a student takes each semester.
The University is currently accepting feedback on an alternative academic calendar proposal that could change GW's credit system and mandate a summer term for rising juniors.
A move to the four-by-four credit system would mean students would enroll in four four-credit courses per semester rather than the five three-credit classes they currently take. Although students would receive more credit for each class, GW is not required to lengthen class time.
Many members of the GW community said a downsize in the typical GW student's course load would allow professors to cover material in greater depth and allow students to focus on fewer classes. But others are concerned that if students take fewer courses during their four years, they will miss opportunities to double major, will not explore electives and will not receive a thorough-enough education.
"I think increasing credit hours without increasing (classroom) time is just repackaging the curriculum, and it's fraudulent," said philosophy professor and member of the Faculty Senate William Griffith. "Lowering the course load is a reasonable proposal for a just means, but I think that it's not educationally sound."
Students are currently required to earn at least 120 credits - about 40 classes - to graduate. Depending on how the University would implement a four-by-four credit system, students would take eight to 10 fewer courses during the tenure.
However, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Craig Linebaugh called the proposed credit system "very appealing."
He said there are solutions to arguments that students would lose learning time but that the University must "take a very close look" at its curriculum.
"What may come out of a revised curriculum are more courses that would cross disciplines," Linebaugh said.
The University is currently accepting feedback on an alternative academic calendar proposal that could change GW's credit system and mandate a summer term for rising juniors.
A move to the four-by-four credit system would mean students would enroll in four four-credit courses per semester rather than the five three-credit classes they currently take. Although students would receive more credit for each class, GW is not required to lengthen class time.
Many members of the GW community said a downsize in the typical GW student's course load would allow professors to cover material in greater depth and allow students to focus on fewer classes. But others are concerned that if students take fewer courses during their four years, they will miss opportunities to double major, will not explore electives and will not receive a thorough-enough education.
"I think increasing credit hours without increasing (classroom) time is just repackaging the curriculum, and it's fraudulent," said philosophy professor and member of the Faculty Senate William Griffith. "Lowering the course load is a reasonable proposal for a just means, but I think that it's not educationally sound."
Students are currently required to earn at least 120 credits - about 40 classes - to graduate. Depending on how the University would implement a four-by-four credit system, students would take eight to 10 fewer courses during the tenure.
However, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Craig Linebaugh called the proposed credit system "very appealing."
He said there are solutions to arguments that students would lose learning time but that the University must "take a very close look" at its curriculum.
"What may come out of a revised curriculum are more courses that would cross disciplines," Linebaugh said.
