Studying in the City of New York

Reading books, solving problem sets, and taking exams are part of life for college students. But the notion that academic learning at college occurs only in the classroom or in the library is an unfortunate one, particularly at a university that prides itself on its location in the world’s greatest metropolis. Columbia courses can further enrich the school’s unique liberal arts education by offering more interactive, diverse educational experiences that take better advantage of the resources of our community and our city.

Columbia classes generally fall into one of two categories: large lectures with oral instruction by a professor and small seminars focused on student discussion. Seldom, however, does either type of course at Columbia seek to go beyond classroom debates or textbook assignments and integrate its curriculum with the broader community. True, the traditional educational style in which a professor teaches students in a classroom or students engage one another in debate is indispensable. But more Columbia classes can move beyond that model to offer a more holistic education.

Several courses at Columbia already do so. Engineering Fundamentals Using Advanced Computing Technologies, a required first-year course at the School of Engineering and Applied Science, seeks to engage students in practical community service projects. History of the City of New York, a popular course with a decades-long history at Columbia, supplements its coursework and assigned readings with excursions off campus. Students are required to select and participate in several field trips out of a wide variety offered—a popular option for many is a nighttime bike trip through New York. Students must also plan and lead a walking tour of a neighborhood in or around the city to fulfill the course’s requirements. Introduction to Urban Sociology, a Barnard College course, also requires students to conduct case studies in neighborhoods around New York to enhance their understanding of the course material.

There are many other examples of courses at Columbia that integrate practical off-campus experiences with textbook learning. And it is true that the subjects of some classes lend themselves better to off-campus experiences than others. It is unreasonable, for example, to expect a course designed to be purely theoretical to change its curriculum merely for the sake of engaging the city’s resources.

Still, field trips, internships, and community service projects not only engage students first-hand in a way that books, lectures, and PowerPoint presentations cannot, but also provide them with a practical appreciation of how what they learn relates to where they live. In order to create responsible and well rounded individuals, Columbia should foster courses that move beyond our campus and engage the city. After all, we are Columbia University in the City of New York.

Tags: Opinion, Editorial Board