This is a guest post from Katishi Maake on LFTV (view original post.) Katishi is a freshman journalism and political science major at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has an interest in media and politics. Currently, he reports and copy edits for a campus publication called The Public Asian. Katishi has aspirations to graduate and land a job somewhere in journalism, preferably in print. He is also a member of the film club at Maryland and enjoys making and watching films when he can. 

General education courses are required for nearly all college students, no matter what major you choose. But there is still an ongoing debate about whether those classes are necessary. Students who believe general education is unnecessary usually claim that they will never utilize the skills or knowledge obtained through a gen ed course toward their major or profession. They also believe gen ed is a way for universities to drain more money from students by having them take more credits.

Universities will say they want their students to become well-rounded citizens and that general education courses provide enrichment and value to student’s lives, and there is truth to that.  Regardless of how you feel about general education, there are valuable courses college offers that will truly prepare you for adulthood.  College is not only about getting a degree, but also becoming smarter, better informed, enriched citizen. Here’s a list of five subject areas you should explore when completing your gen ed.

1. A Fundamental Government Course

Every college student, regardless of major, interests, political ideology, or country, should be able to understand the fundamental principles of their government. If you are citizen or resident of the United States, a basic American government course will provide an elementary understanding of the powers different branches of government hold, the federal government and its relationship with state governments, the values and competing interests that existed when drafting the Constitution, current standings of civil rights and civil liberties, the workings of elections, and much more.

All these topics are important to engage if you want to be an informed citizen. No matter what your major is, government and politics will always affect your life. Today, young voters have a lot more influence and it is important that they are informed and knowledgeable when partaking in the political discourse.

2. A Macroeconomics Course

It’s a near consensus among all political scientists and researchers that people’s perception of the economy affects whether or not they will vote for an incumbent presidential candidate. Economics is another indispensable facet of our lives that affects every single person within a population. The reason I specifically point to macroeconomics is that it deals with economics on a broader scale. For example, macroeconomics deals with trends in unemployment and how those trends could affect the economy. Additionally, macroeconomics looks at policies passed or not passed by the government that could affect the standard of living.

Microeconomics, although very important, could possibly not be as relatable to the average citizen. College students entering the work force after gradation need to be aware of unemployment trends, the status of the housing markets, and policies that could affect their job prospects and economic well-being.

3. An English Composition Course

English composition is a course that everyone will have to take at college, and for good reason. English composition is a writing course that will teach you how to write academically and communicate effectively. Usually students will take a course like this early on in their freshman year because the skills learned in the course will have to be applied throughout college.

As Beth Dumbauld of Straighterline.com says, what comes with a college education is the acquisition of fluency. Fluency encompasses processing information, performing critical on information, and communicating your though-process in words. These skills are essential in becoming a smart, functional member of society. Being able to process the world around you and intelligibly communicating your thoughts and opinions is extremely important to a democratic system.

4. A Sociology Course

The American Sociological Association defines sociology as, “a social science involving the social lives of people, groups, and society.” Getting an understanding of different societies within the society you inhabit is very important. Many people’s actions are driven by their perception of other and especially true in politics.

If you’re a student from a small town and want to reach out and learn about others, a sociology course could be very helpful. Sociology can help students empathize with other cultures and people, which is important for a thriving society.  Part of becoming of an adult is maturing and becoming more open to people and lifestyles that are dissimilar to yours. Understanding sociology will also help you get a grasp of social policy that is passed in the United States, which is valuable when communicating issues of civil rights and civil liberties.

 5. A Religious Studies Course

Religion throughout the world factors into the lives of many different people.  Every person has to address how they feel about religion sometime in their life.  Even if you have grown up with a particular religion, it is still important to be open and learn about other religions.

If you’re a college student and you are confused about religion, taking a religious studies course is even more paramount. The University of Virginia says their religious studies courses “examine the major religious traditions of human history and culture as well as other traditions that have flourished independently of European or Asian influences.”

Just like sociology, religious studies gives students perspectives of different cultures and how religion factors in their lives and influences their culture. Understanding religion is a big part of forming your views and ideology when entering adulthood.

Stay tuned for more from LFTV and other content partners! Let’s connect on Twitter @SINevents