The College of Charleston

Date: Oct 20 2002
Major: Language - French/Spanish/etc. (This Major's Salary over time)
The College of Charleston is one of the oldest, most beautiful campuses in America. (See the cover of this year's Princeton Review if you don't believe me!) It is one of the few schools that still offers a true "A.B." program, in which one completes what is essentially a minor in classical studies in addition to the required major coursework. However, despite the long tradition of liberal arts, the business/finance/corporate communication and other "professional" majors are corroding the school at an alarming rate, turning yet another former bastion of self-discovery and growth into a mill of so-called higher, so-called education. I am a German major and chose this major so I could have a reflective,intelligent,literary and creative experience. Sadly, even my department is being overrun by international business types, and due to the small size of the department, I MUST take German for business to graduate on time. I REALLY, REALLY HATE THIS!!! Instead of Kafka, Hesse and Kant, I am getting doses of how to impress German salesmen, German Business lingo, and other boring and square topics. I give my department mixed reviews because there ARE awesome courses and GREAT professors that I really respect on the deepest level; my problem is the slant in which the department AS A WHOLE is sliding towards. The whole school is not overrun yet (the music and fine art departments are truly wonderful!!!), but the emphasis placed by the new president of the school is business-oriented.